Carleton University - Raven Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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Carleton College Year Book 1944-45 21 I French Club The French Club was founded only last year and since no Year Book was issued, this might well be considered a history of the club rather than an annual report. At a meeting of students held on October 2, 1943, I spoke of the practical advantages of organizing a French Club for the students of French at Carleton College. Dr. Tory was highly in favour of the idea, and commission- ed me to be the prime mover. Soon afterwards a meeting was called of all those interested, with the result that I found myself president of the group. The first year was really ideal for our weekly meetings, owing to the fact that all French classes were held on Thursday night. At 9.30 we met in the Library and after a discussion on a topic, gathered round the piano and sang French-Canadian folk-songs to the music played by Miss Eleanor Bradford. Three dinners were held at the Y.M.C.A. that year. Mde. C. Vessot spoke at the first one, telling of a trip to Europe in 1914. At the next one, Mr. Robert de Rocquebrune, French-Canadian historian and novelist, des- cribed life in the Latin Quarter of Paris. where he had lived while attending the Sorbonne. He then went on to relate his thrilling escape to England after the fall of France. At the closing dinner Dr. Seraphin Marion, the well-knovsm Ottawa lecturer, spoke on the beginnings of journalism in Canada and quoted many quaint and amusing articles that had appeared in our early news- papers. At a re-organization meeting this year the .following executive was elected: Hon. President ..................... Dr. H. M. Tory President .................................... James S. Patrick Vice-President .................. Alison Dickison Secretary .....,.................. Mrs. Bruce Morgan Treasurer .............. ................. R . D. Buchanan Committee ......,....................... Jean Macdonald Harold Dewdney CUnforeseen circumstances forced Miss Macdonald to resign early in the season.j ' Unfortunately the French classes were divided this year, French I meeting on Thursdays and French II on Fridays. It was decided to hold the club's weekly meetings on Friday, and although the attendance was not so high as last year, it was quite satis- factory. The program was nearly always planned in advance. At one of our meetings each student gave a short autobiography in Frenchg at another they told of their summer vacation, a quiz on Canadian history was also held. Sometimes the members were divided into small groups and a specific subject was discussed. Later on, it was decided to furnish several copies of Lei' Droit and current articles were read, followed by discussions on the subject matter. The first dinner, held at the Y.M.C.A. on January 9, was highly successful, with a greater attendance than at any time last year. Dr. Gustave Lanctot, Deputy Minister of Public Archives, was the guest speaker. He spoke on his student days as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and the traditional customs of that ancient seat of learning. After regaling his audience with witty anecdotes, the speaker entered a more serious vein and eulogized British institutions and British fair play. In closing, he congratulated the club on its enterprise and stated that its activities would not only promote a speaking knowledge of the French language among its members, but bring about a closer entente between the two races. n On Saturday, February 24, a soiree was held at the Archives through the generosity of Dr. Lanctot. The beautiful exhibition rooms-the walls adorned with exquisite pictures, and the showcases filled with archival treasures-made an ideal setting for such a gathering. ?The quiet dignity of the surroundings lent an intellectual atmosphere that gave just the right touch. Every available chair and 'bench in the building had been placed in the Northcliffe Room and not a seat was left vacant. In the unavoidable absence of Dr. Lanctot, Dr. S. Marion welcomed the members and their friends to the Archives and introduced the speaker, Dr. Louis Couvreur, First Secretary of the Belgian Embassy. Dr. Couvreur praised the part played by the Canadian army and air force in the liberation of Belgium. He traced the history of his country from the 12th century, outlin- ing its contribution to culture and art. The speaker revealed how Belgium had aided Britain when she fought alone in this war by supplying men for the R.A.F. and the Royal Navy, and war materials from the Belgian Congo. Dr. Couvreur told how the Belgians had suffered during the German occupation, and of the resistance activities carried on in spite of cruel persecution. Dr. Tory stressed the value of. modern languages and particularly the advantage of being fluent in French, the other official language of Canada. He said it was his particular desire that emphasis be placed on conversation in the language courses at Carleton College. The meeting then broke up and the mem- bers toured the rooms, examining the pictures and historical exhibits. The most popular attractions proved to be the beautiful dress worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during the Royal Visit to Canadag the model of Quebec City, built over 150 years ago, and the portrait of Lord Durham, by. Lawrence.

