Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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THE HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER A VISIT TO EDINBURGH Before visiting Edinburgh, I had heard so much of its beauties and of the historical events which make it so interesting to tourists that it became one of my chief desires to see this famous old city. Therefore, when I realized that I was to have this wish gratified, my joy and anticipation were almost unbounded. There are a number of reasons which, I found, make Edinburgh very interesting. In the first place, its origin is deeply involved in mystery, and there are, consequently, many conjectures and traditions concerning it. Secondly, it is a most beautiful place, so full of fine old buildings and relics of other days that it naturally arouses one’s imagination until he feels as if he, too, were living in those bygone ages. In connection with its points of beauty, it might be well to mention Princes Street. This is long and broad with prettily arranged gardens on one side and buildings of varied and beautiful styles of architecture on the other. Here is seen the remarkable monument erected in memory of Sir Walter Scott. It is very high, graceful, and elaborate, and contains many niches, which are occupied by figures of characters in Scott’s writings. Over two hundred steps lead to the top gallery, from which one obtains an excellent view of the whole city. Another object of interest is the old-fashioned house in which John Knox, the great reformer, spent the last years of his life. It is situated in the poorer section of the town, and is surrounded by dark, grimy buildings. The house projects into the street, and the three upper stories overhang the lower, which is now used as a store where one may buy pamphlets and other material relating to John Knox. Holy rood, the former home of Scottish royalty, is perhaps, most interesting because of the memories which seem to haunt it. On entering its great, tall, silent halls, one is deeply impressed by the gloomy dreariness of the very atmosphere. It contains a very long picture gallery, the walls of which are covered with fanciful paintings of Scottish kings and queens, splendidly gowned in velvet and gold lace. Many of these are so life-like that one almost expects them to step down from their frames and speak. On the upper floor of the palace are the apartments of the unfortunate Queen Mary, and the rooms of Lord Darnley, her consort. All these rooms are large and lofty, with the exception of the one used by Mary in dressing, which is small and oblong-shaped. In the Queen’s bedroom

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() THE HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER reached the last two, and in my halting English, asked them what the matter was. The expression of my face must have been very funny, since it made them laugh while they answered me; probably they said that it was the fire drill, but all that I could understand was “fire.” Then, frightened and scandalized at the placid indifference of my informers, I hastened back to my room, for I remembered that my desk was full of books which did not belong to me and I wanted to save them. I was excitedly looking for them when I saw the pupils coming back in order and perfectly calm. I remembered now that in running downstairs they were in order too, and I considered “order” a little out of place in a case of fire. In my school, at least, the scene would be quite different. So, I let my arms fall; I could not understand it! I was so shocked that instead of asking the French teacher about it. I preferred to keep my trouble and followed the others to the study hall again. But, if you think I could study! No, no; my mind was wholly occupied by the preceding scene, I needed to know, and to find out by myself, so, after, thinking and thinking and thinking, at last I believed that I had found a solution; and yet I rather feared to relate it! At home I was confirmed in what I had nearly guessed and was laughed at for a long time! So I had occasion to learn well about fire-drills in school, and, in spite of my funny incident, I could not help admiring such wise measures whose benefit can hardly be overestimated. In my own country, owing to the material of which buildings are made, fires are as rare as white flies, and there I had never heard of fire drills. Many things, every thing in my new school has been to me an object of interest and reflection, a means of instruction, and so varied and so many impressions have I received that a whole volume would hardly be sufficient to express them all, and as I would. My conclusion, however, is this: in spite of the difficulties which sometimes made my new student life a true battle-field, or perhaps on account of these difficulties, the High School has won the best part of my affections. When it did not disdain to welcome me among its children, I was just as a poor flower pulled away from its own soil and transplanted to a strange one; but little by little, in the shadow of this sanctuary of thought and under the beneficial warmth of kindness, it has bloomed again, full of gratitude! I have realized what one of my former teachers said to me when I left him ; I have learned to be “a citizen of the world.” Yes, the day is gone, the year is almost over, and will soon vanish into the mystery of all things, but its memories will join my dearest ones, and with them will survive in my heart full of freshness and beauty. —FELICETTA LEONI.

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8 THE HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER there still stands her great, four-posted bed, with its tattered canopy and coverlets, and beside it. on a small table, her work-basket, containing a thimble and a piece of unfinished needlework. As one wanders through these places it is impossible to check the thoughts which come to the mind, . First, he imagines the beautiful young Queen surrounded by courtiers, charming all with her grace and beauty. Later, as he gazes at the spot where her friend, Rizzio, lost his life, the image changes to one of grief, and he seems to see her bowed with care and sorrow. It is with a sigh of relief that he leaves these rooms, so burdened with unhappy memories. Edinburgh Castle is one of the central features of the city, and is composed of a number of very old buildings. It is situated on the summit of high cliffs and may be seen from all parts of the city. It contains a famous old banqueting hall, the walls of which are covered with weapons and banners of all kinds. Here also one may see the historic gun carriage which conveyed Queen Victoria’s remains to their resting-place. The oldest of the castle’s buildings is called St. Margaret’s Chapel, and is the smallest church in Great Britain. In this castle, as in Holyrood, one feels that the rooms are ull of poignant memories. After visiting the above-mentioned places of historical interest, I had the pleasure of viewing the city from the Scott monument on Princes Street. From here 1 had a picturesque view of the huge, gray castle on the cliffs, and the Princes Street Gardens, with their memorial monuments peeping from among the green trees and shrubs, of the city’s tall, dark buildings with their spires and domes; and, finally, of a range of low, misty hills on the distant horizon. ISABELLE NAISMITH, ’13. MAY DAY AT MT. HOLYOKE COLLEGE Having the good fortune to be a visitor at Mt. Holyoke College recently, I had the pleasure of witnessing the May Day celebration, and what was of especial interest, the festival procession or pageant. 1 his pageant was first presented last fall at the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the college, but was repeated for the benefit of those who were not able to be present at that time. 1 he event took place in the open air theatre, the seats of which are located on the side of a gently sloping hill. At the foot of this hill there is a large expanse of level ground covered with velvety grass, which was used for the stage. A row of large and beautiful trees, which extends half-way around this stage, formed the setting,