The Fritillary, June 1896

No. S.

Juhe, 1896.

Contents.

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P A C.);

NOTES AND QUERIES .

133 W.I. READING SOME. EL(ZA— BETTIAN PLAYS . . . 1 35 • CO—EDUCATION OF BOYS AND . . .

GIRLS .

135.

• . THE CA USE OF A MODERN .4 . 140.

SOCIAL PHENOMENON THE LABORATORY .

• 141 THE COMEDIES OF BEN TON— .

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MILTON'S. FVF. .

144 VET ANOTHER SONG OF THE CYCLE .

1 45 145 .

THE LABORATORY. . 145 • FRAGMENT .

146 HINTS ON BOATING NOTES ON THE LIBRARY, .

147 SOMERVILLE. COLLEGE SUGGESTION .

148 THE OXFORD ANT) CAM149 BRIDGE. HOCKEY MATCH CORRESPONDENCE • • • 149 WOMEN'S INTER—bOLLEGIATE ' 150 DEBATING SOCIETY . . 153 L'ADYI MARGARET HAIL SOMERVILLE COLLEGE .

153 ST. HUGH'S HALL .

155

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Ogforb : PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETORS BE JAMES PARKER & CO., CROWN YARD.

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No. 8.

JUNE.

'notes ant) Queries.

THE Fritillary of this Summer Term threatened to grow up as the white blank variety, and the gardeners have had some difficulty in training it into the ordinary enscrawled type the public expects to see.

Indeed the flower of pale uniform metals does seem to be the better representative of our mental condition in the midst of Trinity Term. He who brought our emblem from Athens wisely planted by the Isis the two kinds, noting significantly that there are at least two Oxfords. Oxford is Greek enough in May and June, if Hellenism is, as we have been so often told, the " harmony of opposites." So we try to imagine, and lay to our souls the flattering unction that we can pass mornings in old, studious, cloistral Oxford, and afternoons in a new Oxford, frivolous and giddy. Until, as the twelfth race of Eights' week bumps past, and we summon up the appropriate excitement, we wonder if this is the chill of the true British spirit creeping over us, this sense of the discords in sameness.

AN evening on the river can do much to set you free, even in Eights' week, from those entanglements to which only Oxford can bring you. Suppose you choose this method of employing the ideal, the timeless " vac," between Easter and Trinity Terms.

Culture has become a mockery, you have lost the way to Philistia, all is vanity. But

1896.

there on the river by moonlight, and cloud shelter is the idealism of vanity, you discover that vanity has been maligned. There is a pause in the weary strife with illusions ; you find with uncivilised glee as you glide past mysterious objects, that you have mistaken swans for boats, and boats for swans.

Now the moon vanishes, and all seems water, a vast dark lake, out of which rise blacker pillars, like columns of smoke. You steer, perhaps, with dreamy curiosity towards these forms, and are abruptly stopped by land, whilst the smoke is defined by unseen sculptors into trees. Possibly, then, this is still the Char, and there is something which does not change. Now the moon reappears and the shore moves out towards you, and shuts you in ; the boat must be resting upon the roots of trees, and you look down into their branches of indescribable colours, such as you have seen in visions of moonland.

When Magdalen bells strike out their questioning half-hour chime, they do not mark the end of your non-temporal, place-less vac, they take you deeper into it, and you can no longer believe that life so far has been anything but a dream, from which you have awoken. But the end is not distant, and very probably it is brought about by some passers by, whose sentiment has taken a vocal form. " Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard " were sweeter.

SOME of us compared notes one day, as to our various idiosyncrasies in the matter

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of picturing ideas. It appeared that one had difficulty in visualising.'hei Memories of friends' faces, "because they were seen by her mind's eye, with their names scrawled across them. To another the months of the year presented themselves, as it were, in festoons,---one festoon beginning in January fell gradually towards March, then slowly rose to June. The other curved from July to December. We would be glad to have testimony of curious experiences in this department, especially 'evidence of the nonpicturing of ideas, which seems extremely rare.

"'Tis pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print ; A book's a book, although there's nothing in't."

This being so, we in Oxford are always interested in the literary work of students who have gone down. It has been proposed that all books or articles published by past or present students should be noticed in the Fritillary, and we think the carrying out of such a suggestion would give a fresh interest to the Magazine. But we must ask if writers or their friends will keep us informed of the appearance of any works of this sort, as otherwise it will be next to impossible to keep pace with the many growing literary reputations of Oxford students. We hope that notice of books, or of Magazines containing articles to be reviewed in the Fritillary, will be sent to the Editor not later than the fourth week of each Term.

IT is less certain whether a Magazine is still a Magazine " although there's nothing in't." This view is generally taken by " won't-be". writers when the Representative of the Fritillary appears to carry out the operation known to the Committee as " working up the. Halls." It is not until

one's flattering friends elect one on to the Committee that one feels a sense of responsibility in the matter. To the unofficial mind the question of writing for the Fritillary bears an analogy to the case of the lady who, having watched many cricket-matches, suddenly finds herself taking part in a ladies' match. The ball comes spinning towards her, and she moves out of the way to let it pass, and wonders with mild scorn where is the person whose duty it is to field it. Only the infuriated cries of the captain of her side rouse her to the fact that she is more than a spectator of the game she is watching from under her parasol in her position at " Point."

THE sea of Education Bill speeches continues to gather volume, and waves of it have lately been breaking on Oxford. This shore bare of Board Schools seemed uncongenial to Mr. Lyulph Stanley, who severely criticised the Bill, at Mansfield College. He could hardly find one redeeming feature in the measure, unless it might be regarded as a possible starting-point for the reformation of Secondary Education. He' endeavoured to dispel the enchantment which hangs for so many of us about the word Decentralization. The Bill, according to Mr. Stanley, centralizes where it ought to decentralize, and decentralizes where it ought to centralize. There is too much centralization in the devolution of an authority over all subordinate parishes which threatens to be practically ultimate, upon the County Council, too much decentralization in the minimising of authority at Headquarters.

This word, decentralization, will be a leading note in the music of 1896 for that conceivable future race, whose ears will be sufficiently keen to hear back all the words of past generations.

Mr. Lyulph Stanley in his wrestle with the Bill did , not. reveal running through its

THE FRITILLARY. infinite variety, which no custom can stale, any single principle. In this respect Dr. Fairbairn, in the current number of the Contemporary Review, has been most victorious over Proteus.

To erect the Secret Society into a college is one of the many ingenious works of that great Anglo-Saxon race, which loves to see the. Middle Ages and the 19th century walking hand and hand. In some American Universities, it appears, most of the students on entering apply for admission to one of the numerous secret societies which bear usually names taken from the Greek alphabet—Epsilon Phi,—Gamma Omega, and the like. After initiation the student resides in the House of the Society, which is thenceforth in a certain sense his College. In public he wears a badge of which he is very proud. To this Community, which is in the first place social, he belongs through life.

There is, however, also a large number of students who do not take kindly to the Secret Society system, and are independent members of the Universities.

THE question has been asked, Why, among the many games we patronise here, Archery should have no place ? There is a great deal to recommend it. First of all, there is a considerable charm of sentiment about anything which has been English as long as England has been England. Then, as a game, it is full of skill, very graceful, good exercise without being excessive, and played in the open air. There are Ladies' Clubs in many parts of the country, and why should there not be one in Oxford, where our great object, when we are not working, is to play at one thing or another ? The difficulty would be to find sufficient space, for the distance for ladies' shooting is sixty yards 2

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but this difficulty can hardly be insuperable.

Anyhow, if half-a-dozen Pioneers can be found, there is no reason why it should not be raised and overcome, and this interesting and distinctive sport find a footing among us in Oxford.

Ott 1ReaOing some Ett3abetban THESE

are the dramas of great men gone by,

The resonant voice of an heroic age, Kings, priests and commons throng the crowded stage With solemn pomp and purple pageantry.

Or where the dew-bespangled meadows lie

Kissed by the streams, behold the pondering sage, With broad, wise brow, or some shy maiden page Blushing before the water's imagery.

High thoughts were theirs : wide aims, ennobling strife For worthy ends ; before their flying prow The great world's boundaries fell back apace.

