St Hugh's College, Oxford - The Imp, Spring 1923

THE IMP.

Spring, 1923.

EDITOR M. COOK.

:

/ COMMITTEE: Third Year: Representative.—N. CLIVE-SMITH. Second Year Representative.—E. LEE. First Year Representative.—E. BARRY. TREASURER:

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THE IMP No. 12.,

T

HILARY TERM.

1923.

EDITORIAL.

HE Editor notes with pleasure the increase in the! number of contributions sent in this Term, and regrets that it has not been possible to print them all. Though the standard of quality is still not very high, the increase in quantity is a hopeful sign that College is becoming keener about contributing. This is the first time that the IMP ha's appeared as an illustrated magazine, but it is hoped that future numbers will provide plenty of scope for those who prefer to draw rather than write.

Thanks are due to the author of some useful suggestions for the better wording of the Magazine Constitution which were sent in at the end of last Term. They have been carried out in this number. ,

COMPETITION ENTRIES. A Topical Satire : Prize to Lartius ' for The Eternal Feminist.'

Competition for next Term : A Short Story (prize 5/-).

1%.11.111

•••■■ • 11.11.11

THE RADIAD. Before 'twas one o'clock one day she rose; Into goloshes thrust her dainty toes, The academic tile upon her head Of sombre hue—but so much more well-bred For that—a wrap of elegantest shape Black also, but more seemly than a cape Of gaudy hue—she draped about her neck, And sallied forth, and nothing did she reek But in the quest of learning sallied forth And turned her back on care—and on the North.

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THE IMP. Her graceful steed beneath her reared and jumped.

With courage high she resolutely bumped And bumped; and bitter hardship bore Knowing that road would lead her to the door Where she might drink of the Peirian spring And read up Ancient Law,—or anything.

In vain the storm clouds poured their vials forth Upon her tender head in floods of wrath.

Battered and breathless down from Banbury She beat her way, bespattered horribly With mud from vulgar chariots whizzing by.

She gave not in—nor ever would say ' die.'

She soon drew near a grisly greasy spot Where four roads meet, and there as though by plot Four vehicles did meet in dire confusion, Inextricably tangled. A contusion Upon her slender lower limb upreared Resulted from a rude encounter—feared But bravely entered—at this deadly place With a malicious man with upturned face.

Though spent with wounds, exhausted, clothing rent, She yet did stagger up, and 'gainst the wind she bent Her fragile frame all plastered o'er with mud, And (I must tell it though I shrink !) with blood.

Now through the mist and driving rain she spies The great dome of the glorious building rise.

Her heart leaps up, her longings fired anew, Her hopes within her grasp—her end in view.

Within the sacred portals now at last Remains another obstacle to be past.

She faints 'twixt joy and apprehension To see the stairs wind upwards,—not to mention The dizziness that steep and spiral staircases Are apt to cause to one who up them races.

I must not harrow gentle readers so, But of that last dread struggle, those who know.

Will not need me to rouse their sympathies.

Enough that she at last arrived is.

With beating heart and stifled breast she drew A paper from the box amid a crew Of catalogues laid out upon the table ; Her trembling fingers really scarce were able To guide the pen and write thereon the name Of the great work of art and ancient fame She needed for her essay—then competing.

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A) tiny sound scarce heard above the beating Of her tempestuous heart had caught her ear— The clock strikes.—TWO-----? ! !? ! Before her eye appear The fateful words (she turns a ghastly green), ' The final cupper— -Lynam's—two-fifteen.

I shall be late '--a deadly shriek rang out As from the sacred building she rushed out This moral note—those who would learning. draw Like her from Radcliffe Camera's ample store, ' Rise at the bright beginning of the day, And make no more engagements for that day.'

H. Moss.

1..1*.6

V•11.11

THE SILVER TANKARD. When Lizzie came to clear away the breakfast, she was surprised to find the door locked. She turned the handle twice both wayS, and the second time she was left gaping at the sound of an unsteady voice. Go away,' it said, and then Miss Susan called tremulously, ' We will ring for you.' The key was in the lock on the inside, so Lizzie could see nothing, and after waiting a minute to listen, she tip-toed noisily away in her new shoes at the sound of a chair being pushed back.

Inside the room Theo was crying, and Miss Mary with twitching lips was dabbing marmalade on the same piece of toast, so that there was a continual trickle of yellow liquid from her fingers., Miss Susan was, holding a letter in shaking hands, mouthing unheard sentences. The thing was incredible, and yet there was.

Mrs. Harman's signature. Susan laid the letter down, and Mary took it with sticky fingers.

