Trinity College School - Record Yearbook (Port Hope, Ontario Canada)

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TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD 16 W f jiigtlinlugg glint Clllllnhcrns PERSEUS Whether or no our heroes of Greek legend deserved their translation to the heavens, we find most of them there today. More fortunate than Orpheus-who, you will remember, was not sufiiciently complete in his mem- bers to take such an exalted place. but was substituted by his lyre-more fortunate than Orpheus then, Perseus was raised entire to a prominent place among the con- stellations between Taurus and Cassiopeia. There you may see him any starry night by following the line of the pointers in the Great Bear. through the Pole Star and across the heavens to Cassiopeia. next to which is Perseus: not very precise. but that's near enough. Now what Perseus connotes to the highbrows and to me are very different things. Take your choice. In an encyclopaedia you may find opposite Perseus something like this: An ancient northern constellation, rich in astronomical interest .... In the head of Medusa tin the left hand of PJ is the well-known short period Algol or Beta Persei. Its changes from magnitude 2.3 to 3.5 are repeated regularly after a period of 2 days 20 hours and -19 minutes. Alpha Persei. the brightest of the constellation. is a star of the solar type. its magnitude being 1.9. et ainsi de suite. Now, do you like that? Personally, I can't rise to it. nor more than I can to the largest and brightest of the heavenly bodies. But this is what Perseus means to me: Our hero possibly got a special dispensation from Zeus in his translation to the heavens, as the latter felt it incumbent on him to do something for his son. In short. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. daughter of the King of Argos. whose name I have forgotten. Anyway. it doesn't matter as he appears only once again to lose life and name at the hands of his grandson. This evil king, in one of his fits of temper consigned Danae and her infant son. Perseus. to the open sea in a wooden chest. The sea rose and buffeted the hapless twain mercilessly. but they bore charmed lives. a fact which we may ascribe to the watchfulness of Zeus, and were eventually picked up by a well-to-do fisherman. Dictys. of Seriphos. I think. Here began a new life for Danae and her son in the Kingdom of Seriphos. ruled by the cruel. covetous Polydectes. Perseus thrived mentally and physically under the tutelage of Dictys. until he showed every promise of being a regular superman. And Danae all the time was losing none of her aforetime beauty, which from the beginning had fascinated the wily Poly- dectes. Somehow or other he had kidnapped Danae and was keeping her in durance vile. until Perseus, casting all care to the winds stormed the palace. freed his mother, bearded the lion in his den. and snatching up a log, as if it were a twig. was about to dash the Kings brains out. when Dictys fortunately intervened with a plea to the youth to hold his hand. as the King's death would only result in his own. A stormy scene ensued as Perseus told the cowering monarch a thing or two. which done, he carried his mother off to the safety of a temple, where she washed linen and did odd jobs about the sacred place. At any rate, now she was free of Polydectes. The King lay low for a space, but at any minute his smouldering wrath was likely to burst into iiame. His first gesture to humiliate poor Perseus. was to invite all the nobles and young men to attend a gathering at the palace. Then as now, you had to bring an offering of some sort to pay for your meal, but Perseus was too poor to bring a gift and was laughed to scorn by all the nobles and young men. Roused to anger he retorted furiously that he would go away and bring back a greater gift than any he had seen-the Gorgon's head. Laugh? You could have heard them umpteen stades away. Stung to the quick, Perseus sought the Seashore, where he lay down on the soft sand to meditate on his foolishness . . . . . The hiatus means a dream, and in this dream Perseus saw before him Pallas Athene, brightest of all the goddesses, making overtures. Like Barkis, our hero was willing, and in the ensuing colloquy, he learned he was not alone on the world. The Immortals were to be his faithful prop and stay and would aid him in the fulfilment of his rashly uttered vow. Awakening, he called on Athene with an all-consuming demand on his telepathic powers. They were successful. Out of a white speck of cloud. came Pallas with her attendant messenger, llfercury. of the winged heels. In a trice they were before him, and Perseus knew not what to say. But Pallas said it for him and gave him a description of Medusa, the Gorgon, and the means to slay her. The Gorgon, she said. was one of three sisters living far out on an island in the Cimmerian wastes of Water, the dark unshapen Land. Half-woman and half-dragon, she possessed a chill beauty of sorts, as far as features Went, but her hair was a coiled mass of vipers, and her eyes had the power to petrify any who looked on her. Pallas was equal to this. though. for she gave Perseus a sever- at-one-blow sword and a shining shield, which he