We close the book, the play is done, we go From that rich scene to this pale shadow of life, Low deeds, and days of fretful commonplace.

CooEbucation of Vows anb Girls.

IN England Separate Education is the rule, Co-Education the exception, at least in Secondary Schools. Many Elementary schools have separate departments, but a large proportion are mixed, especially in the north. Infant schools are always mixed, as are all Wesleyan schools. In the country small schools are often mixed from economy.

In all but the largest schools it would make better grading possible.

The children who attend Elementary schools are mostly of a class whose boys and girls associate more together out of

THE FRITILLARY. In the north of England mixed schools are much more common, and the evening classes and higher grade schools are usually mixed too, with the best results.

Separate Education is in England the almost universal rule in technical schools : public schools, grammar schools, and high schools. Yet all the arguments for mixed education in the elementary schools apply here equally, and others also. Among the working-classes the life is never so artificial, and the boys and girls so much separated as in the class where the boys are sent away to private and public schools, and the girls educated at home, or in high schools, or very " select " boarding schools.

Here from the age of 9 or 10 the education is entirely separate. There is much that we are proud of in the English public schools, but even the most ardent advocates of the system can hardly claim it to be quite ideal.

This is why it seems worth much consideration, whether, by educating girls and boys together to a later age than is now customary, you might not preserve for the boys all that is good in the present system and extend it to the girls also, while softening much that is rough and abolishing much that is bad.

Then it is such a disadvantage to both boy and girl in after life to start by knowing one another so little. Take the case of the boy who has no sisters, and perhaps not a single girl friend ; he may idealise women in the abstract, or he may look on them as inferior creatures who exist for his amusement ; but in neither case has he much idea of what women really are. There are many girls also, brought up isolated in the schoolroom, seeing no one but a few other girls, until at the age of 18 they are suddenly plunged into the whirl of society. How can such girls and the men whom they meet really help one another when they know so little of one another, and have no serious

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interests in common, and only meet to frivol ?

Would not this evil be cured if boys and girls were educated together in a natural, sensible way ? One sees already the advantage to both, in cases where girls who have brothers have always known their friends,— or where they have followed country pursuits with boy-friends ;—why not make this comradeship between them more generally possible ? There is much difference of opinion as to the age up to which boys and girls can be successfully taught together—some would carry it on till the age of 17 or 18, or even through college life also ; others would send them to separate schools at 12 or 13. But even so, before the age of 12 they would have learned to know something of one another, and would have made friends whom they would continue to see in the holidays, Co-education seems the more natural system. As one American report puts it; " Probably God's plan in instituting the human family is a good one to follow." But many people seem to think that though plausible enough in theory, the difficulties in carrying it out would be insuperable. Of this we can judge best by seeing how the system works in the West of America, where all schools are mixed ; in Scotland, where there are many old mixed grammar-schools ; and in the few English secondary schools where the experiment is being tried.

In America Co-education is in the West almost universal. In the East separate schools are now gaining ground, partly because of the tendency to follow English fashions, partly because society is here more complex and artificial than in the West.

There is an interesting report published by the Bureau of Education in Washington, in 1883, on the whole question. A caution is given to foreigners reading the report, emphasizing the fact that in America Coeducation is part of the developed life,. and

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:body of customs, and might produce different results under different conditions. They ,consider homogeneousness in society, race and religion, important for success. The .report further boasts that in America the " Teutonic reverence for women is strong," and points out that the male sex preponderates there. Three-fourths of the population attend elementary schools, and no other ; in these all classes mix freely, and the age is from 5 or 6 to 16. Here the boys are said to be less rough and boisterous than when separate, and the girls to shew more courage and candour. " When grown into men and women they understand one another better, and respect one another more than the people of other lands appear to do. The sexual and social morality of the rural districts and small towns of the U.S.A. is very high."

A circular was sent round to the larger towns and cities asking for information, and the replies shewed that out of 196 of these towns 177 practice co-education, while only 19 have separate schools. These 19 are all in the East. The reasons given are most interesting. The 177 towns who prefer coeducation give one or several of the following reasons :— 25 towns answer, " It is more natural." It follows the ordinary structure of the family and society. As one answer puts it, " We are created male and female ; all the impulses of nature enforce co-existence ; if we must live together we must be educated to that end:; to educate separately is to attempt to change the natural order of human economy."

45 answer, " It is customary," being in harmony with law and habit.

5 answer, " It is impartial," giving both sexes equal opportunities. Wisconsin maintains that under this system " there is no appreciable difference in the mental capacity of boys and girls during their school, life."

I0 answer,

that it is " Economical and convenient," making better grading possible with less money.

But the largest number of towns, 5o of them, return the answer, " It is beneficial to pupils of both sexes." They say it " cultivates respect and esteem in each sex for the other." " Boys become more gentlemanly and girls more ladylike." " It is healthful," " conducive to the highest order of development," " secures effective study, good order, and good morals."

In Scotland there were many old mixed grammar-schools, taught entirely by men, but they are dying out. Those acquainted with Scotch schools say that no one has a right to form an opinion adverse to mixed schools without seeing the wonderful work done by them in that country b.

In England at present, in private and endowed schools boys and girls are not usually taught together except in the kindergarten, or up to the age of 8.

There are some, however, which are taught up to 12, notably one rather expensive large preparatory day-school of 70 pupils in Manchester. The head-mistress is a strong advocate of the system, but insists on the number of boys and girls being fairly equal, as she thinks a small number of boys tacked on to a girls' school a very bad plan c. It also seems desirable that they should leave the same schools at the same age. (See Miss Wood's Evidence, 12, 380.)

The schools are at present very few in number where the children are taught together till an older age. There is an interesting account in the Report of. Mrs. Kitchener, one of the Sub-Commissioners of the Secondary Education Commission, of a mixed Grammar School at Upholland, near Wigan. " It is remarkable as being the only one I have come across where the boys b Report of Secondary Education Commission, Vol. VI., e Ibid., P.304. p. 307.

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and girls play together also." There are 4o pupils aged from II to 17. The headmaster had been for many years an assistantmaster at Rossall. He at first objected to receiving girls, but gave in to the wishes of the parents, who pleaded that there was no other school within reach, and that the boys and girls were used to working together in the elementary school. It, is a pretty little ,place only 4 miles from Wigan, yet seeming quite in the country. The school has the appearance of an old manor-house, and its windows look out through a tangle of jesamine, roses, &c. They do all lessons together except needlework, which is taught to the girls by the Master's wife, while the boys do carpentering and gardening. There are only 6 boarders. The master believes in their being entirely mixed, if at all, so they all play together in the big field behind the house, one of the masters being always present. Many are brothers and sisters.

A friend has lately sent me an account of Craig-more College near Bristol, for boys and girls from the age of 3 to 18. They play separately, boys playing football and cricket, the girls tennis and hockey, but they have a joint debating society, which seems to be carried on with great spirit, to judge from the school paper, and they have joint boating expeditions on the river, crews and captains being of either sex indifferently.

There are 3o boarders, 16 being boys and 14 girls, and 3o day boarders. The headmaster, Dr. Ralph, and his wife have great faith in educating them together.

Surely it is desirable that Co-education should become more customary, and that it should 'be given a fair trial. There is reason to hope that it is gaining favour. The Charity Commissioners seem to approve it, for only the other day they sanctioned the admission of girls to the Cartmel Grammar School for boys. Also the Report of the Secondary Education Commission should do

39

much to promote mixed schools. They point out d that those who have- had experience of mixed schools seem almost always to have found the advantage considerable and the drawbacks unimportant, while the objections to them appear to be mainly theoretical, and felt by those who have had no practical acquaintance with those schools." They also observe that though the principals are generally men, there seems no reason why a woman, who has the necessary capacity, knowledge and organizing power, .should not be regarded as equally eligible for the position ; and it is always desirable that there should be a woman-teacher on the staff who should in many respects take the place of a head-mistress towards the girls.

There are many difficult pointS connected with Co-education, over which there will be much difference of opinion, and which can perhaps only be solved by experiment. For instance—granted that mixed day-schools are desirable, what is to be done in the case of boarding-schools ? And boarding-schools are in much favour in England. Would not this difficulty be overcome by having separate boarding-houses for the boys and the girls, and a sufficient staff to ensure proper supervision ?