This explained the strange atmosphere of disapproval there had been in the village for weeks past. How long ago was it since she had gone herself to buy biscuits, and seen Mrs. Brown break a ginger-snap twice to make up the weight? They even hadn't been able to get a boy to) weed the garden, and Theo had got rheumatism, by doing the bed under the breakfast-room window. Dear Theo, she was always so unselfish . . . and the weeds had grown up again now. . . Fancy anyone believing such things about her. . . . It was dreadful, dreadful of Mrs. Harman. to write them, She had almost too strong. a sense of duty. It had been so unpleasant when she had told them that the 'villagers thought them mean. But now . . . Immoral relations in the past between you and the Captain.' Some of his

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rashly- given presents openly displayed in your house.' It was ridiculous, monstrous. How could anyone believe . . . ' as wife of the vicar, I think I ought to warn you what is being said in the village.!.

Susan tried to remember when they had sent for Tim to doi the garden. It was two weeks after the silver came from Cousin John. Theo had been pleased, and had confided kindly to Captain Jimson at the gate what was in the big wooden package. Her sisters had been scandalised at her frankness, and really terrified, when she told them how the mad old man had called out, ' Worth robbing, by God,' in his sea captain's voice, and gone away chuckling. ' We must get a dog,' said Miss Susan, and Mary, who was deaf, had made the same remark. Theo had been so disturbed that twice in the week she had come to tea without her fringe curls. Then there had been a terrible night when Lizzie forgot to draw the curtains, and when the Captain shouted from the garden that he wanted' to buy the silver tankard on the mantelpiece.

Theo had been very brave and called shrilly that it was not for sale, and she had even pulled the curtains across the window.

He came to peer at the tankard through the window several times after that, and on their repeated refusal to sell, seemed to take a grudge against them. Theo had distinctly heard him telling some disreputable tramp, that three old maids lived in the house before Greenacre Common. She hadn't heard any more, but the Captain seemed to be growing confidential, and the dirty tramp had leered at her as she passed.

So he had made the accusation out of spite, the wicked old man. . The placid Susan experienced an unusual feeling. Her face flushed. She determined to go and confront the libeller. She would go now, at once.

When she got back an hour later, bonnet tilted, her hands trembling to knock at the door Theo had locked after her, she seemed distraught, or like a sleep-walker. She only said, His price,' in.a high breathless sort of voice, and walked straight to the silver tankard.

It seemed she had made some contract with the Captain, for after that he tried, rather incoherently, to contradict his former remarks. But the village people were less willing to listen to him, especially when they heard from Lizzie, who, going out to report on the locked door, had met Miss Susan with the tankard.

There was some talk of bribery.

Susan. said they would live down the scandal, but the village was a dull one, and the old women were sensitive. So after some

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agitated discussions they clustered anxiously into a third-class carriage one hot afternoon, with the most extraordinary collection of luggage.

A year later, when the Captain died, Mr's. Harman wrote asking if she should send the tankard. Her letter was returned.

Apparently they had left their first London boarding house, leaving no address.

N. CLIVE SMITH.

IN

PvLt: e-fk-r AN OXFORD

PUNCTUATION RULES FOR ASPIRING NOVELISTS. [We offer these few rules, compiled with reference to the best sellers' of the day, in the hope that they may :prove useful to those who desire to make English prose increasingly attractive to the eye.]

I. The most important factor in good punctuation .is the exclamation mark. Use it liberally. Like this : How ! ' he said., ' do you do ! Pleasant weather for the- time of year ! ! ! ' ' Very ! ' she replied ! with a coy simper ! ! I I

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II. Dashes give a fine air of abandon to an impassioned speech. Try this sort of thing : ' I love you—with a love—that is—deeper than the Heavens above — — — higher than the—seas below—I lave you with—the heartfelt—love—of an inspired—Soul ! ! ! ' III. Do not neglect dots. They may be small, but if a suffi-. cient quantity be available, they can be utilised to occupy a considerable space Sir? IV. When in doubt, insert asterisks at random. They are just as effective as pages of verbal intricacies, and call for far less

mental effort. Can you beat this?

Dusk * * * * * * * * * * * Twilight * * * * * * * * * * * * * •* * * * * *

* Night * *

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sleep . . .

Morning Sun !

Here we have a description of a whole night with the aid of six words only. Wonderful, isn't it?

V. If you require any further punctuation marks, shut your eyes and sprinkle in a few commas thus : It was a rough day the sea came rushing, and tumbling up the beach and broke, in a mass of foam on, the sea-wall drenching the merry holiday-making, crowds, in,,,,,, a shower of spray VI. Avoid the full stop. It's soy hopelessly mundane.

