Idea Transcript
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS VOLUME XXI,
No. 5. FEBRUARY, 1908
CONTENTS THE MASS MEETING
OSCAR
THE PALLIUM BOYLE O'REILLY OUT LITERARY NOTES : Two CONGRESSIONAL ORATORS
SOREM
WASHINGTON OLD CLASS PICTURES EDITORIAL JOTTINGS THE FRESHMAN HOP TVIATT
BONDAGE
CLASS NOTES ALUMNI ACROAMA HIGH SCHOOL: AT SEBASTAPOL CLASS NIGHT OF FIRST NIGHT
:
THE FORSAKEN MERMAN THE SOPHOMORE BANQUET WITH THE FEBRUARY MUSE To A VACANT CHAIR THE HILL IN GEOLOGICAL PROFES-
OF
SPECIAL
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES ATHLETICS VERSE : IN TWILIGHT HOUR A TRANSCRIPT FROM FIONA MACLEOD A SONNET (?) THE COLLEGE BEAUTIFUL OUR MOTHER'S HOUSE
BOSTON COLLEGE BOSTON, MASS.
BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS VOL. XXI.
FEBRUARY, 1908
No. 5
THE MASS MEETING. M.
J. O'KEEFFE, '08.
The noblest and most exhilarating objects of human contemplation are those which exhibit human nature in its exalted aspects. Our hearts instinctively throb and burn in sympathy with grand thoughts and brave actions, and so they did on klondav evening, Jan. 20, 1908, at the monster mass meeting in the college hall. The Alumni Association had charge of the meeting, which was convened for the purpose of devising ways and means of starting the erection of the new Boston College on the recently purchased site in Newton. Never before in the history of Boston College has there been such a meeting, such enthusiasm, such genuine love manifested for Alma Mater. The mean of mind, the little of heart, the pusillanimous of soul had no place in the hall that evening. From every side, from everv corner of the large hall did the noble project receive support, financial as well as moral. Here was gathered a body of men of sound moral life and principle giving their hearts and souls to the furthering of one magnificent cause. Christian education. The spirit shown was no extempore work of transient impulse?a rocket rushing fretfully up to disturb the darkness by which after a moment's insulting radiance it is ruthlessly swallowed up?hut a steady fire which darted forth and will at every opportunity dart forth tongues of flame. Was it not glorious to feel that you were one of that loyal band, and
helping on such a cause? Let us review the events of the evening. Entering the hall your ears caught the strains of old college songs and songs composed for the occasion being rendered by the entire gathering. The college orchestra was playing with a fire that would not be spent. Everything tendered to make one feel that he was breathing the atmosphere of college spirit. Rack and forth, on one side of the hall, then on the other class yells and yells for Old B. C. were heartily given. Assuredly, it is not often we see such a sight. Then the speakers entered the hall, led by Dr. John F. O'Brien of Charlestown, the President of the Alumni Association, and chairman of the meeting. Dr. O'Brien first introduced Rev. Thomas I. Gasson, S. J., President of Boston College, who was received amid pandemonium. The black mass before him rose and burst into a waving of hats while giving from their hearts three cheers for the Father who had alreadv undertaken the great project. A lien all was quiet Fr. Gasson explained the absence of Archbishop O'Connell. our most distinguished alumnus, who was to have been present and make an address, but who was prevented from attending because of a severe cold. However. the Archbishop had sent a copy of his speech, which Fr. Gasson read. Frequently was the reader interrupted by applause. There is no need of quoting extracts of the speech
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as it appears elsewhere in this number. At the close of the reading Fr. Gasson called for three rising cheers for the Archbishop, which were lustily given. Addresses were then made by Rev. Michael J. Doody, *BO, permanent rector of the Church of the Annunciation, Cambridge, on "What Boston College has already done,'' and by Dr. Francis J. Barnes, 'B4 of Cambridge on "Catholic Higher Education." After these followed Rev. Patrick H. Callahan, '77, rector of St. John's Church, Newton Lower Falls on the "Need of a Greater Boston College." To satisfy this need Fr. Callahan in the name of the class of '77 announced that each living member pledged SSOO towards the carrying out of the project. This was the first pledge that was announced and drew forth hearty ap-
plause. Fr. Gasson was introduced as the next speaker and he undertook to unfold his plans and views with regard to the new College buildings and incidentally invited suggestions. When he spoke of his purpose to erect a gymnasium simultaneously with the first lecture building, in order not to send forth "paralyzed svllogizers," he drew forth prolonged applause irom the undergraduates. He said in part: "The Catholic Church has ever been the promoter and generous patron of education. The school, the college, the university, have ever been objects of her greatest solicitude and her devoted affection. She regards them as the outer fortifications which safeguard the citadel of truth and the sanctuary of piety. "The college, then, may be considered as the fortifications which guard the sacred temple of truth and as that temple is enlarged, so must the fortifications be expanded. "Since the days when this college was started, the Church has grown beyond the fairest dreams and the consequence is that we all feel the need of enlarging the fortifications.
that is, of expanding the college. We must have more room, we must have other surroundings, if we wish to do justice to trie system of training for which the Catholic Church stands. "Then we need a modern gymnasium, with corresponding opportunities for out-of-door sports, and this is a building which would call for early erection. "Nor must we neglect a proper home for the quiet, thoughtful boy, who loves to pursue in quiet the treaures of past ages and the wisdom of sages. Xo group of college buildings would be complete without a library and a hall, both for the lodgment of the treasures of wisdom and for the delivery of lectures upon the great problems which agitate philosophic and scientific minds. "Xor must we forget the shrine of piety, in which the youthful mind must he taught the solemn destiny of life and the means whereby man is lifted to the highest planes of Christian virtues." Towards the close of his address Fr. Gasson manifestly struck the hearts of those before him when he said, "Gentlemen, I am giving my life to the building of this new college. Every bone in my body, every drop of my blood, every nerve and fibre is given to the making of a more resplendent Boston Col lege." He felt the pulse and held the heart of his audience. What Boston College man could listen to this manifestation of self sacrifice. of heroism in encountering the many chilling and wearying influences attendant upon the carrying out of such a work, without wishing to be at the side of Fr. Gasson to fight to the end? Determination is there, and whatever the odds, while we are true to our general, they will be overcome. Let us rally round our brave leader, a Xapoleon not only in stature, but in mind and purpose. Among the others who spoke were Rev. John Cummins, '72, rector of the Church of
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
3
the Sacred Heart. Roslindale, who was infecas follows: William F. Fitzgerald, of Brooktious with good humor and bright prospects; line, $10,000; Father Callanan on behalf of Rev. Thomas F. Brannan, 'B5, of the Gate the class of 1877 promised $5OO from each of Heaven Church, South Boston; Rev. member, namely: the Revs. John T. Broderick, Thomas F. McCarthy, 'B9, of the Church of rector of St. Teresa's Church, West Roxbury; St. Frances de Sales, Charlestown; Arthur W. John M. Donovan, rector of St. Joseph's Dolan, '97; Edward J. Brandon, ex-'B4, city Church, Ipswich; Wm. J. Millerick, rector of clerk of Cambridge; Judge E. M. Sullivan, 'OO, St. Patrick's Church, Stoneham, and X. R. Walsh, rector of St. ]\largaret's Church, of Ipswich; Francis J. Carney, '9B. of Cambridge. secretary of the Alumni Association. Beverly Farms, and Dr. Michael Glennon, of John T. O'Hare, 'OB. represented the student Stoughton, and Dr. Wm. G. McDonald, of body and his intensity of expression was such Boston. Father Cummins on behalf of himthat his remarks, which were indeed fitting, reself and his fellow classmates of 1872, Edward ceived full value and brought out not unA. McLaughlin, formerly clerk of the State merited applause. Mr. O'Hare's speech made House of Representatives, James R. Murphy, him a reputation among all B. C. men. The Dr. William A. Dunn and Dr. Henry C. Towle, last speaker was Timothy W. Coakley, 'B4, pledged $lOOO from each. Mr. Carney who spoke with all his eloquence, and terpledged $lO,OOO from the class of 1898. We could not think of closing without callminated his remarks by reading an original ing your attention again to the spirit of that poem. During the period of open forum many night. We saw our old boys in their true pledges were announced from the floor and . light. To Mr. Brandon, ex-'B3, we owe the one of the motions passed was to the effect spirit of song that was astir. Our Rev. Presithat another mass meeting be held a month dent has undertaken a great task, he needs hence to find out what had been accomplished great help. Get it for him. Let there be in during the intervening period. this most noble work tbat true enthusiasm When all was added up the pledges showed that $50,000 had been promised, but we have that will burn long, not a flashing, short-lived only started. Some that were received are comet, but a perennial, life-giving sun.
OSCAR. JAMES J. COTTER,
'11.