Then again some fear that the girls' health would suffer from overwork. But many suffer under the present system, especially in high schools, and one would think that contact with boys—who are certainly less inclined that way—would diminish the evil rather than increase it. Moreover the head woman-teacher would see after their health just as the head-mistress does now.

There seems some real danger that the boys' games might suffer, and in America it is the case that the boys prefer walking about with the girls to playing cricket and football. But this could surely be avoided :

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Secondary Education Commission, Vol. I., p. i6o.

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by making the boys' game strictly compulsory, as is now the case in most boys' schools, and at Craigmore.

One curious objection I have heard of, made by a man who had been much among young people in the west of America, where Co-education was the rule. It is that a girl, when successful in class, crows over the boys in a most aggravating way, and that they, having no defence but their tongue, promptly sharpen it and practice saying the most bitter and impertinent things in retaliation.

Some think it might encourage flirtation ; but surely young people would associate together more naturally, and without always thinking whether a companion was a boy or girl, if they had always worked along side.

Miss Page, in her Report to the Gilchrist Trustees on American schools, takes this view. She quotes Dr. Harris's words : " the sentimentality engendered by educating girls apart from boys, and manifested by a frivolous and silly bearing when such girls are brought into the society of the opposite sex, disappears almost entirely in mixed schools.

In its place a quiet self-possession reigns." " Each sex sees the weakness and strength of the other, and learns to esteem what is essential at its true value." " Experience has shown that association of girls and boys on the plane of intellectual contest is the safest way to avoid all early love affairs."

This all applies to schools. In the case of University and College life there is much more to be said for separate education.

Mixed Universities, mixed lectures and classes there may be, and everywhere these seem to work well. But opinion seems strongly in favour of separate Colleges, chiefly because " there is a feeling that in these years of College life there is a certain tranquillity that enters into the life that is separated from its general social condition (a time to pause and look round before launching out into the serious work of life) :

"a certain restfulness that comes to both boy and girl in just that separation, and a certain lack of restfulness in the other relation."

All these questions—the age to which boy and girl should be together : whether they should play together besides working together—and many other details can only be finally settled by experience. The plea we put forward is that the experiment should be tried, believing that much would be gained by both boys and girls from Co-education.

the Cause of a .41No0ern Social Phenomenon.

As Love lay sighing on a plat Of deep grown grass by elm trees shaded, Old Time came by, and asked him what Had made him look so worn and jaded?

Then Love, " Alas, old friend, of late Full heavily have I been faring, Since that an unpropitious fate Hath checked the youths and maids from pairing."

Quoth Time, " Are there not couples still As goodly as the first you mated ?"

Sighed Love, " As many as you will, But—they are highly educated ! " The fond and silly hearts that burned To soothe their fever with a kiss, Now to extract my darts have learned By skilful self-analysis. " In vain I lay my cunning wiles, A weary, unsuccessful Cupid ; They flout me with superior smiles, And scorn my schemes as trite and stupid."

"Cast off," cried Time, "this gloomy thought, On such dull folk spend no more arrows ; The simple birds are still untaught, Go ! shoot at chaffinches and sparrows."

S. M. F.

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the laboratorp.

later, dramatic period, one cannot help feel-

ON high into the raftered roof the varied fumes ascend, And in one weird, mysterious smell their mingled odours blend : All round are strange, uncanny things, and—aweinspiring sight— Full many a ghostly, flick'ring flame of blue, paleburning light.

ing that he lacks something which these less accomplished playwrights possessed. And this quality that he lacks is unfortunately the very one that would seem most essential to a dramatist of the first ran k,—the sympathetic imagination which unconsciously penetrates to the very core of human nature, and by the help of its own experience understands and grasps that of other men.

In his plays we find plenty of wisdom, plenty of satire, plenty of humour ; but hardly one of those magical touches which in Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Webster,—yes, even in Dekker and Ford,—suddenly transform the scene and mingle earth with heaven. In the midst of warlike preparations Mrs. Quickly's description of Falstaff's death, " his nose was as sharp as a pen, and he babbled o' green fields," strikes us with a sudden, almost intolerable, sense of pathos. We look in vain through Jonson's comedies for anything approaching this.

His reputation must be therefore justified by other qualities, and of these in truth he had enough and to spare. And in considering them, I think we must turn almost entirely to the comedies ; since it is by " Captain Bobadil," and "Abel Drugger," and " Sir John Daw," and "Zeal-of-the-Land Busy," rather than by " Sejanus " or " Catiline," that Jonson is remembered. His lack of passion prevented him from being very effective as a tragedian ; but as a comic dramatist he was unmatched by any of his contemporaries save Shakespeare himself. And even Shakespeare, though infinitely more graceful and poetic in comedy (even in " The Taming of the Shrew," and " The Merry Wives," which border on farce), was not more entirely original than Jonson. This originality, which would alone entitle him to a very high place amidst his kind, is shown first, in the choice of his subjects, and, second, in characterization.

But where's the form that should be here, the ancient alchemist, With long white beard and long black robe, claw-hand, lean bony wrist, To bend, glass-masked, o'er tripods where the deadly poisons brew, Or hold to sight each frail test-tube with magic, changing hue ?

Instead of his romantic form are forms of common clay, The men we meet in ev'ry street, the girls of ev'ry day.

Amid retorts and wondrous things lies some one's gray cloth cap : A fresh-faced youth is washing-up beside the watertap.

And there a " sweet girl-graduate " stands with air demure and staid, The ancient alchemist would stare to see her undismayed Amid his mysteries quite at ease, without a sign of fear— For if love-philters still she needs, she does not seek them here.

A SCIENCE STUDENT.

be Comebies of Von 3onson.

IT has been customary with nearly all the historians of our literature to rank Ben Jonson as only second to Shakespeare. Yet comparing his plays with those of Marlowe in the earlier, and those of Webster in the 3

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Now it was the almost universal custom of contemporary playwrights to draw their stories, or, at least, their background and nomenclature, from foreign sources. Of course there were notable exceptions, such as "Arden of 'Faversham," and some of Heywood's and Dekker's Comedies, and the " New Way to pay Old Debts " of Massinger. But Shakespeare and Chapman and Webster and Ford preferred foreign settings to English. Ben Jonson, however, drew on his own imagination for plots and took the names of his dramatis persona' from the citizens who thronged the streets of Elizabethan London. In " Volpone," it is true, the background is Italian, but this may be accounted for by the effort of the dramatist after verisimilitude ; such crimes as are there purposed and perpetrated would be more suitable to Venice in its decay than to England. In " Every Man out of his Humour," again, the nomenclature is Italian, and in the " Poetaster" it is Latin ; but these are the only exceptions to the general rule. Jonson was as thorough a cockney as his namesake, the great Doctor, or as Dickens himself ; and as pictures of the manners of his times his plays are unequalled.

Reading them we are transported back to a London of ill-paved, narrow streets, with high projecting wooden houses stretching their bright or dingy signs across the way ; a London dimly lighted and loud with the calls of hundreds of itinerant vendors ; a London with no trains, no omnibuses, no gas, and no fogs.

But types of human nature are eternal, and though the surroundings of Jonson's heroes have been transformed, we can still recognize the fidelity of his characterization.

It is true that it has a tendency to run into types, just as Moliere has ; we might substitute for " Kitely" " The Jealous Husband," for " Bobadil " " The Bragadoccio" ; and in some cases, as in " Volpone," the names of the dramatis persona do indicate their cha-

racteristics. But though we acknowledge that one quality is exaggerated at the expense of others which would, in real life, tone it down or obscure it, yet exaggeration is the very essence of humour. And so, though the crowded churchyards which received the dust of the orginals of Drugger and Braniworm and Littlewit have been turned into playgrounds and parks, we can still recognize the characteristics of these heroes reproduced in their descendants.

Jonson, too, may be compared to Dickens in the service he rendered by photographing temporary types in the moment of their decay. " Tribulation," " Wholesome," and "Ananias," will not return to us, at least, in the form in which they appeared to Jonson ; we may never hope or fear to see an actual " Bumble " or " Sairey Gamp " ; and to the historian of manners such types as these are invaluable.

