Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

Page 21 text:

THK W. II. S. DKliATER 19 little minor and comb, and when in company, would comb and powder his wig — in fact, this was fashionable. He also wore coat, waistcoat, and knee breeches of very line mateiial, even though the color scheme was offensive to Ihe eyes. The ladies wore very full skirts and tight bodices, with quantities of expensive Inces. Fans and muft ' s were veiy fashional)le, the latter being carried by both ladies and gentlemen The system of education was poorly developed, for public schools had not yet been introduced. If one was so fort(matc as to be able to pay for his tutoring, his training was thorough, especially in the classics. How- ever, men alone were deemed worthy of education ; so if women weie frivolous and trifling, can we blame them, when they lived in an environment which encouraged this? Naturally, it follows that women had very little influence, and, as a result we have seen into what vice and intemperance, society fell. As in other matters. 1 fear religion was valued very little and its teachings loosely followed. Although the Episcopal church was the established church of England, many attended the Roman Catholic Church. The ser- mons were severely criticised, and as Johnson remarks, church was a place where people went to see what others wore. The corruption of the church at this time accounts for the little influence it exerted. In summing up the customs and accomplishments of ( ueen Anne ' s day, we must not judge too harshly. Per- haps if we had lived at the same time, among the same conditions, our histoiy would be the same. When we feel discouraged and think the world is going all wrong, let us just look back to the time of ( ueen Anne, and feel thankful that we live in the twentieth century, when we know that all ' s well in the world. Maugaret O ' Connor, ' 14 The Girls ' Debating Society I HE Girls ' Deflating society has had a properons ■ ■ year. Eighteen new members have been added to the society, making the total number of thirty-eight members. Since the last Debater came out seven regular meetings have been held, and in addition to these there have l)een two special debates in which members of our society have taken part. The debates have been as follows : — Thursday, Dec. IDth. Eesolved : That the Philippines should have their independence in five years. Affirmative side — Geneva Daland and Olive Pearson. Negative side — .Mildred Mcllet and Alice Brown. The judges decided in favor of the affirmative side. Monday, Jan. 12th. A joint debate between the Girls ' and Boys ' Debating societies on the suliject pre- viously mentioned. Affii-malive side — Marion Mansfield, Hildur Carlson, and Margaret O ' Connor. Negative side — Carroll Bonney, Raymond Griffin, and F.avle Stewart. The boys won by a very narrow margin. Thursday, Jan. 15th. Resolved: That examinations in the high school should be abolished. Affirmative side — Pauline Taft and Ruth Eaton. Negative side— Ethel McMaster and Pearl Jackson. The judges gave the debate to the negative side. Thursday, Feb. 19th. Resolved: That the printing press has done more service to the world than any other invention. Affirmative side — Hazel Barstow and Marion Kennedy. Negative side — Ruth Boarduian and Emma Crocker. The judges weie unable to couie to a decision and the deiiale was left a tie. Friday, Feb. 2 7th. A public debate in the town hall. Resolved: That the Wakefield lot is not a desirable location for the new high school. Our society was represented by Ethel Mc.M aster and Miua Harrison. Friday, Mar. 27th. Resolved : That life imprison- ment should take the place of capital punishment. Affirmative side — Cora Potter and Floience Kirk. Negative side —Alice Morrison and Marjorie Preston. The judges gave their decision to the negative side. Thursday, April 2nd. Resolved : That the President of the United States should be elected for a single term of six years. Affirmative side — Thelma Bridge and Helen Horton. Negative side— Margaret Clark and Marion Cardinal. The debate was very close, but tlie judges finally decid- ed for the affirmative side. Thursday, April 16th. Resolved: That immigration should be further restricted. Affirmative side — Hildur Carlson and Doris Vint. Negative side — Lucy Hanscom and Marjoiie Sweetser. The judges gave their decision to the negative side. Thursday, May 14th. Resolved: That the initiative and the referenduui should be adopted in Massachusetts. Affirmative side — Hazel Barstow and Olive Eager. Negative side — Pauline Taft and Velma Eaton. The judges decided in favor of the negative side. Two enjoyable social evenings have been held, one at the home of Marion Mansfield, and the other at the High School as the guests of the Boys ' Debating society. The society has elected its officers for next year as follows: — Thelma Bridge, President; Margaret Clark, Vice President; Hazel Barstow, Secretary; and Marjorie Sweetser, Treasurer. It is the earnest wish of all in- terested in the welfare of the society, that it will be a success under its new leaders and will enjoy many more years of success in the future. Ruth W. Boardman. Skcretary

Page 20 text:

