Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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vox COLLEGII. 9 Algiers, and early the next morning, just in time to see a most beautiful sunrise, we were rowed ashore in small boats by the picturesque natives. The city was built on the side oi the hill, and the streets rose one above the other like tiers in a theatre. The first place we went through was a terribly squalid quarter known as Arab town, ' ' where the streets were dreadfully narrow and not very clean, and paved with cobble-stones. Along these alleys were the shops of the natives, dark squares cut in the rock. In the doorways sat the merchant, cross- legged, with his long black pipe or herkah between his lips. At the side was placed, on a low tabouret, a cup of jet black coffee, from which he solemnly took a sip now and then. But so much filth and squalor disgusted us, and descending again into the city, we went into one of the mosques, with its shining minarets and marble pillars. Before entering we must either remove our shoes or put sandals over our own, as it was be- lieved we would profane the holy building. At- tempting to walk A ' ith the sandals on gave one the sensation of trying to learn how to skate ; so as best we could we shuffled along in the wake of our guide. In front of the pillars were natives busily engaged in saying their devotions, while not stopping their sing-song monotone their eyes followed us about. One old man read his Koran, starting at the back ; of course none understood what was said. We went from here to the governor ' s palace, which may be visited while he is absent, and as this took us an hour or more we had just time to hurry to our boat and scramble uj before the gangway was pulled in, and once more were off again. Genoa, our last stopping place, was reached in the next two days, but there we visited only the Campo Santo, or city of the dead, famous for its wonderful statuary. From the time when we left Genoa till landing at Naples, our destination, we spent the time in taking last walks together with our newly-made friends. At last the time had come ; we were at anchor at Naples. Natives in picturesque costume surrounded and welcomed us with sweet songs to the notes of guitar and tambaurine. We threw them pennies and watched the dexterity with which they caught them in the extended umbrellas. Good-byes were said and promises made of future meetings, and at last we were off the boat. It seemed strange not to hear the familiar swish of the water and the regular beat of the engines, and we left many a regret behind us, for life had been pleasant these two weeks at sea, and friends had been made. But it came to my mind as our ship slowly sailed from our sight, how true it was, that after all we ate but ships that pass in the night. As our time here was rather limited we did as much sight-seeing as possible, starting off the next day early for the ruins of Pompeii. At last we were in the Silent City of the Dead. We saw the Roman forum and amphitheatre and also the homes of famous Romans. The rtreets were very narrow with but room for one chariot to pass. In the stones were still the ruts worn by the carts. One could very well spend hours here going over each place carefully, but as we had a long drive to go we very reluctantly left. Our hotel was very pleasantly situated on a hill, and from our windows we obtained a fine view of Mount Vesuvius and the Islands round about. But to tell you all would but prove wearisome to you, so let us hurry on to Rome. Truly, it earns the name of Eternal City. Rome, that in its many-sided complexity endears itself to one and all, has a fascin- ation that makes one long for its many beauties. There is a tradition still believed, that he who drinks at night of the waters of the fountain of Trare and casts a coin to its depths will return a ain. On the day of our arrival we visited the wonder- ful Colosseum in the evening, and as it was moon- light the enjoyment was deepened. It was a sight I shall never forget, as we stood in that vast and darkened amphitheatre that had stood well the storm and stress of years, even centuries. The feelings of strange emotions struggled within us as we saw, in fancy, the terror-stricken human beings as they cowered before the first growl of the infuriated lions waiting impatiently to fasten their cruel teeth into the quivering flesh of their victims. Thus it was of old ; they paid the penalty of their steadfast adherence to a hated faith. So true the words : — While stands the Colosseum Rome shall stand, when falls the Colosseum Rome shall fall, and when Rome falls with it shall fall the world. Let us go on now to Switzerland to the Lake of Lucerne. Who is there whose heart does not beat faster as he reads this name, which recalls to us all that we have heard of the sublime scenery of this Lake Lucerne, the magnificent description of Schil- ler and the history of William Tell, of whose heroic

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8 VOX COLLEGII. NEWS FROM ABROAD. We have recently received this, entertaining and well-written letter from one of our former students. We are sorry that lack of space made it necessary to omit some minor parts, but what we give is in- tensely interesting : My Dear Vox, — If, in the reading of this sketch, you derive as much pleasure in following our course from ocean to ocean as I have in review- ing the delights and pleasant associations connected with it, my wish will be gratified, for it will be my one aim to make you see, though but through the medium of an inadequate pen, the wonders of this world of ours. On the day of departure, when we drove down to the dock, passengers were already going on board. It was exciting to watch the stir and bustle as the great ship was made ready for her long sea trip. Such a babel of tongues one would imagine Bedlam had been let loose ; such a calling of friends to one another from the wharf to the hurricane and pro- menade decks. The different bits of conversation were amusing yet pathetic. But time sped all too quickly, and now the captain, tall and commanding, at the head of the gangway calls out : All visitors ashore now. Reluctant good-byes are said again, and as the ropes were cast off and the good ship slowly drew away from the wharf there rose over all this confusion the clear sweet tones of the bugles playing Old Lang Syne, ' ' as we swung out into the open sea, full steam ahead. Some people still stood at the railing, straining their eyes for one more glimpse of friends on the fast receding shores. Days at sea follow one another monotonously alike. There was first the novelty of throwing quoits, and playing endless games of shuffleboard, but one very soon settles down to the usual quiet routine of life on board an ocean liner. The first three or four days out were quite squally, but otherwise we were very fortunate in having beautifully calm and delightful weather. It is surprising how quickly one drifts into conver- sation with a neighbor. At first it is on very minor subjects, but soon you are talking away as if you had met one another every day of your life. And so the days