The Fritillary, March 1896

No. 7,

March, 189t3.

Contentf3.

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NOTES AND QUERIES .

109

LOVE AND LIFE

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AT EVE BE STILL .

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A REVOLUTION IN THE Lo

DON UNIVERSITY A SONG OF THE CYCLE A LAMENT .

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To HEAVEN VIA THE AF CAN MX.

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ANOTHER SONG OF THE CYCLE 1 IS FOLLIES PECULIAR TO WO119 ODE TO THE "-MISTRAL . 120 A DREAM . . . 120 WOMEN'S INTER-COLLEGIATE

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DEBATING SOCIETY .

LADY' MARGARET HALL

137

SOMERVILLE COLLEGE .

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ST, HUGH'S HALL

PRINTED

FOR TH PROPRIETORS BY

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CROWN 'YARD.

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No. 7.

MARCH.

'dotes anb Queries.

THE result of the long-waited-for meeting of Congregation on March 3 was probably a disappointment to most of us. We had expected to be beaten, but hardly by such a large majority as 75. Also it is rather astonishing to find that actually TO less people voted for us than signed the B.A. petition last summer, the rest having presumably been won over by the cogent arguments of Profs. Gardner and Case. Second thoughts are not always best. The 70 or So members of Congregation who did not vote at all were, we suppose, either indifferent or unable to make up their minds. Or perhaps they were ill, or detained elsewhere by important engagements,—such as the Golf Competition.

SOME of the literature of the movement ought to be carefully preserved in the archives of the A.E.W. It will be deeply interesting when the day comes—as come it will—when a powerful body of women B.A. are pressing for admission to full University privileges.

From this literature we select two passages, taken at random from many expressing the same conviction :" I feel that we have a right to brush away, not without indignation, the pretence that we may accord to women the B.A. or the M.A. Degree without admitting them to real participation in the working of the Universities. . . . This is no time to introduce new

1896.

and invidious distinctions based merely on sex (!), to say that a woman may be a graduate, but may not be a teacher, or may be a teacher, but may not be on a Board, and may not vote in congregation." (Professor Gardner.) " The B.A. without the M.A. is as impossible as a permanent arrangement as it is illogical." (Editor of the Oxford Magazine.)

It is delightful to hear of Prof. Gardner protesting against " invidious distinction based merely on sex," and we are glad to know that if once the B.A. gets through, we shall find Prof. Gardner and his colleagues outstripping even the Secretary of the A.E.W. in their zeal for the further advancement of our claims.

THE daily papers gave most details with regard to Mr. Austin ; but nowhere did we see noted that the lines which first brought him into celebrity were Romeo's touching serenade : " When under thy window softly I sigh, Juliet, come out on the balcon—i !

"

The culminating point of his career was reached when he wrote about the illness of one of the Royal Family—(it does not matter which, for these are " occasional verses," i.e. suitable for all similar occasions)—these noble words :

" Along the line the electric message came :

' He is not better, but is much the same.'"

Tic)

THE FRITILLARY.

ANOTHER subject of the hour is the prevailing epidemic—we allude to vaccination, not to small-pox. It has 'been beautiful to see the unanimity with which we have joined the " members of the University" in this display. Though they may refuse us the B.A., we can at least prove ourselves true " comrades in arms." But perhaps we had better refrain from further comment, as to many this is a sore subject—the vaccination, of course ; not the Degree.

AMERICA has lately been trying to show

that she is not entirely absorbed in the worship of the "Almighty Dollar." An instance of patriotism, not without a touch of romance, came before us some time ago.

Scene—Doge's Palace, Venice. A group of English and American visitors standing before Titian's (or is it Tintoretto's ?) fresco of St. Christopher bearing the Christ-child, upon which subject the Italian guide is discoursing with characteristic vehemence. One of the Americans asks an English traveller what the picture represents ; and, upon being told " St. Christopher," turns to her companions, and says : " Oh, it's Christopher Columbus. I suppose that is meant to be the New World he is carrying upon his shoulder ! " MAY we not anticipate a day when innocu-

lation shall be more universally applied in Oxford than it has been hitherto, even during this term ? Imagine a university, in which all kinds of learning, treated as forms of a chronic, though rarely fatal disease, should be communicated by means of innoculation.

That intellect is a: disease we ourselves feel convinced, bearing in mind the extraordinary activity of the brain during illness and the physical resentment which is felt by every healthy mortal: when called upon to think ; but the final scientific proof of the theory, including the search for the intellectual

bacillus, we beg to recommend to those who desire to qualify for a research degree.

A great campaign of University reform would surely be opened to any one who could offer to replace the cumbersome and tedious system of learning now in vogue by a simple surgical method. Some opposition might be encountered among the professors and tutors, who would, of course, have to be replaced by a staff of efficient and highly-trained doctors, but there is no doubt that the great body of those whose lot it is to learn rather than teach would hail the innovation gladly. The abnormal development of their brains being stimulated by a direct scientific treatment, instead of by the devious process of lectures and reading, all that need be demanded of students would be to keep in good health and spirits by every means in their power, in preparation for the day when the results of the process should be tested in the schools.

A great deal of time would be thus set free for the pursuit of the really important aims of Oxford life.

But, alas ! we had forgotten, such a scheme will not pass muster—it provides no terrors of work to defend us from the invasion of the " good-time " girl !

OVERHEARD in a Hall anent a certain Oxford terminal magazine. " Poor little F F. y ! Won't some one write something to bolster up its flickering flame ?" Might not this metaphor rank with that of the Master of University : " He raked up old sores and punished them ?" (See History of England on Strafford.) .

.

ALL umpires for ladies' hockey matches are recommended either to wear pads, or to carry in their pocket a small brown box of Homocea. e.g. Games Club and L.M.H. umpire, with deadly wounds on knee and ankle, inflicted by a giant wing and soulterrifying back (both L.M.1-1.), remarks with

THE FRITILLARY. sweet smile and gentle slip, " Even umpireth are liable to woundth ; " runs (Anglice, in this instance, " hobbles ") to his bicycle, produces the box, touches the spot, and runs (no translation required) back to his post.

THE Women's Inter-Collegiate Debating Society is not so impressive in its meetings as in its name.

The numbers of the House are often hardly larger than might be expected from a single " college or hall "—to quote the phraseology of the society's rules—and, unfortunately, of that limited number the veriest fraction debate. The motion is declared by the President, in expectant tones, to be open to discussion. There then ensues a long pause, till at last either a timid speaker is forced up by her friends, or a heroic individual explodes into the gap. On rare occasions—very rare ones—a member is seen eagerly awaiting the word of license ; but the long pause is almost as unbroken a rule as the silence.

The President smiles encouragingly—perhaps two or even three more people get up in a spasmodic manner. The President consults a watch ; time is getting on. She looks anxiously at a far corner of the room where a subdued scuffle is taking place. She realises its meaning. An honourable member has been seen during the speeches to have been making use of a scrap of paper and pencil. Now is the moment ; let her speak. Her friends intimate this, but the scribbler's courage has failed ; then her neighbours try gently either side to raise her on to her feet, hence the scuffle and the agitation which has caught the ear and eye of the eager President. Time goes on.

The President plays her last card. She rises, and in tones out of which the expectancy has quite gone, and the desperation of which is hardly veiled under a forced accent of encouragement, asks : Has any 2

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honourable member any further remark to make ? But the question has the wrong effect on the central figure in the corner.

She deliberately- settles into her chair.

Asked to decide yes or no, she decides at once in the negative.

The Proposer sums up ; it is not a hard task.

%eve ant) life.

LOVE lay and dreamed of Life.

For laughter his lips stirred, As though the air were rife With sweet sounds that he heard.

And Death came where he lay, And took him by the hand, And through a desert land He led him, night and day.

Upon a far-off shore He heard faint waters moan ; A shadowy form, before Him, fleeted and was gone, That evermore he strove To follow; but the wind Beat hard, and fierce and blind The sands around him drove.

Love lay and dreamed of Death, And of eternal night, Wearily came his breath, His lips were ashen white.

Then Life came where he lay, And took him by the hand, And to another land He led him, far away.

MAY KENDALL.

at Eve be still.

BE folded, busy hands, in rest; O winged feet, in eager quest That spurned the laggard hours of day,

Now linger in th'untrodden way.

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THE FR1TILLAR\L The flowers, their weariness confessed, Are hiding, on earth's dewy breast, Their dimmed star-faces from the west, And voiceless murmurings soothe and say At Eve be still And if the jarring world's unrest Usurp thy heart, at Eve's behest Sweet Peace shall steal and hold her sway.

Toiling for life's high noon is best, At Eve be still.

1Revolution in the lonbon iniverzitp.

