London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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o L NE of the greatest traits ot civilization is no- bility. Since the stand- ards of our civilization must be measured by its ideal ot true nobility, I wish to define as briefly as possible some ot the attributes of true nobility. The highest eulogy which can be paid to anyone is to say that he is noble. No- bility is comprehensive ot all the virtues and all the graces. There is no word representing character and esteem which is so all embracing. For some words it seems almost impossible to secure an adequate definition. The feeling ot their meaning is deeper than any impression synonyms can con- vey. Such a word is nobility. If one were to attempt the substitution of any other word, such as goodness, benevolence, or justice, he would find that neither separately nor collectively do they fully express its meaning. It can only be stated by circumlocution and even then inadequatelv. Nobility engenders sympathy for others. The appeal which is made to a noble person is answered almost before it is presented, because his con- sciousness of the needs of others is so acute that the meaning is compre- hended intuitively. Nobility is the expression not of the intellect so much as of the soul, not merely of the mind, but of the heart. Nobility of feelings involves sympathy with all that is true and good; it raises the standard of our civilization by dissatisfaction with all that is low and degrading, while at the same time it is conscious of harmony with everything that tends to uplift our status of Christian civilization. Then there is also nobility ot character. The feeling has become habit and forms what is known among men as character. This attribute of nobility is often obtained by contact with the highest ideals to be found in our civilization. The truly noble character although acquainted with life in all its different phases, absorbs only that which is best and uses this for character building material. Character is the only permanent thing in life. True Nobility—; . Campbell Webstet Feelings pass; thoughts and imaginations pass; dreams pass; work remains. Only your character goes with you into eternity. We are told that not a sound has ever ceased to vibrate through space, that not a ripple has ever been lost in the ocean. Much more is it true, that not a sincere thought nor a pure resolve nor a loving act has ever gone in vain. They are all built into the solid struc- ture ot character that is eternal. The qualities which must be sought in order to secure true nobility are a lofty purpose, deep sympathies and absolute self-sacrifice. None is sufficient without the others. What then is the purpose which must enter into and constitute a noble life? This purpose must be both general and particular. It desires to make the best of society as a whole and the best of each individual mem- ber. It serves the whole society by serving units of which it is composed. Hence, nobility does not neglect doing good in what seems trivial and insignificant ways. Nothing is too small and nothing is too large for a noble soul to do. This is the truly fundamental method by which society can be benefited, as it is made up of so many interdependent units. True nobilitv is possible to all. One may be truly noble and recog- nized as such though destitute of learning, scholarship, office or rank. It matters little whether one be in public position or private station, in royal palace or in humble cottage, in professional lite or in daily manual labor, there is no place where he will not have opportunity for service. Wherever generosity, self-sacrifice, purity, truth and fidelity are found, there will be that which will tend to uplift the standards of our civilization — true nobility — as Lowell says: — Be Noble! and the nobleness that lies In other men sleeping but never dead Will rise in majesty to meet thine own. a

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MMTOKIAI. STAFF Top row, left to right — J. C. Webster, Editor-in-Chief; G. W. Hofferd, M. A., Consulting Editor; J. Lutton, Form 7, Biographer; J. S. Gemmell, Form. 1, Boys ' Athletics. Bottom row — V. Gregory, Form 5, Girls ' Athletics; M. Mitchell, Form 6, Biographer; L. Carter, Form 2, Jokes; K. Gilmore, Form 3, Literary Society; W. Kincade, Form 4, Poetry. 7

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Editorial THK YEAR BOOK. THE students realize the Normal School year is drawing to a close. They feel that some remembrance of the many pleasant thoughts which they have learned to associate with the Red and Gold should he carried away to live on memory ' s wall. As a result of this feeling the Year Book is being published. The editorial staff are doing their utmost to have each student as well as each organization in the school represented in picture and print. Our Year Book might well be termed a pictorial number. We would like to thank every member ot the school for their hearty co-operation in making this Year Book a success — as we hope it is. HEADINGS. We are greatly indebted to the St. Thomas Collegiate for the loan of the cuts which we have used as headings of the different departments. Thank you, S. T. C. I. THE ORCHESTRA. The Orchestra has been an interesting feature of our school year. Mr. Percy chose material which has developed into an A-l organization. Their presence at all school functions added greatly to their already widespread fame as musicians. CADET CLASS. Many men ot the school took advantage of the eight-week cadet instructors ' course held at the Armouries. Serg.-Mai. White instructed the students and taught them the fundamental principles of cadet drill. The majority of the class received Grade A diplomas, which should be of invaluable assistance in obtaining a school. VISITS. On May 30th, the students of L. N. S. journed to Guelph Agricultural College. Here they were treated to a lunch served by the girls of Macdonald Hall. The trip was both educational and recreational. Continued We are also looking forward to our visit to Niagra Falls after the final examinations. This famed place holds open its luring gates to enable us to investigate one source of our hydro-electric power. What a novel and interesting way to end our school year! We should not forget to mention another visit which, no doubt, pre- sented more humorous situations than either of the preceding ones may hope to do — that is the bird expedition to Saunders ' pond. Besides this, several of the forms paid a visit to the gas plant, Silver- woods and the Hydro-Electric building. These last educational tours were made possible by the kindness of Mr. Hofferd. We cannot, however, give him the credit of supplying us with the ice-cream that everyone enjoyed at Silverwoods, Limited. STAFF NOTES. The school, as a whole, regrest the loss of Miss Neville, whose absence was made necessary through illness. We were pleased to hear that she appreciated the flowers sent to her, and we all wish her a speedy recovery. Miss Everson, Domestic Science Instructor, of Stratford, has taken over Miss Neville ' s work for this term. APPRECIATION. Would this Year Book be complete without mentioning two of the most energetic persons of the Normal School, namely, Mrs. Reade and Mrs. Barnhardt? These two ladies have done much to lighten our burden while we attended here. The students ot 23-24 wish them every success. J. Campbell Webster.