From “Q.C.G.”, February 1904

Literary and Debating Society.

It will, we think, be admitted on all sides that the Debating Society is not nearly so important a factor in our intellectual life as it should be. We are accustomed to hear much about the great and important part it played in the past in moulding the eloquence of many who now occupy honourable positions in the land. The Chairman in his Inaugural Address dwelt strongly on this fact; but he decidedly went too far in claiming for the Debating Society as an educational medium an influence superior even to the lectures themselves.

Coupled with this story of past greatness is a universal admission of present failure. And the reason is only too clear. To put it plainly it seems that there is no longer in the College a desire for a Literary and Debating Society. The majority of us go down to the Debating Society on Saturday night to be amused rather than to make use of the opportunity offered us of increasing such stock of eloquence as we may possess. We are all universally to be censured for this degeneracy of spirit, but we think that the chief blame falls upon the officers of the Society and those of the students who should have the welfare of the Society at heart. There are but a few more evenings left to us, so let us see if they cannot be put to better account. Let us go down to the Debating Society with the intention of doing what we can to raise some interest in things serious. The Secretaries could help much by giving notice of the titles of papers earlier in the week, so that we might come in some measure prepared. Above all let us put a end to the reign of light comedy. Let us have wit by all means, but let it be made subservient to the main business of the meeting. Again, while we will not raise the customary lament over the departure of many of the best speakers who were with us last year, we must say we are sorry the new men do not take a more active part in the ordinary meetings. Much of this can no doubt he put down to modesty and natural shyness, but the atmosphere of the Debating Society cannot be said to foster such bashfulness. We must also express our regret that we have not been favoured with as much support from the ladies at the ordinary meetings as in former years.

Turning now to the proceedings of the Society more in detail we must first express our thanks to Professor Trench for the excellent public lecture he delivered, entitled “Some Thoughts on Science and Philosophy.” This paper was full of deep and interesting thoughts, and Professor Trench showed us that he is accustomed to reflect to good purpose. All present—and we have seldom seen a larger audience at a public lecture—were interested; many who had probably never done any serious thinking in their lives went away with their faculties aroused.

The papers that were read before the Society must all be classed as good. We have no intention of favouring one paper at the expense of the others, but we are expressing the general opinion when we say that Mr. Duncan’s paper “Glimpses of the Supernatural,” evoked the most interest. Mr. Duncan is well known to be an authority on this particular subject and he fully upheld his reputation. He dealt with Telepathy, Hypnotism, and Apparitions, and exposed the various fallacies which attribute Supernaturalism to what is inexplicable by merely natural laws. A large number of speakers followed and it must be admitted that this meeting at least was a most successful one. Mr. McCrea’s paper on “ Darwinism” evoked considerable interest. In his capacity of Senior Scholar in Botany and Zoology much was expected of him and he did not disappoint us. He traced the leading features of Darwin’s theory and indicated the main grounds on which that theory is supported. His paper called forth a good deal of discussion in which those who are shortly to grace the medical profession had considerable advantage over their non-medical confrères. Mr. Lynham’s paper on “Satire” was a carefully thought out production and gave rise to some discussion. The papers read by Mr. Bodkin on “The Literary Productions of Ireland in the Nineteenth Century,” and by Mr. Rentoul on “Literary Academies” should also be mentioned. But the most enjoyable event of all was Ladies’ Night. We blush to think that there were one or two students ungallant enough not to grace the proceedings with their presence; certainly they missed a great treat. The College ladies once again gave us a proof of what they can do, and expressions of applause and approval were on every tongue—and hand and foot. Who shall say we are not proud of the ladies of Queen’s College, Galway? The evening devoted to impromptu speeches was hardly quite as good as usual, as several members seemed to be affected with shyness and unsuitable papers.

On glancing through the programme for the remainder of the term we see that we are to have two public lectures, one from Professor Exon and one from President Anderson. The latter is an old favorite with us all, and we look forward to his lecture with much pleasure. Professor Exon is a stranger to us, but he has brought with him a mass of scholarship and erudition and we are sure that he will do himself justice and give us a most interesting lecture. We are also to have an essay from Professor Wardell. While this is not a public lecture, we feel it our duty to extend a word pf advice to all to come and hear Professor Wardell, for those who attend his lectures tell us that he is a most interesting lecturer, his remarks being always full of matters of present day interest. Under these circumstances we feel sure that those who come to hear Professor Wardell will not be disappointed.

K.