AT the present moment the educational world seems to be profoundly agitated by certain questions spelt with an aggressively large Q. Such things are apt to suggest Commissions and blue - books, and other weighty and weariful matters. By no means the slenderest of blue-books is that containing the evidence taken by the Royal Commission for considering the scheme of a teaching University in London.

To people whose ideas of a University are moulded by associations of Oxford or Cambridge, the University of London must appear an anomalous institution. Possessed of a Charter and the power of conferring degrees, it is in no other sense a University—merely an Imperial Examining Board. For years past reasons have been brought forward justifying schemes for reconstruction of the University. It has been argued that there are educational resources existing in London which might be developed and made of far greater service to the country; in fact, that in the Metropolis to-day there is the actual nucleus of a teaching University. It has also been urged that the government of the present University is far from ideal, and ought to be reconstituted, and that, even as regards the functions of an examining body, there is

much scope for reform. The London University is supposed to encourage a course of educational work which is too much under the control of examinations. Lastly, those who yearn to be like their neighbours in all things remind us that other capitals of Europe are the seats of Universities of great and old renown.

Perhaps it might not be out of place at this point to say a few words about the past history and present constitution of London University.

It was the desire of a noble citizen of Elizabethan days to stimulate the intellectual life of London ; Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of the Royal Exchange, left the wherewithal for providing the city with " Gresham Lectures," " for the increase of the Arts and Sciences and Belles Lettres, for the good of the Commonweal, and the benefit of men given to letters." But the project of founding a University in London was formed three centuries later by the poet, Thomas Campbell, and communicated by him in 1825 to Henry Brougham (afterwards Lord Brougham). In October, 1828, " The University of London " was opened, Henry Brougham being the first President. This was the origin, not of the present London University, but of University College. In 1831 a petition for a Charter of incorporation was defeated through the opposition of Oxford and Cambridge, who were unwilling that the new body should have the power of conferring degrees. The power of granting degrees, however, was acquired in 1836 by a new institution, to which was given the title of " University of London," the older foundation contenting itself with the humbler name of " University College," granted under a new Charter.

The present London University, like the original foundation, is open to all persons, irrespective of religious creed. As to the matter of its constitution, London University

THE FRITILLARY. consists of (I) a Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and thirty-six Fellows, composing the Senate ; (2) Convocation, consisting of registered graduates. Originally the University was a Crown foundation, the Chancellor and other members of the Senate being nominated by the Crown. At the present day the nomination of one-fourth of the members depends on the vote of Convocation. In view of the proposed scheme for a new University, it behoves us to notice carefully the power now vested ire Convocation. In questions involving an alteration in the constitution of the present University, Convocation has the right of veto. We shall see presently that under the new scheme Convocation would lose that all-important right.

As far back as 1864 the present question of reconstruction was raised. In that year a resolution was proposed to Convocation to the effect that a Special Committee should draw up suggestions for University teaching in London. The Committee sat, but its report was rejected by the Senate.

The subject was not lost sight of, and between 1884 and 1894 as many as sixteen different schemes have been drawn up and discussed. The most important one for immediate consideration is that known as the Cowper Scheme, 1894, drafted by the Royal Commission, of which Earl Cowper was chairman.

Under the proposed scheme the University would be constituted on entirely new lines.

In the first place, certain institutions, situated, with one or two exceptions, within the administrative County of London, would be affiliated as " schools " of the University. Among these would be University College, King's College, Bedford College, the Royal College of Science, the various Medical Schools, the London School of Medicine for Women, Colleges of Music, and certain Theological Colleges.

The University would consist of :—(a) The

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Senate, presided over by the Chancellor and acting as the supreme governing body ; (b) the Academic Council, presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, and elected by the Faculties; (c) The Faculties, consisting of teachers appointed or recognised by the University ; (d) Boards of Studies, elected mainly by the Faculties ; (e) Convocation, consisting, as now, of registered graduates.

The teachers would be well represented in the new constitution, for it is proposed that one-third of the members of the Senate should directly represent the interests of the teachers in the University. The teachers would also exercise power as an Academic Council, required to regulate the teaching, examinations and discipline of the University. In certain cases, moreover, it would be the function of such a Council to advise the Senate in the disposal of funds.

It is clear that the Senate is to rule supreme. " It will have full control over the affairs and property in the University, and authority to exercise all powers an,' do all things authorized to be executed and done by the University."

The question arises, what scope is to be given by the new constitution to Convocation, which represents a wider range of interests than that implied by teachers in the University itself ? Out of a proposed total of sixty-six, nine of the members of the Senate would be elected by Convocation, and in place of the old right of veto, to quote the Commissioners, " Upon any proposal by the Senate for altering any statute, or for making any additional statute, we propose that Convocation shall have an opportunity of expressing its views before your Majesty in Council." It is obvious what a radical difference such a constitution would make in the position of Convocation, and it would seem from the present attitude of that body to the new scheme that Convocation is wholly alive to the dangers of the situation.

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THE FRITILLARY.

There is another aspect of the question which forces itself upon any one studying the recent Honours List of the London B.A. and B.Sc. examinations, that is, the consideration of external students and the effect upon them of the proposed changes.

Dr. Bourne Benson, in a letter to the Times, January 7th, called attention to the large proportion of external students represented in the recent Honours Lists of the London University. Out of ninety-two successful candidates only seventeen came from proposed " schools " of the new University.

One cannot help asking oneself what consideration the interests of the seventy-five external students would have met with at the hands of a University constituted as proposed ?

We ought to be very clear as to what we mean by the interests of external students.

Is it a mere hall-mark that outsiders covet, purchased by months of diligent cramming, likely to produce a mental "predigestion," as Bacon would say, and to lower the standard of education generally ?

This may have been the case sometimes, but one must remember that both in the United Kingdom and in the Colonies there are numbers of students far removed from great centres of education, only too thankful for the stimulus afforded by the London syllabus, and the opportunity of taking their own intellectual measure by means of an absolutely impartial examination of established repute.

In another letter written by Dr. Bourne Benson to the Times (Dec. i rth), he speaks of such students as I have just described :— " Many, indeed most of them, owe the direction of their studies in the absence of that personal teaching, which, however desirable, was for them impossible, to the curricula of the University of London. They owe the stimulus which enabled them to prosecute their studies, perhaps whilst daily earning their bread, to the opportunity which the.

University of London alone gave them, of obtaining, without personal teachers, a University Degree." They owe the development of their "intellectual curiosity," which is at the root of all the best work, to the London University system, not because, as Dr. Bourne Benson says, it is better than that of a teaching University, but simply because it is the only one that has met their case.

Now, what body would be more likely to watch jealously over the claims of external students than Convocation, consisting of graduates coming up from all parts of the country," the fruit and present representatives of the old system ? " And it is precisely this body, which under the new scheme would have an " opportunity of expressing its views," with no guarantee whatsoever that its views would ultimately be considered and respected.

Impartiality has been the great characteristic of the old system ; but we have already seen the importance to be given to London teachers in the government of the University, and there are certain suggestions embodied in the new scheme which certainly tell in favour of internal students. May I be permitted to quote the Commissioners ? " We . . . think it essential that the final examination for degrees should require the same standard of knowledge for both classes of students, and should be identical so far as identity is not inconsistent with the educational interests of either class." The possibilities implied in this recommendation have been sufficient to alarm the partisans of external students. It is obvious that the conditions for the intermediate part of the work, and perhaps for the final examination, may be far from identical for the two sets of students, and so the whole point of the former system may be sacrificed.

As the case stands at present, the friends of the new scheme are advocating dispatch.

Some of them go so far as to propose that

THE FRITILLARY. the suggested changes should not be effected

by Charter but by legislative authority ; in other words, that the matter should be referred to a Statutory Commission. This, as matters now stand, would involve an absolute over-riding of Convocation.

Certain amendments have been suggested, chiefly in the interests of external students, and an effort is being made to get these amendments embodied in the proposed scheme. The chief points involved in these suggestions are : (I) to raise the representation of Convocation on the Senate to its pi'esent proportion' of one fourth ; (2) to coordinate the Academic Council and the Board for External Students ; (3) to make all pass examinations up to, and including, that for the Bachelor's Degree identical for both classes of candidates. The examinations for both external and internal students would be managed by one board representing the Senate, Convocation, and the London Teachers in equal proportion.

We have so far been considering the new scheme very much from the point of view of external students, but we must allow that even here there is another side to the question.

Out of the ninety-two candidates mentioned-in the recent B.A. and B.Sc. Honours Lists of the London University, fifty-nine came from collegiate institutions in different parts of the United Kingdom, e.g. from University College, Aberystvvith, University Colleges, Cardiff and Bangor, Mason College, Birmingham, Owens College, Manchester, &c.

