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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1910

Answers to Correspondent

page 94

Answers to Correspondent

Answers to correspondents

M.H. Or-m.—(1) Yes; for vacation reading we would; advise "Under the Two Flags," by "Ouida." (2) We do not think; that the "Dominion's" article on The Lost Leader has any reference to V.C.'s recent bereavement.

J. O-g.—President Roosevelt informs us that the Caliph of Bagdad has established Chairs of Hieroglyphics and Archaeological Caligraphy in the Babylonian and Mesopotamian Universities. We have forwarded your letter thither, and if their investigations are successful, we will answer you in due course.

Pr-f-ss-r L-by.—No! Journalistic correspondence evidently does not encourage perspicuity of diction. The members of the Council showed superhuman intelligence in grasping (or appearing to grasp) the point in your letter (which the Chancellor commented on) Communicate with Henry Bodley.

C-l- r S-rg- nt H-nd-rs-n.—If the Major did use the language, You complain of, the greater part of it was pure Anglo-Saxon; but don't you think it is really more expressive than polysyllabic, though, perhaps, more dignified Latin? We shall, however, refer your letter to Dr. Gibb.

Pr-f-ss-r Z-dl-tz.—The question whether "practising a fraud on the public" is a criminal act on the part of the Professors is beyond us. We have referred your letter to Professor Richmond. In the case of the "three card" or "thimble trick." it is undoubtedly so; but in your case, "quaere."

page 95

J-I-s MeL, H-gb-n.—(1) We think your Ode "To My Old Man" scarcely appropriate. (2) For vacation reading, we would recommend "Manners for Men," published at 2/6, unless your "Old Man" has it in his library.

Pr-f-ss-r Br-wn.—We learn from most scrupulous and reliable sources that the "Black Hand" student at Victoria College have decided to take no active steps until they have received instructions from their associates at Palermo, which, we understand. can-not possibly be until after the term's exam. Meanwhile, we understand that a select few are preparing themselves for any eventuality by attending "Women and Wine," "A Woman's, Hate," and "Revenge."

F. A. de la M-re.—Your essay on the misuse of words unsuitable. The phrase "the chances are against this happening" cannot mean that "provided we do our best, we may not succeed." We really don't know whether your essay is on Predestination, or merely against games of chance. We have heard it said oa reliable authority (two professors, if we mistake not), that the present examination system is a lottery, and yet you enter! Please explain.

Er-c Ind-r.—We fully appreciate your criticism of Burns's poem, but hardly agree with your suggested emendation. We consider the following version. which we saw in a recent publication, far more appropriate. It went as follows:—

"O wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us,
Or, better still, mak other swells,
To see us as we see oursels!"

H. L. Le-ry.—The following line from "The Princess," in our opinion, put the case in a nutshell:—

"Your flight from out your bookless wilds would seem
As arguing love of knowledge and of power:
Your language proves you still the child."

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