was to use as a mirror, in which really all the fighting was to be done, to avoid the baleful, freezing glare of Medusa's eyes. Then Mercury came on with his little bit, the winged sandals. which were to carry Perseus over land and sea without rest in the fulfilment of his quest. They couldn't tell him where she was exactly, but they advised him to try the Grey Sisters, three old harpies, of the frozen north, who had but one eye among them. Distance was nothing to Perseus. so he hopped off a cliff and was soon borne along by Mercurys winged heels to the Grey Sisters. At first they vouchsafed him no help, but their curiosity to see the bold human gave Perseus his chance. for, as one was passing the eye, he seized it and threatened to toss it into the sea. if no help was forth- coming. Immediate capitulationg he was to travel south again to the abode of Atlas in North Africa, where his daughters the Hesperides would tell him the rest. So southward he flew and was a welcome guest in the garden of the Hesperides, who told him to give up his quest and languish there awhile. But the youth was not to be tempted, and they admired his doggedness, unlike the Thracian women in Orpheus' case. They kept him for seven days, while one of their number fetched a magic hat of darkness from Hades, and with this to render him invisible, he launched on the last lap. Horror! Three monster females with scaly wings and snaky tresses were below him. two asleep in unbecom- ing attitudes. while Medusa. the third, meditated, a cold beauty, until, sensing an enemy presence, the snakes came into play, and changed the lovely lady into a loath- some hag. Aided by the magic hat, sword and mirror, the dread deed was deftly done, and Medusa's head, with her eyes still alive, was wrapped in an impermeable goatskin. Then came a stern chase, and an anxious, for the ugly surviving sisters were soon a-wing. Fortune favoured the brave, and Perseus by nightfall had left his enemy behind. Yes, says the Edi or, enough: we like your idea of Perseus better than the encyclopaedia's and if you have any more to say about him, you will have to keep it till next year.

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TRINITQ' gcoi.Lif:Gif: scnooi. mcconp ip THE TALKING FILM The talking film is now an accomplished fact. lt has shown itself a far greater success than most peo- ple would have expected five years ago and therc is every reason to expect that it will he better still. lt is, of course, the most important innovation that has oc- curred in the film world since its first beginning, and all sorts of speculations are being made about its ef- fect on films and stage plays. lVIr. Frederick Lonsdale. one of the newer English playwrights, sees in the talk- ing film the turning of the tables on America and the new chance for Britain to catch up. He gives four reasons for this optimistic view. To begin with, he says, we speak the orthodox English that the Ameri- cans themselves seem to prefer. Secondly, we have the best dramatists in the world and they will all find them- selves writing before long for the talking filrns. Third- ly we have more than our share ofthe best actors, and possibly. actresses. Lastly, we have, in addition to some of the most charming and exquisite scenery in the world, all sorts of historic architectural backgrounds which in America can only be reproduced unsatisfact- orily at enormous expense. Now we doubt very much whether lllr. Lonsdale knows what he is talking about. It is most unlikely that the mass of American movie fans do prefer the orthodox English. Americans might equally well assume from the popularity in London of Broadway and other American plays that the Eng'- lish preferred the American pronounciation to their own. They would be wrong of course. To a certain number of theatre goers the American language is a curiosity, but not to the movie-going masses. They can- not understand itg nor could the American movie fan understand the orthodox English. Probably there are few people outside Britain who would prefer a British film for this reason. Of the excellence of British dramatists l know nothing, but here again I think the ordinary movie go- er might disagree with Mr. Lonsdale about which dramatists are excellent. About actors and actresses, Mr. Lonsdale has more to say. The Hollywood beauty actors and actresses will soon be as dead as the third and fourth rate touring companies whomthe talking films will sup- plant. 