Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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In conclusion, Dr. Eve said: ' 1 am afraid that I have given you the impression that Physics is an easy subject. It is, in reality, an exceedingly difficult one. It is fascinating, but it demands a great deal of work. I have studied Physics for forty years — I am still only at the beginning. We closed this lecture, as before, with a cheer for Dr. Eve, and I am sure that we will not soon forget the fascinating and delightful lectures which he gave us. Like Oliver Twist, we only ask for more ! O. Mary Hill, Form Upper V. Silk Stockings Silk in material, always rather sheer, Everybody wears them, but not all the year. For in this climate it ' s not very wise. On account of the weather being hard on the dyes. And in the space from December to June The colours may vary from blue to maroon. The storekeepers say there ' s a change in their stock, From the ones with the plaid to those with the clock. As for myself, I admire the plain, But then, like the fashions, my tastes wax and wane. In these days we seem to lay on them such stress That our mothers implore us to value them less. And I think I am likely to strike the right chord. When I say ' ' sheer silk hose is a modern byword. Alice Brown, Form Upper V. The Enchantress spring, that enticing sprite, That coaxes the buds from the bare, black boughs; That lures the robin from the sunny south to cheer From dawn to dusk our heavy hearts; That brings forth the green from out the chilly earth ; That makes the flowers burst forth and bloom; That wheedles silk catkins from the slender willow, And draws us from misery by her sweet choristers. Ruth Bishop, Form Lower VI. [24]

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In Pursuit of Knowledge The Ross Lectures HAD you been abroad between three and three-thirty on the afternoon of May 12th, you might have seen a strange procession wending its way along Sherbrooke Street. It consisted of a winding file of girls, walking in pairs, with here and there a mistress. If you were curious enough to inquire who these young girls were, you would have learned that the Trafalgar girls were on their way to a lecture at McGill. It would have been quite true — we were going to hear Dr. Eve speak to us on ' ' Sound. ' ' When we arrived at McGill, it took some time to have us all placed, and we were as carefully packed as sardines. When everyone was seated, Dr. Eve began. He spoke first on the senses, and told us what marvellous messages the brain sends to different parts of the body. The senses serve as danger signals, he said. He next showed us eight pieces of wood, of exactly the same length and breadth, but when they were dropped on the table the tones emitted were those of the notes of the scale. Arranging these pieces in a slightly different manner, and dropping them one after the other, he played ' ' God save the King. This was explained by the fact that although the pieces were all of the same length and breadth, they were of different thicknesses. The next experiments were made with tuning forks, and were of various kinds, illustrative of the quality of sound. Then followed experiments with strings, explaining the principle of the violin. The room was now darkened, and we were shown lantern slides, dealing with vibra- tions and reactions. The last and certainly the most interesting experiment was that showing the vibration of the human voice. A very complicated apparatus had been arranged, whereby, by means of a light reflecting on a screen and connected with a phonograph, we saw the actual vibrations of the human voice. To illustrate it further. Dr. Eve called up Sam, his assistant, and commanded him to sing. Poor Sam! We all pitied him, but he did his duty manfully, and did not show his embarrassment. At the close of the lecture, we all rose, gave a hearty cheer for Dr. Eve, and then dispersed. We returned on Friday morning to hear him lecture on Colour. If the first lecture was interesting, the last was fascinating. He began by teUing us something of light, and by means of carefully placed mirrors he illustrated reflection and refraction. Then Dr. Eve showed us numerous other beautiful experiments. He illustrated how light becomes broken up when passing through a prism, and throwing a beautiful reflection on the screen he explained the colours. Pink, red, and white flowers were placed in the different colours, and we observed that the shade of the flowers changed, the red becoming almost black when placed near any colour but red, the white taking any colour, and the pink changing slightly. This experiment was repeated in a slightly different manner. On a prism- shaped stand, different lights were focused. When the flowers were placed in these lights they reacted in much the same way. The next experiment was one that Dr. Eve said he could not explain very clearly. A certain metal, found in Iceland, had some power over colours. To illustrate this, he flashed several pictures upon the screen, and they changed colour before our eyes. Newton ' s experiment with the revolv- ing disc was not forgotten, in which the colours, when the disc is moved, seem to blend into a grayish white. This was again illustrated on the screen, and it was as beautiful as one could wish to see. An exceedingly good joke was played upon one of our schoolmates. Dr. Eve gave her three carnations, and asked her to put them in a vase at the other side of the room. She walked over, but when she came to the vase she put out her hand to take something out but found nothing there. It seems that when one was in the right focus a most beautiful red rose was so reflected in the vase that it seemed to be growing there.. Everyone had a look afterwards at the pretty rose, and it was certainly a marvellous illu ' ion. [23]