18 THE W. IT. S. DKI ' .ATKR Meanwhile, the Iwo on tlie stage niissino; the expected signal, waited a moment, then began to improvise and after floundering hopelessly were finally put on the right track by the prompter, and tied by the liaht of an imag- inary signal, happily leaving the audience unaware that anything was amiss. Half an hour later, the members of the oast had ap- peared befoi ' e the curtain for the last time, and were receiving the congratulations of intimate friends and of the committee, in the green room. In the midst of the hul)bub, a small, dusty tlgure emerged from beiiind a painted wall, and keeping a cautions eye on the chairman, waved aloft a long, black cylinder. I was there, Kitty announced defensively, l)ut this thing simply would not work ! Her loom mate pounced on her, revenge and dawning enlightenment in her e e. Where did you get thafr ' she demanded. On your dresser, of course. You said — The chairman prom|)tly collapsed on the manly shoulder of the hero. ' I ' he case to my thermos liottle, she nnninurcd faintly. Oh, Kilty, the next time, boirow Martha ' s spectacles ! There will not, said Kitty with dignity, be a next time. Social Conditions in the Eighteenth Century If anyone doubts tliat the world has jjrogresscd in the •■• last two centuries, he has but to take a liaekward look to the social conditions that existed in London in the time of good (. ueen Anne to be convinced of his mistake. The London of the eighteenth century was a small city : Covent (Jarden, Soho and Leicester Scpuires lu ' ing the centers of fashionable society. The streets were in a wretched condition, especially in the exc hange district. The small-wares were displayed at the edge of the side- walk, on immoveable carts, each peasant shouting the merits of his goods to attiact attention Conseciuently, there was continual crushing and noise, caused l)v the pedlars, beggars and musicians who ()ccui)icd every corner; the street crier, too, added his cru ' s to the din. The roads were very rough, with gutters running through the center, and always there were (piantities of dirt or nuid. Another very disagi ' eeable featuie of the streets were the writer spouts which in rainy weather ehcerfnlly splashed their torrents fiom the roofs to the sidewalk, completely drenching those passing. No lanlirellas were carried as great sport was made of them at this time. The shops were low, narrow and inconvenient, with the goods gaudily hung about, occupying every available s|)ace. However, the signs atoned for any deficiency in the shop : they were huge, elaborately carved and gilded, and usually stretched across the street. The coaches, too, were an interesting feature of the streets. The fashional)le time to drive was directly after dinner about three, and the fashionable coach was made of expensive wood and lining, drawn by not less than six horses. The hackney coaches and sedan chairs were heavily built to withstand jolting, but the riders found them to be mild forms of torture. The hackney coach had two horses and no glass windows : these were supplied by tin, with holes for ventilation. The sedan chairs, likewise, were most uncomfortable and dangerous because of the irregular trotting of the coolies. What little street lighting there was, was done by lanterns, but it was very dangerous to venlui ' e out after dark, as crime was rife. The cotfee houses were the great intellectual centers of the d:iy. It was here that the great men collected to discuss the vital matters of the moment, and here a great part of their time was spent. Many of these houses have become famous because famous men. such as Addi- son, (ioldsmilh and Dr. .Johnsun frecjuented them. The houses were of stone or biick, and usually of two stories, with stone steps, and small windows. The fur- niture was plain and stately : huge fireplaces were a feat- ure of each room. The most elaborate and expensive j)ieee of furniture was the lied, with heavy velvet or satin hangings, which were tightly drawn at night. For food they used meat, as we do loday, and all othei ' kinds of st)lid food ; theii ' favorite dish foi- dessert was pudding of any kind. Katuig and drinking was cariied to great excess, and intemperance was considered fash- ionable. A society man must, at least, be intoxieated once a day, to keep his fashionalile position. ' Ihe great reason, i)erhaps, for this excess in all things, was the careless regard in which the home was held, and the laxity of the marriage vow. People married very young, and nniny divorces were the eonse()ueiice. Love and respect for the home were lacldng, therefore there was aconse(|uent lack of respect toward law and modestv. For annrsement there were always the many clubs, the- atres and gardens. Very prominent among tlie latter were tlu ' famous ' auxliall (Jardeus, a x ' ery fashionable resort. They closely resembh ' d our fairs of today, with their many booths and atti ' actions. The dress of both men and women, at this time, Uiiist have been very picturesque. We lind it tin- custom for nu ' U to wear long, powdered wigs, curled and tied with ribbon. The nu ' u topped this with a velvet cocked hat, and the ladies with a iiigli bonnet or cap. ALiii w:is surely as :un as woman in those days, for he carried his

Page 22 text:

