Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike or Victoria University College Review June 1925

A Masculine Protest

A Masculine Protest

"Nay, you shall have no hal. Come, lady, come."

—T he Winter's Tale

Dear "Spike,"

Once more the old vexed question comes up, the question which has formed the basis of many arguments for various reforms in this College—"Is this a University, or is it a night-school?" Truly an offensive question this, but it would seem that there is at least some justification for asking it.

You in your wisdom, "Spike," may be able to tell us why it is that several women students find it necessary, or desirable, or both, to parade the halls of V.U.C., to enter even into the sanctity of its lecture-rooms (and one at least into the very library thereof) attired in the full regalia of their head-gear. Is it a privilege of their sex? Do they think it becoming? Does it improve their personal appearance? Is it for one or all of these reasons that they do it, or is it done for a wager? Perhaps the answer is to be found in these words of the immortal bard:—

"Women are frail, too—ay, as the glasses where they view themselves."

It is a perplexing problem, "Spike," and I venture to suggest, an annoying one.

This, it seems to me, is a matter worthy of our attention. I have always understood—correct me if I am wrong—that there is connected with the idea of a University, in a dim and distant way, perhaps, but nevertheless connected with it, some tittle of dignity. And yet, when we walk through the halls of our College. we find confronting us several specimens of femininity (numbering, it is true, only about six in all) attired in their "delicate fine hats." Truly a dignified spectacle! It may be argued that of a mole-hill I make a mountain; that very few women students offend in this way, and that there is therefore no need for concern. But is it not the thin end of the wedge? Do not great oaks from little acorns grow? To my poor masculine mind, this seems to be the case, and I might add that I am by no means a hater of women. Nor do I say that all the men in our College are perfect, or even mediocre—that would be indeed a bold assertion.

But I do say that there is no necessity for this, "Spike." Even if these students must leave the University as soon as possible after lectures (which cannot always be the case) the time taken in getting their hats from their common-room, and in putting them on—even allowing for all necessary adjustment of tresses and first-aid to study-room complexions—would not make any appreciable difference. The men students—if the comparison may be forgiven—manage to get on satisfactorily without taking their impedimenta with them in their migrations from cloak-room to lecture-room, as do the very great majority page 51 of the women. Why should not these few fairer members of our College do the same?

It is a spectacle which is neither dignified nor necessary, neither imposing nor charming. Why, then, should it be inflicted upon us? Strange, indeed, are the ways of women.

It grieves me to confess, "Spike," that I am

A Mere Male.