In one kind of characterization I think Ben Jonson failed conspicuously—in the drawing of feminine character. He seems to have had a natural leaning to the masculine, so that even his women are endowed with male characteristics. Of course it must be remembered that female parts were always played by boys, but this fact did not prevent Shakespeare's women from being the most charming ever created ; it did not prevent Webster from endowing the " Duchess of Malfi " with tender maternal solicitude.

It may be that comedy sits less gracefully on women than on men, but, be this as it may, one can hardly recall a single female character of Jonson's who has any charm.

Celia, in " Volpone," is perhaps the best, but she is rather shadowy ; the " ladies collegiate " in " The Silent Woman " are revolting ; " Dol Common," and " Gammer Ursula," are merely coarse rogues. How different are their " humours" from the arch fun and girlish blitheness of " Rosalind," " Beatrice," and " Perdita," or even

THE FRITILLARY. from the rustic coquetry of " Phoebe" and " Maria " !

Yet, notwithstanding the almost unmitigated depravity of his female characters, Jonson's comedies have a distinct moral effect. This is naturally less felt in " Epicmne," and " Bartholomew Fair," which are, in fact, farces, than in the other comedies, but even here the fun aimed at the Ladies Collegiate and Zeal-of-the-Land Busy may have had a moral purpose. In " Every Man in his Humour," again, the primary aim is one of pure diversion, and the ethical purpose is subordinated to this. But in " Volpone," and " The Alchemist," we have satire which scathes and burns ; in the former indeed the comic effect is sacrificed, and is not redeemed by the very loosely-connected under-plot of " Sir Politic Would Be " and his lady. " Volpone " is unbearably harsh, and its acidity mars its undoubted medicinal virtue. But in "The Alchemist" the mean between comedy and satire is more justly preserved, and we are not too much horrified to enjoy a hearty laugh over the unparalleled ingenuity of " Subtle " and " Face," and the equally unparalleled simplicity of their dupes.

One can't help loving " Abel Drugger." And in " Sir Epicure Mammon," Jonson makes his nearest approach to a study of genuine passion—passion unredeemed, indeed, by any altruistic feeling, but magnificent in its way. The description of his sensuous ideal is lit up by such brilliant flashes of poetic imagination that one wishes they were devoted to a better cause. Such is the picture of the life he will lead with " Dol Common," when the work of alchemy is done :— " (Thou shalt) come forth And taste the air of palaces, eat, drink

The toils of empirics, and their boasted practice, Tincture of pearl and coral, gold and amber.

Be seen at feasts and triumphs ; have it asked What miracle she is ; set all the eyes

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Of court a-fire, like a burning glass, And work them into cinders, when the jewels Of twenty states adorn thee and the light Strike out the stars ! that when thy name is mentioned Queens may look pale ; and we but showing our love, Nero's Poppma may be lost in story !

The allusion at the end of this passage brings us to another characteristic of Jonson's plays—the great learning they display.

Fortunately his wide reading is shown rather in allusiveness than in subject-matter ; and we may be thankful that his classical training did not prevent him from exercising his gift for realistic comedy. Where its influence is more apparent is in the endeavour after the unities, which, in " The Alchemist," are strictly observed. Here the scene is always either in, or just outside, Lovewit's House, and the whole action is comprised in a day. The number of characters in all his plays, however, is quite contrary to classical models ; in some of the comedies, as in " Bartholomew Fair," there are so many that one gets almost bewildered among them all.

But Jonson's learning is most abundantly displayed in his intimate acquaintance with different arts and professions. The jargon of Alchemy that he puts in the mouths of Subtle and Face must have been the result of much study in books of magic ; it is as good as Chaucer's Canon's " Yeoman's Tale," of which it strongly reminds us. Then he must have known all the mysteries of the druggist's trade, and must have been well versed in law and theology (vide the inimitable divorce scene in " Epiccene"). In these respects he resembles a poet of our own day, Robert Browning, whose work is often weighted to weariness with out-of-theway illustrations. And if Jonson's scholarship, judged by modern standards, may still

THE FRITILLARY.

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be called accurate and sound, it must have been far more striking in his own day.

In the plays above considered very little of our author's peculiar tenderness and lyric grace is displayed. But in " The Sad Shepherd," a composition half-way between a comedy and a masque, there is an abundance of these qualities. It touches the work of Peele on one hand, and that of Milton on the other, and betrays the peculiar poetic feeling that his other comedies, for the most part, lack. It is pleasant to think of the aged dramatist, weary of " the loathed stage," turning for consolation to the fields of pure poetry and imagination, much as in his last days Shakespeare sought once more his native streams and meadows.

Milton's Eve. THE first thing that strikes us in looking at Milton's Eve is her face. It is immoveable and infantine, reflecting the peaceful garden, where no storm dashes the blossom and where the unvarying companionship of Adam keeps every shade of discomposure from her eyes.

She is a heavenly shape, and when she stands motionless among the roses she has the colouring of a rose incarnate—her eyes alone distinguish her from the blossoms, and they express nothing but wonder ; when Adam turns to speak to her, her eyes widen and the expression vanishes, there is nothing in them now but Adam in miniature.

When she moves you see she is a woman, and animate—with a reflected soul—' He for God only, she for God in him.' Eve should never speak—she is made not in the image of God, but simply an amazing creature, Manlike, but different sex '—the utmost glory of the flesh, her golden hair covers

a brainless head. She breaks the spell now ; this exquisite creature, in looking on whom one hardly dares to breathe, opens her perfect lips to ask why the moon shines.

Adam takes her hand and waves attention with the disengaged one. Then we see the reason of this being.

Adam was first formed, then Eve.'—This start in the race of life is apparently the reason of Adam's possessing the superior brain-pan. Eve, the latest made, is constructed out of a rib. She never murmurs ; it never occurred to her—Adam is here, and for ever may he smile superior while he expounds to her the mysteries -of a universe he is ignorant of. Milton's theories concerning individual conscience did not hold here. Eve, his perfect woman, was left out of count. This was both unorthodox and unfair, but it is one of the inconsistencies which keep the men of greatest genius still human—all of them still sons of Eve, a creature unworthy of the Latin Grammar' she transmits a few weaknesses.

Eve has one branching of intelligence, and yet more of the nature of an instinct. She knows the fruits which are good for food.

This is assumed like Adam's privilege of delivering lectures on astronomy. The conversation of this fair creature with the expressionless face is therefore of necessity limited in its range. She is unconscious even of the depths of pathos in her own words.

'By sad experiment I know How little weight with thee my words can find.'

When the support and life of her soul is a sort of antediluvian Dr. Johnson basking in the sunshine of a primitive world, is it surprising that Eve should be no more than a fair defect of nature,' —and the most unfair though characteristic defect of the poem ?

THE FRITILLARY.

Vet anotber _Song of tbe Cvete.

(Suggested by certain lines from the pen of V. C. H.)

Laureatess relates how Aristotle And all the ancient Greeks she once did like, And how those thoughtless words she fain would throttle !

She is superior, she has bought a bike.

"OUR

I too will sing of characters historic, How inferior the past is to our time ; How Alfred burnt those cakes for want of Borwick— Excuse my inability to rhyme.

1

45

tbe 1Laboratorv.

T for the Time that within it we spend.

H for the Hope we may " pass " in the end ; E for the Efforts that to that goal tend.

L for the Lives we've escaped with so far.

A for Analysis which we all bar.

B for the Bromine which stifles us so.

O for the " Oxalate test," which won't go.

R for the Riddles our tutors propound, A for our Answers, not very profound.

T for the Test-tubes we use by the score.

O for the Oxides which prove such a bore.

R for Reports, when explosives are near.

Y for the Youth which we lose through our fear.

He must have been decidedly rheumatic Who spent a lifetime right inside a tub, He'd have been suppler with a bike pneumatic, Or Magic Embrocation—" There's the rub ! " Alas ! what tax upon the Roman Empire When Cmsar fed his horse with golden oats ; If rivalled by a " Humber " double thick tyre Would horse or bicycle have most votes ?

How much more civilized the Middle Ages If monks and knights had bikes whereon to ride, And thus equipped could pierce retreats of sages, And force grim hermits among men to bide.

Shakespeare himself would ne'er have stayed at Stratford, But come to light much sooner than he did, If only he'd had wheels to bear him forward Rough tyres, remember, lest th' Immortal skid 'I :

fragment.