"Oscar" is the only name he is known by. lie worked last summer, as deck-hand on a To the men in the 15-cents-a-night lodging tow-boat, he gave his name as Smith. In the house where he hangs out, to the bartenders police court three days later, under the name at the saloons he frequents, and to his com-
panions of the "road." the loafers, the cheap crooks, this big, slouching, ragged tramp is
"Oscar.'' His last name is hidden in the mysteries of his checkered life. On the one day that
of Brown, he was sentenced to thirty days for drunkenness. When he returned to his old haunts he became again merely "Oscar."' He is one of the great army of "bums that infest every large city. He is an aimless, purposeless, useless derelict on life's sea. '
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
In the composition of his character there is nothing definite or determined. He seems to drift aimlessly about everything he does, he drifts into the resorts he knows so well, dn ts up to you on the street and drifts into some old hard luck tale he has told for years, ana when you have parted with the customary nickel, he drifts away to the nearest saloon. Such a man is "Oscar." Yet this aimless, useless tramp took it upon himself the other day to avenge the dishonor of an insult that he believed was offered to the American people through him. it is true that "Oscar"' was drunk, but that fact merely enabled him to the better perceive the gross insult. "Oscar's" stock tale of woe had moved the heart of a benevolent old gentleman whom he accosted during the morning 011 Massachusetts avenue to the extent of a dollar. Evidently with the laudable purpose of doing all that lay in his power to relieve the financial stringency, he drifted into several barrooms and distributed the money among them, asking in return only a little liquid refreshment. Thus he worked his way well up into Roxbury and in time it chanced that he stood leaning heavily against the window of a Chinese laundry. Within, Woo Chin Ming, at the table facing the window, placidly engaged in ironing the Sunday shirts of Roxbury. Perceiving "Oscar"' gazing in, Woo endeavored to smile affably. But Woo Chin Ming has a face that was not made for smiles, and "Oscar" straightened up with sudden indignation. M as the chink trying to make faces at him? Woo bent over a bowl of water, straightened up, looked directly at "Oscar" and spurted a mouthful of water over the table of shirts. What? the chink was spitting at him! "Oscar" doubled up his fists. He shook with just wrath. Then cam< tin final insult. Woo had stuffed a hole in the win-
clow against which "Oscar" was leaning with old newpapers, years old, which he had found in the cellar. And what should meet "Oscar's" eye but a protruding paper with this headline in big black type: "CHINESE KILL AMERICANS." In the condition he was in, "Oscar" had no doubt that the words had been displayed there deliberately, and were merely another evidence of Woo's insolence. He started for the door. Woo made another face at him. Eor once "Oscar" did not drift. With the grave determination of a drunken man he strode within the store. He shook his fist under Woo's flat nose. "Watcher mean by-er 'sultirr' 'Merican citizen, yer dog-faced chink?" he demanded. Woo looked at him in blinking, uncomprehending astonishment. "You lose checkee?" he cpieried, backing slowly from "Oscar's" threatening fist. "Big Melicv man lose checkee? No checkee, no shir?" In his excitement he dropped the flatiron from his hand. It landed full on "Oscar's" foot. Emitting a wild whoop of anger "Oscar" aimed a mightly blow which Woo escaped by falling over a chair and crawling under the counter. He was assisted in his progress by a couple of lusty kicks. Disdaining to crawl after Woo, the victorious "Oscar" stood in the middle of the floor and challenegd the whole Chinese nation, if it contained a man among its numbers, to come forth and meet him in single combat. "Come out," he invited Woo. "Yer rateatin' heathen. Show yer kidney-pill face an' I'll knock yer slant eyes?hie?straight. Make faces, will ver. at 'spectable 'Merican citizen? Chinks kill 'Mericans, eh? Come out an' I'll murder yer." Crouched in the farthest corner beneath the counter, with chattering teeth and tremb-
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS ling limbs, fearful of his life, Woo was praying to a host of strange gods and promising to offer up innumerable joss-sticks if he escaped alive. Finding his challenge not accepted, '"Oscar" calmly kicked over a taffle containing the pile of Roxbury's Sunday shirts, deliberately knocked down all the parcels on the shelf, leisurely kicked over a chair and then.
5
feeling the insult to his race avenged, turned to depart. He paused with the door open, and as he stepped out, he muttered: ''lf yer want to renew that scrap, yer'll find me along the road here." And this devotee of rum and brandy, a wreck of humanity, senseless as any brute on the street, walked out to his world.
THE PALLIUM. JOHN J. SAVAGE, '09. "Pallium
Qui
The above quotation from a Boston newspaper. though a parody of a well-known motto, may contain more than appears on the surface. The Pallium is indeed the "Palma." the symbol of victory, upborne by a leader of spiritual The Palm might, too. be well the troops. symbol of protection against the scorching ravs of the sun, as under its shadow the faithful shepherd drives his weary flock. The word Pallium itself has been traced by philologists back to the Sanskrit root pa. meaning shelter or protection. From it have been derived the Gaelic peall. a skin, and the Latin pellis. As our distant forbears were wont to arrav themselves in skins, it only required the graces of civilization to have the garment of skins, the Pallium, come to be identified with the elegances of the Greek philosophers or of Roman imitators. Before Greece, however, became to be regarded as the arbiter elegantiarum, the Pallium, the distinctive dress of the Greeks was introduced into those Roman plays which had their prototypes in the Greek drama. Plautus in the Captivi makes the Parasite make the following observation : ?"Nunc certa res est, eodem paeto ut comici servi solent, Coniciam in collum pallium ?"
Meruit Ferat."
The different process which take place before the Pallium is placed on the shoulders of metropolitan or bishop are so well known as hardly to need repetition. But does it strike us all that the purest of pure wool used in its making symbolize the pastoral office, the office of shepherd of souls? The four white lambs offered every year on the feast day of St. Agnes at the sanctuary of the community of Canons Latin regular supply the wool which the silent nuns of Torre de Speechi like second Lacheses weave into Pallia, which are to last only with the lives of the recipients. The new Pallia are laid upon the altar in the crypt of St. Peter's, where they repose close to the body of St. Peter. Early in the morning of the vigil of SS. Peter and Paul the Pallia are solemnly blessed by the Pope, and are deposited close to the body of the apostle, so that as near as possible the literal words are fact and verified when the investor says: "We confer 011 thee the pallium taken from the bodv of blessed Peter." Historv deals liberally with the Pallium, and its use can be referred back to St. Linus, the immediate successor of St. Peter. This fact is testified by Eusebius, who state that he rereceived this fact from ancient writers. In the
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
early Church a garment of this name was worn everv succeeding Archbishop of Canterbury by the Christian philosophers, ascetics and down to the time of Cardinal Pole, the last monks, but it is evident that the Pallium got wearer of the insignia until our own days. Carmore and more a distinctive character. It dinals Wiseman and Manning were the first recipients after the reestablishment of the seems at first to have been a mantle rolled together and passed around the neck, falling in Church in England. It was to Cardinal the front and back. Then it contracted in Yaughan in 1892 that the last conferring of width and was worn, as it still is in the Greek the Pallium was made to a holder of the See Church, as a wide woolen band, fastened of Westminster. around the shoulders and descending to the An interesting circumstance in this connecfeet, from this it was but a short step to the tion is the fact that although Canterbury (now characteristic shape adhered to in the rites of the Anglican seat of the primacy) no longer the Catholic Church. The Pallium may be dereceives the Pallium from Rome, quite the scribed as a narrow band like a ring, passing most striking object in its coat-of-arms is the round the shoulders and with short vertical Pallium which in other days she gladly repieces, front and back. It is ornamented with ceived when in communion with the see of crosses and has three gold pins by which it is Peter. This refers, also, to the heraldic deattached by the loops to the shoulders. vices of the Protestant Archbishop of Dublin The Pope and the Gallican metropolitans and Armagh. Stephen Langton, the Archwere accustomed to wear the Pallium before bishop of Canterbury in the stormy times of the sixth century. After that period it began King John, was invested with the Pallium by to be given by the Popes to some metropolitans the Pope after much wrangling with the King, outside their own immediate dioceses as a who was at length compelled to acknowledge special favor or as a mark of distinction. By the especial right of St. Peter's successor. This the seventh and eighth century it began to be right was admitted and publicly confessed in a held as an acknowledgment of the papal sucouncil of the Franks, under the presidency of St. Boniface as early as the year 745. premacv. The veneration in which the Palheld has not been confined to lium has been The extent of the power thus conferred on the Latin peoples. Probably by no other peoarchbishops, giving them a share in the pleniple in the world, and even now, has the Paltude of the episcopal office, can only be gauged lium been held in highest esteem than in Engby the extent of the apostolic office itself. It land. It was granted to the first Archbishop came in time even to signify the plenitude of of Canterbury, St. Augustine, by Pope St. secular power. Baker, in his "Chronicles," reGregorv the Great. In a letter to the apostle lates that the archbishop "put upon him of Britain in 601 these words were said: (Richard II) an upper Yestiture called a Pall, saying, Accipe Pallium." "Since the new church of the English has been brought to the grace of Almighty God through If imitations are but shadows of the reality, the favor of the same Lord and your labors, we what then must be the significance of the grant you the use of the pallium to he used in it power conferred by the bestowal of the Palexclusively at the solemn celebration of mass, in many for as 12 you may places ordain order that lium. when a wordly king thought that an bishops who shall be subject to you." imitation would bestow on him some of the From that time the Pallium was granted to prestige of the true Pallium?
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
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BOYLE O'REILLY OUT OF BONDAGE. MAJOR As Boyle O'Reilly was borne across the seas to his far off land of servitude there arose before the eyes of the Irish people, and before the eyes of all liberty-loving people, the youthful spirit of Emmet, of the Sheane Brothers, of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, and of almost boyish Wolfe Tone whose youthful patriotic passion is so thrillinglv voiced in Le Fanu's stirring story of "Shamus O'Brien," and a cry of indignation welled up from the heart of humanity.
DANE.*
a prisoner, and supreme love and admiration for him as a man and a patriot. This I know from the lips of those who had him in charge and who half closed their eyes and opened their hearts to his successful escape. While wearing the Brown Arrow uniform of the convict, and serving as prisoner in charge of prison stores, his soul gave voice to its throbbings in "Uncle Xed's Tales," and other equally sweet and patriotic songs. All this time the dear, vigorous, active mind of O'Reilly was scheming for an escape, which I can see Boyle O'Reilly as he sat there would have appeared as as foolish to most in his cell of close confinement in the prison but not so to him. For John Boyle thought; refined, at Chatham in England; the delicate, think O'Reilly to was to act; for him to act sweet-tempered, lovable, and loving, and alwas to succeed. most girlishly modest young man, cast into For weeks and months he brooded over the dungeons of red handed felons, yet in all his gloom and loneliness, singing as sweetly the subject, and at last reached a resolution,, and the moment Boyle arrived at a resoluas a bird from its golden cage. In Nov., 1867 John Boyle O'Reilly and his tion, his spirit became the spirit of a Sparpolitical prison companions John O'Dowd, tan. He now must take some one into his Davis B. Cushman, and John Edward Kelley. confidence, and that is always a dangerous together with 340 criminal convicts, set* sail step, and too often with Irish patriots it has from Portland, England, in the convict's ship proved a fatal step. On this occasion Boyle ?the floating hell, the ship Hougoumont, for was fortunate. He trusted his great secret the Swan River. As the Hougoumont sailed to the heart of Rev. Patrick McCabe, who had been his fellow-voyager and friend on his on, bearing her burden of human crime, wretchedness, depravity, and miserv, up from way to Swan River Station. And what a time the horrible swell of profanitv, cursing, and I had in bringing Father McCabe to have voiceful abomination, rose the sweet voice of sufficient confidence in me to give me his the convict. John Boyle O'Reillv. On the version of the whole affair! It was almost Toth of January, 1868, the Hougoumont like piping the confessional. The noble priest! and I sav noble advisedly, for I now reached her destination at Freemantle. Westknow the man and his noble work with poor ern Australia. Boyle O'Reilly, as John soon as he reached Freemantle, roused friendless boys and girls, giving to them his two conflicting emotions in the heart of life, thought, and energy, as very few others ever have. The communication was made by every man who had any official connection with him. ?a supreme suspicion of him O'Reilly to him under very peculiar circumstances, of which I have no right to speak, ?We are indebted to Dr. W. IT. Prescott of this city for Major Dane's original mnmiserint account of the acas a subtle adroit schemer for bold action as companying incident in the life of John Boyle O'Reillv.