If there were less inducement for outside students to follow the London course, provincial Colleges would probably support their own Universities, such as the Welsh University and Victoria University. In that case such Universities would grow rapidly in influence and prestige, and would raise the tone of education in the country generally. .Then again, as regards private study ; ,

I I5

supposing the London Examinations open to outsiders under harder conditions than at present, the really keen students—the people who inevitably surmount all difficulties, because they have the right instinct for surmounting—will rise to the occasion and will enjoy the benefit of an improved syllabus.

Over against the advantage or disadvantage of a few isolated private students in the provinces, we must set the claims of the great City of London itself with its vast population and the untiring efforts of its citizens in the past for the " good of the commonweal." If the claims of London can be reconciled with the educational needs of the country at large, then the result will be indeed for the good of the commonweal.

Altogether, the proposed scheme offers a series of problems, and the difficulty in their solution is sufficiently seen in the hesitation of Convocation and in the unwillingness of Government to act without an approach to•unanimity in the present University itself.

The difficulties in the way of the new scheme are by no means mere questions of technicalities concerning those only who are intimately connected with London and London University, but of vital interest to the cause of education in the country generally.

A. KIMPSTER.

Zt Song of the Cvcie. the Cycle—other bards have sung Of themes more lofty, glorious and fair; But this affords to those whose hearts are wrung With fear's infections, solace in their care.

For all of us have felt the joy and glow, The daring pace—the constant peril dire— The rush of air which does rejoice us so, Except when 'tis escaping from the tyre.

We all have known the phase now at an end, The strange inane intoxicated sway, When from the saddle we could not descend— I mean, of course, not in the proper way; I SING

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THE FRITILLARY.

When lamp-posts beckoned us ourselves to pitch Against them ; when we tried our way to part 'Twixt Scylla—say—the gutter or the ditch And fell Charybdis—say--a water-cart ; When some proud friend says, "I held on my hat," Die not of envy—but take no repose Till you can answer, " Really ! what of that !

Why I—er—can blow my nose."

Be careful of the so-called `friend of man,' The trusty dog who will not go away ; A bull is never discomposed—but, if you can, For his salute 'tis better not to stay.

Mark well, my friend, the conscientious hen, She clucks and clucks with all her little might; She means so well, but can't remember then Which is the side to pass you—left or right ; And most of all beware the Irish pig— He knows, alack, no rule of road at all; For tinkling bells he doesn't care a fig, And oft hath caused much pride to have a fall.

For this so perilous and swift delight The racquet and the scull have lost their place ; The hockey club alone maintains a fight, And will too soon be worsted in the race.

Nay, one I know, who oft was wont to say, To be an ancient Greek she most would like ; But never—since it struck her one fine day That Aristotle never rode a bike.

With feverish hands she searched the honoured sage Who spoke of most things that man knows and feels, And Revolutions filled full many a page, But revolutions not applied to wheels.

Of Homer and the Bards it seems to me We argue less than in the bygone days; But there is one on whom we all agree— A Singer who receives our meed of praise.

V. C. H.

lament

(on reading Horace).

Jam satis surely—critics of conjecture Haven't you nearly managed to effect your Horrible purpose ?

Poor Horace Flaccus suffers most severely, Last night I heard him mournfully but clearly Ejaculating" 0 me miserrimum ! how dare you alter thus My monumentum aere perennius,' You stupid blockheads ?

0 hapless pueri, 0 luckless virgines, Say is it you or I who suffers most from these Vile commentators ? ' Comm. Cruq.' and ' Vet. Bland.,' Acron,' Porphyrion,' Bentley and Keller and more by the million, 'Specially Germans.

These are immortal, yes, these are your demigods, These are the authors you have to get up for Mods, Not Horace Flaccus.

He with Virgilius, Maro and many more, Lies 'neath a heap of notes crushed as in days of yore Typhon 'neath Etna."

to lbeaven via the Elfrican ONE Sunday in November, on reading the notices of the religious services, my friend and I were strongly attracted by one paragraph :—" The Rev. J. C. C. Owens will preach this evening at the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Woman's Mad Rush into Letter Writing, which brings Death and Destruction.' " We determined to attend, and hear for ourselves why our darker brother thought a woman's correspondence so pernicious.

After supper, having wrapped ourselves up well, we set out and soon reached the church in question. As we mounted the steps leading to the building, we were re-

THE FRITILLARY. ceived by an elder, who advised us "to sit near de range as de night am chilly."

Emboldened by this hospitable greeting, we entered the church, a large room with the seats arranged in a semi-circle around the platform from whence the preacher would address us.

We were a little early for the regular service, but were kindly pressed to join a meeting of the Society of Christian Endeavour, which was then being held by one of the elders.

We politely refused, preferring to spend our time in studying the congregation.

Strange to say, ladies were in the minority, but they made up for this deficiency by being most elegantly "fixed up." The hats were remarkably quiet in taste, the most fashionable being those known as the boatshaped. This rather small head-gear appeared somewhat ludicrous when perched precariously on the mass of black wool which does duty for hair. It was in their wraps, however, that the African ladies showed the most style. Elegant rippling capes of electric seal, black or grey imitation astrakan were envied by the less fortunate possessors of commonplace cloth jackets.

The male part of the congregation, though with less scope for show, were not far behind : white collars of enormous height encircled ebony necks, and light trousers contrasted jauntily with the uniform black coat considered essential to the Sabbath.

The preacher was a man of great height and perfectly coal-black. He wore a tightfitting frockcoat, over which was thrown an Inverness overcoat. As the church was cool he kept his coat on until he threw it off to wrestle with the intricacies of his sermon.

What a sermon that was ! The text was taken from the twenty-first chapter of the first of Kings and the eighth verse : " She wrote letters." The preacher gave us first ,

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a paraphrase of the history of Jezebel, showing how her mad rush into letter writing brought destruction to herself, to Ahab, to Naboth, and incidentally to a score or so of other people. Then he became more personal, and attacked his flock. " Last Thursday, de good ladies of dis edifice prepared a concert for de suitable celebration of Thanksgibbing. I went and asked de young peoples to come to it. What did they reply ? Dey had nuffin fit to wear, deir gowns were all ragged. Did dey stay at home then ? No, dear brudders, dey went togged out in their white shoes to a Ball. Dey danced demselves all into a reek of pruspuration, and den dey go out into the atmospher and ruin their constitutions, and what man wants to marry a DrugStore ? " All this was delivered in a tone of righteous indignation. Next the moral lesson was pointed. " Dear chilluns, don't you make an idol of balls and card parties, or salvation will keep a-rolling and a-rolling away from you, like when Pharioah's chariot was in the waves of the Red Sea the wheels kept a-coming off, and a-coming off, and a-coming off !" Great thumping of the pulpit and groans of A-men from a white-wooled negro at the back. " When this mad rush of letters comes to you sisters, don't you answer 'em, but when your beau comes to escort you to the festal scene you say to him come to Church.' " Next the men were attacked. " Brudders, you see how Ahab got Jezebel to do the writing for him. Now when a man wants to do something wrong he always gets a woman to do the manceuvring-. It's so now and it was so in the day of Adam, when they got into that segashulation with the serpent, Adam up and says, It was Eve as done it.'"

A general exhortation to both sexes closed the discourse.

After announcing that " the Church will

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THE FRITILLARY.

meet to-morrow, as I should like the Stones to meet the Smiths," the preacher prepared to take up a collection.

Preparations which seemed a little curious to our eyes were made for this ceremony.

Instead of the customary plate being handed round, a marble-topped table was brought forward ; two elders established themselves behind this, while another took up his position at an adjoining table, with a large account-book. The preacher announced that as they had a debt to meet he must beg all to give something, and the names of those giving a dollar or upwards would be inscribed in the book kept by elder Smith. The choir began to sing a hymn with a rattling chorus of " With the King." The preacher, who had re-enveloped himself in his Inverness, marched up and down the platform, every now and then lustily shouting, " With the King." This he varied by leaning over his desk and exhorting the congregation to " Come up, Come up," as if he were the proprietor of a wild-beast show. Finding them still tardy, he assured them that the slower they were in coming, the longer it would be before they got out. At last, two bashful-looking men came up, and with much pride planked down a nickel each. Then an old grandfather produced a quarter and demanded twenty cents in change ; after some delay this was given him. Now came the sensation of the evening ; a stout and impressive sister rustled up and put down one by one fifteen large silver dollars, audibly announcing that this was the gift of the sewing circle. " Bress de Lord," shouted the preacher, flung away his Inverness in his excitement, and leaping off the platform he embraced the portly sister. After this money flowed in fast. In front of us there sat a youth and his girl ; she had wealth, he had none. I fear he wooed her for her gold.

