about, their choice. C. R. Clough produced some verse passages, D. N. Brocklebank a sample of American humour, P. A. Morris some poetry of his own composition, and M. G. Hancock an article from "The Times" on subconscious action. These were duly analysed and discussed by other members, and the result was a very entertaining evening. We were fortunate enough to have Mr. Giles Shaw to speak to us for the third meeting of the term. Mr. Shaw, a former President of the Cambridge Union, had recently toured Canada in that capacity, and told us of some of his experiences. He spoke brilliantly, with a dry wit, of Canadian university life, of Canadian culture and art of the sense of humour, or rather lack of it, and the friendliness of the people; and finally of their loyalty to Great Britain, hence perhaps their choice of debate—"Great Britain is falling, let it fall". For the last meeting of the term, Canon Purvis very kindly came and unravelled some of the mysteries of the Mystery Plays. Obviously a great authority on the subject, Canon Purvis spoke mainly about the York cycle of plays, 48 in all, each enacting a scene from the Bible, from the Creation to the end of the world. He spoke of the complexity of the verse systems used, and of the problems to be faced when translating the plays into modern English. At the last two meetings refreshments were kindly provided by the domestic staff.
THE DEBATING SOCIETY Mr. B. H. Holbeche opened the first meeting of the term by expressing the belief that "Science plays too large a place in education". In support of his views he wore a vividly coloured waistcoat, and recalled an ancestor, Old Wholeman Holbeche, who was, perhaps, better known as Leonardo da Vinci. His ancestor typified the complete whole man, the type that all education strove to produce. Mr. E. S. Jeffs, opposing, thought few men could combine the multitudinous roles of the past scientists, now that science had reached such a pitch of specialisation. M. B. Wilson, seconding the Proposition, desired to be educated. D. R. Holt, for the Opposition, wished that education might be more progressive. Many speakers thought the sciences and the arts interdependent. The House, dearly impressed by the Proposer's waistcoat, carried the motion by 78 votes to 41. The second meeting was unusual in that the regular Chairman was absent, but D. Pfluger deputised, and, after newspapers had been banned from the House, he called upon D. J. Oldman to propose that "The House has confidence in H.M.S. Great Britain". The Proposer's point appeared to be that if the country could recover from such catastrophes as the Black Death and the Stuart Kings, then who could doubt that it could recover from the present serious position. T. G. Stephenson established that Britain was doing a great trade selling machines which, in the hands of her competitors, would 31