[The following fragment has been discovered among the Radcliffe MSS. The very close resemblance that it has to a speech in Shakespeare's Julius Cxsar makes it impossible to determine the date by reference to language or metre, but internal evidence points to the year 1896. It will be remembered that that year was signalised by an extraordinary retrograde movement in the history of English thought. Of course I refer to the refusal of Congregation to grant the B.A. to women. Hitherto their refusal has been inexplicable to us. This interesting MS. seems to throw some light upon the question.] '

JANE SMITH, B.A.OXON.

'Tis even rumoured that great Doctor Jameson, Who figures now in Bow Street, on and off, Would fain have biked to " John's Town " but there came some Bold natives, who, 'tis said, saw fit to scoff.

Some say I from the point have much meandered— I fancy wandered' is a better word ; But since there is no point, I can't have wandered, For what is not, is not, so I have heard."

MILDRED HOGARTH.

July, 3000.

For my part I know no personal cause to spurn at them But for the general, They would be B.A.'s ; How that might change their nature, there's the question.

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder And that craves wary walking. Grant it, And then I own we put a sting in them That at their will they may do danger with.

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THE FRITILLARY.

It is the way of woman to encroach The B.A. given, they will at once demand An M.A. too, then the Vice-Chanc'llor's chair.

I have not known when their ambition swayed More than their reason. But 'tis a common proof That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber upward turns his face, But when he once obtains the utmost round He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So woman may * Then lest she may PREVENT. And since the quarrel Will bear no colour for the thing she is, Fashion it thus, that what she is augmented Would run to these, and these extremities, And therefore think her as a serpent's egg Which hatched would as his kind grow mischievous * And kill her in the shell. ;

*The MS. here is somewhat illegible, as though the writer had been overpowered by a sudden access of rage.— D. C. A.

Mints for coating.

As this is essentially the term for the river, and there are many novices, perhaps the following elementary rules will not be deemed out of place: — I. Getting into the boat. Always get in at the bow, as it is both easier and safer. Descend with a bump as if you were leaping into a swimming bath, and clutch at any thing (or any body) that comes handy to recover yourself.

Do not fix the rudder till every one is in, as that will give some one the trouble of climbing over the seat or oblige them to land again.

Push off vigorously into another boat if it is in your way ; but never hurry yourself because you see some one else is waiting to run their boat out of the boat house.

Leave the keys of the boathouse in the door that you may give the cox. a chance of showing how well she can steer backwards, and if you are lucky may force some one on the bank to fetch them down to you.

II. Rowing. The beginner should always dip her sculls deep into the water, and then put her hands low that the return may be high in the air.

The scull should be at an acute angle to the water.

The rower should exert herself as little as post sible, and all the work should be done by the arms—(stretchers are merely unnecessary ornaments). If the tyro is ill-advised enough to use her body also, let her swing back as far as she can go—a horizontal position is elegant and fashionable (in the tropic of Cancer). N.B.—Feet form an excellent parasol, vide Mandeville.

If you have mastered the mysteries of feathering, you have absolutely nothing more to learn, but remember that feathering under the water is the mark of a most highly finished style.

If the cox. in turning the boat says, "Row, stroke, back-water, bow," insist upon pretending that she refers to your place in the boat, and act accordingly. You will neutralise the efforts of your partner, get your sculls entangled, and thus oblige the cox to say, fright" and "left," without any attempt at showing off technical knowledge.

III. Steering. The rule on the Cherwell is " keep to the left :" on most rivers it is the reverse, though a boat going with the current gives way to one going against it. Do not therefore feel bound to keep to any of these rules, but remember there is charm in variety.

If any other boat is coming do not alter your course : leave it to get out of the way.

If you pass a punt always take the bank, as it is easier for it to go midstream. The same rule holds good with a canoe, but never scruple to run one of the latter down a punt might injure your boat, but a canoe is sure to sink, and such incidents vary the monotony of boating.

In steering for the bank always go at full speed in order to give the nose of the boat a sharp bump. This gives style, especially if you can damage another boat. :

IV. General Observations. In changing your seat in the boat tread heavily and, if possible, trip on your passage from stern to bow.

If you have landed choose the part of the boat furthest from land to jump into, as the black mud of the Cher is most delightful.

THE FRITILLARY. If your boat is stuck on a bank and you get out to push off, receive offers of assistance with quiet dignity give your helpers tacitly to understand that, though the dictates of politeness make you accept their aid, you went there on purpose, and rather prefer the position.

If it is slimy where you land, and you feel yourself slipping, catch hold of the person in front of you and give her to understand that you have saved her from a watery grave, especially if she gets her feet wet, but keep your own dry at all costs.

—If the above hints are followed, you will be beloved and respected by all other frequenters of the river, and ere long the women-students will have their own Eight.

GREEN GOOSE.

flotc5 on the ILibrarp, %omerville College.

IF the advancement of our learning during the last year had been as rapid as that of our library, we might be well content. Amongst the latest additions is a set of forty-nine large volumes of the publications of the Palmontographical Society, presented by Lady Evans. These are labelled with names to conjure by — Echinolampidx, Spatangidm,—magnificent names, Chondrosteosaurus, Polkilopleuron,— names that appeal to the imagination ; " Fishes of the Old Red Sandstone."

We hope the science students will rejoice as much over the contents as does the laity over the titles.

To do justice to them and their tomes, the succinct eloquence of Dominie Sampson is required. An instalment of the Edwards' Library has also arrived—an attractive case of books, including delightful editions of Scott and Shakspeare. We are very glad to have our modern fiction increased by Mrs. Thruston's gift of three volumes of R. L. Stevenson, and Barrie's " Window in Thrums." Other and welcome gifts, last term and this, are those of Miss Smith, Professor Pelham, the Master of Balliol, the President of Trinity, Sir W. Markby.

147

The work of a student-member on the Library Committee is rather pleasant than arduous. There is something most exhilarating in the part she may play in the building up of the fabric of books. It is interesting to compare together the different schools, in respect of covetousness, in this department. Their demands of course vary much at different times, now "Greats," now history, or literature, being most grasping. But through all fluctuations in the other schools, mathematics has been observed to maintain a modest self-restraint.

The only onerous burden put upon the student member is the office of groping through catalogues of second-hand books to discover if any are desirable, and (unless she knows the contents of the shelves by heart) if these are lacking in the library. The task, if assigned to her at those moments when essay-writing has wrought its ravages, seems such an one as is imposed upon the meek and ill-used princess in the fairy tales.

Applications for the post of Fairy Godmother will be indulgently considered.

Library furniture is a matter of great importance. The newest addition to that of Somerville is a lofty set of steps, on which it will be tempting to sit on a level with the favorite shelf.

The " Greats " student in particular will be more easily able to fancy that the old philosphies are singing on " Argive heights," when she studies them at that altitude.

The Secretary of the Committee has thought of taking lessons from a certain librarian, whom she has seen performing athletic feats on a set of steps like these, though much lighter, being of bamboo. He contrived, it appears, to leap about on his steps from shelf to shelf, as though on springy stilts. His portrait taken when so engaged would be an excellent subject for an " ex libris," as of one who, in devotion to books, has developed from the book-worm to the bookkangaroo. We deprecate, however, the introduction of this style of reading into the studious pale of our library, lest it bring with it a dangerously desultory spirit.

The veritable bibliophile is revealed on the last Saturday of term, when there is an urgent call from the Secretary for co-operation in the dusting

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148

of books. Then indeed are those who delight in the service of books sifted from those who deem that books should serve them. It is suspected that certain stay up till Monday, in order that they may share in this privilege. The Secretary's skill is displayed in marshalling her bands of assistants, assigning to the more energetic and perhaps less reverent the functions of clapping the volumes, to others that of wiping the shelves.

There is, to commit an Irishism, an intermittent fire of damp cloths, cast about as cried for, to different parts of the room. Weary and virtuous, the noble army of dusters afterwards gathers in the common-room, and is entertained with cocoa by those who have chosen this part of the evening's duties.

Zuggestton.

EVERY mention of the Renaissance and its marvellously vivifying effect on nations far removed from the place of its birth has even to this day the power to make us rejoice and enter into its progress with enthusiasm.