VII. Use capital letters as often as passible. Nothing looks more impressive than this, for instance : The Man was tall, Broad, and rugged . . . In his Right Hand he carried a banana, from his left was suspended by a Stout bootlace an animated Hearthrug, which Barked Furiously As It Scampered along beside Him ! ! !

Don't be discouraged if your book doesn't sell at the VIII. first attempt. Publish a second edition without any punctuation at all.

N.B.--It might really be wiser to try this first.

K. C. MORRAH.

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I SAW A GOLD TRAIN BREAK FROM HEAVEN.' I saw a gold train break from Heaven And flash all down the sky, A million-coloured Souls leap out And through the whole world fly.

I sang, All, Heaven has come at last ! ' I danced, I was so glad, Until men locked me into Hell And told me I was mad. . B. JowEas. 11.1111.11 11.1.4

' A MAN SAT ON THE GATES OF HEAVEN.' A man sat on the Gates of Heaven And kicked his heels against its bars, Crying, God damn, here's to the devil, And I will do what I will do.'

And he kicked so hard that flakes of gold Fell from Heaven's Gate and lay Scattered upon the earth.

Then the Saints came and picked them up And said, God's blessings now are manifold.'

B. JowaRs. 11.11.4 •••■ •■A

••■■ ••

INSPIRATION. I determined to write something for the IMP. I collected pencil and paper. I stared at the fire. I thought of topical satires, lots of them, but only first lines. I once found a second, but it would not rhyme, and I had set my heart on couplets . . .

I thought of something light and frothy, but it stopped frothing when I began to write . . . I thought of something strictly useful, like How to do your chapels—by one who doesn't ' . . I heard a voice outside the bathroom door, Will you be very long? I really must have a bath. Five minutes? Thank you ! ' . . . I thought of my coaching to-morrow and the essay I had not written. I decided to think hard . . . I began An Ode to the First Eleven.' I tried to find a rhyme for goal,' but foal '

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would not fit in well. Another voice was heard, Would you mind giving me my towel? A white one with red stripes—behind the door, I think. And I've left a garment on the towel-rail.

Thank you so much ! ' I began a blank verse, ' Elegy in a College Common Room.' I wept large tears of sentiment . . . My friend of the room above dropped her fire-guard three times— very decidedly—and then proceeded to express her soul's yearnings via a Swanee whistle. At the same time my next-door neighbour started to tune up her violin . . . I have just found my comb and brown paper. To-morrow I will write something for the IMP. 11.4.44.4

A BOAT IN TOGGERS. (After Butcher and Lang.)

Then did the captain, that goodly Straight-limbed youth, running by the Side of the swift-flowing stream,.

Call upon. his men through an Instrumen.t wrought cunningly to swell the sound he made.

And in the slimly-fashioned boat The men bent to the oars with Courage and strength,.and well did The long blades sweep the grey Water. Strong blew the wind And the rain was cold, but they Faltered not ; nay, rather the more set their minds to the task.

And the helmsman, clad in scarlet And white, guided the boat through The rapid stream with godlike Skill. Full three lengths did They outstrip their pursuers, while on the Bank the runners cheered them with Shouts, and the sound of weird Instruments of music. So with music and Rejoicing did they come to their Anchorage winners of the conflict.

M. H. BENSON. rwasAt rwo.s rob.",

is

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THE ETIQUETTE OF CLOTHING. In answer to many enquiries of anxious searchers after etiquette, our social correspondent has drawn up the following scheme of appropriate clothing for every occasion in University life. It is hoped that this will provide for a long-felt want, and be of assistance to many beginners.

CHAPEL.--Gowns must be worn in morning chapel. (This does not apply to those who prefer the ante-chapel.) Caps are not necessary, but the hair should, if possible, be propped up.

Pyjamas may be worm but must be at least partially concealed.

LECTURES.—Dress for lectures should be neat and quiet: in effect, but coloured ties are permissible. The colour scheme may be carried on in the stockings or handkerchief. A blazer is invaluable for all morning engagements, and is especially chaste when worn with a cap and gown.

CAFES.—See ' Lectures.' N.B.—Caps should always be worn, but gowns may be left in the bicycle basket.

CoAcHnvos.—Personal feelings of tutors should be carefully consulted. The scholar's gown strikes' a distinctive note.

THE GAMES FIELD.

(a) Playing.—A bandage for the head is •worn by all habitues.

Stockings should be well matched with (i) tights, (ii) shoes.