She left to give her offering, and we feeling rather shy asked the deserted youth to take

our contribution, which consisted of a dime, a nickel and five cents in pennies. Acceding to our request he marched up, and meeting his girl in the aisle gave her a look which seemed to say, " Despise me no longer."

At last, as no one more came forward, the money was counted. " We want forty-five cents more to make even change," announced the preacher ; " who will make up that ? " Great canvassing produced twenty-five and finally the other twenty cents, and after hearing that the collections for the day had amounted to sixty dollars (about I 2) we were dismissed with a blessing.

We felt rather mean when we reached home they had been so pleased to see us.

As the only white people, we attracted quite a good deal of attention, and evidently the elders thought it must be displeasing. Near us was seated a darkie masher, who was behaving in a most circumspect manner, but an elder thought he might misbehave in the future. The elder came up, and in a stage whisper said to the unfortunate youth, " Now don't you turn round and keep a-staring at the ladies."

This kindly hospitality and the real earnestness of their worship impressed us deeply ; we had gone to jeer, and though perhaps we did not come home to pray, yet I think we were not the worse for our visit to the African Church. E. M. LANYON. ,

mother Zong of the Crete.

Apologies to F. E. Weatherly.

By road and river, country-side and town, I ride for ever, on my Singer brown ; Up and down hill like a switchback Till the air about me howls, Scudding smoothly down a cart-track Chivying those charming fowls

THE FRITILLARY. Down on the high-road (when it's nice and dry), Scooting past when 'Arry Hollers " Mind yer eye ; " When its muddy on the footpath, Till a Bobbie comes in sight, Or the little street-boys hooting Say, " You know that isn't right."

On, on for ever, till the journey ends, Who shall dissever two such trusty friends ?

Nought, unless a hen, or doggie Or some foolish little kid, Some old creature, deaf and groggie, Or perhaps an awful skid.

Chorus—Ah, it was gay,

All the day Through the Summer weather, Going so quick, Such a good lick, I and my bike together.

On my machine Past hedges green, Or up amongst the heather.

follies Ipectiliar to "Women.

(By J****H A*****N.) As I was yesterday waiting for an omnibus outside one of the Metropolitan railway stations, my eye chanced to fall on a large poster which was displayed opposite me.

Upon observing it more narrowly, I found that it gave notice of a political meeting to be held that evening, at which one lady was to take the chair, and another was to address the meeting. I could not but be much interested in this announcement, and never having been present at a gathering of this kind, I determined to attend the one advertised.

In the evening, therefore, I presented myself at the appointed place. The room was about half full, and I observed with some trepidation that the only other persons of my sex were a shorthand reporter and the

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attendant at the door. Presently, however, my anxiety was relieved by the arrival of three little boys in clean collars, who seated themselves immediately in front of me. The rest of the audience was composed of ladies, principally of middle age ; one of them being burdened with an infant, that, as I could not help thinking, would have preferred bed to politics, for it cried most of the time.

The lady who addressed the meeting spoke with great warmth and vigour, though her arguments chiefly consisted in abuse of the opposite sex. I several times glanced at the lads before me, but could not observe them to show any sign of resentment ; they were, in fact, busily occupied in the consumption of some toffee, which I shrewdly suspected had been given them as a bribe for their attendance. I therefore concluded that the whole of the speaker's argument was directed at myself, and not caring to bear the brunt of so much abuse, I presently felt after my hat and stole out of the room on tiptoe.

I cannot conclude this essay without taking occasion to remark on some of the chief forms which female folly assumes at the present day. One of the most prominent is the great love of notoriety which leads so many women to forsake the seclusion of the hearth for the publicity of the platform.

Not content with being the light of the home, for which she is exquisitely adapted, many a woman values herself on the constant appearance of her name on the posters and in the newspaper. I would therefore have every young woman, on arriving at eighteen years of age, carefully peruse the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs ; where she will find those feminine virtues justly celebrated throughout all ages excellently set forth by the wisest of teachers.

Miranda was formerly a very beautful woman, renowned no less for modesty than for grace, but having attended a lecture on the Higher Education of Women, she im-

THE FRITILLARY.

I20

mediately took the resolve of entering upon an University career, and became a member of a woman's college. It would seem incredible if I related the havoc that three months of this life have wrought upon her charms. Her pretty brows have become wrinkled in the effort to master Greek verbs, and her complexion has assumed a lamentable sallowness from want of proper exercise. Nor is this loss in appearance counterbalanced by any mental gain, for, to my mind, the conversation of a sweet, artless girl who speaks as nature directs her is far more entertaining than the most learned discourse could be.

I shall conclude these remarks with a letter, which I received this morning from a friend :Dear As I was going up to town this morning on the top of an omnibus, my attention was directed to some ladies who were sitting beside me. At first sight I had taken them to be persons of my own sex, for they were dressed in dust-coats, with cotton shirts and ties made to resemble our own as much as possible. This delusion was, however, soon dispelled when one of them nearly thrust her parasol through my right eye, and another remarked on the selfishness of people who smoke on the top of public vehicles.

I shall be greatly obliged if, in your next communication to the public, you will take occasion to remark on some of the follies peculiar to the present generation of the fair sex. ,

be to tbc "f11%-ittal."

(A Study in Colour.)

Lion art fierce, thou art wild, but the world is bright With a glory that gleams from afar— With a lustre from lands afar A dazzling resplendence and glitter of gold— Of hues irridescent a magic untold Mid whirl and mid tumult of keenest delight. !

In thine outburst of cruel tempestuous mirth Thou art lashing the tremulous sea, The bediamonded sapphire sea, Till it blanches—as foaming with petulant pain At the angry upheavals it fain would restrain, Unto which thy bewildering laughter gives birth.

Thou art fair and so bright, while the sun will stay To commingle his smiles with thine— His luminous smiles with thine.

But when he descends to the purpling hills Thy bitter bemoaning distressfully chills, And the mirth and the merriment swoon away.

Oh so cold—so cold—through the cheerless night, So cold through the darksome hours, Through the drear disconsolate hours ; Quiv'ring with piteous moan heart-broken, Sobbing and sighing in anguish unspoken— And then once more is the earth alight.

With a flame-like splendour—an ardour divine !

As thou meetest the new-born day, As thou greetest the blushful day With tumultuous kisses and wild caress, Forgetful now of the night's distress, Having drunk again of the sun's sweet wine.

The world is distraught with a joy insane, And a wonder of gem like hues:— Of sapphire and emerald hues— Is aflame and ablaze 'mid the crystalline sea, In whose glow opalescent are laughter and glee Intermingled with passionate pallor of pain.

M. B. H. -

ream. " A DREAM," you say ; " why do people write about dreams ? Surely they never interest any one but the dreamer." True, I would not read it myself, and that is perhaps the chief reason why I have written it. And if further excuse is demanded by the critical readers of the Fritillary, I will point to the august example of Shakespeare, who created

THE FRITILLARY. an immortal fairy pageant out of " such stuff as dreams are made of," and allege that my attempt is " after" Shakespeare, a long way after !

I might introduce my subject by a very convenient and orthodox form of words, to the effect that " it happened to a friend," but I will be bold, and say at once that it happened to myself.

I dreamt that I was, as it were, poised in mid-air. I had no surroundings, no place, no limitations of any sort, and yet was in no degree conscious that my position was peculiar. The situation might be described in the delightfully vague formula of Euclid, as " that which hath no parts and no magnitude." Suddenly, with the curious inconsistency of dreams in general, there appeared a lift, such an one as can be seen any day in the Army and Navy Stores in London.

I was at once transferred from a curiously cloudy and abstract condition of being to a most mundane and concrete situation, for I clearly realized the lift in all its bearings ; it was surrounded on all sides by red velvet cushions (I give the details, because, after all, they form the most prominent part of a dream), the floor was covered with a wellworn grey linoleum, and the lift was lighted from the roof by electric light shaded with green glass, giving a strange ghastly appearance to the scene. In the middle stood an angel, a tall, weird, imposing figure, and round its head little fitful blue lights danced and quivered. The door was thrown open, and a voice said " Enter." I hesitated one moment, with the result that I began to fall, down, down, down ! I clutched at space in my horror, I tried to call for help, but no sound would come, and the next thing I realized was that I was inside the lift, travelling at an incredible speed through the atmosphere.

I looked round, and saw, to my surprise, two old friends, seated on one of the cush-

12

r

ioned seats. Instinctively I tried to rise, but was powerless to move ; I opened my mouth, but no words would come to me, and suddenly, with a frightful jar and grating sound, the lift stopped. The grey form beckoned to my fellow-travellers to follow, and opening the door, they stepped out upon a platform. I looked through the glass window, and saw before me a white board, and' on it was printed, in purple letters, HELL." Suddenly, with a flash of intuition, I knew that I was dead. I tried to rise, but the grey angel stopped me. " Nay," said he ; " do not try to follow them ; you are one of the lucky ones ; you have further to go." But I could not speak for fear. On and on we went, and as we journeyed I thought to myself : " Why do we go down to Heaven ; why do we pass Hell on the way ? Is it that we may the better appreciate what we have escaped ? if so, would it not be better that the unlucky ones should pass Heaven, in order that they may fully realize what they have forfeited ?