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
The wise, cool-headed and cautious priest listened to him in silence to the end, and even after Boyle had finished, still sat silent. "Father McCabe," said Boyle with agitation, "you have been my friend; you are my friend; why do you not speak?" "Boyle," replied the cooler, calmer priest, "I am your friend, and because I am your friend, even with my life if necessary, I hesitate. Let me think. Your brain has become frenzied: vour mind has lost its self-control, and the scheme it has evolved can only result in utter failure, and sink you still deeper in vour misery. Boyle O'Reilly, I have learned to love you; I love you as a very dear brother, and as such I am prepared to serve you in any and every way I possibly can; but not in your present plan. Let me go away by mvself and think. Let me study out a plan for vou which may embrace some elements -of promised success. Your present plan has none." This was a heavy blow to the heart of Bovle, as the good and faithful priest knew that it would be, but Father McCabe knew the office of a true friend, ?to speak the truth fully. Boyle bowed with bitter grief. The words of his friend had been like a further death sentence. The priest left and days dragged themselves into weeks, weeks with aggravating tardiness passed into months, and Boyle saw and heard nothing of his friend. One hot scorching Australian midsummer day in December. 1868, as Boyle with sad, dejected heart, was crossing a fiery plain near Bunburv in his regular duties, he was suddenly accosted by a man who appeared to have risen out of the ground. Not one word was uttered, but a small note was thrust into Bovle's hand, and the messenger suddenly disappeared. He knew at once that the superscription was in Father McCabe's writing. He concealed the note, finished his duties.
and when in his hut he read the message which declared to him a well thought-out and matured plan, ?Father McCabe's plan! It was a plan in which were English, Irish, American, and Australian hearts?hearts of which Boyle O'Reilly had not thought as throbbing for his delivery from incarceration. An American whaler was to be the means of his escape, and the man who had borne the note to him would arrange all the details for his joining the ship. That was all the message told him. Having spent nearlv a vear within a stockade as a prisoner of war, I think I can imagine what the feelings of Boyle must have been during the next two months when the clock of time appeared to have nearly run down. On another hot day in February, 1869, as Boyle was crossing the plain, almost crushed with impatient waiting, he was confronted again bv the mysterious messenger, who told him that a Massachusetts whaler would run in close to Bunburv in four da\ s and the captain would take him 011 board if he would meet him off Australian waters. At 8 o'clock p. m? on the eighteenth of February, O'Rei ly must put on a pair of freeman's shoes, which the messenger handed to him. that he might not leave the fatal marks of the convict's boots; then leave his hut, and strike straight through the woods to the convict's station at the Yasse Road, and there conceal himself until he heard some one whistle "St. Patrick's Dav in the Morning," a very good tune at anv time. On the evening of the 18th when Boyle's mind was in a fiery feverish state, he was tortured almost beyond endurance by a succession of torturing annovances. At seven o'clock the warden strolled along on his rounds, looked into Boyle's hut where Boyle was sitting aonarentlv cpuet and composed and so peaceful the warden was unusually
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS and Catholic, and seemed to be inclined to prolong his stay for a chat. When he left, in came a convict, on the convict's usual errand, to borrow some tobacco, and whenever a man comes to borrow tobacco, he always hangs on to smoke some he does not borrow. This one did the same, while Boyle's blood was at fever heat. At last he went. Then Boyle put out his light, exchanged his convict's boots for a freeman's shoes. Typical change; typical change, Boyle, in this door of your eventful life?the turning point in the train of events, for with that change you have cut the chain?behind, you leave the prison?while from that point forward lies freedom, liberty, success, honor, home, love, triumph. He cautiously opened the door of his hut, looked out. and listened. Not a sound broke the desired silence. He closed the door and stood alone in the darkness and in the silence of his prison hut. He hears the beating of his own heart. From his throbbing soul goes up one short prayer, and then he swings wide open his cabin door, and steps into the emptv silent street, and forever closes his prison gate behind him. In a few short minutes he was rapidly pacing a well known path in the wild Australian woods, such woods as you have never seen. He had gone but a short distance when his ear caught the steps of some one following him in his flight! A moment's thought resulted in a firm heroic resolve. He stopped and faced about to meet the coming man. What other resolve lay behind that act we shall never know, but all who knew John Boyle O'Reilly will easily guess. The man came up; he was a life-sentence convict. By some means he had spied out Boyle's design, and had come to say goodbye, and bid him godspeed on his errand, with a promise to put the officers on another scent, and this he faithfully carried courteous
out.
9
He safely reached the Vasse Road convict
station, and very soon heard some one not far off in the woods. A low whistle brought to him the signal song, and back from his trembling lips went his quivering reply. In a few minutes he was mounted on a waiting: horse, and with the mysterious friend of the Bunbury park and another equally mysterious friend, rode for several hours throughout the dense, dark forest. At last they stopped, and Boyle and his guide dismounted, and the third man rode away with all the horses. In response to another low whistle, two other persons stood by the fugitive's side. A slow stealthy, silent march in single file of some distance brought them to a fen near the open sea. Here a boat had been concealed. This was soon launched, though with some heavy labor in the deep mud, as the tide was out. The four men got in, and the three mysterious companions rowed across Geographe bay, reaching the other side just as the dawn began to shoot up the east. Here they were to wait until the expected whaler hove in sight, when they were to pull out to her from the other side of the point. With all the preparations so wisely made, and thus far so successful in execution, one very essential point had unaccountable been overlooked. Xo one had thought of providing any provisions, and on landing on the point, the party found themselves entirelv without food. Absorbed by wild excitement. Boyle had eaten nothing the previous day, and now he was half famished, and to add to his misery, a terrific thirst came on under the burning sun, and not a drop of water could be found. They could not trust themselves in this condition, and there was but one thing thev could do, row back to the swamp, and at noon they set out, and pulled across again. But when they at last in an exhausted condition reached the fen, thev could find water
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
nowhere. As evening came on, the three men, leaving their charge safely concealed in the woods, set off for the hut of an Englishman for supplies. You may have heard, as I have hearft John Boyle O'Reilly tell, of the
About noon the next day he say the whaler again, coming on toward him and approaching until he could hear the voices of those on board. He signalled, he shouted, he called in wild despair, but the ship passed on again, and left him in his increasing misery. He now pulled back to his hiding place with an almost broken heart. At the end of the week his former guide returned bearing a note for Father McCabe, telling him that arrangements had been made with another whaler, which would sail the following day, and pick him up and take him on to Java, to which point his passage had been paid. The missive closed with a request that the escaping convict would remember him. The next dav saw him safely on the deck of the whaler, with the American flag above him and he was a free man. After several vicissitudes he landed in Philadelphia Xov. 23rd, 1869. and in the summer of 1870 took his place 011 the editorial staff of the Pilot, and you all know what followed. He was at once recognized as a great addition to the literary world of America. The best men of the country became, and remained his strongest friends. His greatest worth was his pure manly character. His one pervading thought was for his native land, to which he gave the devotion of an ardent, fearless lover.
sufferings he endured through the long hours of their absence; ?the burning, stinging pain in his parched throat, a deeper, heavier pain in his chest, and the harrowing thought that his friends might be betrayed and captured, and thus leave him there alone to starve and die. Liberty is a priceless gift, and is purchased and retained only by great suffering and a ceaseless vigilance. Long after dark the men returned with food and water supplied by the Englishman who knew the purpose for which he gave it. The famished man was soon relieved, and then stretching himself upon the ground there in the Australian wilderness, he fell asleep, forgot all his present sufferings and dangers, and slept soundly until daylight. In a short time the whaler hove in sight, and the watchers launched their boat, and pulled out to sea. They came within two miles of her, raised a white shirt on an oar, and shouted, but she passed on without even seeing them, and sailed out of sight. This was a bitter disappointment to all, and a crushing blow to O'Reilly. There was but one thing to do now. Secrete Boyle in the thick scrub of Sava Yalley, put him in charge "For thee the past and future days; of the Englishman, that he might be supplied For thee the will to trample wrong and strike with food, and the three Irishmen leave him for slaves; and return for some new plan, promising to For thee the hope that ere mine arm be weak return in two weeks. And ere my heart be dry may close the strife In these days, O'Reilly's patience gave out, In which thy colours shall he borne through fire, all thy griefs be washed out in manly blood, and thinking that he might pick up the And And I shall see thee crowned and bowed with whaler, he patched up a leaky old boat beblood longing to the Englishman, and set off for Thy strong sons round thee guarding thee." the open sea alone, and all night he was out there alone on the Indian Ocean, in a miserI went to Western Australia at his sugable craft, where the sea is as treacherous gestion and request; and had hoped to tell and relentless as on any coast on earth. him, what I have no right to give to another,
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS and was cherishing the fond hope that I should soon sit face to face with him and deliver a sacred message, when a letter reached me in London telling me that he had fallen asleep in his chair and rested from his works which do and will for long follow him. And
11
wise will his fellow-countrymen be, if they take well to heart his wise words and follow as they lead. (Father Delaney, who went out with O'Reilly on the convict ship, met Major Dane at the request of Boyle.)
