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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1931

Literary Society

page 67

Literary Society

Shikspur? Shikspur? Who wrote it? No, I never read Shikspur.

Townley.

The actual point," says Michael Arlen, "is always the most boring part of any story." This is surely a bold hazard, but yet it may be more of a truth than a fiction. Literature—the art—has ever been pre-eminently an aptness of expression, let the theme be what it may. Indeed, is this not the very reason why the artist has eternally insisted on the independence of art from morality? Be that as it may, the appreciation of literary perfection is in itself an end well worthy of our zeal, and further makes possible that en-during delight of self-fulfilment which conies from adequate expression with one's own pen.

At the opening meeting of the Society we were favoured with a delightfully informal and highly practical address by the Society's first President, Mr. G. W. von Zedlitz. The speaker dealt not only with very wide questions of policy—touching on the miscellaneous reading that should be encouraged—but also with the matters of practical importance in running the business of the Club. To foster a corporate sense in the Society it was desirable to have a few cherished possessions. The whole atmosphere needed to be conducive to literary feeling—with some suggestion of "calm contemplation and poetic ease," rather than a classroom background, fit only for the spirit of philosophic melancholy. Mr. von Zedlitz also dealt in outline with the methods by which the members of the Society might participate in its activities—papers and addresses, parodies, translations, criticisms, and readings from common-place books.

At subsequent meetings of the Society this year there will be open discussions on the work of such prominent and provocative writers as Bernard Shaw. Nor does the Club intend to neglect the quest of literary talent in the College itself. Al-ready a short-story competition has been instituted with a cash prize of £1 1s., the judges being Miss Eileen Duggan, Mr. G. W. von Zedlitz, and Mr. P. Lawlor. Entries become the property of the Literary Society, and an endeavour may be made to publish the best of the stories submitted.

Another activity of the Society consists in providing literary periodicals for the College Library. At the present time the Club subscribes to "The Times Literary Supplement," "The London Mercury," and the English "Bookman." The Committee also has under consideration the building up of a library of modern literature. In view of the steps that have already been made, it may confidently be anticipated that 1932 will be a most successful year for this new Society.