And if the lift should break, what then ?

Would it not fall down, down, down, and' the wicked would reach Heaven by mistake ?"

I looked up as though to enquire--the lift had disappeared, and, as it were, at an infinite distance from me, I saw the grey form beckon to me. I struggled ; I rose up ; I cried aloud and behold, the grey dawn was peeping in at the window.

Iliaomen's jnter.Cotiegiate 33)ebatino Soctetp.

THE last meeting of this Society for the October Term was held at Somerville College on Tuesday, December 3rd, 1895. The motion before the House was : " The present social conventions are fatal to modern convenience and therefore stand condemned."

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The proposer, Miss MACAULAY (L.M.H ), opened her speech by showing how social convenience was destroyed by Society conventions.

Callers were often not welcome, and yet it would be considered an insult if they did not come.

Again there were many people we would like to know, but whom we could not know unless they called on us first. She then attacked the modern dinner-party, especially the country dinnerparty. She drew attention to the fact that it is the eating and drinking which bores, and not the talking. Let us eat at home and only do our talking at the houses of our friends.

She considered the pitiable show of appearances and the servile submission made to fashion the outcome of social conventions. They defy the very basis of Life. Aristotle defined Truth as the chief good, and the Greek's contemplation of Truth resulted in conversation. The use of educated people was to talk to each other.

Thus it was clearly proved that conversation was the highest good, and consequently its interruption the only evil.

Conventional manners are these interruptions.

The ideal state of society is a state in which every one has access to any who are interesting or amusing.

In many respects American Society is nearest the ideal, as, for example, in the custom of giving " surprise-parties."

To pass to the more serious aspect of the case, these social conventions have the effect of making all friendly intercourse between the different classes impossible.

They raise many arbitrary barriers. Why, for instance, should we not bow to our bookseller ?

In conclusion, she advocated perfect freedom of intercourse wherever it was natural or convenient, and this the present social conventions did not allow.

The opposer, Miss HALL (S.S.H.), urged that it was not fair to judge of the present social conventions by their absurdities or abuses.

She proposed to regard them from two standpoints, firstly from that of morality, secondly, from that of expediency.

These conventions arose through Man's desire for deeper restraint. They are the fundamental

of aesthetic harmony. If all social conventions were removed a man might swear at his neighbour's wife if the mutton were raw, as well as at his own. The tableau might easily be imagined.

Again, although social conventions do not always allow us to see every one we wish, yet surely in the natural course of evolution and in the progress of society we eventually obtain the realization of our wish.

On grounds of expediency, also, these social conventions might be defended. Without the present system of calls where should we be ? For instance, if Mrs. So-and-So, who is a bore, had not "a day," she would probably ask us to tea much oftener. Besides one never sees one's hostess on her day. Also, the vast possibility they afford for administering polite snubs is a great point in their favour.

The argument urged by the proposer that these conventions prevented us from seeing our special friends, she was unable to grasp.

Miss Fox (S.C.), spoke third. She considered that " Conventions make cowards of us all ; " but that at the same time it would be a pity to condemn all social conventions.

Many of these conventions were the death of all originality.

Another bad point about them was that they led many worthy people to gaze with horror on the dreadful and vulgar things those who are not well off are obliged to do, such as going to the pit of the theatre The speaker again referred to American customs, and advocated the adoption of their plan of At Home - days for the daughters of the house.

Miss GILLIAT (L.M.H.) spoke fourth. She said that if conventions meant etiquette, then surely they had been made for the ill-bred and the uneducated, and were therefore necessary and useful.

They might perhaps lead to insincerity, but on the other hand it would be excessively awkward always to live in the Palace of Truth, since disregard for conventions might mean injury to people's feelings.

Concerning the proposer's argument against dinner-parties, she had heard it maintained by

THE FRITILLARY. some hosts that food helped rather than hindered conversation.

She concluded by saying that from self-interested motives she considered these conventions necessary.

Miss FRY (S.C.) thought both sides had made mountains out of mole-hills. Excessive attention to social conventions meant excessive attention to oneself; and those who are unconscious are unconsciously well-bred.

She thought that here in Oxford we would be ungrateful to complain of social conventions, which took the form of dinners or similar entertainments.

They did not deprive us of the intercourse of congenial spirits, but rather the reverse.

Miss JOSEPH (S.C.) said these social conventions helped to conceal our want of decency to our neighbours, for instance, in the conventional use of " dear " in conversation and correspondence.

Conscience excuses our use of the phrase " dear Mrs. So-and-So " by suggesting we do not mean our " dear Mrs. So-and-So," but some one's else's.

Miss WATSON (S.S.H.) thought no complaint could be raised in Oxford against the trammels of social conventions.

It is not obnoxious to be labelled unconventional if you detest conventions, but on the contrary it is complimentary. She considered the proper course was quietly to continue disregarding those that are unreasonable and supporting those that are reasonable.

Miss PARTRIDGE (S.C.) also spoke.

The PROPOSER in summing up thought that much which had been said in favour of conventions referred to the moral principle underlying them, and that that moral principle was not always the highest. Was it not worse to swear at your own wife in private than at your neighbour's in public, as pictured by the opposer ?

Again the unreasonable conventions stand in the way of things we want to do and of things we ought to do.

But those conventions separating classes are the most serious.

As soon as freedom of intercourse between

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classes is assured the education of the uneducated will come. She hoped that as we grew in simplicity and kindliness, closer union of classes would result, and that our entertainments would then be of such nature as to destroy these unnecessary social unconventions.

On division the motion was lost.

THE first debate of Term was held at the Wordsworth Hostel on Feb. 4.

In proposing the motion, " That the Railway system of this country should be under State control," Miss LINDSEY (S.C.) said :— " The idea of State control of Railways is by no means new, the conditional purchase of Railways being provided for by an Act of 1844. Twentyone years later a Royal Commission decided against State purchase, as an Act of 1854 brought the Railways slightly under State control. Agitation by Sir H. Tyler produced a Select Committee, which decided that State control without State ownership was impossible. The Railway Commission was appointed in 1873; Select Committees sat in 188x and r882, and in 1886 we have Mr. Mundella's Railway Bill. " What has been the cause of so much legislation ? " Sir H. Tyler asks—' Shall the State manage the Railways, or the Railways the State ? ' The Railways were already managing the State with a beneficent despotism. But why should the State object ? For two reasons : It is bad that there should be any great power in the country not subject to the State ; the Railway Companies enjoy a monopoly which enables them to levy taxation for their individual benefit. (Here the Proposer referred to the Railways' Blue Book, from which she read extracts.) This great power possessed by Railways is doing harm to trade.

Rates on the different lines are not reduced by competition, but kept up by mutual agreement, and where there is no competition the rates are quite arbitrary, L. & N.W.R. charging in one case actually more for a shorter distance. Imported goods are carried more cheaply than home produce ; this is a great grievance and amounts to a tax on British agriculture. But anomalies in

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rates are not the only complaint the trader has to make against the Railway Companies. The practice of grouping collieries at the Companies' caprice is very unjust and therefore to be condemned, although universal grouping under State management would be advantageous. A danger of the future is the power that Railways are acquiring over the harbours. But to come to the solution of the problem : the State already has control of a large department of traffic, and the ideal Railway management would eliminate distance as the Post Office has so largely done.

The practical difficulties in the way of a gross Railway rate analogous to the penny postage are many. The system of equal mileage rate has been tried in Germany and failed. Another alternative, the system of graduated distance rates, would establish the principle of geographical protection. The advantages of a gross Railway rate would be Free Trade in the fullest meaning of the term, and the annihilation of distance, thus relieving trade and agricultural depression and congested population, and it would not be hard to establish, owing to the short distances in this country. We must make up our minds to a financial deficit at first, but, on analogy with the -establishment of, the Parcel Post (Miss LINDSEY here read extracts from the Blue Book on Railways), this would soon be made up. The saving effected by the State control of Railways would he four-fold. Economy in extending the Railway Systems, complete utilization of plant, harmonious management and dividends."

Miss LINDSEY then sketched the history of Belgian Railways, showing that their being under State control was not only a great financial success, but had enormously increased the national prosperity, and concluded with the words, " Why should our own country not do likewise ? " Miss PEARSON opposed.