LITERARY NOTES. Two CONGRESSIONAL ORATORS
JOHN T. O'HARE, '08 The remarks of a Washington editor relative to one of our notable orators in Congress recall the old saying that great speakers are rarely good writers. On the face of things this seems to be the case, but beneath the surface there are other considerations which give rise to some doubt as to the justification of the al-
legation. To he a great orator one must first have great ideas and, secondly, lie must be able to express them in a clear and forceful manner, and though beauty of expression is not to be discounted in a speech any more than in an essay, yet it seems to us inadvisable to sacrifice clearness and force for mere beauty. Men of Bourke Cockran's stamp are men of great ideas and extensive vocabulary who, in the heat and excitement of debate, hit upon words and phrases on the impulse of the moment which express their ideas succinctly, though on paper they do not effect the rythm and smoothness of the great literateur. This is made up for in the spirit and action of delivery and it is clear from the care which Mr. Cochran takes in correcting his speeches before tbeir appearance in the Congressional Record that he realizes this and must alter them in order to make them presentable for reading matter. Even great literary men such as Cardinal Newman and Thackeray took extreme pains with their manuscripts, sometimes
changing words and phrases six or eight times before finally deciding on which to choose. If men such as these toil so diligently and laboriously with their pens surely the tvro should not be discouraged if his preliminary efforts do not prove to his satisfaction. Success in these things as in others depends on patience and perseverance which are popularly known as "staying powers," and the experience of such great men as those cited above bears out the proverb that genius is the infinite capacity for taking pains. Representative W. Bourke Cockran, the Tammany orator, is said to be more fussy about the way his speeches are embalmed in the Congressional Record than any other man at the Capitol. When he speaks it is with a whirlwind of words. His use of adjectives is the marvel of the galleries. He thumps the mahogany desks?a dozen of them ?as he jumps about from place to place during his speaking. The onlookers admire his phrases and are carried away with the impetus of his language.
AYhen the typewritten copy is placed before him, however, Air. Cockran virtually begins the
making of the speech anew. He reshapes sentences. He ranks adjectives out from their places before nouns and chucks in other adjectives. He makes the fair page look like a cyclone of ink marks. AA'hen he has finished the copy has to be rewritten, and often the new product is put through the same process of reshaping before it is in the form that suits Air. Cockran, and before the words and sentences are marshalled as he wants them to appear to the .eyes of the occasional reader who may happen in future generations to be straying through the volumes of congressional speeches.
12
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Apropos of orators and oratory we note other members won't go into the cloakrooms to tell stories until he has had his say. They will with pleasure the columns of favorable critistay and listen to him, for he made good. cism which have been given in the newspapers to one of our alumni, Congressman THE FORSAKEN MERMAN. O'Connell, '93, on the occasion of his maiden E. J. O'BRIEN, '10. speech in the House of Representatives. Judging by the reports, the event was a 11l the London Nation of December 14, memorable one in the halls of Congress, 1907, Miss Louise Imogen Guiney points out though we who knew him as a speaker and a striking likeness between Matthew Arknew the reputation which Boston College nold's "Forsaken Merman," and ''The Demen in general have, as ready and versatile ceived Merman," as translated by George speakers, hardly felt the same degree of surBorrow in his "Romantic Ballads from the prise as that which characterized the tone of Danish." The resemblances between the two the newspaper reports. We congratulate our poems are sufficiently striking to warrant us distinguished alumnus on the excellent acin reprinting Borrow's ballad which is now count which he rendered of his training at rare of access: B. C., and wish him well in his future efforts, THE DECEIVED MERMAN. while we g'lory in the new laurels which have Agnes Fair alone on the seashore stood: come to Alma Mater. It is an added bit of Then rose a Merman out of the tiood. testimonv to the sterling character of Jesuit "Now, Agnes, hear what I say to thee: education. Wilt thou my leman consent to be?" the other clay, Representative O'Connell. of Boston, broke all records by making two maiden speeches in one afternoon, the House of Representatives was treated to a new sensation. It was brought about in this way. A friend of the new congressman some time ago, in anticipation of his approaching entrance into the Congressional Record, took him aside and said: When,
"Xow, look here, Congressman, one of the most important things about making a speech in the House, especially if you are a newcomer, and haven't a reputation to attract the attention of your colleagues, is to speak up pretty lively and make yourself heard above the din which almost always prevails. AVhat you want to do when you come to the bat is to fill your lungs with air and let her rip." 'So when the congressman arose to speak he took a deep breath and '"let her rip." He could have been heard over in the Marine Hospital, two blocks away, but he made a hit, and everybody in Most of the freshmen the House heard him. whisper their maiden speeches and get all mixed up, but O'Connell showed that he knew the value of a good pair of lungs and was able to handle them. The next time he makes a speech the
"Oh, freely that will I become! If thou but take me beneath the foam." He stopped her ears, and he stopped her eyes, And into the ocean he took his prize. The Merman's leman was Agnes there: She bore him sons and daughters, fair. Dne day by the cradle she sat and sang, When heard she above how the Church bells rang. She went to the Merman and kissed his brow: "Once more to Church I would gladly go." "And thou to Church once more shalt go! But come to thy babes back here below." He tiung his arm her body round, And he lifted her up into England's ground. Fair Agnes in at the Church door stepped, Behind her mother, who sorely wept. "O Agnes, Agnes! daughter dear! AYhere hast thou been this many a year?" "Oh, I have been deep, deep under the sea, And lived with the Merman in love and glee." "And what for thy honor did he give thee, When he made thee his leman beneath the sea?' "He gave me silver, he gave me gold, And sprigs of coral my hair to hold." The Merman up to the Church door came. His eyes they shone like a yellow tlame; His face was white, and his beard was green;
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS A fairer demon was never seen. "Now, Agnes, Agnes! listen to me: The babes are longing so after thee!" "'I cannot come yet: here must I stay
I'ntil the priest shall have had his say," And when the priest had had his say, She thought with her mother at home to stay. "O Agnes, Agnes! listen to me: Thy babes are sorrowing after thee." "Let them sorrow, and sorrow their fill; 'But back to them never return I will." "'Think on them, Agnes, think on them nil: Think on the great one, think on the small!" "Little, oh little care I for them all:
Or for the great one or for the small!" Oh, bitterly then did the Merman weep! He hied him back to the foamy deep. But often his shrieks and mournful cries At midnight's hour from thence arise.
Matthew Arnold's poem is so familiar that Ave need quote but a few lines: AYhen down swung the sound of a far-off bell. She sigli'd, she look'd up through the clear green sea: said: "I must go, for my kinsfolk pray In the gray little Church on the shore today. 'Twill be Easter-time in the world?ah me! And I lose my poor soul, Merman, here with
(She
thee." I said: "Go up, dear heart, through the waves; Say thy prayer, and come back to the kind seacards!" She smiled, she went up through the surf in the bay.
Children, dear, was it yesterday?
Miss Guinev observes that these legends are not uncommon in literature. '"The mortal who marries a water-god, the neckan who is flouted by Christian children for having no soul, the sirens who bewitch the fishing-fleet, the merbaby rvho is washed ashore and buried among the waves of landsmen?these poetical traditions haunt even sea-coast of the north." In closing. Miss Guinev asks rvhether Arnold took his subject from some fragment of folk-song, from the Danish itself, "or from a glimpse of the baldest page in dear George -
13
Borrow." In this connection, it is interesting to consider some of the variants of this Childs' monumental collection of story. English and Scottish Popular Ballads" will furnish us with our material. This book reprints "Hind Etin" as well as two variants, "Young Akin" and "Young Hastings." *ln "Young Akin," Lady Margaret, a Scottish princess, Heard a note in Elmond's-wood, And wish'd she there had been.
She loot the seam fa frae her side, And the needle to her tae, And she is on to Elmond's-wood As fast as she coud gae.
As she picks a nut, she is captured by Young Akin, who builds her a bower, in which she dwells until she has borne him six children. Finally she is seized by a longing for home, and returns with all her children: But as they were at dinner set The boy asked a boun: "I wish we were in the good Church, For to get christendoun."
And so they go to Church for christening. The ballad ends happily, however; for all, including Young Akin, stay in the royal court, "and live in mirth and glee." Professor Childs here remarks:?"This ancient ballad has suffered severely in the course of its transmission to our times. Still there can be no doubt that it was originally tne same as "The Maid and the Dwarf King," which is still sung in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. Numerous copies of the Scandinavian ballad have been given to the world. One of the Swedish ballads is translated in Keightley's Fairy Mythology, 103, under the title of "Proud Margaret." Closely related is "Agnete og Hovmanden.''** *Child. i. 17f>, ISO. 204. **"Agnes and the Merman."
14
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
But apart from all this erudition, passages like Sand- strewn caverns cool and deep, Where the winds are all asleep; Where the spent lights quiver and gleam, Where the salt weed swags in the stream,
show us the brutality of the ancient legend purified and rendered sublime. "We have a vision of that eternal conflict called human life; we have that alliance between feeling and thought which Arnold in one of his letters defined as the essence of great poetry."
THE SOPHMORE BANQUET. J. E. DOHERTY, '10. Y\ hat we sincerely believe was the most successful class banquet in years took place at \ oung s Hotel on the sixth of February. It was the second annual event of the kind held by the Class of 1910, the Class of Sophomore. We were convinced last year that we had set a precedent of excellence which only with difficulty could be equalled; but it is 110 inconsistency to say that the banquet of this year, considered from everv standpoint, surpassed in no small degree the success of a year ago. We shall make small mention of the supper itself, excellent as it was; we shall merely say that it served its purpose, in furnishing the occasion for an evening of social enjoyment which will live long in our minds and hearts. Do you ask whether there is class spirit in Sophomore? One could feel it vibrating through one's being, coursing through one's veins ! It was not an artificial ardor worked up for the occasion; it was too real, too true, too deep to be temporary; it was but the manifestation of the spirit which is permanent to the class, which marks its daily associations, which colors even the laborious routine of our common study. Friendship beaming with happiness, fellowship universal, con-
vivial heartiness permeating" the very atmosphere ; union, sociability, amity, all these make up but one spirit, and that was the spirit of the Sophomore banquet. We have reason to be proud of the programme which was carried out. Messrs. Coveney, Keville and Logue, who constituted the committee on arrangements, deserve their congratulations. As for those who took active part, we shall give a brief resume of their merits; we can't think of any demerits. First of all, we think it proper to pass judgment upon our president. Ambrose D. Walker, and we afe confident that our verdict will be sustained in any court. He is hereby adjudged guilty of the highest good-fellowship, the utmost readiness of wit, and all qualities of hospitality. His clever way of introducing speakers was the admiration of all, and his own speaking showed a mind quick to take advantage of transpiring incidents. Very good, Mr. President. The first toast. Friendship, was responded His speech was delivered with force and feeling and earnestness. The powerful, iterative expression of the speaker, and the truth of his argument occasioned a great outburst of applause at the conclusion. In fact every number during the evening was worthy of applause, and received it. It is to be regretted that only short extracts can be given from the speeches. Following is a part of Air. Kelliher's peroration : to by Louis A. Kelleher.