slipped by. After we had been out about a week, our flagging energies and interests were once more aroused by the news that next day we would reach the Azore Islands. Friday, January 23rd, we dropped anchor, and how our sea-tired eyes grew brighter at the sight of the low grassy shores, and the rows of pink, green and white houses shining in the rays of a warm sun. Cameras were now busily employed. Presently natives put out from the shore in their boats, laden with fruit and curios, and they very quickly disposed of their wares and returned for other loads, for it is the only time they have to make any money. We remained here only three hours. It had been an exciting day, and as every one was tired we retired very regularly. So we settled down once more to quietness and gossip. Our next stopping place was at Gibraltar. We arrived there at three m the afternoon and anchored in the bay. How glad we were to be on terra firma once more. Scarcely had we landed when we were surrounded by the natives, who were mostly Arabs, tall, swarthy-skinned men, with brilliant black eyes, clad in long flowing robes with gayly colored tur- bans on their heads, selling all sorts of curios. Of course, there were any number of Spaniards. We had the funniest and most amusing one for our guide, and he kept us in laughter all the time by his peculiar broken English. As we went in we entered through a gate at which an official stood who presented us with tickets, which our guide explained to us were to be used in case of our not being out of the gate before sundown, when the gun was fired. After this to leave the city one required a ticket. We took a quaint little yellow carriage with cur- tains and drove through the principal streets to where the Moorish bazaar was held. Here we were met by the most suave merchants who, in spite of our reluctance, sold us the quaintest curios which we didn ' t want, but which they solemnly assured they were positively giving away. We drove through the public gardens, cool and inviting, and from, there we had a splendid view of the harbor. Laden with all sorts of things dear to the heart of a tourist, especially a woman, we re- turned to our boat, and after the last load of passen- gers had been brought we started. By this time it was quite dusk, and as we swung slowly round the point across the quiet v aters there boomed the deep tones of the sunset-gun. One by one the lights began to twinkle, and soon the whole city with its varied crowd of strange and familiar sights and peoples lay outlined before us. Two days later, at midnight, we anchored in

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10 YOX COLLEGII. deeds the shores were the scene. A world of pic- turesque landscape rises before our eyes, aware as we are that this famous lake is a treasure-house of natural beauties. Let us entrust ourselves to its waters till we ha ' -e explored all the recesses of its curiously winding shores and have enjoyed all the beautiful effects of light and shade which unite with the striking char- acter of its scenery to render it a paragon of beauty. In front of us strttches the bay with pretty summer cottages dotting its shores. Our eyes turn upwards to where the mountains raise their proud crests. The Rigi has one advantage over all other moun- tains, for it has its situation among three lakes. It is like an island peak, and the sheets of water sur- rounding it impart a unique and incomparable charm to the landscape. The Rigi-Kulme is the culminating point, and at sunset we made a visit there, where I imagine some three hundred tourists had gathered. I feel that I cannot do justice to the overpowering grandeur of the prospect. Words cannot depict the beauty of a landscape two hund- red miles in diameter, including the fourteen lakes, the undulating country north of the Alps, the Jura, the wonderful Black forest; while to the south, in dazzling whiteness, rose a host of towering peaks forming a snowy garland as sublime and unsullied as on the day of creation. Below were sapphire blue lakes, villages and grassy meadow lands, and range on range of mountains surround us. It was impossible to gaze on this glorious scene without our souls and hearts expanding with the beauty of this earth of ours. Lucerne is a splendid place for walks, so one bright morning we left our hotel and took a little zig zag path that led past an ancient tower know as the Unoth, up to the heights above, up which there is also a carriage drive. The Cutset is little more than a hill, yet it commands a sur- prisingly fine view of the quaint little town on the Reuss river. Before our walk was ended evening came on, the soft evening of Switzerland. The leaves of the chestnut trees rustled in the breezes that swept gently over the rippling waters of the lake, and the peaks of the snow-capped mountains flashed and reddened as though they are no longer cold but glowing with a cellestial fire. The valleys, even, were ablaze, while over all, the shadow of twilight had fallen on the valleys. Softly swelling and dying the sweet clear tones of the vesper bell were heard. Through the foilage of the trees the electric lights flashed, and on the lakes, boats, with their colored lights, glided hither and thither, while the songs of the happy occupants were heard across the silent, dusky wafers — the Naples of Switzerland, a title it well deserves ! If I could compress into a single sentence all the exclamations and thoughts uttered in the many lan- guages it certainly would be this : How lovely is the earth and how glorious life. Gazing on Lucerne thoughts of a more sombre character are impossible. With wishes that some day in the near future you, too, may see and enjoy all its beauties with your own eyes. I am sincerely yours, MuRiLL Parker. ANNUAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT. Agreement re Whitby-Victoria Tennis Matches. Subject to Ratification by A. U. Executive. Be it understood : 1. That the players for Victoria be limited to those taking a full undergraduate course, and that those for Whitby be limited to resident students. 2. That when one college has a majority of two in the total number of wins the other shall be per- mitted to call in any graduate or former student of the college wha was eligible to play while in atten- dance. 3. That in case of a tie the tournament shall be decided by an extra match which may be either a double or a single. 4. That competition shall corjtinue for twenty meets, the college having the majority of victories at that time to be permanent holder of the shield. 5. That the matches be semi-annual, the meet to be at Whitby in the spring and at Victoria in the fall, the date of the matches to be decided by mutual consent. There was a good deal of scrambling to catch the train on the morning of Victoria Day. Eighteen in all assembled at the Union depot. The morning was ideal ; so was everything else except the car. Many interesting incidents regarding the trip down might be related, but we will simply remark that the train threw us off at O.L.C. gate, and we were very cordially welcomed by Miss Burkholder and Dr. Hare. It would be hard to imagine a more enjoyable day.