Wine—Women—Song

For late evening entertainment, a range of choices presents itself. While your group has chosen to make the night horrible with song, in the next cabin a guest speaker is frantically defending his views on the Hereafter, and further down towards the cove a fish-fry is in progress. All these activities are best left unorganised; but films and dancing are provided in addition, and the 1951 Congress was memorable for a brilliant fancy-dress ball, costumes ranging from Cupid, realistically portrayed by a senior student of O.U., to Abdullah Bulbul Emir. A whole day is set aside for a fishing trip and picnic; provision is also made for a forum on the University, and a Congress Forum, where suggestions and recommendations may be made for future years.

All this, I hope, gives some idea of the many-sidedness of Congress, which makes it a wholly satisfying experience. Best test of all, ask anybody who has been to Curious Cove; not one of the several hundred has regretted the few pounds' levy. Charges moreover are graduated to compensate for higher travelling costs from more distant colleges. In 1951 for instance, they ranged between £5 for A.U.C. and £7/10/- for V.U.C. and C.U.C.; and last February's Congress would have been cheap at twice the price. More than anything else, the spirit that pervades the whole gathering gives it a particular value. It is a frame of mind difficult to define; but it shows itself in such ways as a complete absence of cliques, the rapid formation of friendships, a general broadening of horizons, increased appreciation of opposing views, and increased thoughtfulness and soundness in one's own. Congress is not a University Summer School, nor, I imagine, do the talks there much resemble anything heard in the lecture-rooms of our Colleges, yet it results in a new conception of what the life of a University could be.

Application will, be Available Throughout the Third Term; Head your Vacation Programme now with Curious Cove, January 26 to February 3, 1952.