St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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Excepting Italy, England was the first country to feel the influence of Dante, and to recognize the merits of his work. Chaucer, “Father of English Poetry” is in- debted to Dante for many inspirations, and from him. down through the ages, we may trace the course of Dante’s influence on English literature. Germany was never without some famous Dante scholars, and consequently, the world has been enriched by the fruit of their labor. In fact, the intensive study of the Supreme Poet in Germany has taught his own countrymen to understand and appreciate their wondrous gift. Here in our own United States the Cambridge Dante Society contributed not a little towards the world's understanding and appreciation of the Divine Comedy.” Future generations will gratefully remember Longfellow for his excellent tianslation and annotation of the Comedy, and Lowell for his magnificent essay on Dante. In fact, there is scarcely a nation in the world that does not contain a library of Dante. Were it not for the “Divine Comedy” the bookshelves of our libraries, private and public alike, would lack many noted commentaries, essays, and sonnets, relating either to Dante himself or to his “Divine Comedy. Many a poet and author would never have been able to realize his talent had he not devoted a great part of his time to the study of Dante’s masterpiece. It brings out what is best in man, encourages his good traits, elevates his ideals, and raises him to a higher plane. Critics differ in their explanations and annotations, yet they all unite in declaring that the Divine Comedy ’ is the masterpiece of literature, surpassed by no other, since the beginning of the world. It is, quotes Dr. Walsh, in “The Thirteenth, Greatest of Centuries,” “the most astonishing poem in the world, dwarfing ali others by its theme, pulverizing most of them by its majesty and sustainment, unique in the force of its paraded personality and the thunderous reverberation of its judgments on the living and the dead.” —Catherine Fitzgerald “And you who judge so harshly. Are you sure the stumbling-stone That tipped the feet of others Might not have bruised your own? Are you sure the sad-faced angel Who writes your errors down Will ascribe to you more honor Than him on whom you frown?” Page Ten The Xavier”

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©lie (jjtemus of 0autc (irp HE thirteenth, greatest of centuries!” How inevitably these words recall to I us to the grandeur of civilization in the Middle Ages, particularly in the cities of Italy. Florence, the birthplace of Dante—gay, capricious Florence, was the center of art, of intellectualism, and of culture. It was natural to expect that from the midst of her culture and development a great genius would arise. Ah, yes! But Dante the crowning glory of her greatness exceeded by far the highest hopes of all. There have often been prodigies in some one field of mental achievement—in music, art, or science, in history, philosophy, or theology; but Dante is the master prodigy. His knowledge of the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, of heathen mythology, of the laws of physiology and therapeutics, of the customs of ecclesiastical and civil courts, of Greek ethics, and of scholastic philosophy is stupendously amazing. But it is almost equally surprising to find that under his firm hand, all those hard laws, stern facts, and uninteresting principles are transformed, by imagery, into sweet and musical poetry. Nowhere is this more discernible than in his masterpiece the “Divine Comedy.” All other works of literature must be subordinated to the Divine Comedy. It has had more influence on the literature of the world than any one production. In Italy, even during the poet’s life, commentaries on the Divine Comedy” were produced, and this high estimation of Dante continued throughout the highest periods of Italian litera- ture. Among the distinguished Dante scholars during the Renaissance was Michael Angelo, himself famous poet, architect, and sculptor. His appreciation of Dante is beautifully expressed in the following sonnet; ‘ What should be said of him, speech may not tell; His splendor is too great for men’s dim sight; And easier ’twere to blame his foes aright Than for his poorest gifts to praise him well. He tracked the path that leads to depths of Hell To teach us wisdom, scaled the eternal height. And heaven with open gates did him invite. Who in his own loved city might not dwell. Ungrateful country step-dame of his fate. To her own loss: full proof we have in this That souls most perfect bear the greatest woe. Of thousand things suffice in this to state: No exile ever was unjust as his. Nor did the world his equal ever know.” “The Xavier' Page Nine

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Personalities Mary Allen Peggy” is that much beloved maiden of magnetic force. All who know her, love her. Coming to us in the second year from Cranston High and ever working for the welfare of our class, a place in our hearts, stenography, and some day we expect to hear of Margaret as the Governor’s stenographer. Agnes Rila Ashworth The Senior year showed a slight change in Agnes. Three years compan- ionship caused us to believe that she was a quiet, demure maiden, but the fact of her “being a Senior” added new interest and energy. She has not yet disclosed her plans for the future, but we have an idea. It’s a fine habit, Agnes. Margaret Margaret has won She is an expert at Gertrude Catherine Barrett Gertrude arrives mornings just in time to slip to her seat before the bell rings. Tall and fair, she has distinguished herself in many » ways, especially as a very efficient worker, both for our Thanksgiv- of music. In this field we speak for her success. ing Sale, and for the class book. She intends to enter college next year, and to keep up her study Margaret Mart) Barry Gertrude Loretta Bergin Margaret Mary has those dreamy blue eye? and all that goes with them to make a captivating miss, and one of no ordinary intelligence. We look in awe when Mar- garet and her pal Grace converse in French and also when they translate passages from the classics. Her ambition is unknown to us, but with such a personality and dispo- sition as Margaret Mary has, there is no need for us to be too concerned for her future. Two years ago, a little girl with fluffy, golden locks came into our midst from Bay View Seminary. Since then she has made a corner for herself in the hearts of her class- mates by her attractive manner. Although her exceptional partiality to French might cause one to think that Gertrude would some day be a teacher of that language, her fiddle” has won out, and after a course at the New England Conservatory, Gert- rude will begin her Concert Tour. The Xavier Rage Eleven