Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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THE ECHO Thus another day is gone, and perhaps we can in this way see and understand how slow the Chinese were: and how they needed a few thousand years’ start in the race for modernity. From China we make our way to Northern Africa, where on the banks of the picturesque Nile, the Pharaohs and their subjects are experimenting with the infant institution of education. The next step in schools leads us to the ancient empires of Rome and Greece—about the time of Our Lord—where young men following the philosophy of Aristotle, Plato, Socrates and the rest, walked in the groves in small groups, discussed and argued their teachers’ doctrine—thereby setting the foundations of our modern schools. From the viewpoint of a twentieth century schoolboy, this open air school where students walked about and were not confined to rooms is ideal. We have visions in our mind of Charlemagne. St. Louis and other heroes of past times receiving their education: visions and no more. Today we have schools for every boy and every girl, starting with the kindergarten, where children learn enough to be able, when they come home, to cut cute patterns in mamma’s best linen curtains or artistically paint grotesque and fanciful figures in red. green or white paint on dad’s’’ best Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. And then there are the higher institutions such as colleges and universities, where the ambitious (?) go for one of three reasons: because it is an ideal matrimonial agency: because the rest do it. or because it is easier than working. Beside the above-mentioned institution, this modern nation is burdened with almost innumerable retailers of knowledge. correspondence schools, hairdressing schools, schools of etiquette, and every other kind imaginable, all competing for the patronage of those desiring to be educated. So you see all over the world ever since its beginning the human mind has sought truth and knowledge, even though it has discovered but a part of each. 24

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THE ECHO their Saturday Evening Posts on Thursday, yet they had invented gunpowder and were wont to enjoy the Fourth of July with sundry and numerous explosions of fireworks and skyrockets and Roman candles, even as the boy next door. We can picture a scene here: Time—three thousand years before Christ; Characters—one sagely wise, slant-eyed professor. a score or more of urchins, scholarly-bent, and an Irish, pardon. Chinese policeman. Place—a street in Kain-Tuck with a sign “School: Go Slow. It is three minutes after nine. Some freckled face Chinese lad has hidden the bell. “May the soul of his great-uncle and his grandfather and his great-grandfather and his great-great-grandfather wither forever under the curse of Sol-Us the Sun-God. Finally to the infinite displeasure of the great majority the summoner is found and class is begun. Now on to the first recitation in history. Professor Ping-Pong: Now will the honorable Cupe-Id, son of the great and joyous counsellor to His Majesty the King’s secretary, and son also of the Lady Pink-Te, whose beauty is forever and ever a thing of wonder to those who believe in the wonderful God of Comeliness, humble himself to give to the appreciative world, which is so happily and aptly blessed by his presence upon its ever-changing and vari-colored surface, an historical outline of the reign of Do-Re (may his memory forever be blessed and may light jewels reflect brilliantly from his brow) and the occurrences thereof? At this stage just as little Cupe-Id was about to relieve from his memory the life of the above-said Do-Re the policeman enters and waxes eloquent, and hidden smiles seem ready to burst to the surface of stolid Oriental countenances. After two hours during which the Chinese police department has run down and also run up the family tree of every pupil present, it proceeds to insinuate that trees which were right on the street leading to school and which had been the preceding evening loaded down with apples were considerably lightened during the morning, and would someone confess himself or herself miscreant? None would. Classes resumed, only to hear the five o’clock whistle. 23

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THE ECHO The Phantom de Luxe A GRAY DAY. Large, lifeless raindrops interminably falling from a drab, dun colored sky to the sombre earth below. Sodden leaves whirl and eddy about, driven by hard gusts of wind. Scudding dark clouds totally envelop the sky and the whole picture is rather cheerless and disheartening. 'The awnings on the avenue flapped disconsolately, but they at least served as a temporary shelter for the passer-by. Under one of these, seeking refuge from the general state of aqueousness that prevailed on all sides, stood two boys; each held an umbrella which, from that day’s usage alone, gave the appearance of having gone through a long and hard season— emerging discouraged, defeated. The boys themselves looked rather the worse for the wear of the elements, their clothes dripping. They might have been anywhere from seventeen to twenty and under ordinary conditions were not hard on the eyes. Standing engaged in desultory conversation, they every now and then noticed the bedraggled passers-by and the never-ending streams of water flowing over the glistening black asphalt of the street. ‘Fine day, isn't it?” Yes, beautiful. But at that I don’t mind it for a change, now if it doesn’t keep this up.” “Can’t you find anything better than the weather to talk about?” Who started it anyway? You’re not such a brilliant conversationalist yourself.” “At least I can pick out a more interesting topic than the rain.” For instance-----?” “I saw a ghost last night.” “Oh, why not give us one founded on facts?” “No. this is straight.” “Whatsamatter, one too many synthetic gin rickeys?” “I expected you’d say that. It wasn’t a very good comeback.” 25