This article is taken from an old U.C.G. Annual published in 1913.

My Impressions of the Lady Students.

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BY X.Y.Z.

“Well of all the cheek! Just imagine a mere boorish man-student daring to set forth his own private impressions of our Sacred Band in black and white!”

Yes, dear ladies, conceal it as you will, I know full well that some of you at least will feel indignant as you peruse this article, and I don’t think I am very far wrong in taking the above as an example of the probable trend of your thoughts. All I ask is that if any of you feel personally injured by anything which might not be intended, give the unfortunate writer the benefit of the doubt; but, of course, if the opposite is the case, you may take any further steps you wish in the matter.

I have always though that the First Arts men had about the jolliest time in College, or, at anyrate, had the opportunity of having it. The poor engineer, who is consigned to the dreary drawing room, a drawing room which, contrary to expectations, never rings with the merry sound of female voices, and the unfortunate “medico,” who is banished down to the blood-stained “slaughterhouse,” are both at a disadvantage. For it is the great privilege of the Arts “jib” to be the first to meet all his sister “jibs” in a body, even though the meeting takes place within the four walls of a classroom. This privilege is all the greater when we remember the proverb about the little bird that rose up early one morning and caught the “unfortunate” worm. This, of course, is not intended to be taken as a simile.

The lady students impress one very favourably as a whole this year, and the lady (and baby) jibs appear to be models of good conduct and feminine modesty. There are doubts expressed as to whether this rather unusual behaviour of lady “jibs” is the result of healthy advice from their elder and more experienced sisters of the second and third years; or whether it is due to the sterling example set by “Hymen,” who is, of course, an authority on all matters relating to etiquette. However, the result is excellent, and the lady students appear to be a very quiet and demure body to the average uninterested student.

Many of our sister students are very accomplished young ladies, and on certain festival occasions we have been held enraptured while some sweet singer or pianist produced melodious strains of wonderful music. There is only one fault that can be found with those who sometimes render songs for our benefit, and that is, that the themes they choose are not more appropriate to their respective personalities. For instance, why could one performer not sing “Annie, dear, I’m called away,” and another, “Nan-cy Lee”? The fair one who so often presides at the piano is a host in herself, and is a real asset to the musical community.

It would not do to pass on without saying a word about the dancing capabilities of our lady students, which were so well demonstrated at the Degree and Debate Dances. Every one of the “rosy” complexioned damsels present proved herself a master of the art, and if there was one who could be said to excel the others, it was she who initiated her sisters into the mysteries of “Turkey-trots” and “Boston Waltzes,” explaining her steps by that adverb of manner, “ita.”

The appearance of “Spats” in College has been the subject of much criticism and discussion. Nobody has yet submitted a plausible reason for their adoption, and so it has been generally agreed that they are unnecessary. Some say that they are worn to give a general appearance of smartness of finishing-touch to the apparel, while others assert that they are worn for spite, to hide the dainty ankle underneath. One budding genius, when asked for his opinion, was heard to mutter something about holes in stockings, but it is not known what the real gist of his theory was.

It has been rumoured that some of the ladies have become ardent supporters of the “Women’s Suffrage Movement,” and this is looked upon with dismay by the majority of the male element in College. To my mind, however, if the report is true, there is no great need to be alarmed, and in many ways the event is welcome. We can look forward to seeming some of the at present apparently gentle maidens transformed into fiery Amazons, delivering energetic speeches from the windows of the Ladies’ Room to the eager crowd in the Quadrangle below, and “sueing” them for their support. And even if they do become militant, surely no student in his right mind could be so unchivalrous as to refuse to forcibly repress any damsel who might suddenly have turned warlike?

No pessimistic views can be do away with the fact that the lady students are an indispensable factor in College life. It is difficult to imagine the dull sort of existence one would have in a strictly “masculine” college, whose classrooms are never brightened by the varied hues of gaily coloured dresses. No college dances! No fair creatures to urge on their devoted knights to great deeds of valour on the football field, and afterwards to tender their sympathy or praise! College life would degenerate into a mere humdrum existence, far different from that which we now enjoy. Scott knew what he was talking about when he said:-

“O Woman! in our hours of ease,

Uncertain, coy and hard to please;

When pain and anguish cloud the brow,

A ministering angel thou!”

X. Y. Z.

Have attitudes changed? – Ed.