Debating Society.

The Debating Society has entered on another Session. There are few things so important in any walk of life as to be able to express our opinions so that if one tells them to us afterwards we may be able to recognise them as our own. Mere knowledge without a ready power of using it is not a priceless boon. Indeed it sometimes happens that the brainless ready-tongued coxcomb will drive into confusion the man who really possesses knowledge but who from lack of ready delivery is powerless against specious if worthless arguments. An enthusiastic admirer of this Society went so far as to say that it is as useful to the young student as his lectures. Anyhow it acts as a pruning knife for those wild growths of pomposity and self-conceit which are apt to shoot forth during the process of acquiring learning. We should congratulate ourselves on possessing in Mr. Flack a wise and affable chairman who will protect the dignity and gravity of debate, and whose ready tact will prevent needless friction, which too often occurs when opinions are in conflict. We hope to see this Session a spirited competition, for the President’s Medal for Oratory and English Composition which, last year, was awarded to Mr. Minnis.