She began by apologizing for not having studied the question of Railways during the vacation, so as to have material to oppose to the wealth of information to which the House had just been listening. But it seemed to her that what the Hon. Proposer had said in support of the motion was on the other side. Did the intro. duction of a Railway Rates Bill mean State control

of Railways ? The fact that imported goods were carried more cheaply than home produce was due to the difficulty and expense of collecting the rates on the latter, which were received by the Railway Companies in small quantities, at many different places.

The State need not appropriate Railways to annihilate distance. The object of Railways was the public convenience : would the State serve the public better or worse than the Railway Companies? She was ignorant about Belgium, but surely its prosperity need not be , due to the fact that the State controlled its Railways. The House would remember the time when the Governmentowned steamers, going between Dover and Ostend, were perpetually blowing up, because of the lack of harmony between the steamers and their engines State steamers with individualistic engines ').

Parenthetically she asked what the State was ?

Not in this case the masses of the people ; probably the Government clerks.

The result of State control could be seen in the Post Office. The. Telegraph Service used to pay from 14 to 18 per cent. ; now it was carried on at a loss (although it was known that the 6d. telegrams were more profitable than the oldfashioned is. ones), and the deficit had to be made up from the id. postage. Why should those who send letters' be taxed to pay for other people's telegrams ?

Post Office annuities were not used if any others could be obtained. The P. 0. Savings Bank did not compare favourably with the National rd. Bank. This was due to bad management. The Post Office made a profit of Hd. on every letter. Whiteley would not be allowed to do this. And no alteration, could be made in a Government department, except by Act of Parliament, so that, as a rule, improvements were not made, or only came very slowly.. Since the Government could only carry on the .Post Office as a monopoly, were we to expect that the more complicated business of the Railways would be managed better by the State ? The State Railways in Australia were a terrible source of debt to the country. We had Government Arsenals and Dockyards, but we got our own guns and ironclads from private companies. In connection

THE FRITILLARY. with the way in which Government work is done, one might notice the inferior ammunition and provisions that were often supplied to troops.

We had heard it before ; " the State exists for the sake of good life." Officialism did not promote harmonious and complete development.

This implied no word of blame against the gentlemen in public offices. The difficulty was that it was no one's duty to see after things properly.

The Government could supervise, stimulate and check, but not initiate.

Miss ILBERT (S.C.) supported the Propose; and Miss LAKEN (S.H.H.) spoke fourth.

During the discussion Miss WORTHINGTON (S.C.), Miss FRY (S.0 ), Miss PEARSON and Miss SHEKELTON (S.C.) spoke.

Miss LINDSEY, in summing up, said that great power was not good for individuals.

THE second meeting of the Term was held at St. Hugh's Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The motion before the House was that " This House deplores the over-conscientiousness of women." ,Miss WATSON (S.H.H.) said that there is in every woman a point at which conscientiousness oversteps its true limits. She defined it as the too scrupulous observance of little fads, This is a .peculiarly feminine failing, and causes useless expenditure of power, contrary to all principles of economy. She attributed it mainly to the difference in the education of the two sexes.

Meanness is more rife among women, because they are imprisoned in a narrow circle of petty observances. She brought forward college women as an instance, and deplored the prevailing habit of talking "shop." Women take life too seriously, as illustrated in the Fritillary, the debates themselves, &c.

Miss JEBB, in opposing it, said that conscience has always been a trouble to mankind, being unpleasantly associated with pricks ! She enquired whether conscience could be carried too far. It has two functions—(r) to perceive the moral order of things ; (2) to enforce obedience to this order. This is a law of our being. Therefore we may say that we cannot become over-conscientious till we are perfect. Hence over-con-

1 25

scientiousness is the one thing required. Women have to bear a double burden, inasmuch as they have the care of men's consciences as well as their own.

Then there is the old argument that great things are made up of little.; and that success depends on the power of concentration on detail.

A great task cannot be carried through by leaps and bounds, but only by attention to details.

Miss FRY considered over-conscientiousness was the result of "funk," that we are afraid of departing from the rigid lines laid down for us.

She said that a confusion could easily arise betweenconscience and conscientiousness. The smaller moralities, like being in time for breakfast, are easily codified, and hence -gain undue importance. Most of us will do anything rather than think, and so follow too mechanically the rules of every-day life.

Miss SUTTILL denied that women were overconscientious ; indeed, that they tended to have no consciences at all. We are, above all things, new and modern. A well-fed feminine conscience is of all things fearful of change, but now women rush to find new careers. Conscience always taught us to do what we don't like, but we don't do that now. We are much more selfish ; the conscience of a sister does not now give up everything for her brother.

Miss WORDSWORTH agreed entirely with the third speaker. She said that we are so intellectually lazy ; we have not conscience enough to distinguish between what is really our duty and what first occurs to us as such. She advocated a crusade against " the duty that lies nearest us " as the greatest fraud of modern times. We women are in a transition stage, and have to alter our point of view. She said our proper sphere was among children, who are the greatest corrective of the natural over-anxiousness of women.

There spoke besides, Miss OAKLEY, Miss KEEN:.

LYSIDE, MISS ROBERTS. In summing up, the PROPOSER objected to her opponents' remarks, as referring to conscience rather than to over-conscientiousness.

The motion was carried.

,

.

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THE FRITILLARY.'

THE third meeting of this Society was held on Monday, March znd, at Somerville College, the motion before the House being, "That the present era of Western Civilization is approaching its decline."

Miss MARTEN (S.C.) in bringing forward the motion said that one symptom of decline is the kind of smug-pride with which each nation regards itself and which blinds us to the signs of the times. Other great nations have arisen and passed away, as for instance Egypt, Greece, and Rome. We in the same way as they did think ourselves superior to all other races, call all others barbarians. But the time of our decline also is come. Civilization proceeds in cycles, and each leaves some legacy behind for future generations. Greek civilization left us art, Roman bequeathed us law and order. What shall we leave behind ? All I what indeed ?

The black races are developing rapidly and are being trained by us to take our place. Every nation imitates our fleet for example, and thus we are strengthening them that they may in the future overcome us.

The want of union in Europe is a most obvious sign of decline, notably the fact that the nations of Europe could not even combine to help the Armenians.

A physical decline is being, brought about by Science, our great enemy, which causes everywhere a general fatigue and increases nervous complaints. Sight and hearing fail sooner, men and women grow more quickly bald than formerly. Everybody, both men and women, are enxmic.

Life in great towns helps on this decay. After the age of fourteen or fifteen town-children cease to develope.

From the intellectual and artistic point of view this age is one of questioning and criticism, a sure sign of decline. We have banished all imagination and high ideals and appeal only to reason.

Literature is ruined by journalism.

Poetry is spoilt by science and socialism.

Art belongs to the past.

In the general ugliness are plainly visible the signs of decline. Towns, houses, dress, men and women themselves, all are deteriorating in this

respect. Morally, intellectually, and physically we see the signs of decay all around us.

Miss WILKINSON in opposing the motion said that' she saw no signs of the decline of Western Civilization with which the Proposer threatens us.

She did not believe that Western Europe showed want of energy and cessation of progress which were signs of decay. She differed from the Proposer as to the physical condition of the race— have not English women of to-day a. better physique than their grandmothers ?

The OPPOSER then referred to the intellectual progress of the present century as shown by scientific discoveries and the improvement in the education of women. She did not consider that a lack of great achievements in the spheres of art and literature was a sign of decline—intellectual progress is not to be estimated by the achievements of a few gifted intellects but by the average intellect of the many. Again in the political world the stable character of modern 'government's are fitted to improve rather than to decline..

Since they had for their object the good of the people's government they are the very reverse of the governments which hastened the ruin of Roman Civilization.

If the Honourable Proposer expected the decline of our civilization what was to take its place ? Certainly not the Japanese, the Hindoo or the Turkish Civilization. Finally the Opposer did not consider that Western Civilization had as yet attained its object, i.e., a state of society in which all had a fair chance in life, and in which the full development of the individual should be possible. Could this be so while the poor of our great towns lived in great misery and while so many lives were ruined by ignorance and crime ?

She did not think anyone would accuse Western Civilization of having yet attained that object, and therefore it would surely not yet begin to decay.

The third speaker, Miss KEMPE (L.M.H.), said that even the improvement in physique applied to only a limited number of people.

National art was dying out as also national poetry. There had been no great poet since the death of Browning, and the age of satirical and dramatic poetry was past. ,

THE FRITILLARY: Miss PAPWORTH, speaking fourth, said that progress cannot be expected in all departments.

Plato says that every art has been lost and found again many times over. If we accept Darwin's theory of the origin of man, that surely points to some improvement. She supposed that Pierson was the Proposer's authority ; but he is generally acknowledged to be quite wrong. If we compare the conditions of last century with the present, for instance in the matter of toleration, we may surely note a marked advance.