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20 Carleton College Year Book 1944-45 Latin-Hmericcin Club President-Evelyn Horn! Vice-President-Audrey Tweedie Secretary-Treasurer-Muriel Burr Past President-Jean Pratt Executive Members-Dr. John Parker, Miss Mercedes French, Florence Talbot, Dorothy Drew, Elizabeth Mahoocl Members of the Latin-American Club this year enjoyed many interesting and infor- mative programmes under the direction of Evelyn Horne, president. The season's activities opened on Novem- ber 29 with a well-attended dinner meeting at the Y.M.C.A. The events of the evening were in tribute to Mexico, the highlight be- ing a sincere and, at the same time, amusing talk by Dr. del Rio y Canedo, Ambassador of Mexico to Canada, entitled Shall I Marry a Latin-American? The Club took this op- portunity to extend congratulations and good wishes to Dr. Hugh L. Keenleyside, newly- appointed Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the guest speaker. Mexican films were shown and community singing was enjoyed by all. Two evenings were devoted to film show- ings of Mexico, Chile and Brazil. These were provided by the National Film Board and proved to be excellent entertainment. . Several informal meetings were held after Spanish classes on Monday evenings at the College, when group singing of Spanish songs was much enjoyed. For leadership in this activity we are much indebted to Miss Mer- cedes French. In February, the Club had the honour and pleasure of entertaining a group of eighteen Boy Scout leaders from a number of Latin-American countries. This provided an excellent opportunity for informal con- versation and the furthering of friendly re- lations between these countries and Canada. and the guests were most appreciative of our hospitality. A dinner meeting featuring Brazil will close the season late in April. -EVELYN HORNE Q? Front row:-Muriel Burr, Miss M. French, Dorothy Drew, Florence Talbot. Back row:-Audrey Tweedie, Evelyn Horne, Dr. Parker. Absent:-Elizabeth Mahood. '

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22 Carleton College Year Book 1944-45 Soon the delightful aroma of steaming coffee drew the guests tothe Iviinto Room. where they enjoyed a buffet luncheon. There was bright conversation Cmostly in French! and gay laughter. Many admiring glances were cast at Madame Couvreur, the guest speaker's charming English bride. Without doubt this was the most successful event in the history of the French Clubg and of the hundred or so people who attended. almost all were students or ex-students of Carleton. As this article goes to press, the weekly meetings are continuing and plans are being made for a closing dinner in April. Since all of our guest speakers spoke in French and that language was used as the medium for conducting our meetings, it is felt that the French Club is helping to forge the missing link between an academic know- ledge of French and the spoken word. And no single achievement is of more practical value in Canada than the ability to speak both languages fluently. But quite apart from that is the wider knowledge gained with regard to the French-Canadian people-their culture, traditions, customs and outlook- which goes a long way toward solving the problem of national unity. Not always will our fellow-compatriotsg but we agree with when we don't, we will at least understand their reasoning, and judge more sympatheti- our more formal gatherings cally. Finally, were a definite contribution to the social life of the college. In closing, may I offer to the club's executive my sincerest appreciation of their splendid co-operation, with special mention of Mrs. Bruce Morgan, secretary, and R. D. Buchanan, treasurer, who attended to the business end of our affairs with efficiency and zeal. -JAMES s. PATRICK. Sgt. H. Dewdney, Mrs. Bruce Morgan, J. S. Patrick, R. D. Buchanan. ' Absent:-Alison Dickison. The Bulletin - The Bulletin, the official organ of the Students' Council, has continued to be the best means of announcing the extra- curricular activities of the College. It has carried on under the editorship of H. Moulds, assisted by Isabel McNeil, Ursula Trimble, Ethel Upton, and Ronald Shuttleworth. It proved more economical to have the mimeographing done by a student of the High School of Commerce rather than by a com- mercial firm as was done last year. The Bulletin was issued bi-monthly and much credit is due the above committee for carrying out this useful service.