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The Friendship between Britain, Canada and the United States and How Best to Maintain It HEN we think of three of the largest EngHsh-speaking countries, England, Canada and the United States, we are pleased to feel that a bond of friendship exists between them. Canada is united to Britain by other than bonds of friendship, but it is sentiment which really binds them closest. The people of the United States being the same in race and language are also linked to these countries. This friendship is not hard to understand, but unfortunately friendships are easily broken, and it will probably be one of the problems of the future to try to maintain this feeling of amity between the countries. It is interesting to notice, in connection with this problem, a society which was formed eight years ago, called ' The EngHsh-speaking Union, the aim of this is to promote a better feeling between the English-speaking peoples of the world. The pledge of the society is ' ' Believing that the peace of the world and the progress of mankind can be largely helped by the unity in purpose of the English-speaking democracies, we pledge ourselves to promote, by every means in our power, a good understanding between the United States of America and the British Commonwealth. Their ambition is to obtain a building in every important centre of the English-speaking world, and this desire has been partially fulfilled. There are already many members of this society and it is hoped that in a short time it will become better known. Through this organisation the people will be drawn closer together, intellectually, spiritually and commercially. It is by such societies as this that the greatest work is being done to maintain friendship between countries. In our day of advanced civilisation, travel has been made extremely comfortable and easy. We may visit other countries much less expensively and far more frequently than formerly, and in this way we are able to learn, understand and try to appreciate the customs, traditions and ideals of other lands. It is only by really trying to comprehend these things that there may be true understanding between peoples. Another way of maintaining friendliness between countries is international sports. Sports have to-day become a matter of universal interest. Teams from all over the world are sent to compete with each other in all the leading games. But, you may ask, does not this keen competition sometimes promote a bitter feeling of rivalry? It may do so, but very little. The majority of people admire a good sport no matter what country he may come from; just as in art, a great musi- cian, painter, or writer may become famous the world over even though he may have originally come from some obscure hamlet. Then too, each country, I think, prides itself on producing men who are sporting in every way — men who are good losers as well as winners. There is no doubt, too, that modern invention ought to play a great part in drawing countries into closer sympathy with one another. Wireless, moving pictures and the radio all serve to enable us to know each other better. Through the moving pictures we see what is happening in different parts of the world. By the radio we hear concerts, speeches and sermons from neigh- bouring countries. We could go on enumerating the many inventions which have made com- munication and intimacy easier, and as we think of them we realise more and more that there should be little or no excuse for the misunderstandings which often lead to war. When we speak of friendships between countries, we are inclined to think of countries as a whole, forgetting that each individual is to a certain extent responsible for the national point of view. It is the duty of every citisen to do his best to promote a feeling of friendship between countries. Often, I admit, it is difficult. Our ideas and our ideals as well as our customs and traditions frequently conflict, but if we could only be a little more tolerant of each other we would be able to obtain more lasting ties of friendship. We made friends by being a friend. Whoever made this remark, understood what true friendship meant. He was probably referring to individuals, but it may also have a wider meaning. It may apply to the friendship between countries. Nations cannot expect to be friendly unless they act towards each other as friends should. They must be fair and not try to use every means in their power to get the better of their neighbour. Again I repeat, they must act fairly and honourably towards each other. Then, they must be loyal — loyal to themselves and loyal to their friends and, as I said before, they must try to have a friendly spirit always. Oh ! it would be ideal if there could be true friendship between Britain, Canada and the United States. Undoubtedly [25]