The Editor's Chair

The Editor wishes to thank all who have responded to the appeal for contributions to this issue of the "Spike." Doubtless the response will be greater when more students realise that the "Spike" is their own production. As far as the contributions sent in are concerned, most show signs of inexperience. But this need cause no discouragement. There is plenty of time for practice before the next number is ready, and nothing gives, so well as practice, the power to discriminate among a host of ideas and details all clamouring for insertion, but not all worthy.

Lack of practice is shown also in the tendency to polysyllables. There is, of course, no need to shun them like a plague. They are good enough vehicles of thought, but the smaller vessel well handled will out-manoeuvre them many times. It is strange that, while Latin itself is falling out of favour, the ponderous Latin-derived word so often ousts the simple Anglo-Saxon.

The criticism most often directed against the "Spike" of late is that it is not witty enough, the demand is ever for more sparkle and humour. Now this craving for wit reveals the true reason for its non-appearance. What we have in ourselves we do not need to have supplied from outside. And the absence of sparkle is due to the present sober tone of students, which cannot supply the lightness that it craves. When students are witty, there will be no more complaints of the dulness of the "Spike."

Unfortunately, the anonymous contributor is still extant. The Editor cannot publish anonymous contributions, and unless the practice stops a list of the names of all such offenders will have to be published!