University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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THE REDWOOD THE OLD ADOBE [The oUl adobe building used for many years by Santa Clara students for their debates, was so badly shattered by the earthquake that, in spite of its romantic associations, it had to be razed to the ground. Erected in 1818, it served as the residence of the Majordomo of the Mission Indians; then it was seized and used as a wayside inn, until it was purchased by Fr. Nobili in 1854. Right near it was an old Indian burying-ground.] Let Others hail the walls that r ise Upon thy hallowed site, They wear scant beauty in my eyes, Nor give delight. Thy walls to me were ivy-grown With memory ' s magic leaf, Adown a century was sown Mid joy, mid grief. Mid joy, mid grief, in truce and feud, — For thou had ' st braved them all! And varied empires had ' st thou viewed Arise and fall! The mind and heart of Serra ' s days Stood bodied in thy frame; The simple and the kindly ways. The exalted aim. Lo! comes the Mexican dread blight, — The Mission ruined lies. As when, a cold October night. The floweret dies.

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THE REDWOOD entrancing that it is indeed a Paradise. But that which is particularly char- acteristic of the poet is his uniting in- tellect with the imagination, visions with scientific speculation; in three kingdoms he has combined the encyclo- pedic knowledge of his times, in theology, philosophy, mythology, and science, with intellect and erudition so as to make one whole. It can as well be called a work of the reason as of the imagination: its uniqueness among all visions is its scientificness. He who reads it finds no less food for the intel- lect than for the fancy, and he moves in a sea whither the rivers of all the sciences bring their tribute. To have known how to produce this wonderful harmony of mind and imagination, to have been able to assimilate as mate- rials of craftmanship the total knowl- edge of one ' s age; to have thrown a halo of religion over it all is surely the test of the supreme artist; and Fallen justly calls it ' the supremest literary production of the greatest intellectual epoch in History. ' I could go more into detail regarding Dante ' s style and invention; I might dwell at length on his sublimity, his immensity, his ac- curacy, his systematization, his fine moral and religious tone, by infringing upon your patience; but I must content myself with this humble endeavor, hop- ing that I have enkindled within you some sort of an appreciation that may prompt you to read him. Our lives are bounded by mysteries, our entrance and our departure clouded to our mental sight; faith like an impalpable magnetism draws us onward over the right path, but imagination illuminates the gloom, making the hitherto darksome avenues shining vistas towards the eternal splendors. If you would increase this light, this iridescence of the mind, take up in your leisure hours this pilgrimage with Dante as your guide. At first you will perhaps find the way strange and laborious, encountering the vale of night, but again the beams of morning will descend, rewarding your persever- ance; and, finally, dipping your eyes into the light as did the poet, you may become enraptured with the angelic symphony and behold the Vision of which Dante, even Dante, could not speak. John H. Riordan, A. M. ' 06.

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THE REDWOOD Then saw ' st the Indian in thy shade Sink wearily to rest Where he his gray-haired sires had laid In days more blest. Hark! loud resounds the drunken broil! And rusts thine ivy now; — The focus erst of Christian toil A tavern thou! The changes ring! Commingled rays — Faith, science — on thee fall And green the ivy fresh arrays Th ' adobe wall. Before me files a shining band Of eager youth sublime, Strong-armed by thee for high command Of mellowed time. And tones I hear ring light and gay, Destined the world to thrill: Tones, even were they hushed for aye, Thou ' dst echo still. Echo still, Adobe? — Fancy kind, That vanishes anon! — I ope my pensive eyes and find Thou too art gone! R. S., ' 07.