N.B.—Be careful from whom you borrow your tunics. The person borrowed from should have the same proportions as yourself, and be of the same standing. (b) Watching.

Hockey.—Mackintoshes• are in vogue this Term. Caps (as worn for lectures, &c.) are the best protection for the head from wind and rain.

Lacrosse.—As above, but a megaphone should be slung about the shoulders.

Netball.—Netball is not watched.

Football.—Some wrap for the neck is required. Large hats are effective, and an umbrella must be carried.

THE RIVER.—Mackintoshes and bathing suits are being worn, and are especially necessary when taking out the experienced.

TEA PARTIES. (a) In College.—Be careful not to slight your hostess by carelessness in dress. It is a nice attention to bring a gown for the purpose of helping with the fire. (b) Out of College.—Those going out to tea should always be recognisable by a special neatness in minor points. Furs combine effectively with the blazer.

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dress is apt to excite the notice of the conductor, and should be avoided. Evening dress is worn by many, but in the cold season a blazer may be added. For public performance white is compulsory.

ON THE TOWPATH.—A picture hat worn with the blazer combines social and athletic characteristics. Goloshes or some such strong and neat footwear are much in demand.

DINNER.—Here natural good taste is the only guidance for the woman undergraduate.

COCOA PARTIES.—Here again individual judgment must be exercised. A dressing-gown worn by the hostess will suffice to put her guests at ease. Bedroom boots are admirable, as they make for warmth and quiet motion.

MEETINGS.—Some dark and quiet costume is advised, suitable to the nature of the meeting. N.B.—For J.C.R. meeting no special dress is required, but a supply of red rags is. essential.

All speakers will find a sheep hook indispensable.

BACH CHOIR.--COHSpiCHOUS

GENERAL NOTES.

The Cap is universally useful and may even be worn in the bath, but should not be left in the bathroom, as it will be of no use in the Jumble Sale.

For ' Academic Dress' see Excerpta e Statutis ' (appendix to women undergraduates).

Do not mark your clothes with your name, as it may cause embarassment to those who borrow them.

An illuminated badge, representing the St. Hugh's swan, emblem of silence and solitude, should be worn on the chest of those frequenting the passages after .10.15.

Should any doubts be felt on points not mentioned, our correspondent will be glad to give help to those in difficulty. When applying for such advice, state height, colouring and type, i.e. whether Mediterranean, Mongolian, Madagascoid or Esquimaux.

•••••■■ •

MRS. CARDEN. Mrs. Carden was the sort of woman about whom everyone said, ' You never know what she will do next.' And whenever she did anything they said, ' How exactly like her.' People said, too, Isn't it a pity about Mrs. Carden? ' Forty found her with bobbed yellow hair, still innocent of hairpins though touched with grey. Lips full and petulant as a child's. Her face indeed was marked, but rather with a variety of moods, than the gravity of experience. This evening found her,

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curled in a chair, with a deep frown obscuring the_brilhowever, curled fiance of her eyes. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a solemn tone from her fat child, who was sitting on the floor turning over the pages of a large book. Mother, isn't it time I went to bed? ' Mrs. Carden regarded her daughter with a look of vague fear, and replied hastily, Yes, darling.' Then she fell back into her reverie.

She was indulging in the last infirmity of the unhappy- egotistreviewing her past. Scene after scene passed through her mind.

She saw a small rough-haired child in pyjamas burst into the brilliant light of a dinner party, shouting that it, hadn't been fair not to ask her too, and felt again the shock and blank despair when she ran her head against the stiff white shirt front of the butler. She saw herself red-tunic'd, exhorting a whole class-room of girls to rebel. What to rebel against she could not remember, but that had never mattered much. She had wanted to make a mark on the hard surface of the globe. Then there had been College. So many scenes crowded into her mind. She had been rather dashing. Had spent her money and her time recklessly.

To her it had been always 'now.' With a fantastic turn of mind she invested all distant things with a sort of unreality, so she had never worried. She remembered how brilliant her friends had thought her, what careers they had sketched for her. Then had come the crash. Her name, instead of head of the list of Honours had failed to appear. She had gone home and in quiescent mooci married George. She looked quickly at the clock ; he would be batk.soon. Then she noticed that she had let out the fire. She shrugged her shoulders.

George was a bank manager. He was clever and thoughtful, but he was too gentle and sensitive not to be conventional.

Eminently sane, his wife found him dull. Their married life had, therefore, been unhappy. Mrs. Carden had made her friends amongst the lesser artists, with whom she could be delightfully unrestrained. He disliked them since they obviously despised him for his mundane appearance. So he was often lonely. Mrs. Carden, however, was aware of none of these things; she only considered him as dull and at the moment a nuisance.