20 THK W. II. S. DKHATER Boys ' Debating Society Exch xcnanges THE past school year lias seen the rise of an enthusi- astic Debating society of over thirty members amono; the boys. The meetings have on the whole, been full of interest. The debate in the town hall upon the question of the High School lot stands out in the Society ' s calendar as something of special interest. The question was ; Resolved : that the present site is the best possible site for the erection of the proposed new High School build- ing. The debaters were; affirmative, Miss MacMaster and Mr. Ricliards, negative, Miss Harrison and Mr. Bonney from the high school ; and from the alunmi, affirmative, Mr. Theodore Eaton, negative, Mr. Hutler. Much satisfaction was felt over the showing which the High School debaters made. The audience was atten- tive and enthusiastic and the debate was spirited. At the end, slips were passed around and the audience voted, the vote being in favor of the present site. The meetings have been much enlivened by several methods of supplying impromptu debates. One was to supply a resolve and appoint four persons to argue upon it without preparation. The most successful and most interesting way, however, was to set a question before the society, those believing in the affirmative, going to one side of the room and those in the negntive, to the otiiei ' . Each member was then given a chance to ex- press his opinions on the subject, the speakers being chosen alternately fiom one side and then the other. These discussions were extremely interesting and the questions were holly argued. The season of the society was fitly closed by a social evening at which the members of the Girls ' society were the guests, although they generously supplied nuich of the evening ' s entertainment. Some clever recitsitions were given liy the Misses IJrown, Harrison, and I ' otter. The boys were represented by Mi ' , ( uimby, who ])layed sevei ' al selections on the violin. He was necompanied by Miss Walton. ' I hrce of the boys, Messrs Bonney. Dalzell. and Dillaway, gave a little play, Love lender Difficulties , Mr. Bonney made a startling impression as a young lady. The boys and gir ' s joined in a double (pinrtct which sang several selections. The gills were the Misses O ' Conner, Mansfield, Bridge, and Mellet; the boys were Messrs. Bonney, (Jrillin, Dillaway, and ( uimby. ' I ' he girls sang splendidly ' and the boys raised more or less of a racket. Refreshments were late but welcome and the evening was voted a success by all present. We hope this year ' s success will be renewed in the years to come. The principal object of the society is to train its members to think upon their feet and to express their thoughts clearly. The society is a help to its nuMubers in many other ways and every high school boy should become a member. MaNSON DiI.I-AWAV, Sk I!KTA1!V AS The Dkhatei; is published l)ut twice each year, pei-haps this may explain our apparent neglect in responding to our exchanges. We appreciate the papers of other schools, however, which have helped us to develop this column, and assure them we are very willing to exchange. We wish to acknowledge the fol- lowing : The Eltrurian, Haverhill, Mass., Omnibus, ' ' Franklin, Penn., The Sanborn Echo, Kingston, N.H., School Life, Melrose, Mass., The Pioneer, Reading, Mass., The Oracle, Maiden, Mass., The Autlientic, Stoneham, Mass., The Texas Tiger. Texarkana, Ti ' xas, The Voice of the F . H. S.. Falmouth, Mass., The Tripod, Thornton Acndemy, Saco, Maine. Tiie Oracle, Maiden, Mass. A fine little monthly paper, with a very interesting exchange. The Eltrurian, Haverhill, Mass. Lots of life in your ])aper. We hope to continue to remain in your list of Exchanges.. The Pioneer, Reading, Mass. Though small, it gives promise. The Voice of the I . H. S. , Falmouth, INIass. W e are at a disadvantage. May we iiKpiire the tr.-inslation of L. H. S.V You are certninly conscientious about your advertisements. School Life, Melrose, AL-»ss. In your weekly pa- pers your chief accomplishment seems to be athletics. The Authentic, Stoneham, Mass. A line little pa|)er. Keep it up. The Sanborn Echo, Kingston, N II. We like to read it. Don ' t athletics interest you ? Omnibus. Franklin, Pa. We think a little more thought on your liicrary department would be worth while. SOME SOPHOMORE DEFINITIONS rranherry : Ci ' anbcrry was iiaincd after tlie family of Crane. A l)erry wliicli ripened wIkmi the ( ranes were visitiiiir in town. liiithtuinn ' : Sonu ' thiiisj to make anythinu liuiit. I ' sed in coolsiiia;. Syml)()ls: Blocks of wood or otlu ' r tiiiniis. Stratay.em: An edillee. --A drama. A kind of lava that eomes from an e;irtli(|nake. 15ack : Tiic jiod ol wnic. A vilhiiic in Seolhiiid. ■•Sep- arateil. ' ' I ' hat pari of the diiMioiiary thai has proper names. Some liri hl crowd. hc ' 1