"We are now in the formative, in the constructive period of our lives. We are now preparing ourselves for the great battle against the world. . . . Let us tonight, then, start this united army, let us tonight institute this new order of knighthood, let us tonight pledge eternal, undying allegiance to its two fundamental principles?religion and friendship."
After a splendid tenor solo by Steve
15
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Chamberlain, Father Walsh, S.J., made the first address on the part of the faculty. He claimed that his coming was for the sole purpose of encouraging Father Lane to come.?but the latter reverend gentleman refuted this evasion of the truth. Father Walsh, in his speech, gave us a great deal of credit, which we modestly accepted as our due. We think that lie hid a little practical advice here and there : and we have a retentive memory. James A. Coveney took for his subject, "The New B. C." He treated particularly the part which the college men have in helping forward the undertaking. Our vicepresident is too well known as an orator to need any praise from us other than to say that he did himself credit. He brought forward the fact that B. C. is not known well enough, a fact which has impressed us all. "Advertise!" Here are two brief sayings from a speech replete with spirit and common sense: "Every Catholic in this city has some duty to perform in assisting this great work. Merchant, priest, doctor, and lawyer,?whether graduate of our college or not, ?each is duty bound to lend his support, either moral or financial. . . . Let us remember that the honor or the opprobrium which we receive from others reflects either credit or discredit upon those who have trained us."
Dan Sullivan made a famous hit with "The Virginia Judge." He had us all convulsed with laughter, and we must congratulate him upon both his choice of selections and the exceptional felicity of his reading. He was followed by William E. Conroy, who was introduced as formerly one of the best of Holy Cross men. but now a B. C. man in every sense of the word. His subject was "Alma Hater," and it was treated in a characteristic, vigorous manner, being in essence an historical retrospect. There were many passages worthy of quotation, for instance:
?'Many a young man entered this institution at a great sacrifice to his family, and after a few years, though his parents struggled bravely to support him, he was compelled to leave. Some may say that such men did not benefit by their education. This assertion I deny; it can never be fully known of what weight they were in the uplifting of their fellows."
Father Lane followed with
a
speech so
earnest and heartfelt that our only regret was its brevity. He, too, said some kind
things in our praise, and the best of it was that he meant them all. AVe then had the pleasure and the honor of being addressed by the President, Father Gasson, who was hailed with the utmost enthusiasm upon his arising. His subject was "Characteristics of the Boston Boy." The reverend rector compared the young Bostonian with the youth of other cities, and incidentally gave us some interesting glances into his own life and experience. The Boston boy does not suffer by comparison, we were told, for there is a brightness and aggressiveness which distinguish him anywhere. Father Gasson impressed upon us some of the requisites of our position, and?what especiallv held our attention?showed that by force of circumstances the Class of Sophomore may become the cornerstone of the mighty future edifice. For several minutes applause held sway; then the class quartette reflected glory upon itself and credit upon its director. The class ode was then read by John E. Doherty and was well received. One of the newspapers designated this a "stellar attraction. ?charitably leaving out the magnitude of the star. If there was any lesson in it worth learning, the author thinks it is this: '"But to know is not sufficient, for the world will judge by show: There exists a student duty to make others see
we know."
Lack of space prevents further quotation;
16
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
but there was one wish which we hope will come true, that Ave may be the first class to graduate from the new home of our Kindly Mother. Mr. Tivnan, S.J., made an earnest speech on traits of the class; it is possible that he meant it when he assured us he was not prepared to speak, and had just come from the non-poetic atmosphere of the laboratory. In that case, the cigar smoke in the hall must ha\*e been potent of inspiration. Charles Logue favored us with a selection from Kipling, and well did he show his powerful memory and dramatic skill. Ed Hove and Charlie Birmingham made extempores; embarrassing position, but it didn't quite phase them. Mr. Earls. S.J.. the class professor, made a very neat and humorous speech. His example of how to "drag in a story by the heels" took the house by storm. His popularity Avas testified to bv the reception ac-
corded him. Mr. Miley, S.J., followed with a most clever address, mingling witty remarks and serious observations in his happy manner. He gave us some characteristics of the Bostonian which Father Gasson had omitted. Charles Mansfield gave us an excellent solo, accompanied by Frank Keville, who officiated at the piano throughout the evening. Mr. Keville gave also the prophecy, "The Class Prospect." It was a classic in humor. Some of the hits were great; it would be hard to tell what was "the most unkindest cut of all." After chorus singing bv all, the evening was closed with the class veil and cheers for Father Gasson. We were pleased at the number of "old fellows" who attended, and we know that they will come again. If. as seems possible, any other class is to have a banquet, we can show them all about it. So much till "nexttime.''
IN TWILIGHT HOUR. WILLIAM F. MACK, '10
'Tis twilight, Now the radiant source of day Beneath yon crest of gold is gone; the pall Of winged night descends, and shadows fall, From out the deep, beyond the dark'ning bay, The silver queen of night, with glorious ray, Ascends; Across the sea, 'mid shadows fall, She builds a silver paved path, which, all and like a wall A-shimmering, hence extends and far away. 'Tis dark'ning.
Childhood innocence has gone
And faded 'neath Fair Wisdom's mount. The soul In doubting fear is wrapped. But in their might, Rich Grace and Reason rose and lit anon. Amid the gloom that did the heart enroll, The path from hence to Heaven's distant Light.
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
WITH THE FEBRUARY MUSE.
THE HILL.
J.
A. M.
Ex-'09.
'Tis sundown; yonder hills that tower above The ever silent hearings of the stream ?To them companion since primeval night? Hath Autumn wrapt in brooding pensiveness, In deep repose, and radiant loveliness Unknown to summer groves or vernal days. Their calm is golden like the peace that waits On Life's decline when fruitful youth is passed. Yet rolling mists of Even, gathering cold, And the dull moanings of Autumnal winds, Foretell the ruthless blasts that soon shall wreck Three seasons' glories; and leave those heights dark, drear And blank. For ye, fair hills, e'en as ourselves, Must yield your pride to Winter's sullen gloom; E'en as ourselves?ah, no: When they who gaze On you are mantled in the dreamless mould. Y'our youth shall be renewed. Let ages speed, Your sister stream her volumes to the deep consigns,
Let thunders o'er ye peal, and wild blasts scatche Your brow?yet hoar ye shall not grow; like Him Who gave you being, strength and majesty, Changless ever, yet then shall rise as now Calm, grand, imperial
and unset crowned.
IN GEOLOGICAL PROFESSOREM. E.
A happy term we've
J.
L. '08.
spent
with thee, our guide,
O'er hill and plain. Not counts so much the bit Of science learned, as friendship's bond new-knit Ret ween us. which time will show true and tried.
TO A VACANT CHAIR. (An examination elegy.) AMBROSE D.
WALKER, '10.
For me things have a bluish hue In these examinations; And I can place the blame on you Oh, vacant chair! The teacher through Your unfilled back obtains a view Of all my machinations. Had some one only sat on you/ How diff'rent our relations!
WASHINGTON. JOHN
W. MAHONEY,
'09.
We celebrate today a great man's birth; Mere mentioning of his immortal name Recalls to us his gallant deeds of fame And sends a thrill of joy throughout the earth.
O, noble Washington, well art thou worth The flowing praise of blushing child and dame, Whose patriotic joy no man can blame, As lovingly it glides from hearth to hearth.
Honored father of a mighty nation, Thy memory is green among us still. This prayer resounds from troubled earth to sky. O be our guide to men of rank and station, Infuse the child with patriotic thrill And willingness a soldier's death to die.
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
19
A TRANSCRIPT FROM FIONA MACLEOD. EDWARD
J. F. O'BRIEN, '10.
.Long years ago there lived on sundown shores A god of magical illusion.
And lo! he made a form of glorious mien, That was a rapture-tilling loveliness, An ecstasy of soul-enthralling sound, A passion of delight. Now when, the god Had ceased from labor, he admired his work, And watched men one by one approach the form. Three saw no rapture-filling loveliness, Nor heard the soul-enthralling symphony, Nor caught from it a passion of delight. The next perceived the rapturous loveliness, And took away with him the memory To be a wondrous joy for all his days. Another heard the ecstasy of sound, And went away, forgetting all things, rapt. A third man caught the passion of delight,
Nor was aught else of life within his ken Thenceforth; ?his fellows spoke of him apart As one made fey by some untoward sight. A seventh man approached, and he alone Was given to see the glory as the god Had made it; so that he perceived therein The spirit that is Beauty, and he felt
The throbbing heart of music, and was raised Unto a rapturous passion of delight. Then, lest the evil destiny, that dogs Man's footsteps, should put dust upon his dreams, And silence his sweet song, and take away All that the man had won, the god bestowed A broken heart upon him, and a mind Filled to o'erflow with sighs of weariness, And sorrow as his secret friend withal, And loneliness, for patient sufferance, Till the end of his appointed task was come.
OLD CLASS PICTURES. The new spirit that has been infused into our alumni organizations suggests to the Stylus that a series of "Old Class' pictures will be interesting. We hope that the old boys will favor us with their old class pictures.