Lately there had been introduced into her circle a singer of probable German origin. He was A little younger than she, with a round plump face, little sentimental blue eyes, and a welldeveloped mouth. His voice was really good, and if he was not really sympathetic, he was so amorous as to appear so. Mrs. Carden at least believed that he alone amongst men really, understood women—as typified by Mrs. Carden. So much did she believe this that she had at least made up her mind to live with him instead of her dull husband. She was only waiting for George to come in to tell- him so.

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He came back punctually, changed with hiS usual care, and together they sat down to dinner. The meal was somewhat strained. Mrs. Carden was pale with resolution, and her husband, who took note at least of her material welfare, was worried by the fact.

As soon as they were alone with their coffee, Mrs. Carden told him, with breathless jerks, that she must leave him for Frank, who sang and understood, that (George) would never understand, but must try and forgive. George was unhappy and surprised, but helped her to prepare quietly for a journey.

The next morning he put her into a taxi for the station, and waved good-bye. Frank was waiting for her. His small hands shook with nervousness. Beads of perspiration stood on his forehead. He cried to her, Here you are at last,' and she could only say, Yes, here I am.' He was loaded with travelling rugs and thermos .flasks, and porters stood around with bags and trunks.

He said, ' You never told me where you wanted to go, but I supposed Paris, so I have got tickets.' Mrs. Carden stood still suddenly. She looked at him with wide-open childish blue eyes.

Her face, which before had been filled with a quiet ecstasy, crumpled up, and she began to cry. At first she cried quietly, and Frank stood amazed. He was silent and frightened. Gradually her sobs increased and shook her slight body. Frank became aware that people who were passing- stopped and stared at them.

He became more nervous and angry, and began to shout at her.

What was the matter? Didn't she want to go with him ! Then why had she come? Was she mad? And couldn't she be quiet?

For some time she only cried. How could she explain to him that she had wanted to escape altogether, not only to fly from her dull; good-looking husband, but also from his tall, well-made mahogany chairs, and indeed, not only from his whole well-fitted house, but from all this curious world of reality or banality, which she could not mould to herself. Suddenly again she was quiet, and looking up at him said, But, Frank, you promised to take me not to Paris, but to Fairyland.' Frank was curious.

Good God,' he shouted, are you a child that you take seriously all that a man says when he is love-making? Ah, come now, will you go to Paris with me or not? ' She Shook her head slowly. ' I will go home now, please.' He took her home and left her at the door. Very quietly she walked into the house and into the morning-room. George sat there with the Times folded in front of him. It seemed that he was not going to work. When he saw her he said, So you've come back? Why? ' She replied very softly, Because there wasn't anywhere to go.' He remained sitting, looking puzzled. She went quietly out of the room. He did not notice that her face had changed. Her eyes had the expression of someone just awakened, and her mouth had suddenly grown old. B. JowERs.

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. . . Contributors are asked to write clearly, and to condense their remarks as far as possible. . .

She sat sadly by the dying embers of a fire, all unheeding the icy blast blowing through the wide-open window. There was scarcely light enough to read, but utter exhaustion prevented her from reaching the lamp—at least . three. feet. away. All around her chair were strewn endless documents. Slowly the last page fluttered from her hand, and a loud snore announced that she had forgotten her sorrows in sleep. Forgotten, did we say? Far from it—they were but intensified . . .

She found herself at the end of a long telescope, gazing fixedly at what she at first thought must be the canals in Mars.. Strange how they seemed almost to spell a word . . . that really was rather like a w '—or perhaps an m ' . . . should she write and tell the Observatory? Suddenly she remembered seeing: the same marks in a previous existence—she was, trying to read something; something that had to be read . . .

The scene changed. She was trudging along in a dry, dry desert on what appeared to be a never-ending path. She knew she must reach the end before twelve-thirty to-morrow—it was connected in her mind with a committee of some sort . . . then she saw that the path had something written on it. She read eagerly at first, but the path grew dryer and hotter, and still she could see no end or change. The path seemed made of paper— most peculiar—then there were strange drawings on it, as though someone had been drawing sticks—and proverbs. They must have been proverbs, for she had heard them before, and everybody who wrote on the path seemed to know them, too . . . perhaps Shakspeare . . . they sounded archaic . . .

Something sparkled in front of her. Joyfully she skipped ahead to look at it. The desert changed into a green field, and she began to laugh . She laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks . .

With a start she awoke to find herself laughing in a chilly room, and the fire out. Nevertheless, gleefully she gathered up the pages, and holding the Joke carefully on a plate, bore it triumphantly to the Editor.

ONE OF THE COMMITTEE. .

p■ S• p.14.01

16

THE IMP. AQUATIC NETBALL. ,

We dive into puddles and we leap into the air, A slimy ball assails us on our countenance so fair(Ah ! She that had never felt a blow !)

In the thick of the fray, there we pounce on the ball, Its behind you,' they yell, as to wet earth we fall— (Art whOle, art altogether well?)

Oh! I think it's blue,' but the umpire calls it red,' A false lie it is, and I will not have it said !

(Ah me ! She is far from the truth !)

We dodge and we run and we scramble up and down, We fall into lakes and we watch each other drown(Gadzooks ! I do think it was a goal !) .

We gasp and we pant and our tunicsgreen we rend, Our hairpins come unfixed and our flowing locks descend (Tillyvally ! I could wish that they were bobbed !) • .

It pours from above and it splashes from below, We are mud from head to foot, we shall need a bath I trow(Oh, vastly fine, madam, vastly fine !)

Our shoes are worn to shreds and our stockings past all hope, And there! I've just remembered that I haven't any soap !

(Alas ! How can I wash my face?)

But hark ! The whistle blows., come let us to our tea, Give up your girdles red and fall in and follow me!

(Fare thee well, fare thee well, the hunt is up !)

E. Dawns.

' ANN.' On February 12 and 13, the College Dramatic Society acted Ann, a Tudor Play, by Miss M. Lovett, to. enthusiastic audiences.

The story of the tragic fate of Ann Boleyn has inherent dramatic possibilities, and the play had dramatic moments, notably in the scene in which Ann goes to her death. The character of Ann was well conceived, and Miss P. Lovett, who took the title role,

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brought out. convincingly the contrast between the light-hearted, pert Ann of the opening scenes, and the saddened, tragic Queen of the later.

On the whole, however, the play suffered from two defects ; changes of scene were too frequent, and there was an uncertainty in the handling of some of the bigger scenes, which resulted in slight and hurried dialogue. There was intensity in the conception, but little breadth. It taxed considerably the powers of the

„SOME

H ckst,3

,I t ri-ESSl.0

actors, who had in their brief appearances and speeches to create the atmosphere of tragedy, but in most cases they overcame their difficulties triumphantly.

The acting of Miss P. Lovett all the way through was convincing and finished, and her final exit was most impressive.

Miss Wait made an excellent Henry VIII, manly, and of a royal breadth of gesture. The only pity was that Henry appeared so seldom.

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Miss Lagden was; an attractive Sir Thomas, and in the first scene, especially, impressed her audience by her easy, debonair acting. Her movements were good; the realistic way in which she managed the difficult climb through Ann's window was particularly admired. In the more tragic scenes she was somewhat hampered by the slightness of the speeches as:signed to her.

Among the lesser characters, Miss Morrah's acting of Crena was memorable, though almost too intense in view of Crena's small part in the plot. Miss Morrah needs: more scope than this part gave her for her undoubted powers of tragic acting.

Mary Tudor, Joan Mulholland and Tom Qualion were all worthy of mention.

The music helped very greatly to create the atmosphere, of the period; and the playing and singing of the hidden performers were much appreciated.

There is nothhig but praise for the production of the play.

The grouping; was good,, and the difficulties of a small stage most successfully overcome. Dresses: and scenery were well worth 'careful attention; the Garden of Heaven, Castle especially stands out in one's memory.

The actors and the producer deserve every commendation for an interesting and vigorous performance.

D. E:VERETT. ,

.

CLUB REPORTS. HOCKEY CLUB. Captain—S. WICKHAM. Vice-Captain—M. SLANEY. Secretary—M. CAREY-FIELD. St. Hugh's has; won the cup for the first time since 1917, and the event was duly celebrated with much noise and feasting.

The victory was not promised by the play in the first round of the cuppers against L.M.H., for although we won 3-2, the defence muddled and the forwards on the: left were very slow.

In the final against Somerville, however, everyone played up, and we won r—o, the tenacity of the defence saving the situation.

We were lucky in having a full team, whereas our opponents had three reserves playing: The Club has: been unfortunate in losing the services, of three promising members—Field, Fulfordl'and Baker—but the improvement in both teams this: Term has made it easier to fill their places.

