A Cami Ripis
Sin,—Onee again the May weather has made it difficult even for the inveterate grumbler to raise a protest. True, the college gardeners have shaken their heads over parched lawns and flower-beds, and there have been cold snaps as well as sunshine ; but, on the whole, it has been pleasant to sit at Fenner's and to join in the hunt for University bowlers.
There has been some good batting to watch ; Dawson has been in consistently good form, and it was sad, indeed, when " Duleep " was attacked by pneumonia. The wild stories which were circulated about his illness a week or two ago pro- vided interesting material for the student of the psychology of rumour. If the bowling has been moderate, the fielding of the University side has been brilliant. Killick's catch on the leg-boundary in the Notts match was alone, worth the entrance-money._ At the C.U.B.C. a sound resolution has been passed prohibiting professional coaching. Rowing is one of the last strongholds of amateur sport, and it is well to safe- guard it while we can. Of the May Races it is too early to write, but some changes are anticipated in the order of the leading boats.
To turn to more strictly academic topics, the University is still grappling with the adivinistrative changes necessitated by the new Statutes. The words " Faculty " and " Regent House " are gradually slipping. into the ordinary vocabulary of resident graduates ; and, week by week, there appears in that widely read magazine, the University Reporter, an instal- ment of an exciting tale, the story of the " Changes in Ordinances." Chapter VIII, just published, introduces many characters, including Thomas Seaton, who, when he died in 1741, left money for a prize to be given annually for a poem on " one or other of the Perfections or Attributes of the Supreme Being " until the subject should be exhau ited. It is good to know that the prize will still be offered for a poem " on a subject conducive to the honour of the Supreme Being and the recommendation of virtue."
A more thorny subject is that of the charge, if any, to be made to the Faculties for lecture-rooms. If the University is to make such charges, must the Colleges follow suit ? The subject provoked a- spirited discussion in the Arts School, and in the course of it Mr. Sheppard, modestly disclaiming any right to speak on Finance, declared that Morality was his theme. We hope he will be further moved to. write an epic on the same subject. -
The difficult question of car parks has also come up for dis- cussion. Rubricaked- metal notices now forbid- parking on King's Parade ; and with the arrival of an increasing number of monstrous -char-a-banes on Market Hill there is less and less room for -the ordinary motorist. One University lecturer has been fined for leaving his ear outside the museum of his mot department. - . -
For May Week the A.D.C.-announces a play by A. P' Herbert, an author who seems eminently suitable for a Ufa}' Week audience. The Festival Theatre has had some diflicufties with -the Lord Chamberlain, but has nevertheless contrived to produce some odd plays. The Adding Machine was extremely -well done, and to see the revolving platform actually in use was a splendid thrill. And in the tomb were found . . . ., on the other hand, was a grievous disappoint- ment. We are grateful to Mr. Terence Gray on many counts, but not for the longueurs of his Egyptological drama.
A familiar figure has returned to the streets of Cambridge that of Father Waggett. From some points of view his appointment to Great St. Mary's was a surprising one, but his return will undoubtedly add a stimulus to the religious life of the University.
Lastly, a word must be said about the deaths of two adopted Kingsmen. Professor Bury's activities had been restricted by ill-health for some years, but many besides his intimate friends will remember. with affection the boyish figure and the quiet voice of the greatest of' Gibbon's successors. Sir Charles Walston was engaged in many controversies, but he had an immense enthusiasm for his subject (while lecturing lie would stroke even an indifferent cast with palpable affec- tion) and he was a man of fundamental kindness of heart. —I P111, Sir, &e.,
YOUR CAMBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT.
Previous page
