The Conversazione.

Speaking as a more Arts student, with but a very general interest in the cult of the divinity Scientia, we must admit we were vastly intrigued by the Conversazione. The spinal cord of the crayfish-but lot us begin at the beginning;. On Friday, August 18th, with interest properly piqued by the articles in the newspapers and the general atmosphere of delightful expectancy, we made our way to the New Library, of immortal fame, to be present at the formal Opening of the New Wings by His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O. (quotation from the official programme). His Excellency was late, but of course we were lucky to have him at all. The remarks of the Chairman, Mr. P. Levi, we did not catch. We had no difficulty in catching His Excellency's, however; the quarter-deck manner is very refreshing. Someone had thoughtfully provided him with a copy of "The Old Clay Patch" from which he read suitable extracts, and then formally declared the New Wings well and truly opened for the general use and instruction. Mr. Levi then apologised for the present state of the Memorial Window, which indeed is not a very inspiring sight. Whereupon we advanced unto the Science Wing, and really enjoyed ourselves for a considerable time among the weird contrivances devoted to (a) Geology and Physical Geography, (b) Physics, (c) Botany and Zoology, (d) Chemistry, (e) Mathematics. The working model of the geyser was very spectacular. The X-rays as usual went bung as soon as we appeared. The Ciliated Protozon gave us some hectic moments. The Auditory Region of the Dogfish also provided a spectacle of no mean order. we confess, however, to disappointment in Ubolia, a Marine Animal; we had expected great things from Obolia. Alas! She was deceptive like all her sex. The disseoted Rabbit we were sorry for. The Metallurgical Room first attracted us, and then repelled, by its peculiar variety of odours. The Fluorescent Fountain was a very charming little thing. The intricacies of the Mathematical Exhibits left us, we regret to say, a trifle cold. Our brain stumbled somewhat at the detached and philosophical contemplation of five dimensions. There were many oilier enormously attractive exhibits, which all in their turn hold our riveted attention. They were all engineered and explained entirely by our talented scientific brothers and sisters, whose efforts we cannot praise and admire enough, though frankly, we did not on the whole find them very enlightening. However, the Scientific page 55 Spirit, the idea of pure devotion to Truth as exemplified in the Dog-fish and the Rabbit, is a thing we in our lowliness may hope for not perhaps for a long time. Meanwhile, back we sink to the common round and daily task—wonders have been vouchsafed to us and are no more.

Farewell to George Aitken.

On July 22, the eve of his departure for Oxford, a farewell dance was held in the Gymnasium in honour of the Rhodes Scholar. The evening was most enjoyable and a large number of students took the opportunity of wishing him the best of luck and "bon voyage." During the evening Mr. E. Evans in a brief speech referred to his^* success in the various phases of college life, and on behalf of his fellow students presented him with a cheque as a token of the good fellowship with which he was regarded by all. Professor Boyd-Wilson as president of the Football Club alluded to Aitken's prowess on the football field both as a player and a leader. Mr. Aitken thanked the speakers and his fellow students, and said he was sorry to leave V.U.C. where lie had spent some of his happiest days. The gathering sang "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow," and dancing was resumed and carried on until a late hour.

Births, Deaths, Engagements and Marriages. Actual or Threatened.

The Football Dance.

The Ball in honour of the Sydney 'Varsity Footballers was quite a cheerful affair. Among those present were a few V.U.C. students. The hall was decorated with a somewhat tangled mass of green and gold streamers, which looked fairly effective until sonic misguided genius, under the influence of supper, dragged page 56 them all down half way through the evening. After that the dancers ploughed through the decorations adorning the floor. No striking incidents occurred. A few of the Sydney Boys, just to show they were from Sydney and not of the common herd, became some-what blotto towards the end of the evening and endeavoured to assist the working of the orchestra. Otherwise they appeared to be nonentities. At about 1.30 a.m. Mr. H. E. Moore appeared on the platform in a rather charming dress suit of black cloth, and announced in his resonant voice that late cars would leave at 2 o'clock for various parts of the town. And so at 2 o'clock the orchestra played half of "God Save the King" just to show that the 'Varsity is not entirely disloyal, and we staggered forth, the blessed ones with, and the disappointed ones without a fair maiden to lead home.

The success of the Ball was due to a hardworking committer with Mr. E. C.Wiren as secretary.

The Physics Prof.—an Appreciation.

And so he is to leave us! It is most certainly with feelings of regret that we hear that Professor Marsden is to resign his position as our Physics Professor, and go over to the Government as Assistant Director of Education. In the years we have worked under him. we have always felt that we have had a scientific enthusiast to guide us—a man, who, from the start, inspired confidence in us. His breezy manner and ready wit made it practically impossible to sleep through lectures, so that we could enjoy them to the full. In practical work, he was always there to keep us up to the mark and help us to get an occasional decent result. Once a man showed himself to be enthusiastic, he had the Prof, on his side. The loss of our Chief will be one of our misfortunes, but it is indeed a happy day for the Department of Education. The Prof, is still young, and we sincerely hope he will continue to climb higher and higher in the educational world.

However, if his sentiments towards us are those of one of the patriotic songs so loudly sung at the beginning of the late war, if he can sing with it—

"Oh! I don't want to leave you
But I think I ought to go";

we will be satisfied. We don't want to lose him; but no doubt he will keep a friendly eye on us from his stool in the Government Buildings, and when he gets the chance, wring a few thousand of the best out of his Department and give it us to buy scientific apparatus. That would be a splendid parting gift to us. (Take note Prof.)

It is perhaps a little early to say good-bye just yet, so let us conclude by congratulating Professor Marsden most heartily on his appointment to so important a position in the Dominion, and say, one and all. that the Government have done us out of a good man.

P. S.