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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1935. Volume 6. Number 17.

Berhampore Again

Berhampore Again.

Dear "Smad"—

"Berhampore as seen by a Wikitorian" is by far the most amusing piece of burlesque that has appeared in "Smad" for some time. I cannot help feeling, however, that it implies a reproach to the Wikitorian who at my request, sent me news of his progress at an overseas University and, in doing so, could not have anticipated that I would yield to the request of one of your staff to be allowed to publish, as of College interest, some extracts from his letter Those who know George Joseph will remember him as an unassuming fellow of some distinction who was not at all given to affectation or self-advertisement. His successes at Oxford are instructive as showing the opportunities that await a Wikitorian fortunate enough to be able to venture abroad; and the statement of his impressions parallels those of other New Zealanders who escape for a time from their Antipodean rockpile. The plight of this little country is aptly indicated in the remark by Morrell, in a recent book that "London is the Intellectual capital of New Zealand."

I daresay your contributor had a purely burlesque intent; and the choice of the pseudonym "Cato" appears to confirm this view. His prototype is undoubtedly Marcus Porcius Cato, the Censor, who, according to information to hand, was notorious for his dislike of overseas culture (in those days, Greek). This narrow-minded old parochialist so disliked another overseas place (Carthage) that he continually demanded its destruction. Curiously (or appropriately) enough, in his old age he wrote a book for farmers. His grandson of the same name appears to have been a more likeable person and, in justice to the latter, I would suggest to your contributor that his strictures as to the re-actions of a good Wikitorian to overseas influences might have been more truly Berhaporovianistically subscribed with the nom-de-plume "Little Eric."

—P.J.S.