Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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20 SELWYN HOUSE SCHOOL MAGAZINE The Library During the year 1955 to 1956 the activities of the library were coloured by the construction work, and finally the removal of the books from their old home upstairs to the spacious quarters in the new wing below. The extra shelving was very much needed. As early as the month of May it became necessary to pack books in cartons in the library to make room for new acquisitions, so limited was the space. Before school closed in June, 1955, Peter Nobbs and Donald Doyle interested us with models of U.S. battleships and cruisers. Peter's U.S.S. Missouri was very fine with flags flying, and his cruiser Los Angeles was good. Donald Doyle's U.S.S. Sullivan, a destroyer and Patrol Torpedo boat 212, were much appreciated, but his nuclear submarine 'Nautilus' was specially exciting, being a model of the latest achievement in nautical science. An announcement was made that a prize would be awarded, with points, for the best essay on the travels experienced during the summer holidays. lt was suggested that illustrations would add to the interest of the essays. This idea emanated from Kerry Martin. During May some interesting loans were made to the library. John Sanford lent an unusual medal. It was issued to commemorate the coronation of Edward VIII, which had been arranged to take place on May 12, 1937. The abdication of Edward VIII was accepted on December 11, 1936, so the medals were withdrawn. Bill Hambly allowed us to exhibit a map of Labrador showing the location of ore deposits. This interested us specially in connection with the geological specimens. Michael Stanger gave an historical map of Eastern Canada to the library. lt showed the Great Lakes with the historic sites marked. This gift was greatly appreciated. Geoffrey Fisher surprised us with the loan of an Indian headdress, which had belonged to Chief Poking-Fire. This was so attractive it had to be exhibited entirely out of reach. Geoffrey also interested us with a painting, by himself, of a Japanese lady. Stephen Paquet added to Sanford's medal a 'thaler' which commemorated the coronation of William I, of Prussia, who became emperor after the German armies conquered France in 1871. He was crowned Emperor at Versailles, January 18, 1871. Just before school closed in June, we were interested in stamps which were shown by Peter Vodstrcil. They came from Switzerland, and were of the last century. He had interesting stamps too from Somaliland. Peter Martin also exhibited stamps, specially interesting were those from Cyprus, but he had, too, others from India and the Gold Coast. Francisco Cardona exhibited the head of a faun which he had modelled in clay. lt was very well done. The Librarian was most pleased when it was presented to her at the end of the term. When school opened in the Fall, there was great interest in the adventures of those who had been fortunate enough to spend their holidays in Europe.

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22 SELWYN HOUSE SCHOOL MAGAZINE Teddy Coumantoros came back with many treasures from Italy and the Mediter- ranean and generously let us exhibit a model of a Venetian gondola, complete with a gondolier, and with pictures of Venice. He also lent us shells from Mediterranean shores, sea urchins and starfish. These were kindly made ready to exhibit by Mr. Moodey and Mr. Howes. The comparison with the shells from the Atlantic coast was extremely interesting. The 'drills', the limpets and the sea urchins were the most pronounced in difference, Mr. Howes lending us starfish and sea urchins from the Atlantic to help in comparing the specimens. In September Mrs. Jacqueline Berrill allowed us to show a facsimile copy of the Royal Society's Charter Book, containing the signatures of the 'Founders, Patrons, 8. Fellows' of the Society from T662 to I95O. The writing of King Charles ll, his brother James, Duke of York, and his nephew, Prince Rupert, was noted with great interest, the latter so closely connected to Canada in the founding of the Company of Adventurers into Hudson's Bay . We were most grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Berrill for lending us the 'Charter'. In October John Harding suddenly appeared with a collection of stuffed birds on a tree. Fortunately they were in a glass case which protected them from the intense interest which all the members of the library felt when studying them. The Baltimore Oriole was the favourite, with the Goldfinch a close second. The bird exhibit was followed by the appearance of a Viking ship with ten Viking warriors. This created a great sensation. It possessed a catapult on the deck, which was found to be very useful for shooting buckshot all over the library. Where the shot come from remains a mystery. The ship was a kind loan from Andrew McNaughton. During this month Kerry Martin lent his photographs of the sea at Metis which were well taken, and enjoyed by everyone. Four essays were submitted by the travellers of the summer, Peter Vodstrcil, Nicolas Kairis, Robert Aikman, and John Chamard. Peter's excellent essay on his visit to Austria described Vienna, Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, fthe latter, though in Germany, is only ten miles from Salzburg.D Here Peter made a study of Hitler's villa and his escape 'bunker', of which he gave o mop in his essay. He also gave an entertaining description of the palace of the Archbishop Sitticus near Salzburg where, in the XVII century the palace fountains were not only beautiful to look at, but were useful in clearing the minds of the guests after a generous banquet. Nicolas Kairis' account of his visit to Greece and to Italy was extremely well told. The description of the ancient stronghold, the home of his ancestors, was specially intriguing. His photographs, illustrating the beautiful Grecian surround- ings, were much appreciated. Bob Aikman's lively and interesting narrative of the odventuring of the 'FIVE' in England, led by Mr. Davies, was quite enthralling. Specially noted was the surprise at Durham of a meeting with old friends in a group from Lower Canada College. London was a fitting climax to Aikman's stirring tale. John Chomard, who has a real 'flair' for writing, gave o description in his essay of a journey from Montreal to Murray Bay. In a few brief pages he noted the items of most interest and inspired a desire to travel down the river at once. November was devoted to an exhibition of coins. Michael Berrill brought in a collection of these, dating from Britain during the Roman occupation. There was one amongst them which attracted much attention. It dated from the time of the Emperor Claudius, about A. D. 43. There were others of an earlier date, but not as clearly marked.