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The stick work of the 2nd XI is its strongest point, that of Cartwright, Barry and Weston being exceptionally good. Its chief failing is slowness, and this was, the telling factor against them in the Somerville cupper, which they lost 4—I. MATCHES. 1ST

XI.

lost Etceteras, Headington, wan L. MI. H., High School, Somerville,

2ND XI. Milham Ford, lost 3—I High School, draw 3-3 won 6-2 0.H.S., Somerville, lost 4—I

I -0 4-3 3-2 5-2

To be played:

To be played:

Etceteras 2nd XI.

Wantage v. Wargrave.

I ST

XI.

Left Wing, Moss (sub. for FULFORD). Needs to increase her pace, is to be congratulated on adapting herself in so shOrt a time to a new and difficult place.

Left Inner, Emmat.* Passes well, but inclined to lag behind the rest of the forwards.

Centre, SLANEY t . Excellent when on her game.

Right Inner, PRICHARD. t Has improved her shot and dash, but is too slow on the ball.

Right Wing, STEEL.*Very fast, but control of the ball weak.

Centre Half, FOWLER. f Excellent—the mainstay of the defence.

Right Half, FIEDLER. t Very much improved, and has played consistently well this Term. Passing still a little indiscriminate.

Left Back, NICKALLS. 1- An effective back, but clearing still poor.

Right Back, WRIGHT. t Inability to change often makes her muddle the other defence, but played up well in the final cupper.

Goal, CHATTAWAY. t Very good. Entirely saved the situation in the final cupper. *Colours. t Colours and badge.

2ND XI. L. W.., *Fleming ; L./. , *Cartwright ; C., *Miskin ; R.I., *Andrews; R.W., *Holmes.; L.H., Dormer ; C.H., *Linton; R.H., *Barry ; LB., *Hoare; R.B., *Weston; G., *Messent. * Colours.

20

THE IMP. LACROSSE. Captain—V. LEYS. Vice-Captain—D. MONK. Secretary—P. LovErr. IsT XII.

Goal, LAGDEN. t *A reliable player and valuable member of the team. Her clearing is sometimes. inaccurate.

Point, WAIT. t A useful and steady player who has improved considerably this Term. She is still inclined to keep the ball too long.

Cover Point', FIEDLE.R. A keen and energetic player who often intercepts well. She must learn to body check, and beware of getting too far up the field, and her clearing iS apt to be wild.

Left Defence, LOVETT. t Her body checking has greatly improved' and she checks well, but her catching- and clearing is not always accurate. She is good at interchanging with the other defences', and is a most valuable member of the team.

Right Defence, BONNER. She lacks style and finish, but has plenty of determination, and if she improves her stick work and knows her place on the field better, she should prove most helpful.

Centre, MONK. t *A most reliable and useful member of the team.

She opens out the game and is quick to seize her chances.

She should vary her passing more.

Left Attack, SLANEY. t *A good player, who has speed and energy. She does not always know the right moment to pass, and is apt to keep the ball too long. Her shooting is excellent.

Right Attack;BROOKE. A fast and most determined player, who is handicapped by her lack of stick work. She has plenty of grit, but does not press the goal enough and is slow in getting rid of the ball. She is a useful member of the team.

Third Home, EMTAGE. t *A most keen player who shoots well.

She is slow in making u2 her mind, and her passing is often inaccurate. She makes use of her possibilities of playing a. defence as well as an attack game.

Second Home, BARKER. An unselfish player who combines well, but sometimes ineffective through lack of push. She uses

THE IMP.

21

one hand too much, which makes it easier for her opponent to get the ball. The team was unfortunate in -losing her services so early in the Term.

First Horne, DENHAM. A neat player, but uncertain of her catching. She is not nearly forcible enough in a scrum and lets her defence get away too early. She is often quick to seize her opportunity to flick a ball into goal.

There have been very few matches this Term, and the standard of play is low. The defence are determined and interchange well, but their body checking is poor and the clearing is extremely weak. They are slow and sometimes inaccurate, but the checking is good. The attack suffered through the loss of second home and centre, and their combination is very poor. They do not press on the goal nearly enough, and their shooting is ineffective. They lack both accuracy and speed, and would do well to practice dodging.

On Thursday, February i5th, we met the Home Students in the second round of the clapper, and lost 6--8.

The team consisted of the following :—Goal, Lagden; point, Wait; cover point, Fiedler; third man, Bonner; left defence, Lovett ; right defence, Bellamy ; centre, Slancy ; third home, Emtage ; second home, Leys ; first home, Peters ; left attack, Denham ; right attack, Ashford.

We played Down House; Newbury, on February 24th, and lost 4-7.

It has been possible to have College games twice a week this Term, though it has been difficult to raise twenty-four people.

