From “Q.C.G.”, February 1905

 

Debating Society.

 

Mr. James Warnock, M.A., one of the most distinguished students who ever left this College said, that if he were beginning life over again at his “alma mater,” he would take the fullest advantage of the opportunity of self improvement, offered by the Literary and Debating Society; not only is there a well merited compliment to our Society implied here; there is also a warning to all and sundry who neglect such an important branch of their education.

 

The first Public Lecture of the Session was delivered by Professor Bromwich; the subject “Geometry Old and New” was certainly a suspicious one, and I would not like to have to analyse the motives of every one who came to hear it (least of all my own) but be that as it may, I never saw a better pleased audience leave the Greek Lecture room. The Professor’s account of the attempt to solve the three great classical problems, viz. the tri-section of an angle, the doubling of a cube, and the quadrature of the circle, kept the audience intensely interested throughout, the interesting and skilful manner in which Professor Bromwich handled his “experiment,” combined with his delightfully coaxing manner of delivery, showed us that he is a lecturer whom we cannot bear too often or too long.

 

I a glad to see that the officers of the Society have profited by experience; this year, “Debates” are no longer the exception in our “Debating Society,” hence the phenomenal success of this session, the secretaries certainly deserve all the congratulations they get for this happy state of affairs. The Debate “ Should Competitive Examinations be abolished” was the best attended during the Session, doubtless owing to the fact that “mere man” was being challenged by “lovely woman.” Mr. Isaac Flack, deserted even by his seconder, succumbed to the eloquence of Miss L. Steinberger; after the unequal combat had raged for some time, the abolitionists were defeated by 38 votes to 22.

 

On Feb. 3rd Professor Exon, M.A. delivered his long promised lecture on “The Life of Words” before a crowded house. The lecture was a striking vindication of the study of “Philology” and was as entertaining as instructive all through. I think Prof. Exon should have felt gratified at the manner in which he captivated his audience. In this as in the previous Public Lecture Mr. Hare not only manipulated the lantern with his usual skill but he also manufactured the slides throughout. I am sure that the time and trouble which Mr. Hare takes in connection with these lectures only requires to be better known in order to be duly appreciated.

 

Ladies’ Night! This interesting annual function improves every year; many would wish for more than one Ladies’ Night, but then “familiarity might breed contempt,” so, at least, thinks one lady student. Professor Bromwich, who presided, opened the ceremony by reading a telegram from “Old Galwegians assembled in Cork,” conveying best wishes for the success of “Ladies’ Night.” How much this thoughtful message was appreciated may be guessed from the fact that the enthusiasm of the applause only permitted the message to be read in monosyllables the only names which I was able to extricate from the plaudits were, Nina Dagg, Dale, O’Brien, Smith. One of the most interesting items of the evening was the dramatic dialogue, “Why women weep?” which was very ably presented by Miss Stevenson, Miss Steinberger and Mr. Costello. The violin quartette by some pretty jibs was a very pretty thing and augers well for Ladies’ Night, 1906. Professor McElderry’s two solos were highly appreciated, “Bluebell,” “Bedelia” and “Ole Satan” went a long way towards making many happy.

 

The debate on Vivisection was productive of some surprises. A very large house assembled to hear Mr. Dunlop’s “maiden effort,” but I think his experience in the anatomy theatre helped him considerably, for he seemed quite at home from the beginning and not at all like a first stager; for half an hour Mr. Dunlop, B.A., descanted on the admitted horrors of vivisection; Mr. Dick, B.E. and Mr. Lynham, B.A. appealed to the house to remember the uses and not the abuses of a practice which has undoubtedly benefitted mankind. The sentimentalists however, who were in a majority of one, (including the ladies) abolished vivisection.

 

Mr. Austin, M.A. read a most instructive and interesting paper on “Dalton,” before a very large and appreciative gathering of the Society. Contrary to expectations there was no chemical flavour about the lecture, most of the audience taking away with them memories of “scarlet stockings” and “Poor Susie” rather than of the atomic theory. After Dr. Senier’s short appreciation of the lecturer, some of us felt ashamed of our ignorance of the very many distinctions gained by Mr. Austin.

 

In congratulating Mr. Leo Bodkin. U.D.C. and Vice-chairman of this society, I would remind all that the programme for the rest of the term is full of good things, winding up with a public lecture by the President.

 

“IDAHO.”