A Cactus from Caractacus

On Writing for "Smad"

The student is a creature suigeneris; he frequently defies both convention and classification. He doesn't stand to reason. In fact, there are those who can make neither rhyme nor reason of the undergraduate, but as Jowitt's neat refutation runs, "If one cannot get reason out of young men, one can at least get rhyme."

With this optimistic note we may tentatively suggest a topical theme or two for those whose supplication for an Idea has not been answered, and whose Muse is accordingly an oasis without a camel, or what you will.

Good local colour flows readily from the recurring Session, and new students and old professors and all that. Following the delicate line of tuneful Herrick (of blessed memory), a good beginning might be made with: "To Freshers, That they be not Over Fresh." Or again, inthe manner of lyrical austerity. "To X.Y.Z., who hath not known his Pier." A fugue with air and variations on the verb "To Brook" also has possibilities. For themes of greater philosophical depth one might consider an Ode to Professor Murphy's pipe, or a biographical (medico - psychological) sketch, "My First Tobacco Tin."

Weir House offers a vivid field for the sensitive and poetic eye. Here is an establishment recalling the grandeur that was Rome, the glory that was Greece, and the simple, homely comradeship, self-sacrifice, brotherly love, co-operative spirit, youthful leadership, esprit de corps and excontubernian robur such as fired the authors of our greatest sagas and odysseys. No one could hear the youthful laughter ringing down the corridors and not think of its timeless associations with the past. Warden and warded, matron and matroned, what could more vividly recall that sense of filial piety that inspires the classics? If Weir House itself produces but so many well-fed degree-chasers, it is still possible that some mere outsider, catching the true signifieance of the House and its meaning for the History of the Race, may record in imperishable limericks its contribution to the Work, Wealth and Hairiness of mankind.

From parochial things we may turn to the wider, though less important world at large. From time time to time these pages might be spared for casual jottings on the progress of our mortal orb, though not forgetting that outside the University it has been thought that history progresses by dialectical materialism, an unhealthy thing at any time. Political change, for instance, might strike the note for a new tempo in the ballad: "Guv'ning hath charms to soothe the Savage breast." (P.S. Note subtle reference to nashing of teeth.) While occupied politically we might also have a sonnet on "Guaranteed Prices and their effect on University Fees." Did I say a sonnet? Make it two sonnets. For divinity students (when the University comes to grant such degrees) one might suggest an elegy, "The Super-Tax and Beyond," or some such metaphysicality.—(Continued on left.)