The Year Cupper resulted in a victory for the First Year ; who beat the Second Year ao-6 and the Third Year 6 4.

NETBALL CLUB. Captain—C. DORMER,

Vice-Captain—S.

ANDREWS.

SeCiVtary—M. MAYNARD.

We have not been able to have many practices this Term, as the weather has been bad, but the team has generally managed to play once a week. Two members of the team have not been able to play this Term, but the substitutes have worked well in the centre, though the combination is not yet perfect.

We won the Final Cupper against Somerville by 15-8, having previously played the Home Students and Lady Margaret. It

22

THE IMP.

was an energetic match, in spite of the rain. The passing was inclined to be wild on both sides.

THE TEAM.

G.D., SHRIGLEY: Combines well with the defence, but should be- more alert.

D., ANDREWS.*A very good player and reliable defence, with plenty of dodges for getting the ball clear of the circle.

C.D., MOLLER. Has improved a lot this Term, but should pay more attention to marking and dodging.

C., BROOKE.*Plays a very good game.

C.A., CARTWRIGHT. A neat player. She should be more careful with her passing.

G.S., MAYNARD.*Generally relies too much on her height when playing. Shoots well, her play in the Final being particularly good. *Colours.

BOAT CLUB. President—N. HOARE. Secretary—J. PATERSON. There is very little to report, as the floods have prevented boating for the greater part of the Term. Rowing has continued on the- Upper River, as usual. There are- now about a dozen people keen on rowing, so we hope for great improvement by the end of next Term. Mr. Lusk has kindly coached us, and he thinks the Fours are improving.

DEBATING SOCIETY. President—Miss BELLAMY. Secretary—Miss BRYANT. Treasurer—lVEISS MORRAH.

The Debating Society this Term, has found it impossible to have as many meetings as last, partly owing. to the competition of the play and other Societies in and out of College, partly because the backbone of the Society is undoubtedly the First Year, who were, of course, busy. We have, however,-had two meetings,

THE IMP.

23

a. debate with L.M.H., the motion being ' that the national divergence between England and France makes permanent alliance impossible,' and a sparsely-attended but outstandingly successful debate with St. Hilda's on the restriction of the Press.

The speaking is on the whole improving, especially in manner and conviction. The debates would be much improved if we could cultivate the gentle art of. ' baiting the Opposition.'

LITERARY SOCIETY. The Literary Society has held two meetings this Term. At the first Hassan was read, and at the second, which took place on March 1st, Miss Moberly very kindly came and read a paper on Versailles.' It has unfortunately been impossible to arrange the visit of a ' celebrity ' this Term, owing to Mr. W. J. Locke's absence in the South of France and the illness of -` Clemence Dane,' who, it was hoped, would have come here. An open meeting of some kind will, however, be arranged for next Term.

MUSICAL SOCIETY. This Term there has not been very much time for music, as first the College play absorbed all our energies, and then there were many extra rehearsals for the Bach Choir concert in London.

Besides this, the most active musicians belong to the First Year, and are working for exams. Thus the orchestra, which practised very hard at the incidental music for ' Ann ' (Purcell and other sixteenth century works), had to be dropped after the play.

The Sunday evening musicals have been held regularly, and in addition to a small nucleus of people who play practically every time in some capacity, several new and pleasing performers have appeared. There have also been attempts at concerted music, trios, part-songs and the like, which gave pleasant variety. The programmes have usually been arranged on some definite schemb, and selections from the works of Mendelssohn, Elizabethan, Seventeenth Century, French and American composers were given on various occasions.

H.E.F,

24

THE IMP. CLASSICAL SOCIETY. President—Miss Secretary—M.

TOYNBEE.

D. HOLMES.

Treasurer—M.

BENSON.

When the Classical Society was first started it was intended that there should be no formal membership as there were already so many clubs, but that all who were interested should be able to come to any of the meetings. At the first meeting of this Term, however, it was decided that the small subscription of 3d. a Term should be paid by all who wanted to attend the play-readings.

By means of this the Society would have some money with which to buy any extra books that might be needed. All other meetings when papers are read or•lectures given will be open.

The Society has had two meetings this Term, both well attended. On February 2oth The Trojan. Women of Euripides ' was read in Gilbert Murray's translation, and was on the whole so successful that it is hoped something more ambitious may be attempted next Term.

An open meeting was held on February 27th, when. Mr. Carter read a paper on Heroines of Greek Literature.' There are no more meetings this Term, but on March 12th Miss Toynbee is going to take a party round the Ashmolean.

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