'i 1' if The majority will find that a pretty profile and shapely legs no longer atone for a Bowery accent or a voice that simply does not get over at all. If Mr. Lonsdale really thinks this he knows nothing of human nature, and it is he, not Hollywood, who has the lesson to learn. He will find that with the masses a pretty profile and shapely legs will atone for anything. With regard to his fourth claim, for British super- iority in natural scenery and settings, we would not deny the truth of what he says so far as it goes. But there are some films, such as the ever-popular cowboy drama, in which American scenery is superior to ours. Besides, light is still as important a factor as it was be- fore, and in this America has a natural advantage which more than balances the advantages which Mr. Lonsdale quotes on our side. In fact the tendency is to overrate the advantages of the talking over the silent films. For many films, rnusic is a better accompaniment than words. The talk- ing has got to be very good to help the film along as well as a good orchestra helps it, and to some of us the great attraction of the movie is that it is a rest from the human voice, which we all hear too often. It would seem from this that the talking film may affect the stage more than the screen. It has certain obvious ad- vantages over the stage, though it is one degree less leal. lt is quite likely that nielodranla will tl'ansfer it- self entirely to the talking film, where llorsc-races, Illn- tor slnashes and fights can lie so well pre.-cntcd. Any play, on the other hand, in which the interest of the words outweighs that of the action and scenery, will still he better presented on the stage, and this may lead to lag improvements in the dialogue ol plays. Vtfe can hope that more plays will now he acted in the open, as this is one way in which they can resist the encroachment of the talking film. t'liangcalil-- weather is of course a bar to outdoor plays, hut. 'tak- ing into consideration the improvements in quick and easy transport, it is quite reasonable to expect that 'tht- theatre of the future will be run as follows. Instead of a hall in the centre ofa large city, let us imagine an en- closure some miles out with a house iust like the phea- tre of the present day and also a semicircular outdoor stadium enclosing a space about half the size of a football ground, or a little less. Such a theatre would be equipped for all weathers, and the spectators would have to take their chance whether they saw the per- formance out of doors or indoors. That would depend on the weather. The g1'eater expense of the outfit would be made up for by the fact that for such a site a theatre would not have to pay the enormous rent which most of them pay now for their central position. There is a certain type of play which must be acted in- doors, but we can rely on the great ingenuity of mod- e1'n producers to overcome small difficulties. This is only a suggestion of the lines which the future develop- ment of the theatre may follow. There have lately been many tentative efforts to restore the drama to its original setting, the open air. All such atteinpts as I have seen have been very successful and have convinc- ed me that the theatres could not make a better move to meet their present emergency. So let us hope that the arrival of the talking film will not ruin the people who have been trying to amuse us up to now, but urge them on to great improvements. We cannot share Mr. Lonsdale's apparent satisfaction at the prospect of so many people losing employment. Nor will most people be pleased to see actors and other people connected with the theatre suffering from the change. For they are a people mightily beloved as Sanco Panza has reminded us, and as they are merry fellows and give pleasure, all people favour them. -Polyphemus. WIT AND WISDOM. Did you ever notice that motion accounts for two-thirds of promotion '? Do right and fear no man : Don't write. and fear no woman. The 1'oad to success would have more travellers if so many were not lost attempting to find short cuts. You buy a man's labour, but must cultivate his good-will. A man will sometimes own himself wrong. but a woman never does-she is always mistaken. Honour thy Father and Mother, but not strangers' cheques.

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TRINITY t'Ol.l.lCGl'l SVIIHUI. ltl'It'Ulilb 1', THE DUCIIESS' BALI. It was the morning of' December 2'lth. The Duchess of Darlington's large London mansion resembled a bee- hive working overtime. All was bustle and hurry and the house was given over to caterers and decorators, for the event of' the season was coming off that night. A fancy-dress ball of great size indeed. over 700 couples, was going to take place. The finishing touches were being applied. The Duchess was telephoning. Then you will have the men here at 12 sharp to-night? Yes, your ladyshipf' She rang off, and crossed the room, opened the door, and saw a man in the corridor hammering up festoons and dec- orations. If she had gone to the door a minute earlier, she would have seen him with his ear glued to the key- hole, but she didn't, and thereby hangs a tale. il: :li :lf :lf 9.30--The guests were arriving. Taxi after taxi, limousine after limousine, drew up under the large portico and discharged its load of brilliantly-dressed men and women, then passed on. The stream of cars had thinned out considerably by 10 o'clock, and at ten-fifteen the dancing commenced, to the jazz ground out by the latest thing in syncopators. All went well, and the Duchess seemed very pleased with everything. Supper was to take place at 12.15. At 12 Santa Claus was to make his entry, supported by three Eskimos. These four were to bring large bags full of trinkets and gifts to be distributed to the guests. Eleven-thirty came, and all was progressing merrily. The jazz-hounds still pounded mechanically. Couples moved gaily around the great ballroom, which was decked with all manner of things representing