Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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There are pounds that make us heavy; There are pavements that we pound In the hope of getting Hghter, And a smaller size be found. There are pounds that stray dogs go to; There are pounds that give us wealth; There are pounds that masseuse gives us, In the hope of gaining health. There ' s the pound the grocer gives us, In exchange for which we pay; There ' s the pound that Traf possesses. That ' s unique, in every way. It also takes your pennies, But for quite a different plan; Just lose your own possession, Then forget it — if you can! Charlotte Barnes, Form IVa. The Eclipse as I Saw It pOR many months before the day on which the eclipse was to occur, people had been planning where they would go, so that they might see it to the best advantage. Scientists came to Canada from all over the world to observe and photograph the great and rare phenomenon. I was staying in the country, about thirty miles south of Montreal, when the day of August thirty-first arrived. We were all excited and wondered if all the things that were prophesied would come to pass. Dawn broke, a very dull and disheartening morning; the sky was cloudy and had every appearance of rain. Our hopes were raised for a short time about noon, when the sun peeped out from behind a cloud but soon became obscured from our view again. About 2.15 p.m. E.S.T. the clouds broke and the sun shone forth in all its glory. We stood in silence, watching the change that was taking place, and a wonderful sight it was. At the right hand side of the sun could be seen a black shadow which eventually proved to be the moon. As we continued to gaze upward (using smoked lens) the sun became very bright and we could see flames of fire bursting from the [ 17 ]

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just to be able to say we had done so on a hot day in August. In several places we would see little shafts of sunlight coming through cracks in the rock overhead. Although anxious to investi ' gate thoroughly what seemed to be a vast expanse of subterranean rooms and passages, we soon felt we must get back to warmth and sunshine as we were not clothed for Arctic exploration. The ascent was much more difficult than the descent. Our hands and shoes were wet and slippery, which made it difficult to obtain a firm grip of the rope; but with each other ' s help we all managed to reach the surface in safety. The country being entirely uninhabited, there is no tradition or history attached to this very extraordinary rock formation ; and I suppose it would not be very interesting even if it were known. Nevertheless we felt we had had a very interesting and thrilling experience, and returned to our camp promising ourselves another trip under circumstances which would give us more time to make a complete exploration and, perhaps, to make discoveries of great interest and importance. Sylvia Howard, Form Upper V2. The Water-Lily ' s Lover A lovely water ' lily grew in a pond, With a sea ' shell pink ' tinted face; But she slept all day, while her sisters gay Fluttered with flowery grace. She slept alone ' mid the other flowers, Which opened wide every day. Her sister lilies adorned the sun. They flourished beneath his ray. He was their lover; they wondered why He wasn ' t their sister ' s too. She was as pretty as any of them That danced on the silvery blue. But she kept her beauty for only one. The one that she loved most dearly : The one that she loved was the golden moon That shone in the night so clearly. And every night when the moon was bright. When the stars were merrily twinkling; The water-lily would open wide With a soft and bell-like tinkling. And when the first rays of dawn arose. The moon would fade away; The water-lily would close her eyes. And sleep through the sunny day. The other lilies were unaware That she met her lover at night ; Till a butterfly told them of what he had seen, As he paused in his rapid flight. At eve when the lilies have gone to sleep The moon smiles down from above — Smiles down on a lily who murmurs, Oh! I am here, I am here, my love! Barbara Ward, Form IIIa. [ 16 1

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sun ' s surface. The moon continued on its way, the shadows grew in si e and the light faded into gloom. There was not a leaf stirring and silence reigned over all. The light soon took on a twilight effect, and there was only a small portion of the sun that was not obscured from our view. As the time of totality 3.24 p.m. E.S.T. passed, the rim of the sun appeared on the right hand side, the gloom faded away and the shadow of the moon disappeared beneath the clouds. As we stood in awe and wonderment, after seeing the marvellous sight, it seemed as if the earth had been sleeping and then awoke in the light of a new day. A gentle breeze then rocked the trees and things began to stir. The temperature took a sudden drop of 20 degrees c. during the eclipse. It also had curious effects upon birds, flowers, insects and fowl. The birds fluttered around and finally flew to their nests, the flowers began to close, the bees became blinded by the rapidity of darkness and the hens began to go to roost. Thousands of people were disappointed at not being able to witness this rare spectacle, which was only visible in certain parts of the province. God moves in a mysterious way. His wonders to perform. Dorothy Brown, Form IVa. The Seven Ages of Woman All the world ' s a fashion parade And all the female population models; They have their fancies and their fashions gay, And each one in her turn wears many styles During the seven stages. First the baby. Bedecked with laces in her nurse ' s arms. Then the prinking schoolgirl with ribboned hair And furbelows a world too old in style For such a youthful wearer. And now the flapper, Coquettishly wearing her garments with allure To win herself a husband. Then the bride, Arrayed in wedding gown of lace and satin. Veiled demurely, yet with searching glance Seeking her desire — admiration — Even at the altar. And now the matron, In fine rich velvets and jewels of great price. With flirting eyes and skirts of youthful cut. Full of wise cracks and modern instances. And so she plays her part. The sixth age shifts Into the grey and yet resplendent grandma. With lorgnettes on nose and Fido at her side. Her youthful spirits still too strong to dress As fitting for her age. Her failing voice Stills talks of fashions, modes and styles, while yet One foot is in the grave. Last scene of all That ends this gay eventful history Is second childishness and mere oblivion To all the vain world ' s golden store — save dress. Nancy Bonnar, Form Upper VI. I 18 1