Will it be thought ridiculous if, comparing great things with very small ones, I go on to speak of a minute Renaissance and its joy, in which we too can even now share in a practical and not a historical spirit ?

It is that of opening out the treasures of learning, art or high ideal of any kind, to those to whom education has at present only meant the dry bones which form the framework, with little or none of the flesh and spirit, which alone can invest them with life.

These words might indeed be applied to all education, but it is only one branch of work, which, if I may be allowed, I should like to bring before those students who are this term leaving Oxford and beginning their lives of teaching, study, home duties, or whatever it may be, and that branch is, giving classes or lectures of any kind to working girls, who have left their Board School days behind them, and are as rapidly leaving behind them all that they learned there,

and whose lives are as narrow, as monotonous as you can well imagine.

A natural question, however, arises as to whether these shop-girls, laundry or factory hands, show the least desire for intellectual pursuits. From my own small experience of this latter class of girls, I should say that the question can certainly he answered in the affirmative. Nowhere have I had more attentive listeners than in a girls' club in Whitechapel, where the members had been working from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and yet were willing to walk a mile or more to the club, and quietly listen for half an hour to a lecture on history, literature or science, followed by a singing or painting lesson.

Many people doubt that these girls whom they picture perpetually haunting the crowded streets with big feathers in their hats, and enormous fringes, cracking jokes in loud voices with their friends, could be induced to really listen with any appreciation to subjects such as those mentioned above ; and in one sense they are right, for there are some degrees of civilisation needed before they arrive at being such a delightful audience as I have described.

In our Club some five years had been expended in evenings devoted to playing games, needlework, singing, painting, and religious teaching, before we ventured to begin our " educational evening," but once started we shall never be tempted to leave it off, except for lack of lecturers.

A " Lecture " is indeed a very advanced title to apply to such elementary teaching as is given, for it is really just a half-hour talk on an interesting period of English history, interspersed with many anecdotes, or on a Shakesperian play with short readings from it, or a scientific talk with plenty of illustrations, and best of all a real flower or animal to be passed round and examined.

Very simple it sounds and perhaps a little superficial, but you have no idea until you have seen it how many fresh ideas it starts in these girls' minds, how it stimulates them to ask for books really worth reading from the library, and above all, what a different tone it gives to their

THE FRITILLARY. thoughts and conversation, which as a rule are apt to run at such a very low level in these big workshops.

If at the expense of so little time and trouble we could make such a difference in numbers of girls' lives, I think it may perhaps be worth our while, as we settle down to our new work in whatever place it may lie, to see whether there is not near us any Club or Institution of this kind, where the help of one who has had the exceptional chances of self-improvement which Oxford students have enjoyed, would be most eagerly welcomed. For all over the country there are now such places, where the first preliminary years of breaking in have been passed through, and the members are just ready for the inspiration which can only come to them through minds which are in touch with that which is most beautiful in literature or in art.

There is real self-sacrifice, I own, in giving up one evening a week, when our day's work seems as much as we can well get through ; but it is a self-sacrifice which more than repays itself in the love and devotion of the girls, and even if it did not do so, there are, I think, few of us who have not in some degree realized that that which we possess of talent or of time is owed to our fellow-men, to whom we can begin in this way to repay the debt. UNA SAUNDERS.

the Ogforb ant) Cambribge lbocher tnatcb.

THE eventful day (March 14th) threatened to drown players and spectators in rain, but the weather improved in the afternoon in spite of occasional showers. Somerville kindly entertained both elevens at lunch in the Old Hall, and their hospitality was greatly appreciated. After lunch the twenty-two drove to the Hockey ground at Dr. Williams' School in the Banbury Road. Play began at 1.3o, and was at first so even that at half-time nothing was scored on either side. It was a hard game, and the swiftness of the Cam-

149

bridge forwards gave us plenty of work, although we pressed them most of the time.

After half-time two goals were scored by Oxford, one shot by Miss Scott (S.C.), the centre forward, and one by Miss Taylor (L.M.H.).

There was a large and enthusiastic audience, and the match ended amidst great excitement.

The teams adjourned after the match to Lady Margaret Hall, where tea was provided. The day ended with a pleasant evening of dancing and music at Somerville College.

Corresponbence.

65 Warwick Square, London, S. W., March 15th, 1896.

MADAM,Since the " Degree Question " appears to be the prevailing topic at Oxford this term, it may interest your readers to see the following paragraph copied from The Tablet of Saturday, March 7th, 1896.

Very possibly some of the Modern History people may be able to throw some more light on the subject. It says :—" After having got degrees they will aspire to have some share in the endowments, which, the malcontents declare, were originally given for men.' This contention cannot, however, in many cases be maintained.

We know what a sad blow was dealt by the military tenure of the Feudal System at the education of women and the foundation of nunneries of importance in England. We know too, how prior to the dissolution of the lesser and greater monasteries, several convents for women, founded by women, were appropriated by Wolsey and others, and diverted to the use of men. Amongst these was the Convent of St. Rhadegund, at Cambridge, which was turned into the present Jesus College, the Master, Fellows, and Undergraduates of which enjoy the nuns' revenues, sleep in the nuns' cells, and dine in the nuns' refectory It is scarcely becoming, therefore, in a Fellow

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of this College to write a snappy letter to the Athenawn against the admission of women into this masculine University.' " Others who owe their education to St. John's College, Cambridge, and who are now amongst the foremost opponents of granting degrees to women, seeing that the endowments were originally given for men,' forget, or are unaware, that diverted for men' would be nearer the truth.

"Part of the revenues of St. John's is derived from the appropriation of a nunnery at Bromhall, and another at Littlechurch."

I find this communication is too late for insertion this term, but I shall be glad if you can make room for it in the next number if you think it would interest your readers.

Yours sincerely, BEATRICE E. LANGSTON. To the Editor of the Fritillary.

Momen's 3-titer...Collegiate rebating %ocietp. first Debate of Term was held at St. Hugh's Hall on Tuesday, May 19.

In accordance with the new rules, the procedure of the House of Commons was followed as far as possible.

The Motion before the House was : " That this House would welcome the adoption by Government of a Local Option Bill."

Miss ILBERT pointed out the great importance of the Drink Question to England, both socially and politically, and said that the question before the House was whether some measure of Local Option was the best method of answering it. In order to understand the question it was necessary to have some knowledge of the origin and history of Local Option. Its origin might be traced to the formation of the United Kingdom Alliance in 1853, and its history shewed that the nation, as represented in the House of Commons, had thrice affirmed its wish that some efficient measure of Local Option should be entrusted to local communities at the earliest practicable date ; and THE

that the movement in favour of stringent restrictions on trade in intoxicating liquors has materially gained in strength. The crux of the whole matter is no doubt the question of compensation; but it is not necessarily bound up with Local Option. Moreover it has been clearly proved over and over again that there is no legal claim to compensation, as licences are annual.

Other arguments are brought forward by the opponents of Local Option, for instance, " men cannot be made sober by Act of Parliament," and "better England free than England sober." These and others are not unanswerable ; the state should have a sense of moral right, and in the case of a harmful trade the wishes of the majority should bind the few. It may also be shewn that the Revenue would not sustain any loss from Local Option, and even if it did, such a consideration could not conscientiously be urged in opposition to the suppression of a trade which does unmixed harm.

The three main lines on which the argument for Local Option may be based are : 1. Past failure, which has been uniform, and is owing to an error in method, springing from a non-recognition of the peculiar properties of alcoholic liquors. 2. Social Justice ; for the object of Local Option is to free England from her national curse, which is national because it is local, and therefore measures should be taken which will give ideal communities a chance of freeing themselves from it. 3. Uniform Experience ; for instance, the wide success of what may be called "landowners' option," the enormous number of places where there are no public-houses in the United Kingdom, and the beneficial results of such condition.

Again, reference may be made to the United States.

The principle of Local Option implies different treatment of different localities, and there is strong ground for giving licensing authorities large powers of trying experiments.

Finally, in deciding a problem like this we must remember that the question is not whether all the arguments on one side can be confuted, but whether those on the one side are stronger than those on the other. Their weight must be

THE FRITILLARY. compared, and in a case like this, where the moral and physical welfare of so large a number of our fellowmen is concerned, there can be little doubt on which side the balance will be.