Christmastide. Between dances, a footman came quietly up to the Duchess, and spoke softly to her. Then they're here, James? Yes, my lady. All right, then tell them to get changed right away. Yes, my lady. Pls Ik :lf Pk Jim Thompson was down and out. He was one of the many unemployed. His company. or rather the com- pany for which he had worked, had been forced to cut down its staff, and he had been the one to go. That had been two months ago, and now his scanty savings were all gone. He was living in one of those large establish- ments which philanthropists have provided for the needy in London. A bed, bread and tea-that was all, but infinitely better than a bench in the park, and then the Embankment. He lay on his bed and brooded, wondering why he had had to go. A strident voice broke in on his reverie: Thompson! Here I am! Telephone! He rose and rushed out to the telephone booth. Yes, sir, what is it? This is Reynolds, the jeweller's, by whom you were employed until two months ago, if my information is correct. Yes, sir. Report here at 8.30 this evening if you want to earn i5. Yes, sir, and thank you, sir. The time could not fly fast enough for him. At last, at 7 o'clock, he set out on his long tramp across London, from East to West. At 8.20 he went into the vast jeweller's emporium, still doing a roaring trade, for it was the Christmas season and the store did not close till 10. One of the pages showed him to the Managers office. He knocked, went in, and found the manager and three other men, dressed as shabbily as himself. How are you, Thompson? Got any pressing engage- ments to-night ? No, sir. Then you're just the man to play Santa Claus at the Duchess of Darlington's affair. Now here's what you've got to do. At 11.30 you will leave here in a car, dressed at Santa Claus. These three other fellows will be dressed as Eskimos, and will be your escort, so to speak. You will each be provided with a large bag of' gifts for the guests, which you will dis- tribute when you get there. They will tell you exactly what to do on arrival. V All right, sii', and a very Merry t'hristnias to you, The four men filed out ul' the otlice, and pi-oeet-fled lo a room in the top ot' the large building, where they found a professional make-up artist awaiting tln-in. They talked and smoked, and .Iini found out that the other three were unemployed men like himself. At 10 o'clock the make-up man got busy. and all four were disguised and painted-up by 11.25. lfacli was loaned a heavy cape to keep warm in, and then they went down to the ground floor in the elevator. Bill Royce, chief' chaufleui' to Reynolds, l.iinited. drew up outside the main entrance to that large store at 11.15. according to instructions. A man was leaning against a nearby lamp-post. muffled up from head to foot in dark clothes. lle turned to look at the car, and somehow his face seemed like that of the decorator outside the Duchess' room that morning. Then he came over and spoke to Bill: f'hauffeur for Reynolds? Yep Good job, ehZ ' You said it, Crash! The man had ripped a length of lead pipe from a pocket and hit the luckless Bill a terrific crack on the head. He slumped forward over the wheel. The mysterious one immediately whistled softly, while changing caps with the chauffeur. Three others, mufiied to the eye-brows, appeared, and carried our unconscious William away, laying him gently on a neighbouring door- step. Reckon he's out for 10 hours anyway. You said it, Bob. These three men then departed to a large car. a Daimler, like that of Reynolds. Limited, and took their places within. The fourth took his place at the wheel of the jeweller's car. At 11.30 to the minute, Jim Thomson and his allies opened the main entrance of Reynolds and came out. heavily laden, entering the waiting car. They all piled into the back. The chauffeur then closed the door, which he had set to lock. The windows were all up and closed tightly. They started off. and after a few minutes. Jim noticed a sickly smell in the back compartment. He said. What,s the smell .... '? and then fell back uncon- scious. His three companions did likewise. The chauf- feur then blew the horn violently three times, and drew in to the curb. A large car appeared out of the darkness behind and followed suit. The four sleepers were quickly stripped and the four mysterious ones assumed their fantastic outfits. Then rugs were heaped on the unconscious ones. and their bags were transferred to the other car. which then drove off into the night at a great speed. Pretty neat work, eh Dan 7 You bet. Good idea, pumping that chloroform through the speaking tube? Sure Ten blocks back. Bill Royce was working frantically over the half-unconscious forms of Jim and his three fellow-workers. lYou see, he had a very, very hard head indeed. and had come-to in a hurry, and clung to the spare tire of the last car.l X at 11.50-The dance was going on apace. Under the huge chandeliers, the gay throng was coming and going with much laughter and merriment. A large car drew up at a side entrance. Four muffled and heavily-laden figures descended from it and were admitted by a liveried manservant. They were hurried to a small room opening onto the dais on which the orchestra was busily