Riverbend School for Girls - Vox Fluminis Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 28 text:

26 VOX FLUMINIS dresses by the Duke of Gloucester and Stanley Baldwin. It was immensely thrilling to be in the centre of this World Wide Youth Movement. The next day was another resem- bling that of the Coronation. Early in the morning we departed for Bucking- ham Palace where we watched the King and Queen begin the State Drive. I can't truly say that we saw the King' and Queen, for five- limousines left the palace and we didn't know in which their majesties were sitting. After this we went to Westminster Abbey for another Youth Service, con- ducted by the Archbishop of Canter- bury. We sat in the seats formerly oc- cupied by the peeresses at the Corona- tion. In the transept opposite was a lovely stained glass window. The sun shone through it in a myriad of colors onto St. E'dward's Chair. This chair, which always looks so hard in pictures had a golden cushion on it that appeared very luxurious and comfortable. Suddenly the rumor was spread around that we were to see Queen Mary. After the ceremony we were led by a police escort to Marlborough House. It was great fun having the police hold up traffic for us. While we were waiting in the court- yard the Queen returned from a drive. She stepped out of the car onto a thick blue rug before us. She was dressed in a silvery gray gown and cloak, em- broidered with silver beads. Major and Mrs. Ney spoke to her and then we were instructed to file by and curtsy. Most of us were out of practice so you can imagine how we felt. Then we were privileged to wander about the beautiful gardens and admire the flowers, also see the famous dog grave-yard begun by Queen Alexandra and containing several of her dogs. It was with great reluctance that we fin- ally had to leave this lovely place. Before long we had to leave the ex- citing and romantic city of London. The next three intriguing weeks of our trip were spent in the Perse School for Girls in Cambridge. Of course I at- tended school too, but only in the morn- ings and I didn't'have to do any prep. The girls were all very friendly and eager to learn about Canada. While I was there I found very little difference in the school work except for their su- periority in languages. The English teacher, however, told me that she thought we were farther advanced in grammar. Towards the end of our trip, another very important 'day arrived, the day on which Marjorie Gardiner and I at- tended a Royal Garden Party at Buck- ingham Palace. We went to London from Eastbourne and we spent the morning and afternoon shopping. At four o'clock we departed for the palace. The driver of our taxi would not drive us right in as there was too large a crowd, so he let us out in front of the gates. We were too scared to go in! We stood arguing for some time and finally a policeman held a path through the crowd and we walked in very nerv- ously. We felt very silly in our plain skirts and blazers among all the frills and flounces. Soon we found we were two of the ten thousand people in the garden. We were wandering about when suddenly a path was cleared in the crowd for the Queen. We naturally pushed to the front row. The Queen passed less than a foot from us. We heard her speak to several people and her voice sounded soft and sweet. Following her came the two little princesses, dressed in em- broidered organdy frocks with sun- bonnets to match. They are very tiny, much smaller than you'd imagine, but they are very pretty and doll-like. We stood for about half an hour against a rope, stretched around the table of food and watched the Royal Party eat. Then they returned to the Palace and the band played God Save the King. Many people spoke to us because of our uniforms. We were really glad then that we had worn them. We left shortly afterwards and caught our train back to Eastbourne. It had been a won- derful day. CContinued on page 48D

Page 27 text:

