THE PETERITE Vol. LXI
OCTOBER, 1970
No. 383
EDITORIAL A Commemoration is an expression of unity among the generations of a school; an occasion for past and present members to renew their considered confidence in the future of their common foundation. Such an occasion combines the gaiety of reunion with the solemnity of self-examination; it is an annual stock-taking when the shareholders hope to look back with satisfaction and to look forward to a bright future. As the past generations return each year for a short time, we look with pleasure on the signs of individual success and progress; we like to see 'men furnished with ability', knowing that they are making their ability felt in the world. Thus a Commemoration is an occasion for conventional rejoicing, for congratulation and for hope. But convention is perhaps the easiest target of modern mass opinion; and in recent years we have been saddened by the appearance at the School's Commemoration of some who seem to need to exhibit their contempt for convention. Such groups,—for they always move in groups—, are sometimes the first to complain that they are ignored and not recognised when they return to the School. If they are ignored it is because they are objectionable to the many who accept the uncomplicated conventions of a formal School function; if they are not recognised it is because they are often literally unrecognisable. Concealing their individuality under the strictly uniform hair style, dress and gew-gaws that seem to be intended to shock but which arouse only disgust in the context of a Commemoration weekend, the statutory dark glasses hiding the eyes, how can they expect recognition? And when the afternoon display of self-conscious insecurity is over, there follows the late night return to the School grounds after the sombre evening's 'conviviality' in the town. Then things will be done which are distinguished only Iby their lack of subtlety and spirit: benches overturned, a notice-board torn from the ground; humourless vandalism which simply creates work for loyal porters before the culmination of the weekend in the Sunday Commemoration service. `Sunt lacrimae rerum', and one of the saddest things is the strange conflict of emotions that brings back to the School some who have reiterated often enough that they never wished to be here, and yet who cannot keep away from the scene of their declared past distresses. It is not long ago that one who left the School with loud protests 1