On the opposite page the pic-
Beginning on the lefthand side of the picture the members stand as follows: Rev. Nicholas R. Walsh, now pastor of Beverly Farms; Rev. John F. Broderick, now pasture is of the class of '77.
tor of West Roxbury; Dr. William G. McDonald, physician in Boston; Stephen J. Hart, valedictorian
the class, who died in August, 1877; Rev. William J. Millerick, now pastor of Stoneliam; Rev. Daniel J. Collins, who died a few years ago in Arlington; Dr. Michael Glennon, of Stoughton; Rev. John M. Donovan, pastor of Ipswich, and Rev. P. H. Callanan, pastor of Newton Lower Falls. of
Father Fitzpatrick, S. J., stands next.
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS PUBLISHED MONTHLY
October to July, inclusive the Post Office, Boston, as Second-Class Matter, October 8, 1904. Subscription: $1.50 per year; single copies, 15 cents
Entered
at
THE STYLUS is published by the students of Boston College as an aid to their literary improvement, and to serve as a means of communication between the Alumni and Undergraduates.
to all subscribers until ordered Address, BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS, Boston, Mass.
THE STYLUS is sent
discontinued.
JOSEPH
Editor-in-Chief, F. O'SULLIVAN, '08.
Business Manager,
JAMES F. COTTER, 'II. Exchange, MICHAEL J. O'KEEFE, 'C8. Domi, JOHN T. O'HARE, '08. Society, PHILIP J. O'CONNELL, '08. Class, STEPHEN J. CHAMBERLAIN,
'10.
Athletics, DENIS A. O'BRIEN, '08. Associate, JOHN J. MAHONEY, 'ON. JOHN E. DOHERTY, '10. CORNELIUS A. GUINEY, 'II Alumni Editors, FRANCIS J. CARNEY, '98. JOHN J. SAVAGE, '09. »
Printed by E. L. Grimes Co., 122 Pearl St., Boston
EDITORIAL JOTTINGS. J. F. O'S, '08. We take occasion to remind members of the college classes of the twenty-five dollar prize ofifered by the class of 98 for the best essay that appears in the Stylus during the scholastic year. Besides the Essay Prize we have a golden eagle waiting to reward the composer of the best college song. We wonder how many of our readers have read Bishop Spaulding's little essay on opportunity. To the philosopher it is of interest because of the truth it contains, and the philosopher is a lover of truth. To the literary man it gives pleasure because of the style, and style is the man as Le Buff on said. To the student body the reading of it will prove beneficial, for opportunities are ever
knocking
at our door to gain entrance there.
They
come in the guise of study, and of college spirit that manifests itself in grasping every occasion that tends to the good of the college. Indeed Bishop Spaulding makes us see opportunities everywhere. "Life," says he, "is opportunity and therefore its whole circumstance may be made to serve the purpose of those who are bent on self-improvement, on making themselves capable of doing thorough work." This is simple truth and the man who waits, at the bottom of the steep hill to get a lift will find himself outstripped in the long run. An old professor of physics used to tell us that in the world of physical phenomena there is no such thing as a pull. So it is in everyday life. Ambition must frame its own ladder whereby to climb to success. First we must have a definite aim in view and opportunities to attain this end will start forth like buds at the kiss of spring. "Wisdom is clothed in plainest garb, and she walks modestly, unheeded by the gaping and wondering crowd. She rules over the kingdom of little things, in which the lowly minded hold the places of privilege. Her secrets are revealed to the careful, the patient, and the humble. They may be learned from the ant or the flower that blooms in some hidden spot or from the lips of husbandmen and housewives. He is wise who finds a teacher in every man, an occasion to improve in every happening, for whom nothing is useless or in vain. If one whom he has trusted prove false, he lays it to the account of his own heedlessness and resolves to become more observant. If men scorn him, he is thankful that he need not scorn himself. If they pass him by, it is enough for him that truth and love still remain. If he is thrown with one who bears himself with ease and grace or talks correctly in pleasantly modulated tones, or utters what can spring only from a sincere and generous mind?there is opportunity. If he chance to
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS find himself in the company of the rude, their vulgarity gives him a higher estimate of the worth of breeding and behavior. The happiness and good fortune of his fellows add to his own. If they are beautiful or true or strong, their beauty, wisdom and strength shall in some way help him. The merry voices of children bring gladness to his heart; the songs of birds wake melody there. Whoever, anywhere, in any age, spoke noble words or performed heroic deeds, spoke and wrought for him. For him Moses led the people forth from bondage; for him the three hundred perished at Thermopylae; for him Homer sang; for him Demosthenes denounced the tyrant; for him Columbus sailed the untravelled sea; for him Galileo gazed on the starry vault; for him the blessed Saviour died." Let us then be men of present action, improving our opportunities as best we can and guarding against ''the darkened mind, the callous heart, the paralytic will"?these are the roots of evil. A fair and humorous mind will create a body endowed with all those qualities which are more precious than gold and more desirable than the boundless wealth of the Indies. Our Glee Club and Orchestra have shown the student body and the city as well that great results can be achieved by a little persevering work. Why should not other organizations learn from them? We ask the question, bearing in mind that the directors of our College music are soon to ask the students to take part in the exercises of Holy Week. It is proposed to have the music of Holy Week in the College Church this year rendered by the students. When the call comes we hope that every student who can render any assistance either by singing or reading will heartily and generously enlist for the work.
21
THE FRESHMAN HOP.
11. With the Freshman Class enthusiastically working to perfect its plans, with the other classes displaying great interest in the event, with special features arranged for the program and with an orchestra considered by many the best dance orchestra in Boston engaged for the night, the informal dance to be run by the Freshmen on Friday evening, February 28, in Catholic Union Hall, promises to be most successful. It will be, from all indications, not a "Freshman" dance alone, but a "college" dance, as well. Since the plan was first conceived, the upper classes have given it their hearty encouragement. Xow that the invitations are out they are giving it what is more than encouragement. They are drifting up to the Freshman room every day, each one after two tickets, one for himself and the other for a mysterious someone called "Her." Even the men who live outside the city and so cannot bring a partner with them, are planning to be there and help the Freshmen fill out the dance orders. One of the features of the evening will be the first public production of a new march 1 his composed by Michael S. \\ alsh. 08. original and catchy composition, entitled "The Class of 1911," will be played as a two step, and before the night is over everybody will be whistling it. The Freshmen have one request to make. It is that every B. C. man who comes will enter into it and help the "Freshies" make such a success of it that they and you will feel glad of having such collegemates at Old B. C. This means you, Senior, and you. Junior (here's a chance to practice for your "prom") and you, too, Sophomore. JAMES COTTER,
22
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
The number of invitations issued is limited, and they are nearly all distributed now. If you haven't yet secured yours, get one of the next Freshman you meet. Among the invited guests are the Rev. President and Vice-President, the prefect of
studies and. all the faculty, Governor Guild, Mayor Hibbard, ex-Mayor John F. Fitzgerald, Timothy Coakley, Hon. E. Mark Sullivan and Congressman Joseph F. O'Connell. The proceeds will form part of the Freshman contribution to the new college buildings.
DOMI J. T. O'H, '08 Once more we smile and are glad?the everreturning mid-year exams, which visit us annually with even greater regularity than the seasons, have once more been disposed of and with this depressing burden off our shoulders we can again stand up straight and take a good, comfor-
table breath. Our mass meeting of alumni, former students and undergraduates, held in the College hall on Jan. 20, was a splendid outpouring of Boston College men. For many of them the mass meeting was a sort of class reunion in which former classmates met for the first time in years. Enthusiasm was at the highest pitch as was manifest in
the spirited style in which old college and class songs were sung, as well as in the defiant manner in which individual class yells were shouted back and forth across the hall. The great numbers who filled the hall on that evening furnish
unquestionable testimony of the enthusiasm and zeal with which the alumni, former students, and undergraduates are undertaking the pleasant
task of developing our present college into the noble university which the trustees plan to erect at the new site at Chestnut Hill. Xot only were the present and past B. C. men in attendance at the meeting, but several business and professional men who have never been affili-
ated with the college, participated in the evening's business, and freely and generously offered moral and financial support. Among the latter, Mr. W. F. Fitzgerald is especially to be noted for his gift of $lO,OOO. The fact that these men have interested themselves in the new movement without any motives of sentiment, such as the
college
spirit
of one
who liad spent his student days here, but purely from a realization of what a splendid institution Boston College is and of the necessity of further extending her field of work along broader collegiate lines, is sufficient testimony of her merit as
Their knowledge of an educational institution. her worth is gained wholly from the character and attainments of her graduates as observed by them in business and professional life, and is, therefore, perfectly unprejudiced and is striking testimony of the respect in which she is held by the intelligent men of this portion of the country. On this occasion the sons of Boston College further manifested the value of her training, for in their discussion of the subject they gave expression in beautiful, well-worded speeches to splendid ideas. The manifestation of intelligent thought and foresight given forth in such masterly style and couched in such well-chosen language was a magnificent tribute to the thoroughness of the Jesuit system of mental training as well as a further proof of the justification which the trustees of Boston College feel in undertaking the
work of expansion along the proposed lines. Another mass meeting has been arranged for the evening of Feb. 17, at which it is expected that the success of the former meeting will be
Meanwhile the work of the different committees goes steadily on. eclipsed.