Miss OAKLEY (S.C.), on the side of the opposition, argued that history repeats itself, and if new causes arise they produce new effects. We are conscious of decline while Greece and Rome were not. Therefore our civilization is more likely to endure.

Miss ALDER (L.M.H.) said that we need not be afraid to admit that we have declined physically, for on the other hand our intellectual capacities have developed to take their place, and inter-communication is facilitated.

There spoke, further, against the motion Miss SCOTT (S.C.) and Miss SAUNDERS (S.C.). No one supported the motion.

Miss MARTEN in summing up said she was glad to find that the Opposer agreed with her altogether. She denied that there was progress, and denied that there was toleration, it was only indifference.

She concluded by saying that Pierson was not her authority.

The motion was lost by 16 votes to 5 -

labr Margaret 'MIL little worthy of note has occurred this Term.

Vaccination occupied the attention of all for the first fortnight, during which period slings, dejection, and a very scanty attendance at hockey were the chief features.

The B.A. excited a more or less transitory interest, but was soon totally eclipsed by German measles, which at present absorbs all minds, to the exclusion of every other topic ! Symptoms (real or imaginary) are compared, and minutely disVERY

X 27

cussed, while much ingenuity of wit is exercised by the victims (who happily are as yet few in number) in framing notices to proclaim the sad fate which has befallen them.

A Choir has just been formed, under the auspices of Miss Hodson, for the purpose of improving the singing in Chapel. We wish it all success in its work of charity.

HOCKEY CLUB.—The exceptionally fine weather that we have enjoyed this Term has been favourable to hockey, and the practices have been regular and well attended. Lady Margaret Hall has played one match against the Games Club on Feb. 13, which resulted in a victory to the former by 9 goals to r, although our captain was unable to play. The Oxford team has been practising together with great regularity, and has played one match against the Moonrakers Club. Result : United, 2 goals; Moonrakers, r8. The usual match against Cambridge at the end of this Term has been fixed for March 14. It is to be played at Oxford this year, as the Cambridge Lent Term ends a fortnight before that of Oxford.

A return match between Somerville College and L.M.H. has been fixed to take place on March 6th. No other matches have as yet been arranged.

Society has been well attended so far, and the debates sustained with considerable spirit. Last week Miss C. SANDERS made an able speech in support of a motion for muzzling dogs. The week before a debate on Dr. Jameson's Expedition provoked considerable interest, though every speaker began by declaring that she knew nothing whatever about the subject ; this lack of knowledge luckily seemed to have but little influence on the firmness of everyone's convictions. The only point which causes the President regret is the unpunctuality of attendance. This, however, has been explained as the fault of the Hall clock, and not of the members.

SHARP PRACTICE SOCIETY.—This

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY,

We

are about to com-

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THE FRITILLARY.

mence " Twelfth Night," which promises to be a success, owing to the judicious distribution of the parts.

TENNIS.—Tennis continues to be played with the usual vigour. A new gravel court is a welcome addition, and much appreciated by the members of the Club.

SOCIABLE.—This ancient Society flourishes as it

deserves. Neither its popularity nor excellence is waning. Our best thanks to all whose sweet music solaces the weary on Saturday night. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Miss Carruthers for her sympathetic poem on " Some Present Discontents ; " to Miss Kempe and Miss Ranken for their charming songs, and to Miss Millroy for many brilliant performances on an instrument whose freaks are known only to the initiated.

CYCLING

CLUB.—Cyclers who are compara-

tively old and experienced in the " gentle art " of wheeling (i.e. who have already been at it for a year or more), often remark to the gushing enthusiast who " learnt last summer," Ah, I was keen at first.

Perhaps we shall most wisely attribute the success of our Club to its extreme youth. It is one. It is in its second term.

We have nine new members this Term, and the number of machines owned by members of the Club has gone up from 7 to 13. The total number in constant use in the Club is 17.

Considering the size and inexperience of our Club, we may surely congratulate ourselves on having nothing worse than a sprained ankle to record as " casualties." Opportunities have not been wanting—most of us know what it is to be run down.by some undergrad who has " learnt to ride in one lesson," to be walked into by some absorbed mortal whose nerves are too good to be startled by our desperate bell. We know that the young idea has learnt all too well how to shoot across the road in front of us ; that hens and those dear little brown pigs that are driven into Oxford along the Banbury Road,

are not gifted with much sense. We begin to feel that deaf dogs and other domestic animals should be kept under stricter control. And some of us have (we hope not I) been seen sitting in the road under a machine and skirt combined, looking, longing for the good Samaritan with a penknife to cut through our good strong elastic.

The older members of our Club are endeavouring to set up a high standard for " style ;" the ideal just now is to ride down Norham Gardens without handles, so we are practising hard as we come home from lectures. The present stage is that of keeping the balance by waving the arms in the air and getting the head well down over the handle bar, as the hands are so far removed from it. Allow us to recommend (and let us remember) one of the best mottoes for cyclers Pride will have a fall. :

%omen:Cie College.

ON Friday, February r4th, the members of the Council dined in the new dining-hall of Somerville College, with the Principal, tutors and students. The Council was well represented, though we were very sorry to miss Mrs. T. H. Green, Mrs. Vernon Harcourt, and the Master of Balliol, who were unavoidably absent. The health of the Council was proposed by the senior student, Miss Kirk, who coupled with the toast the name of Professor Pelham, to whose continual interest the College, garden, and library owed so much.

Professor PELHAM in his response said that he was proud to address an audience as Head of a College, a character to which he approached more nearly in his connection with Somerville, than in any other capacity. He hoped to address that audience as members of the University, at no very distant date.

Miss JOSEPH, who rose to propose the health of the Ladies of the Council,. said she would like to mention the name of Miss Smith,,to whose efforts on their behalf the women students of Oxford would always be grateful.

Miss Smith having briefly responded, the health of the Association for Promoting the Education

THE FRITILLARY. of Women was proposed by Miss Fry, who coupled with the toast the name of Mr. Sidgwick.

Miss Fry said that for students of a Women's College the newness of the institution did carry with it one advantage. They possessed founders, who were not merely venerable historic shades, but persons they could know, and in whose health they could take an interest.

Mr. SIDGWICK in responding observed that he had lately been engaged in an unusual task, a little historic research into the question of the respective ages of the A.E.W., Somerville College, and Lady Margaret Hall. These institutions had not originated exactly in the order he should have expected to find, and should have perhaps prescribed had he been in Oxford at the time. The first to be founded was Lady Margaret Hall, whilst it was uncertain whether the honour of being second in the field should be accorded to the A.E.W. or to " Somerville Hall," as it was then prematurely called.

Before leaving the dining-hall Professor Pelham proposed the health of the real Head of the College, Miss Maitland.

There was music in the Common Room afterwards, and the evening ended for the students with a dance in the West Buildings.

Mr. W. H. MALLOCK'S lecture on "Socialism as a Remedy, as a Theory, and as a Possibility " was delivered to an audience which, if not showing any great enthusiasm for the individualist ideal, at least left little to be desired in point of numbers. The lecture was given in the gymnasium of Somerville College on Feb. l oth, the Principal taking the chair.

Mr. MALLOCK opened his lecture with an elaborate and convincing refutation of the attack made

by Karl Marx upon the present economic system on the ground of its tending to make the rich richer, the poor poorer, and to crush the middle classes out of existence.

He quoted statistics showing that on the contrary the lower middle class (constituted by those whose incomes lie between Zr5o and ÂŁ500 per annum) is that which has had by far the highest rate of increase of late years, growing in fact

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nearly three times as fast as any other section of the community. Moreover, the average income of the poorest class (under which are included all whose incomes fall below j:„ r so per annum) has very largely increased.

The lecturer then pointed out some objections to the Socialism of more modern writers, laying particular stress upon the difficulties which attend the introduction of improvements into businesses already conducted by the State, such as the Post Office and Naval Ship-building departments. He also dwelt upon the fact that capital and labour, unless directed by administrative talent, are powerless to produce interest, and that the assumption which appears to underlie all Socialist schemes that the same capacity which is now devoted to private enterprise could be hired by the State for a greatly reduced remuneration, is at present quite unsupported by facts.

The class of men whose adherence is absolutely necessary to the success of Socialism, is the very class which at present seems quite untouched by any sympathy with it. ,

ON Friday, March 28th, Mrs. Sidney WEBB gave a lecture in the Gymnasium on Factory Legislation, and its bearing on Women's Work.

Professor York POWELL in the chair.

Mrs. Sidney WEBB, in opening her lecture, pointed out the fact that in the discussion on Mr. Asquith's Factory Bill of last year a new cleavage of opinion had exhibited itself in regard to Factory Legislation. There were on the one side those women who had had personal experience of its effects ; on the other, besides the employers, were those who wished to push the claims of women to a position of perfect equality with men, and objected in consequence to those clauses which dealt unequally with the sexes.

