Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute - Breezes Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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14 D. M. C. I. BREEZES evening, to bring Shakespeare before us as a man, and to eradicate the impression that he was a genius whose works were to be placed in a prominent place in a library, and left to gather dust. He succeeded wonderfully, partly by the obvious method of relating something of the great dramatist’s humble youth, but, we think, chiefly by the more novel device of telling us the circumstances connected with the writing of his first play, “Love’s Labour Lost.” Mr. Irvine seemed to favour “Othello” above Shakespeare’s other works, and he gave some good reasons for doing so. Happily for the Grade XI. students present, considerable time was spent on “Hamlet.” His opinion that Hamlet is not a philosopher may be of interest to some of the inmates of the D.M.C.I. Several other of the more outstanding plays, including comedy, history, and tragedy, were discussed. Mr. Irvine frequently recited long speeches, besides giving many minor quotations, from the plays reviewed. This was done with great effect, for he was able to bring into play the acting ability which he spent a considerable period of his life in acquiring. We must confess that during the recitation of Mark Anthony’s famous speech over Caesar’s body, we were momentarily transported to ancient Rome, and were genuinely startled on coming back to real life. We confidently believe that some hundreds of Winnipeg citizens and students learned more of Shakespeare during that evening than they knew before, and if Mr. Irvine ever comes back to our city with the purpose of lecturing, we think that he may count on seeing most of his last audience again. —H. Johnson. IS THE WORLD GETTING WORSE? NO! W ' hy should it be? As far as I can see neither the younger generation nor the older generation is showing any sign of physical or mental decay. Life is continuing its serene, inevitable course with perhaps only a little more excitement than before. One small portion of the world that is evil cannot corrupt the whole universe, and such things as petting parties should not be considered indications of per¬ manent degradation. Why, older people, themselves, admit that they can remember when “Underneath the Mellow Moon,” “two w.ere com¬ pany.” Was not this the beginning of what has just gone a little far¬ ther today? Of course! Life is primarily just the same now as it was then, and whatever changes there are will in time, together with other past history, fade into the background, and fresh worries will appear to vex the minds of pessimists. The faults of the world, as most people view them, seem to be con¬ centrated in the large cities. Crime, as reported in the newspapers, is no doubt appalling and the lurid details certainly lose nothing in the telling, but, should you judge a whole city from its worst aspect? Let us consider, for a moment, Chicago—that much maligned American city. Can you judge the standards of its population by the misdeeds of a few individuals? Will “Big Bill Thompson” be just a comet or

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D. M. C. I. BREEZES 13 up to the name children called him, and not a finer friend could be found in all France. The rich and poor alike loved him, and a word of praise from his lips was valued more than the praise of a king. Grand-pere Joli’s life, however, was by no means free from trouble and worry. Except for one daughter, Olivine, he had no living relatives. They had lived happily together, even after Olivine married. Before many years had passed, her husband died, leaving Olivine with a little daughter Yvonne, to care for. Still another change came into their lives. One night Olivine flew into a fit of rage over some trivial matter, and taking Yvonne, set out on foot for the home of her mother-in-law. There she was badly received, but try as he might, for two long years, Grand-pere Joli could not locate the two he loved so well. One day a crusader brought news of the tragic death of Olivine, and the disappearance of Yvonne. The news crushed the old man. He shut himself up in his little home. No longer could people go to him for sympathy; no longer could the blind beggar, or the lame dog expect food or tender care. The man who had loved all, now hated the sound of a human voice, and the sight of a neighbor’s face. For several months the peace and joy of Beaute were marred. One day Grand-pere Joli set out in a round about way for the shore of his much loved river. He had gone only a short distance when he happened to glance over by the roadside. There, to his surprise, a small girl, clad in beggar’s clothes, lay sleeping peacefully, her head resting against a huge dog, who appeared to be keeping watch over her. Grand-pere Joli gasped in amazement. He had seen many beggars in his day, but never a child, who had obviously been travelling a long way, and whose sole companion was a dog. The old man tip-toed nearer. Then he gave a cry of joy. It was. Yvonne! Joy transfigured the face of Grand-pere Joli. Tenderly he lifted the child in his still strong arms, and bore her triumphantly home. The townspeople rejoiced. The story of how, on her death bed Olivine had told Yvonne the way to Beaute, was told and retold. Peace and joy once again made the people of the town as happy and kindly as before. —Evelyn Moir. MR. HARRY IRVINE ON SHAKESPEARE BOUT the middle of last March the National Council of E ducation brought to Winnipeg Mr. Harry Irvine, who, as our readers probably know, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Shakespeare. Those who missed his wonderful lecture at St. Stephen’s Church, regardless of how much they have heard about it, can have only a very faint concep¬ tion of their loss. Mr. Irvine is extremely well qualified for this work, for, being a graduate of Oxford, we cannot imagine his being without a student’s knowledge of Shakespeare, and, being an ex-actor, he must also be acauainted with ' him from that angle. Obviously it would be difficult to find a man more capable in this line of work. He first told us that it was his principal desire, in ' his lecture that

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D. M. C. I. BREEZES 15 will he become a lasting star? Ever} ' age had its radicals, but the ques¬ tion is, do they ever reach any permanent goal of achievement? Do they impress themselves on the minds of the people? As a rule—no— yet, to compensate for each of these extremists there can be found thousands of loving, hard-working men and women who are struggling valiantly and quietly to perpetuate the maxim “Nil nisi bonum.” After all, what exactly do people mean when they say the world is getting worse? Do they mean that the morals are degenerating? Daily, youth is giving up its so-called pleasures in obedience to the dictates of experience. Love of home and parents is the strongest tie on earth, and how many young people are really severing this bond of affection so that they may go their own “sweet way?” There may be subter¬ fuges and evasions, yet the fundamentals, if deeply rooted, will remain sound. You may argue that “in days of yore” people went to church reg¬ ularly every Sunday. Do not the majority still attend? Are not the numbers of new demnominations springing up indications of a broad¬ minded, deep-thinking, and religious race? Even if you do not attend every Sabbath, can you not, to a certain extent, worship God in the great out-of-doors? It is the spirit that counts, and Nature is God’s masterpiece given to his people for their enjoyment. In this last century—and indeed it could be applied to all periods in history-—there has been great dissatisfaction concerning new customs and inventions. It is curious to see how easily the world can be swayed by popular opinion. As one innovation after another is introduced each one is invariably repudiated, yet, after a time, it becomes regarded as indispensable. The automobile, for instance, is an example of this cur¬ ious fact. Who, at first, would ride in a “horseless carriage?” Now, nine-tenths of the world have “cars” and the other tenth is contem¬ plating the purchase of a “Lizzie”—the starting post of all autoists. Soon the ever-increasing popularity of the aeroplane will cause a fresh outburst of apprehension. Then magically, ’planes will be included in the everyday routine of affairs. “Thus the whirligig of time brings in his changes,” and “Meet is it changes should control Our being lest we rest in ease, We all are changed (by still degrees, All but the basis of the soul.” Will anyone ever be quite satisfied with conditions as they are? There will always be those who disagree, and therefore the world will never be perfect. Then, too, cannot people see the vast improvements in foreign lands —China, Japan, India, and others? Could a world which is getting worse produce scholars and statesmen who are startling the world with their knowledge of international affairs? These oriental countries are by no means perfect, but notice how far they have progressed within the last century. Because there are reports of rebellion and civil war in certain districts, people say that China and India are “undesirable.” They judge the whole by a unit. Does the book “Mother India”—so severely criticized by some—advance or delay improvements in India?