*
*
*
At the meeting of the Executive Committee the Alumni Association held at the College, Jan. 31, 'OS, the reports of the Committee of Arrangements and the Committee on Ways and Means were accepted and filed. The Committee on Arrangements suggested among other things relative to the music, singing, cheering, and seating
23
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS of those present, that each member of the Executive Committee suggest and forward at once to Fr. Rector a list of friends of the College to whom to send invitations for the meeting of Feb. 17. It also suggested that formal invitations be sent to the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic Union, Y. 11. C. A., Knights of St. Finbar, Knights of St. Brendan, and other kindred societies for the purpose of having these societies send delegations, said delegations to be restricted in number, to the mass meeting of Feb. 17. The Committee also recommend that the Executive Committee send to Mr. Fitzgerald and to the others not directly connected with the college a formal letter of thanks for their contributions. These recommendations were adopted by the
Executive Committee. The Ways and Means Committee suggested that it might be advisable to name buildings, classrooms or lecture halls after those whose gifts, in the opinion of Fr. Rector, would be sufficiently large to warrant their receiving this honorable mention. The committee voted that there be published in Catholic and other papers from time to time the names of those who subscribe for large amounts. The Executive Committee voted that the speakers for the mass meeting of Feb. 17 be limited to Fr. Gasson and three others, one of whom is to
represent the alumni, another the non-graduate student body, and the third to represent those interested persons not affiliated with the College. It was also voted that Fr. Gasson and the president of the Alumni Association appoint two committees of seven members each to take charge of promoting the new College enterprise. Rev. Francis Casserly, S.J., prefect of studies in St. Ignatius College, Chicago, was a recent visitor to the College classes. The Executive Committee also voted that the secretary notify each member of that Committee to come to the mass meeting prepared to make a report of the canvas of his particular class and the amount of pledges received. It was also voted to limit the three speakers selected to ten minutes each. Thus it can be seen that all engaged in this new enterprise mean business, and it is hoped that their efforts will be rewarded by the generous aid of all who should be interested in the College. Owing to many and various circumstances it is impossible to reach all alumni
and former students with direct invitations to this mass meeting of Feb. IT, therefore we extend to them all a most cordial invitation through the Domi columns of the Stylus\u25a0 Come home to B. C.
on the evening of Feb. 17. *
*
*
During the month we had as visitors the Rev. Provincial, Fr. Ilanselman, and Fr. Rockwell, both of whom came to participate in the ceremony of bestowing the Pallium on Archbishop O'Connell, our distinguished alumnus of the class of 'Bl. Another of our guests who was invited to the investiture of the rallium was Fr. Joseph Ziegler, S.J., whom the "grads" of the late '7os and early 'Bos will remember as a very popular professor of science at Boston College. It was during those years that our present Archbishop was a student here and he invited his former professor to witness the solemn ceremony at the Cathedral on Jan. 20. Fr. Ziegler is now at St. Peter's College, Jersey City, X. J. :;<
*
*
The severity of this winter weather has affected the health of Fr. Giraud to such a degree that he has had to retire from the office of chaplain to the hospital and his place has been taken by Fr. J. J. Brie, S.J., late superior of St. Mary's Church, North End. *
*
*
On the evening of February 12, in the College Hall. Mr. Earls gave his very popular lecture on the Bards of Ireland. Fr. Rector introduced the speaker and the other participants in the program. The College Glee Club, under Mr. Tivnan, sang '"Let Erin Remember the Days of Old" and "The Sliandon Bells." Of the High School choir, Ray Mclnnis made a great hit with his rendition of "The Angel's Whisper." Ed. Brandon sang with sweet voice, "The Meeting of the Waters," and Henry Moynilian had an attentive audience as he sang "The Croppy Boy." Tom Kerr and John Collins also took part in the singing, and the little quintet was loudly applauded. *
*
*
The Feast of the Purification received added interest this year from the fact that it was the occasion of the taking of his last vows by one of
24
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
our professors, Fr. Matthew J. McCabe, S.J. Fr. McCobe is well known here, not only as a professor but. also as a former chaplain of the City Hospital, and he is at present director of the Junior Sodality. The vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience were received by Rev. Fr. Rector at the 8 o'clock Mass on Sunday, Feb. 2, and by them Fr. McCabe, to whom we proffer our cordial best wishes, has become finally and permanently a member of the Society of Jesus. *
*
*
The lecture by Fr. Richards, 5..T., on "Christian Science." under the auspices of the St. Valentine's and the St. Theresa T. A. Societies was given in the College Hall, James street, on Wednesday, January 29, at 8 P. M. Mr. Earl's lecture, in the same course, on "Ireland's Ballads," was .given Feb. 12. The proceeds of these two lectures are to be given by the temperance societies to the new College fund. Both lecturers were intensely interesting and showed very broad actpiaintanc? with their subjects to which they seem to have given no little time and effort. Fr. Richards delivered his lecture a second time before the Macthews Temperance Institute of Powell on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 2, where again he held his audience in motionless interest for more than an hour after which he was greeted with a most cordial and flattering round of applause. \u2756
#
$
east after all, at least in the matter of choosing profitable employees. *
man who goes out there with the pockets of his stylishly-cut clothes filled with letters of introduction, with the aid of which he hopes to induce some western gentleman to find him a job. Mr. Gorman says that the people of the west want the man who can hustle for himself and is willing to put on overalls, khaki, or corduroy, find himself a job, and then work hard at it. These are Mr. Gorman's own words as nearly as we can remember them. Obviously, the people of the west are not very different from those of the
*
Through the connection of Mr. Earls, who is a (Georgetown man, with the New England Georgetown 'Club, the orchestra was invited to play at the banquet of that organization at Young's on the evening of Feb. 8. This is an example of the
spirit which should, and does to a degree, exist between the fellows of Jesuit Colleges. We can each pay tribute to his own alma mater but we are all exponents of the same Catholic system of education. Such pleasant relations as those indicated by the invitation of the Georgetown Club to the orchestra will promote a healthy and
wholesome spirit of union between the two colleges. The orchestra was royally received by the Georgetonians. and given a rousing "Hoya." $
*
#
The many friends of Fr. Colgan will be happy to learn that his health has improved to such a degree that his physician thought it advisable that he should have a change of surroundings with the result that he is now convalescing at Greylock Itest in the heart of the Berkshires. $
*
£
If any of the fellows in the College or High School have pictures of former classes we should like to have them leave the pictures at the Stylus office for we should like to run a series of pictures
of former classes in the Stylus. \u2756
Mr. James Gorman of Seattle, Wash., called on Fr. Rector a few days ago and in the course of their conversation made a few remarks which may prove of interest to those who think that ?they would like to try their chances in the west. Mr. Gorman says that the opportunities for a young man in the west cannot be surpassed, but he adds that the west doesn't want the young
*
*
*
On Thursday evening. Jan. 30, the second of the series of College Nights was held, this time under tiie auspices of the Juniors, whom we congratulate on the splendid program which they provided. There were songs by the Glee Club under Mr. Tivnan, S.J., while the music was furnished by the College orchestra under Mr. Earls, 5..T., both of whom are to be congratulated for the high degree of perfection to which they have brought the musical clubs under their charge. Vocal solos were rendered by Jim Coveney, 'lO. Pete Sullivan, '08: Pete O'Donnell, 'll, and Bill Cronin, '!>: recitations by Joe Whalen and John Sullivan, both of Junior. College cheers were given with a vengeance by the whole company. ( lass yells were hurled in defiance from one side to another. In the matter of entertainment the Juniors went the Seniors one better on the College night score by introducing a new feature.
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS n;imely, a buck and wing specialty by "I)abo" JXoonan, and from the encores which he received we feel that "Dabo" will have his troubles in avoiding the limelight at future College nights.
The luncheon, after it came, was very good, as might
be
readily
seen
from
the
appreciation
shown toward it by certain voracious Seniors. However, we at first that we thought were being buncoed, for when, at the invitation of the .Juniors, we went to the small gym to partake of the collation, we found there only a dumbfounded colored waiter and a tub of cracked dee. It was a false alarm. The waiter seemed to think that it was his place to stand guard and see to it that no harm came to the delicacies, but after the proper authorities from Junior had a talk with the juggler of trays, they convinced him by the power of their logic that the esculen s were to be disposed of hie et nuncAfter the collation, we had some more music and dancing in the music room, all of which was witnessed with evident pleasure by Fr. Keelan, Fr. Walsh, Fr. Keating. Fr. Brie, Mr. Tivnan, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Miley and Mr. Dalton of the faculty. These College nights have been an excellent means of bringing the fellows together socially and in working up class and college spirit. This last one came at a particularly opportune time for we had our last exam that
very
mornins.
How-
25
ever, we can't see why they could not be held oftener, at any rate, you're next Sophomore. On the day following the big mass meeting of alumni, former students and other friends of the College, the students came together at a mass meeting of their own in the music room. The meeting was held after the class work of the day had come to an end, and the good will and loyalty of the fellows was admirably shown, as is clear from the fact that the entire student body, with almost no exception, attended. Though we lacked the numbers of the meeting of the night before, still we equalled that gathering in the display of college spirit. Those who have been here through both High School and College courses say that they never remember such a magnificent demonstration of enthusiasm in the fellows. Several speeches were made which, from the very sincerety which prompted them, held the closest interest of those present. O'ld college yells were revived and a committee appointed to compose new ones which, it is expected, will be heard at the coming mass meeting of Feb. 17. Subscription cards were distributed and eagerly taken up by the fellows, and strenuous efforts are now being made to raise a sum of money to be presented to Fr. Hector as the gift of the present student body. We never lacked college spirit, it was dormant that's all, and now that it is aroused will not be without its practical results.
CLASS NOTES. SENIOR.
The class of IbOS manifested us wonted mettle in the inter-class races. The relay?really, a shame to appropriate the collateral!
it was
Our old friend, Joe Peabody, who left the class after the Freshman year, and has since been delving into the depths of medical research, paid us a
visit the other day.
He is looking hale and hearty and considerably more dignified than in the old
days. A duel was imminent one morning in the classroom between Joe Bonner and Georgie Keelan. They couldn't agree on the weapons, however. George wanted to use the prehensile implements that nature has given him. while Joe preferred .syllogisms at twenty paces. '"Tom" .Murphy is a class president "non pareil."
The decorum manifested both in the chair and in the body of the house during our class meetings reflects dignity upon the Newtonian who weilds the purely metaphorical gavel. Occasion-
ally even the prefect of discipline comes upstairs to commend (?) us.
JUNIOR. Boys, let's
go to McFadden's restaurant y is used so well. The compliments received for the logic specimen were the fruits of hard work. Sophomores and Freshmen should not be down-hearted even if some of us looked troubled at some of the
since
all
Mc(i
questions. Some of us found it rather warm during the cold snap that came during examination week, especially the day we wrote about heat in the
26
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Pliysics class. Who said "Tato" was a non-conductor? What did you think of our "college nights"? Can you beat it ye sophomores and freshmen? The visits of our former classmate, "Little Jim," during his furlough from Brighton were thoroughly enjoyed. Judging from appearances and stories, James is truly content in his new home. Come again "Jim" and bring those other old boys with you.
