When I hear the word Culture ...

There was, of course, the Chess Club, founded in 1914 "to provide another outlet for the mental energies of students," and showing signs of life again this year; and the Photographic Club, now off to an enthusiastic third start and promising well. The Phoenix Club notes in Spike, 1940, give what seems, in retrospect, a just epitaph for its approaching decease by writing: "Under its aegis once gathered the enthusiasts of the ci-devant Literary and Free Discussions Clubs. Perhaps this was a mistake, for the meetings rapidly assumed a political colour (a delicate rose, in general, we understand). Last year, probably as a result of the activities of Salient, politics deserted the club, and the club declined."

This College has had the name outside the University world—of being liberal to the point of license, and within that world of being the most politically conscious of the constituent Colleges. It seems strange, none the less, that 45 years have shown cultural clubs unable to exist without political justification.

So far as the liberal clubs themselves are concerned, we have more reason to be proud if none to be complacent. In 1912 the first-born of them was delivered with the following heading an imposing list of midwives: Patron, His Honour Sir Robert Stout. K.C.M.G. President, Professor von Zedlltz. Vice-Presidents, Professors Mackenzie, Hunter, and Laby. Chairman of Executive Committee, Professor Hunter. The infant was christened the Heretics' Club, and at its meetings were to be discussed "Art. Philosophy, and Religion." Professor von Zedlitz expressed the hope that the club would "go ' gallivanting down the Avenues of Posterity."

Its gallivanting met with an untimely and unexplained end in 1914, but in 1916 the Free Discussions Club, professing similar aims, came into being. Until 1936 it was one of the strongest and best supported of College clubs. Then, again for no recorded reason. it collapsed. During these twenty years a Historical Society blosomed for two years, and a Labour Club was founded in 1934. This club was in the same tradition as the Free Discussions Club, but concentrated on the study of political philosophy. It founded an off-shoot, the Anti-War Movement, but both clubs had disappeared by the beginning of 1936.

The years of this war have seen the emergence of the International Relations Club, now getting its second wind, in 1940; and the famous still born Society for Peace, War, and Civil Liberties.