Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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THE BEANKSOME SLOGAN. 7 CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES THE PASSION PLAY AT OBERAMMERGAU BY HETTY m ' GAW. It was my great privilege during the past summer to travel abroad with two friends, who, I know, will agree with me when I say we were specially fortunate in having made the trip this year, thus giving our- selves the glorious opportunity of seeing the Passion Play at Ober- ammergau. Much has been said, from a critical standpoint, as to the ■object of such a play, but surely everyone who ha;s seen it is convinced that there is naught but reverence in every word and action of these simple village folk as they unfold so realistically the wonderful story of Christ ' s life and passion. On August the 14th, we arrived at Fiissen, a small Bavarian village, from where we planned to drive, by private coach, to Oberammergau. However, we found enough of interest even in this modest village to spend a day there, and the following afternoon visited two beautiful ■castles built by Ludwig II. One of these, Neuschwaustein, is ideally situated on a rock overlooking the village, and contains some beautiful frescoes of scenes from Wagner ' s operas. Although Ludwig was an eccentric king, he proved a true friend of Wagner ' s, and was also an enthusiastic patron of the Passion Play. Through his madness, which seemed to take the form of extreme ideas of gorgeous luxuriousness, travellers are left three of the most beautiful palaces to be seen any- where. Early the next morning we started on our long drive through the mountains, and, although the sky was threatening, the rain kept off until late in the afternoon. To me this was one of the most interest- ing and novel parts of our whole trip, as we drove over the windin f road, sometimes walking up the steeper hills, while on all sides ros majestic mountains, with here and there an opal lake, reflecting tne dark clouds above. The roads in some places are very narrow, and we had several thrilling experiences. However, as our horses were sturdy and sure-footed beasts and their driver kind and gentle, we arrived safely at Linderhof, where there is another of Ludwig ' s palaces. We had barely reached cover when the storm, which had been following -us through the mountains, broke, and for an hour or more poured itself out in hail and rain. After refreshing ourselves with German

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6 THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN. may be impossible for any examiner to take tbem unawares. Yes? If so girls have wonderfully changed since those good old days. But, passing farther east along Bloor Street and turning down Sherbourne, we come to the new Branksome. An aggressive, inde- pendent-looking building this. JsTo shy shrinking behind pine trees here. Square and upright, strong and determined, it seems to say, as plainly as bricks and mortar can say, I stand for the modern spirit of womanhood. Any girl entering here must learn that it is possible for her to be a lady in the true sense of the word and yet to look out for herself in this busy world. Industry and knowledge ' should make anyone independent. Be independent. Inside all was wondrously comfortable. The bright-faced principal who showed us over the school explained, apologetically, that things were only beginning to be settled, in a sort of probationary state as it were, and that if the building and location should prove suitable much would be done in the way of improvement. To our eyes very little seemed lacking. The class-rooms were bright and sunny, the dining-room downstairs large and airy, and the bedrooms dainty and comfortable. There is the largest attendance this year of any year yet. Some twenty-five boarders and over one hundred and ten days girls are on the roll. The day girls, too, are being admitted to many of the societies which in our time belonged exclusively to the boarders. In every way the school is growing and broadening, and we feel sure that those girls, graduates and present-day pupils, who have its best interests warmly at heart, will rejoice in the assurance that a bright and pros- perous future awaits our beloved school. In this number of the The Slogan we introduce our readers to the school motto clothed in Latin : ' ' Industria et Scventia ' The outward and visible sign only is changed. We still have to work if we want to know. Current Events ' the new school weekly, is a flourishing little paper, in which the Seniors are interested. Our warmest thanks are due to Miss Read for the kindly interest she has taken in the paper and the advice she has given, and we also wish to assure those girls who have contributed of our gratitude.

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8 THE BEAISTKSOME SLOGAN. cake and coffee, we made ' Our way through the rain to the palace. We were well repaid, for, without doubt, this proved the most gorgeous one we had yeit iseen, each room seeming to outdo the others in its beauty. I remember chiefly three chandeliers, an immense one of cut glass, one of Dresden china and another of exquisitely carved ivory. But Ludwig was not satisfied with the interior gorgeousness of his palace, for in the garden, which is beautifully laid out with fountains and statues, is found the entrance to a grotto. Although it is arti- ficial, a strange sensation creeps over one on entering this uncanny cave, with its stalactites dripping from above, the roar of water which falls from a great height at one end, and bluish lights casting a weird glow over all. Coming out again into the light, we found our way to the Kiosk, which, although very small, resembles somewhat the Sans Chapelle in Paris in interior decoration. By this time we were drenched to the skin, and, finding our carriage ready to start, were indeed glad to know that an hour ' s drive would bring us to Oberammergau. Like all the people of the village, we found Mr. and Mrs. Oskar Zwink, at whose house we stayed, most hospitable and kind. After a hearty dinner, we retired early to ' prepare ourselves for the following day, which was to demand strength of body and mind. Oberammergau is the upper of two villages on the banks of the Ammer river in Bavaria. It is in the heart of the Tyrol mountains, whose towering peaks and verdant valleys seem to claim the sole right to the setting of a play so heart-rending and yet so peaceful in its message to mankind. During mediaeval times religious subjects were represented by Miracle, Mystery, and Passion Plays. The last named is the only one in existence now, existing, it would seem, because of the sincere piety of these earnest folk, who look upon its portrayal as a part of their religious responsibility. As far back as the thir- teenth century parts of Christ ' s life were represented, but it is an established fact that since 1750 the full drama of His life has been portrayed. A plague which had been raging through Bavaria about that time robbed Oberammergau of one hundred and fifty of its inhabitants, and the survivors made a vow that if those remaining should be saved they would, in commemoration of this blessing, por- tray every ten years the full drama of Christ ' s life, for the uplifting of mankind. Their plea was granted, it would seem, and consequently every ten years thousands from all corners of the earth find their way to this remote village, to witness this sacred play. At a quarter to eight, on August 17th, four thousand two hundred people were seated within the enclosure which now protects the patrons