Miss OLIVIER (S.H.H.) opposed. She said that Legislation was not the most effective way of dealing with intemperance. Though during the last half-century practically every attempt to legislate on the subject had failed, the position of temperance in the country improved every year.

Public opinion was on its side. There were now few classes in which drinking was not actually on the decrease, and those classes were in every case those which must remain outside the operation of every act such as the one proposed. The bill aimed at making it impossible for people to drink, however much they wanted to : a nobler aim was to make it impossible for them to want to drink at all. Circumstances to-day did not press for temperance legislation. To make so gigantic an upheaval, some very pressing need should be urged. But intemperanee was decreasing, and even the temperance agitators cried with an uncertain voice. There were enormous differences of opinion as to the method for legislation. Successive governments had attempted to deal with the question, and had found their position weakened in consequence, and the cause of Temperance Legislation in no way bettered. Was a government therefore justified in taking up the question again, with no further guarantee of success ? A government was sent to power to protect more than one interest, to uphold more than one principle ; and it had no right to weaken itself for all this work by lavishing its energies on a complicated measure which seemed doomed to failure. It was not the least of the duties .of a government tobe strong.

It was by no means established that a Local Option Bill would have at all the result hoped for.

The experiment had been tried in other countries, notably in Canada, and had met with questionable. success. In two of the prohibition provinces —where no licences to public-houses were granted at all—there were more convictions per annum for drunkenness than in any other part of the State, Since then, all the provinces which had •

15 f

tried Prohibition had repealed it as not working satisfactorily. The actual drafting of the Bill was a task of Herculean difficulty. Sir William Harcourt's Bill of last year would have been unworkable without constant local friction, or a multitude of alterations in details, and yet it was drawn up with infinite care.

It seemed that there were two ways of dealing with intemperance. One was by a short, sharp battle on the floor of the House of Commons, from which it was possible to emerge covered with the laurels of debate, and the sense of having disposed of a vast social evil, which all the while might be absolutely untouched by the measure passed :the other was by the slower but far more certain means of gradual education—by selfcontrol rather than local control. She appealed to the House to reject the one, and to vote for the other.

Miss C. SAUNDERS (L.M.H.) spoke third. She began by saying that Local Option was not merely a question about temperance or drunkenness, but involved a democratic principle. Local Option, taken in a larger sense, was the recognition of the right of the people of a district to control the licences of their district, which licences represent a rich and important monopoly. This, she argued, could not be consistently denied in face of the Parish Councils Act, which was based on the recognition of the right of local control.

Miss BROADBENT said that the fact of Local Option being a democratic movement need not necessarily recommend it ; and that intemperance would be increased by its adoption, at any rate in some districts.

There also spoke—Miss LINDSEY, Miss WATSON, and MISS SAUNDERS. Miss ILBERT, in reply, said that the question of compensation had been frequently referred to.

She would like to point out that compensation, if given, would not go into the pockets of the publicans, but into those of the brewers and distillers. The two Bills brought in by the late Government were wrecked entirely by the liquor interest itself.

Again, much stress was laid on the need of inculcating self-control. But surely local control

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is self-control. And a distinction must be made between individual self-control, and that which is its higher form, the self-control of a community, which would be carried out by the adoption of Local Option.

Other objections are not unanswerable. For instance, the argument that legislation is harmful in such matters might be applied to so many other questions, when it has been already refuted.

And it is said that it is not the respectable classes who drink. An appeal to common experience is enough to answer this ; any one can probably recall many cases in which most respectable men have fallen owing simply to drink.

The PROPOSER said she was glad to see that the hon. Opposer was rapidly approaching to a recognition of the merits of Local Option. Her speech had shewed that she fully appreciated the need for it, and was only hampered by minor difficulties which reflection would dispel.

The PROPOSER appealed confidently to the house to shew by their votes that they at least would do all in their power to promote any sound measures which may solve the terrible drink problem and lift the curse of our nation from her.

The motion was carried.

THE second meeting of the W.I.D.S. was held on Tuesday, June znd, at Somerville College ; the President, Miss RICE (S.H H.), in the chair.

The motion before the house was : " That Fashions in dress are morally and socially injurious." Proposer, Miss PRITCHARD (L.M.H.).

Opposer, Miss SAUNDERS (S.C.).

The PROPOSER said she felt peculiarly unfitted to open this debate, as she had never aimed at smartness, and there were many rudiments of fashion of which she was totally ignorant ; yet perhaps, for that very reason, she could better judge of the moral effects of following the fashions. She felt strongly that visits to the dressmaker, and attention to the wardrobe generally, had a very bad effect on the temper, exactly analagous to that produced by playing cards.

Loss of originality and individuality must result from a servile following of the fashion.

The economical effect on dressmakers and tradesmen she believed to be of the worst description. But she was careful to assure the House that her opinions were grounded on theory merely, and not on knowledge.

The OPPOSER argued that " Clothing is the habit of the soul," and naturally adapts itself to the changes of the times. She scanned rapidly the fashions in raiment from zoo B.C. to 1800 A.D. Adamite man can be summed up as " innocence within, nothingness without." The woad-painted bodies of our ancestors were their primitive picture galleries. The long, flowing garments of our ancestresses were well fitted to the life of inaction spent by the wearers. The Elizabethan dress was appropriate to that age of extravagant gallantry. Could Raleigh have flung a modern frock-coat in the pathway of his Queen ?

The Puritan dress, again, was the outward expression of the mind of the time.

Touching on modern dress, the speaker said that for those who believe in the mental inferiority of man, a strong argument is found in his want of ingenuity and power of adaptation in the matter of dress. Women, on the other hand, adapt their costume to their occupations. She instanced the " London butterflies " of Eights' week; the coat and skirt of the typical Oxford woman ; the masculine attire of the woman who aspires to masculine modes of thought. The large sleeves of the present day she believed to be a sign of the desire for space in which to develope mentally and physically.

Minor aspects of the subject are—the encouragement of Industry, of the art of Design, and of International Exchange. If African fashions in dress were imported, we might better understand the Dark Continent. Finally, a desire for absolute monotony in dress tends to be the expression of the rankest socialism.

The third speaker, Miss WATSON (S.H.H.), dwelt on the injury done to individuality by fashion. She instanced the use of crinolines and of very narrow skirts, as shewing the blindness with which fashion's lead is followed. The temple of fashion is said to be " woman's empty head."

She thought dress absorbed conversation to the

THE FRITILLARY. exclusion of all topics at " afternoon teas," &c., and that it also led to the practice of running into debt.

The fourth speaker, Miss ABDY (S.H.H.), held that Fashion is not a human juggernaut. Crinolines were useful at croquet, and concealed cheating. If the dressmaker tries her victim's temper, the victim's friends, on the other hand, are given an opportunity of displaying patience and sympathy.

Misses JEBB, VERNEY, SAMPSON, GRIEG, and KEMP also spoke.

The Motion was rejected by 14 votes to ro.

1Labr II15argaret TENNIS Ctun.—Tennis has been played with the usual vigour this Term. We congratulate our champions, Miss Pritchard and Miss Moberly, on winning the match against Somerville College, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 ; and against St. Hugh's Hall, 6—i, 6-2. A match has been arranged against the Royal Holloway College for Tuesday, 2 3rd June. The addition of several new grass courts has been much appreciated.

CYCLING CLUB.—This term has increased our club beyond all expectations. We were prepared for greater zeal and a larger number of machines, in this the height of the cycling season, but in our most sanguine moments never dreamed of eleven new machines being brought into the club. The new accommodation which seemed so ample for keeping the machines at the beginning of term is now scarcely sufficient.

Unfortunately we are not strangers to some of the sorrows of the cycler—the shock of collision with cart or horse, the horror of watching a machine beneath a cruel cart, the anguish of coming out of shop or station to find the cycle gone !

In spite of these dangers the enthusiasm grows with greater perfection in riding. Cycling corn-

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petitions were introduced into our athletic sports with great success ; and we endeavour to give a " finish " to our riding by practising little toilet performances as we ride, such as taking on and off gloves, hat, or jacket.

Somerville College.

SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—The

public meeting last term was a great success, and we all deeply appreciated Sir Edward Fry's kindness in coming to read us a paper. The meeting was held in the new Dining Hall, which was well filled. Sir Edward Fry gave us a most vivid and fascinating account of country life in Greece in the far-away days of Hesiod, and after his paper shewed us facsimiles of two beautiful golden cups, bearing representations of the pastoral occupations of the ancient Greeks. A very hearty vote of thanks was proposed by the Principal, and seconded by Mrs. Veley, the first President of the Society, and was carried by acclamation.

At the first meeting of this term E. Fox read a paper on " The Dissolution of the Monasteries ;" and it was unanimously decided to postpone the second meeting until the last week of term, as impending Schools would prevent many members from attending if it were held during the sixth week.

We think it may be worth while to draw attention to the fact that we shall he very glad to welcome members outside the College. The Society is not nearly as formidable as its name, and the Secretary, Miss Ardagh, will be glad to give any information to prospective members.

SHARP PRACTICE.—The Sharp Practice Society is a hothouse for weakly opinions. Bring to it those of which, in the chill University climate, you have ceased to hope they will grow strong, and it is remarkable how quick they are to spring up tall and flourishing. Called upon on a sudden to persuade an expectant audience this way or

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that, on some question which has for years seemed to her insoluble, the irresolute member stands up, not knowing what will be the drift of the words she is about to pronounce :"Madam and honourable members, This important question has long agitated my mind."

A pause. Something in the enquiring expression, the wondering frown of a member opposite, seated, perhaps, on the floor of the House, something in the colour of the wall paper, the aggressive look of a vase on the chimney-piece, mysteriously, inexplicably, gives her a clue, a bias.

Words rush from her in hot support of the Government, athletics in schools, the competitive system, didactic literature, as the case may be. The surest way, however, of making explicit opinions that have been long in the background, is through the summons to defend the opposite doctrine. As the member endeavours to collect her thoughts in the critical moment before speech, one plausible argument after another comes to her, on the wrong side. She plunges in medias res.

The first, second, and third laws of the S.P.S. are that you must speak. Only minor laws concern the contexts or manner of the speech.

The time is all but over, the President's pencil is perilously near the table, and nothing has been uttered in defence of the motion the speaker was called upon to support. She can but make the briefest of perorations, e.g., " Such are the most specious arguments my opponent can possibly bring forward. If time permitted I would show how easily they might be overthrown, but it is hardly necessary."

The sharpest of our Sharp Practice meetings this term took place on an occasion when the House was dissatisfied with the motion before it, and requested to have it withdrawn, there was a disinclination, in fact, to moan again the old, old moan about realism in modern art and literature.

But it turned out to be a case of Scylla and Charybdis. The motion next drawn was, " That anything which tends to alienate a man from his kind is injurious to him." A shudder passed over those on whom the lot fell to speak. The debate,• however, was not without interest, as bringing to light some curious facts in the his-

tory of members. The Proposer, for instance, in the stress of the unparalleled promptitude required of her, confided in a burst of confidence to the breathless audience that she had had experience of the Middle Ages. In spite, however; of the earnest appeals of later speakers, she would divulge no more.

TENNIS CLUB.—The Club is in an extremely flourishing condition this term. Twenty-six members entered for the Tournament (Scratch Pairs), which was won by Miss Pope and Miss Marett.

In the match with Lady Margaret Hall on May 23rd we were defeated, losing by one set to two.

On June znd we beat St. Hugh's Hall by two sets to one. The chanipions are Miss Scott and Miss Marett, and Miss Scott is one of the Oxford champions in the University match.

ON Saturday evening, May r6th, Mr. GRAHAM WALLAS lectured in the Gymnasium of Somerville College, on the Political Conditions of Collectivism. The chair was kindly taken by the Master of Balliol. Starting from the present political climate of England, Mr. GRAHAM WALLAS suggested what must be the collectivist's criticism of the latest aspect it presents. Accustomed to expect that with every step towards a complete democracy, the principles of state authority would gain ground, he had to offer some explanation of the fact that the will of the people in the last election had placed an individualistic Government in power, and at present there was an ebb in the movement of collectivism. Avoiding the possible inference that collectivism is not the inevitable conclusion of democratic premisses, Mr. GRAHAM WALLAS shewed the immense difficulties in the working of a democracy, or the faithful representation of the people, in a vivid picture of actual electioneering conditions. Most realistic was his description of the apathy of the ordinary elector, his temper of naive inquiry and innocent wonder when tardily brought to realise his opportunity of political action. The Socialist, keenly

THE FRITILLARY. conscious of these facts and of the infinite needs of the poor, might be tempted sometimes to give up struggling for the establishment of wide principles -and great constitutional changes, and lose himself in the labour to lessen suffering in little ways where he could. But, in spite of retrogressive phases, there is an advance towards conditions now favourable to real representation, and this may be helped on in various ways.

A vote of thanks to the Lecturer, proposed by the Master of Balliol, was enthusiastically carried.

ON Whit-Monday twenty women from S. Philip's Mission, Plaistow, came down for their annual day at Oxford, under charge of Sisters Gertrude and Mary.

By the kindness of Mrs. Burrows the party was entertained to dinner at S. Hilda's. In the afternoon they came on to Somerville College, and had tea in the Gymnasium, after which about sixteen of them went down to the Eights, and greatly enjoyed the brightness of the river scene.

The only regrets expressed were for the absence of the children : " It's such a pity the children ain't here, but it's nice to have a quiet day," seemed to be a general sentiment. The verdict on Oxford was, " It ain't a bad place for the day, but it do seem dull like to home—except the river," as an afterthought. And the great drawback to a student's life was having to read all them books, pore things ! " However the day pleased all, and many Somerville students have expressed a wish that next year the College would see its way to entertaining on a larger scale. As yet we have never invited any of the workers from our Southwark Settlement.

ON Saturday, May 3oth, the Rev. Canon Gore gave an address to women-students in the Gymnasium of Somerville College. The idea on which he mainly dwelt was the principle of universal brotherhood, which in his opinion could not long be realised or carried out, apart from Christianity, in which it has its source. A large number of students was present, and very grateful to Canon

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Gore for sparing to them this afternoon out of his much-needed time of rest.

ON Friday, June 5, a meeting was held in the Gymnasium, Somerville College, for the Missionary Settlement for University Women. The Principal very kindly took the chair. Miss GoLLocx first explained what had led women students to found such a Settlement in Bombay, and pointed out the great opening there is for missionary work amongst the women students in India, who are just beginning to come forward for higher education. Miss Rouse, one of the 6 students who will join the Settlement in Bombay this autumn, spoke of the help which those still at College might give to the work abroad by becoming Home Members,' and suggested various practical ways in which their interest might be shewn.

%t. lbugb's BOATING CLUB.—Six more

students have passed their swimming test and joined the Boating Club, which now has 15 members, 7 of whom are qualified captains.

BICYCLING.—We have started a Bicycling Club this term, to which more than half the Hall belongs. Most of the members are exceedingly energetic, though some have styled us " nonAthletes."

The Club started under disadvantages, for it seemed impossible to procure rideable machines in Oxford. However, when at last they did come, they were in great request, so much so that there has been a lull in the Tennis and Boating.

Nothing daunted by the heat, z z members, with the assistance of the more proficient, have actually learnt to ride this term. Some of the beginners have been expeditions into the country, and braved the dangers of passing carts, and the attractions of hedges and ditches. We hope to

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acquire style by practice, for the present to many it is sufficient to be able to ride without wobbling, and to mount without help. It would be nice if many more members can bring up their own bicycles next term ; at present only two are private property.

THE TENNIS CLUB numbers in all sixteen members this term, and practice has been fairly regular.

Bicycling and Boating have to some extent taken its place, but we can still muster a tolerable number of good players.

WE are very sorry to record the losses which Somerville College is to sustain in the departure of Miss Melhuish and Miss Hayllar at the end of this term. All students, past and present, who know them, will join in good wishes to them in the spheres that lie before them.

THE news of the resignation of the Vice-Principal of St. Hugh's has been received with general regret. During her two years at St. Hugh's, Miss Lee has made many friends, especially among those who have had the bad fortune to be ill, and the good fortune to be nursed by her. She carries with her the sincere good wishes of every one in the Hall.

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