VOX FLUMINIS 25 for a day to attend the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Marjorie and I were very fortunate in being two of the few who received invitations. On June 24 our week at Eastbourne came to an end and those of us who stayed after the tour was over said good-bye to the girls who left for Southampton to sail home. The following three weeks, our last in England, Marjorie and I spent with her relatives in Northampton. During our stay there we visited Kenilworth and Warwick Castle. We were also for- tunate to be able to see the State Apart- ments and the Queen's Doll House at Windsor Castle. Some of the days we spent bicycling around the country- side and other days picnicking and hiking. So passed our last days in England and on the 16th of July we left Liver- pool on the Duchess of Bedford for home. MARJORIE GARDINER, '38, Douglas Hall. THE CORONATION AY 12, 1937. We were awakened at three a.m. to find it was very dark and dismal. It was also quite misty,-real London weather. The question even came to our minds whether it was worth while getting up, but this day was to be the climax of our trip, so, despite our sleepiness, we jumped out of bed. We hurriedly dressed and after a big breakfast we started out. The streets were unusually quiet and what amused us was to see so many people sleeping on the pave- ments. As we looked we realized how fortunate we were in having excellent seats provided for us. As we had to stand fo-r some time it felt nice to get to our seats at last and sit down. The Canadian boys arrived soon, looking very smart in grey fiannels and red blazers with caps and ties the same as ours. ' Suddenly the gates were opened and shivery thrills ran through our bodies as we realized that the procession was starting. Most of this has been so well described in our papers that I am afraid I cannot do it justice. The brilliant colors and the- splendor of the uni- forms seemed even more intense on this dull day. The first coaches and automobiles contained members of the Royal Family and representatives of foreign powers. Then came the prime ministers. Natu- rally the carriage bearing Mr. Mac- kenzie King, surrounded by Royal Ca- nadian Mounted Police, drew thunder- ous applause from our section. At last came the golden, royal coach, bearing the King and Queen. They really looked like people out of a story-book riding in this beautiful carriage. Long after they had passed we could hear the roar of applause in the distance. The time seemed to pass very quickly until the procession began its home- ward journey. It had barely started when a heavy rain set in. However, de- spite the downpour, the crowd re- mained in a good humor. It was very funny to see the Canadian boys with the red dye from their caps running down their faces. The return procession was much the same as the former, except for the addi- tion of Queen Mary. looking extremely beautiful. She is so regal-every inch a Queen. Lastly came the royal coach with their majesties, now wearing their sparkling crowns. Some of the crowd began to leave but we stayed to see the Royal Party come out on the balcony. When they finally did, the noise was terrific. After screaming ourselves hoarse, and being soaked through we decided to go home. After satisfying that hollow feeling we listened to the King's speech over the radio. It was hard to realize that this day was over but we didn't ponder long. We were worn out and went to bed where we could dream about the glorious things we had seen and heard. A few days later we attended the first Youth Rally at Albert Hall. Seven thousand boys and girls from the Em- pire were there. The two most inter- esting events of the evening were ad-

Page 29 text:

VOX FLUMINIS 27 .'llllllllllllllllllilllllllll: I ... .--.- . l ....... ..... I I 1 llllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1 1 I I I llllllllllllllllllllllllllllli T0 CHOPIN'S RAINDROP PRELUDE HE raindrops fell incessantly that night, The winds grieved round the ancient monastery, The air was dank with death and mystery, And gave his agony no brief respite. He writhed in pain to hear the funeral rite Of friars singing a last obsequy, The music in his pent-up soul broke free And music flowed with e'er increasing might. Oh noble chant that was of madness born Who knows the art that comes from out despair! We know not what great heights we can attain! When we have reached the depths and are forlorn And weary with our way so full of care We may have all that is in life to gain PAT MURRAY, '38 Garrv Hall PEGGY MURRAY 38 Douglas Hall AND THE JURY SAID GUILTY And the jury said guilty. Sure he was guilty-guilty as hell-and ' yet-well, judge for yourself. FF 3 T couldn't happen, not to him-it couldn't, it was a horrible dream. Mary-their new little house--the radio -other chaps had lost their jobs, but to happen to him-it couldn't! He was getting on of course-that was it-he was a weary forty-nine-that new young chap J ones-no wonder the firm had kept him on-more push-more zip. Damn it, could he help it if he was forty-nine and had had to work too long and too hard? If only Jones had never come-he was happy till then- it was all his f--. No-mustn't blame Jones-nice enough young chap-had had him to dinner-Mary liked him too -nice enough young fellow. This heat -that was it-the heat-he couldn't think-it choked you, that's what it did -burned you-dried you up-these sul- try August days in New York--they oppressed you, drove you crazy, Oh III SI! God! No work-how'd he tell Mary- be cheerful, that was it. Oh Mary, laid off-temporarily Cthat was ith temporarily, soon be able to find some- thing else-no need to worry. No need to worry--God! This heat-it burned with a sickening singeing to your very core - heat - worry - Mary. Mary - there was a wife-she'd understand. What was he going to- tell her? Oh yes- Mary dear, laid OH, temporarily -no need to worry, but getting on you know, haha, getting on-these young chaps, more push, more zip, I guess, but don't worry. No job, unemployed, tramp the streets. Forty-nine Sir, but fit as a fiddle. Heat, that sun, August, no job, Mary. Home at last Mary dear. Oh he was sick at heart, but she'd com- fort him, she'd understand. Up the steps -would'nt be long now-- Mary Csharp- lyb Mary. And then he saw! It couldn't