Owing, however, to the action of this section with regard to clauses, by which the same measures were dealt out to men and women alike, the lecturer ventured to think that their objections were really based on a lurking scepticism of the beneficial results of any legal regulation. It would therefore be necessary to see what was the theory of Factory Legislation itself, before

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attempting to consider it especially in its relation to women. There were some who took the patriarchal view, and desired, even at the cost of their freedom, to make the workers comfortable. This, however, was not Mrs. Webb's starting-point. She believed in factory legislation, because of the freedom it would give the worker ; and because under what is termed " freedom of contract " there is a permanent and essential inequality of bargaining between employer and employed. The workman in refusing a job had to face starvation ; the employer in refusing a workman merely inconvenience, or at most a fractional loss of profit.

On the question of wages-settlement, therefore, the workman was heavily handicapped, while on the two most important questions of healthy regulations and of hours, the individual workman was absolutely helpless, as not only would the employer only take on those who were ready to accept the conditions of their fellows, but also he would be forced by competition to make his people work under the same conditions, and for the same hours, as did the worst employer in the trade. This was not merely a question of economic theory. Mrs. Webb herself had been converted to this point of view by a comparison of the lot of the girls in the Lancashire mills, who worked under government inspection and for strictly regulated hours, with that of the East End sempstresses. The logic of fact proved the former healthy in body and mind, and earning good wages, while the latter deteriorated so rapidly in their physique and moral character, that they were hardly worth the miserable shilling a day that they earned.

Having thus proved the necessity for legislation, Mrs. Webb turned to the objections which have been urged against that legislation, which would seem to place women at a disadvantage.

The old bogey that " free " labour would supply the place of regulated had been raised again in this case. It was said that women, with their hours apportioned and fixed for them, would be unable to compete for employment with men, who were not bound by these regulations. This was based on an ignorance of fact : the fact being that over nine-tenths of the field of employment men and women did not compete at all. Where

abstemiousness and docility were required, women were always employed ; where strength and skill were essentials, men. For the small percentage of trades in which competition might occur, it was not worth while to sacrifice the interests of the many to the few. The real restrictions on women's labour were, firstly, competition of married women, who were content to earn a mere pocket-money wage, and secondly, lack of technical skill. They would never acquire the latter till they had more freedom and leisure, which they could only hope to obtain by that very legislation which was supposed to limit their efforts. It was true that Trades Unionism had been proposed as equally efficient ; but, as a matter of fact, well-known to all those who had any experience of these organizations, it had been proved over and over again that they were only possible when the women had acquired that status which legislation alone could give them.

In any case " freedom of contract " must disappear, and in its place must rise " Law, the Mother of Freedom."

Many interesting questions were then asked in reference to women's work, both in its present aspect and its future prospects ; and the proceedings terminated with votes of thanks to the lecturer, moved by Professor Pelham and seconded

by Mr. Marriott, and to the Chairman, moved by Mr. Ball and seconded by Miss Melhuish, both being carried by the acclamations of the audience.

SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.We have been turning our attention to Music lately. Last Term N. B. Reid read a paper on Scotch Music, with various illustrations on the piano, the national instrument not being available.

This Term G. K. Greig read a paper on Musical Construction to a crowded audience.

At the second meeting E. Ardington undertook to explain the Theory of Combustion with the aid of experiments, the W. B. Library being previously insured. We record our thanks to Mr. Vernon Harcourt for kindly lending the apparatus for the occasion.

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The Public Meeting will be held on March r 7th, in the. new dining-hall, when Sir Edward Fry will deliver a Lecture on Hesiod. Nonmembers admitted by ticket. This lecture is given on behalf of the Scientific and Philosophical SoCiety, and has no connection with any of the various other lectures given in this College.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.—The Historical Society has had one meeting this Term. Miss Davies read an interesting paper on " Domesday," but owing to an exceptionally small audience the discussion was not as animated as usual.

HOCKEY CLUB.—During the first two or three weeks of Term very little hockey was played owing to " arms." Two matches have been played; one' against the Bournemouth " Moonrakers Hockey Club," in which the Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville teams combined and won by 2 goals to I. The second match was played against the Games Club on their ground, in which we were beaten by 3 goals to 2. Matches have been arranged against Lady Margaret Hall and Past Somervillians, besides a match between the second elevens of the Etceteras and Somerville. The Cambridge match is fixed for March 14th, and will take place in Oxford.

S. H. H. C. FIRST ELEVEN V. GAMES' CLUB. Rather a disappointing match ending in a defeat (3 goals to 2). The combined effect of sun and frost had made the ground almost unplayable, the sunlight was dazzling and the Games Club Goal-keeper a seventh wonder, but this hardly excuses the weakness of the forwards' play within the striking circle. The two goals were secured

by A. D. Scott in brilliant style, but otherwise her shooting was hardly up to its usual pitch of excellence. A. Russell was not in very good form—a misfortune probably due to vaccination.

On both wings the ball was brought up the ground in fairly good style, but neither M. K. Pope nor S. M. Fry profited by opportunities of shooting.

M. C. Staveley found some difficulty in combining

balance with speed, and L. Lawson, as centre half-back, felt an even greater difficulty in this matter. A. Davies and L. Kempson (left and right half-backs) played with much determination and vigour, but are too easily outstripped. The play of the backs was apparently somewhat disorganized by the weakness at the centre ; both players made some good hits but some rather obvious misses.

S. C. H.

C. SECOND ELEVEN V. ETCETERAS' SECOND ELEVEN.

An exciting struggle ending in a draw, r goal all. In the first half the ball seemed to attract a rather greater proportion of players at one and the same time than is customary, but throughout the second half play was spirited and vigorous.

The forwards managed some rather pretty combination, but were sadly deficient in shooting power. The one goal was secured by W. Ardagh, by a good shot. Both her play and C. Dodd's on the left is always neat, but lacks force.

M. Gaddum is fast but too much afraid of asserting her right to the ball. Much vigour was displayed by the half-backs, but all lack speed.

H. Brooks was in very good form ; with greater speed she will make an excellent back. M. Edwards hit with vigour, perhaps with greater force than judgment.

SOMERVILLE COLLEGE BOATING CLUB.—The

energy of the Club has rather subsided this Term owing to counter attractions, hockey, torpids, vaccination and the like. The President, however, has received several fresh swimming certificates, and those who wish to become Members, and who have not yet accomplished the test are advised to apply to E. C—rl—ss. Personal instruction given in diving from the punt in Mesopotamia every Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 4 during Term.

WANTED.—For next Term, a respectable girl to advance the cause of Socialism by making toast between the hours of 9 and 9.3o a.m. No salary.

Apply SOMERVILLE. COLLEGE.

THE FRITILLARY.

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St. lbuob's BROWNING SOCIETY meets with its usual regularity. We are reading " Pippa Passes ; " but, alas ! " we " are only seven. The current excuse for non-attendance this term is too intense a love for Browning.

of the Shakespeare Society are reading " The Tempest " this term, but owing to the irregularity of attendance, and the infrequency of the meetings, it is doubtful whether the Play will be finished this term.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY.—Members

THE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY has met at St. Hugh's every Monday evening at 8.r5. We very much regret that in consequence of the change in the time, members from Somerville College are unable to attend, but it was found impossible to continue the afternoon practices on account of hockey and other outdoor pursuits. We have one new member this term, so that at present the band consists of four first and four second violins, two violas, but, unfortunately, no 'cello, which is sorely needed.

The band would be much improved by more regular individual practice.

SHARP PRACTICE SOCIETY, as usual, meets once a week. Owing to the secession of some of its memberS, the rules of the Society are going to be reconstructed.

Printed by

JAMES PARKER

HOCKEY.—The Lady Margaret Hall Club still very kindly let us play with them. But why do not more avail themselves of this privilege ?

BOATING CLUB.—The weather has been so warm that our boats have been out very often.

We have several new and ardent members. Our single sculling races, which we were prevented from having last term, are to be on Feb. 29.

There will be about ten competitors.

TENNIS CLUB.—The members of the club are as usual very enthusiastic, and some practice has already taken place in spite of many other various attractions.

No ties are being played this term,' as the winter Championship was decided last year, but we are looking forward to good play for the summer as we have a few very promising players.

1T is our sad duty to record the death of Winifred Frances INMAN, aged 21, on January 13th. She had passed the Science preliminaries in Chemistry, Physics and Mechanics, and was reading for Chemistry Honours. She died after only five hours' illness at her home at Potterne Vicarage, Wiltshire.

& Co., Crown Yard, Oxford.