Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 20 text:

SIQIAYYN HOCSI-1 SCHOOL MAG.-XZINIH The Qaelic in Qfape Breton On the Island of Cape Breton there are many people of Highland Scottish descent. You can easily tell this from the names of the people, there is every kind of Nlac , and mf ny other Scottish names. It is only natural that they should carry on the language of their forefathers, the Gaelic. Gaelic is used in Churches, in songs, and in conversation in some very out of the way places on the island. There is a story of a man walking along a street in Inverness, C.B., who asked two men a question, and they didn't answer. He thereupon asked another person what was ailing them, and learnt that they could speak only Gaelic ' This shews how much it is still used. I think personally that the people in Cape Breton are more Scottish than the people in Scotland l A very curious fact is that there are negroes in the middle of the island speaking Gaelic. This is how it happened. The revolt in the .american Colonies made the Empire I.oyalists come up to Canada, and these negroes were among them. They settled down, and naturally learned the Gaelic because most of the people were Scotch. They have adopted Scotch names, such as George Maxwell. One Sunday I walked up the valley to the Church about two and a half miles away. This valley was called Skye Glen. I came to the Church where buggies and cars were waiting outside. Then I walked in and sat in a pew. .-Xfter the service in English, three men went up to lead the singing in front of the pulpit. The people's faces changed completely, and they began to sing. Une old lady in front of me was literally crooning, It is said that you can express some things better in Gaelic than in Iinglish, notably actions of the soul and mind. When I left the Church I saw gravestones with Scottish place names on them telling where the person had come from f mostly from islands ot? the west coast of Scot- land. Here is an example: John McDonald. Born -Ian. 27th, 1925, in Islay, Scotland. Ded at the age of 57 on June Sth, 1833, at Skye Glen, C.B. Then I went home to where I was staying, thinking what an interesting subject the Gaelic in Cape Breton is. C. S., Form 4. The jfnrthtnming Visit of the Bing ann Qeuzzn tn Qllanaha Every Canadian citizen was overjoyed to hear of the forthcoming visit of the King and Queen of the British Fmpire to Canada. They are sailing on the H. M. S. Repulse, which is now in process of being fitted as comfortably as possible for their Nlajesties. This is the first time in the history of our country that a reigning monarch of Britain has visited her shores. Iilaborate preparations are being made everywhere to give them a hearty reception and to enable as many people as possible to see them. Farly in the month of May they are due to arrive in Quebec city, where they will be greeted by the Governor-General and the Prime Minister ofCanada and other Govern- ment ofticials. They will be taken on a tour of this old historic city. After a brief visit there, they will travel on a specially prepared train right across Canada. llgl

Page 19 text:

FOR THF SCHOOL YF.-XR 1938 -1939 adays one can go the theatre or sit and listen to the radio: hut there were few theatres, no cinemas, and no radio in the old days. Today people can actually see what is being donef by television if and hear it at the same time I How dreary it must have been without entertainment of this kind. I like living in other places, but Canada seems to be away from any danger. Australia is liable to be attacked by Japan, and liiurope is the scene of war. If knew what was coming in the future, I might like to live then rather than now. But who can tell F c. A. Q. is., Form J.. Zin imaginary trip tu Jfrante Once a rich uncle left me a large sum of money, so I decided to go to France. When I was ready to go I thought it would be good for my education ifI drove down to New York. That is a very small part of the l'nited States, of course, but even if it did not improve my education it would be good fun. The mountains are very beautiful to drive through, be- cause a State park is kept there, where the animals are so tame that they will sometimes run across the road in front of cars. IYhen I arrived in New York I had a look at the shops, though of course I could not see much, as I only had a short time before sailing, and drove along the River Side drive. I was to sail on the Normandie, first class. The crossing wasn't rough, though I did miss two meals. It was sunny most of the time, and I got some good pictures of the boat and the people who like me were travelling first class. At last we reached port, and I took the train for Paris. The First thing I did was to find a hotel where there were nice clean rooms and good meals. When I settled down I began to sight-see. I went first to the Louvre, a place I enjoyed very much. I then de- cided it would be nice ifI could tell all my friends at home that I had gone sailing in the sewers of Paris, and though I was not greatly attracted by the idea, I went. I have never enjoyed myself less: the paddler smelt of garlic, it was dark and damp, and I invariably hit my head on the roof. I got out as quickly as I could, and spent the next day at home. Afterwards I went to look at other museums until I had recovered my spirits sullliciently to go underground again. Then I went into the vaults of Paris. I went to see the famous Maginot line, and on my return visited a cave in the centre of France. Of course I had to have a guide to shew me the right passages to take and the interesting sights to see. When I got back to Paris I bought many souvenirs to take back to my friends and family. I then went over to England to see Madame Tussaud's XYax Works. Then I set sail on the Queen Elizabeth, travelling tourist class, because I had I1Ot so much money now. YYhen I reached home I had a wonderful time telling everyone what I had done and bought in Paris. C. Nl., lform 2. ll7l

Page 21 text:

FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1938 -1939 An excellent route has been very cleverly planned out for them. They will stop at no less than fifty cities and towns. It has been arranged that they will spend no more than a few hours at each place, except, of course, Gttawa, as it is the capital of our Do- minion. There will be several interesting things for them to do in Ottawa, where they will be stopping for three or four days. Among these are the unveiling of a Canadian war memorial, the laying of a corner stone of a Government building, and a great state banquet. It was recently announced that the King is going to speak over the radio on Empire Day, so that the people in those towns not visited may hear his voice. In a country as large as Canada, it is impossible to please everybody, and many towns are disappointed that they will not see the Royal guests. YVe in Montreal are Very fortunate in having our King and Queen spend the best part of a day with us. The mayor is appointing a committee to plan the programme for them. As yet the details have not been announced. The Royal visit will mean a lot to Canada, because it will arouse much patriotic enthusiasm. Their Majesties will also benetit by it, and will return to England with a better understanding of the size and the problems of this Dominion. A. H. C., Form 3. Zbervgtius. Herr Hitler qf Gernzrzzz-v By hir .vtvrzflilezz lu' .vwore Tfzzzl flzf Il1f11!1l'flfL'.f in Czfflzo .Wzoufd ,rzqffer wrong no more: B-v lhf .twzzxfikrz he .vwore ir, .ind mzuzefi afmz! day, .ind bade lzif rhiqfx pos! bzzffeliflf, Earl mm' IVMI amz' 3011111 amz' Norflz, To .vzzuzmon iii.: !1l7'!l,V. Em! and Ifexf and Souflz and Norlli The bzzffrlizzy fzzxf, Ti!! rozzzmozzr, !0nz'.f, and peamfzff Ham' heard Ilia FIlt'lI7'B1',,f bfaxl: The Nazis, goose-.vfep, .flzintr and aff, .fra .fl1'Il.fl'f71g fievlc amz' nerk-0, For B1'c',l' .inlay Qf Gerzzzmzhv If on 1116 mzzrrlzfor CNZFCXIO .' But Net'ifle'.r brow war md, .J11n'Nevifle',v ,fpvfrlz wax Jfow, .11za'a'rzrkb' fookezzl lie at fire lllllp... To lffrzr we mm! NOT go ! Jim' .vizzfe fha illmzirlz C071f6l'c'l1.'6 EL'8IlX'lhiIlg is grarzd, Now Jdoy Jil.: frimzzplzmzt .imp S11de!e71!:z71d.' W. M., Form 5. 1.-Xnd, we may add, since the Ides of March, the hero ofthe above poem has made another of his little incursionsf - EDJ l 19l