We could now give you a specimen in Major Logic if the professor were willing to run the risk of losing some of the shiners. The chemistry examinations have been filtered, the precipitates weighed and not found wanting. What has become of those mass meetings that were scheduled to take place for the purpose of practising college songs and yells? It is not right that such enthusiasm should die ere it was
scarcely shown. Keep up the interest in the "Prom" fellows, for the members of the different classes have already said what "good fellows" we are?if we'll only give them a ticket. One man may have the desire to write the class notes and he may not; at any rate he is willing to receive suggestions from those who may have
them. SOPHOMORE. We suppose that it is no breach of morality, even if it is of custom, to write serious class notes; accordingly we hope that one such from our pen may be pardonable. For there is one thing noticeable which we do not like, and that is that Sophomore does not seem to have much voice in social events which pertain to the entire college. We are not the whole school, but still we are a fairly representative class, and as such should be consulted. We feel, however, that oversights are unintentional,?and probably much must be borne for the very reason that we are in Sophomore, which corresponds to the state of probation in the next world. It must be acknowledged to our credit that we were the only body audible and in evidence for any extended period, on the eventful night of the mass meeting. Doubtless about $25,000 is due to the enthusiasm that we stirred up. We wish to thank various professors for their congratulations, and at the same time to assure them that we can do more than yell. Our only remembrance of exam week is of a
series of headaches, which scarcely had time to wear away during the ensuing vacation. It would seem that the chemistry laboratory will always remain a chamber of horrors and mystery. We wonder upon which side of his entry book the recording angel could put such slips as ?'consecrated" acid. And again, to put it simply, there is sustenance for dubitation in the query, "Where is the H,O kept?" For a third chemical enigma, what do you think of him who told us that hydrogen burns with a colorless blue tiame? And they are good fellows, too. Apparently there is some athletic material in; our midst. Our relay team, for instance, is not to be ignored. Frank Keville claims that he has discovered a new animal. He calls it a "scoose." He maintains that it is half cow and half moose. From the specimen that Frank draws on the board, we would disagree with him and say that the new freak was half cow and half cow. In other words we would say that the animal is a whole cow. We wish to express our thanks and appreciation for the able way in which "College night" was conducted. We offer our congratulations to the Juniors and especially to Chairman Ryan of the committee in charge. They say that Ambrose Hennessy, our representative from Salem, is an agent for Father John's medicine. You'll sell a few bottles, Ambrose, if we have anything more to do with chlorine in the realm of chemistry. It's too bad that we have moved to the other side of the building. Joe Manning will miss that
nurse now. Here is Ryan's baseball dream: Doliertv came running in from left field and struck "Cosy" Dolan in the eye. "Cosy" retorted that he was no "dead one" and seizing a rope that was nearby proceeded to "Lynch" Doherty. Doherty turned as "White" as death. Just then a cry "Pearce'd" the air and Ryan woke up. O'Brien still insists that Bacon wrote Ham-let. We congratulate Ed. on his able exposition of his convictions in the Marquette Debating Society. At the College meet Mcllale was our greatest point winner. Monahan finished second in the mile, and gives great promise of developing into a good mile runner. "May the undertaking prove as successful as that of the Seniors, and may it prove to he an incentive to the Sophomores." Thus speaks the
27
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS Junior class editor in his notes of last month. We would ask if it is necessary for us to "run" a dance, like the Freshman "hop'' that the gentleman refers to, in order to become popular. Xo we need no incentive. We are resting on our laurels. We have established precedents, Mr. Editor, and we need no incentive to conduct a dance or a "hop" or even a "skip!" When it comes our time, we will need no incentive. FRESHMAX. You are cordially invited to attend an informal dance to be given by the Freshman class of Boston College in Catholic Fnion Hall, Friday evening, February the twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred eight. Invitations may be obtained by applying to any member of Freshman class. Millionaire Mullen submits the following, with apologies
for the
rhyme:
South Boston has a happy youth Who gets up every morning, But to tell the very honest truth He never sees day Dawning. *
*
*
In our last number, the essay on the BaconShakespeare had the following errata. We give these errata, as many of our readers wish to preserve Mr. O'Brien's interesting paper: Page G, second column, line five ?for "she calls" read "he calls." Page 7, second column, line twelve?for "used in them" read "used in the former." Page 8, first column, line three?for "certain pages" read "a certain part." Page 11, reproduction of Northumberland Mss., first column, lines five and six from the bottom for "revealing say through every crady peeps" ?
read "revealing day through every cranny peeps."
A SONNET
(?)
LUKE SHIELDS, '10.
Swift flies the night and still I strive and strain To write a sonnet, for it must he done.
scarce begun, Although the stars long since commenced to
Yet even now the work is
wane.
Methinks that after all I strive in vain, My head?oh, feel ?it weighs a half a ton, Great Ceasar's Ghost! that cannot be the sun, ?
This writing sonnets drives me half insane, l'et what's the use, it doesn't seem to pay, For all I've gained is but a dizzy head, All through the live-long night and half the day. I guess I'll use some sense and go to bed; No matter what the teacher's mark will say,?
What I would like to say I'll leave unsaid.
28
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS THE COLLEGE BEAUTIFUL.
Humanity here is drilled to tight for the Prince
ODE.
Soldiers, equipped, alert, mount guard at the Gate of Truth, The Company of Jesus, the living fort of youth. Scholars are they and priests, yet ever, and foremost, chums, For goodly and great is learning, but love can solve all sums: And these serve under Him Whom only love can reach And Who came as a friend to friends, since only
of Peace.
BY TIMOTHY WILFRED COAKLEY,
'84.
fact is born of vision, because faitb makes all things whole, We have prayed that our eyes be single and swerve not from the goal. Book! On the grass-clad hilltop, where chestnut and maple blow, And the groping elm-trees yearn to the mothergreen below, Embodied in marble and granite, throned on the lake's clear blue, Ileal as the sky and the sunshine, the Dream that we dared is come true. Because
It is builded, our stately cloister, where Wisdom
makes her home, The stem-like columns flower into arch and sculptured dome, The pillared halls are vaulted and lofty like the night
And each embrasured
window is a
rose of rain-
bow light. Behold the court of science, and yonder the house of art; And higher yet, God's altar, aflame with the
Sacred Heart.
Here Goodness, Truth and Beauty are worshipped as one, not three, And Faith companions Reason; and Order, Liberty.
Here echoes the mystic Word which only the angels ken; Here beckons a Light to the Gentiles. The Rabbi is teaching again. The children of men are patterned on a God selfsacrificed, And the circle of life is centered and squared on the Cross of Christ. In the glowing forge of boyhood,
tomorrow
is
wrought today. What we think in our hearts, we shall be, we create when we dream or pray. So we pay our debt to the future, that righteousness may not cease;
a friend can teach.
Loyola, we bring by the million recruits for the war you plan. God's Laity marches behind you. Hear the long acclaim of our clan; We are the stone of the corner, the body of belief. IVe rear college and altar. We are the world's relief. iSaints and martyrs and sages, prelates and pontiffs all They are the answers we offered when we heard the Master call. Patriarch, prophet and psalmist, to each our lines we trace. Flesh of our flesh is the beauty that was Mary's virgin face. Ours is the flock and fold of the spotless Lamb of God; We gave to Christ the blood that drenched Gol-
gotha's sod.
Life gives and is given forever to foil the miser, Death. Love is the price of living and breath is spent for breath. What yet may we give, dear Lord, that is worthy in Thy sight? In Thy name, all we have, all we are, we proffer our College tonight. Lord, hear the prayer of Thy people. At Thy heart we have kindled a star. Let its radiance grow in the darkness 'till all men sight it afar And are drawn to the-Flame that feeds it, to the Light the world has lacked, And the shadows pass and the semblance and we face the Eternal Fact.
29
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS ALUMNI ACROAMA. J. J. S., '09. Innsbruck, Austria.
29-12-07. Editors of Stylus, Dear Sirs: 'Tis a year since last I wrote, and the burden of my last letter was the Turkish caprice that prevented me from debarking at Constantinople. I shall take up the same burden,?the "white man's burden" in Turkey,?as the subject of my present letter.
But let me first make mention of a little incident which indicates a spirit as un-American and unbearable even as Turkish caprice. I was on a French steamer that plies between Beirut and Marseilles. \\ e had left Rhodes, with its splendidly preserved battlemented towers and colossal walls; and our second cabin list had been so augmented as to contain a Sister of St. Joseph, fifteen Christian Brothers and six priests of various religious orders,?a not unusual array of clericals for a steamer doing service to or from the Orient. In the evening, when I came down to my place for dinner, the Maitre d' hotel smiled and beckoned me to another place. He had put all of us priests and Brothers and the poor, little Sister at a table apart from the other passengers. The sight made my blood boil with indignation, especially as a couple of Syrians were grinning at the clerics. "Ah," said I aloud, "you have set us a clerical table this evening." He bowed with the same meaningless smile. "Good! But before I take my place at that table, sir, I wish to tell you that I am not used to such treatment. I come from a country where there is no clerical party nor any anti-clerical partv. I come from the Lhiited States, where the priest is in touch with the people and the people are in touch with the priest. Why do
you set a barricade between us?" There was no applause, though every one heard the outburst. The Maitre d hotel was moved; he smiled no more, but urged me to take my former place. I joined the clericals. During dinner, the purser came down and talked things over with the Maitre d hotel. There was considerable pow-wow between them. The situation was new. After dinner I was again urged to take my former place at the table. I had found to my surprise that my fellow-priests were not in sympathy with my feelings, and preferred to eat at a table apart; so I refused to join the anti-clericals. This was onlv one of tire many incidents of my life in the Orient, that indicated to me an un-American and unbearable aloofness of people from priest. We approached Constantinople in the full glare of the noon-dav sun. The details of the beautiful panorama never tire one. Even the sea-approach to Naples is no more charming than is the sea-approach to Constantinople. On our left lies Stambul, the Turkish city which occupies only a portion of the seven hills of Byzantium. From afar we sight the ancient sea-walls, still pretty well preserved. There is Ycdi Kulc the far-famed Fort of Seven Towers, the scene of many noble Knightly deeds; and nearby is Mermcr Kulc. the Marble Tower, built of the precious marbles of Byzantium. Beyond the walls rise countless mosques with splendid minarets. We pick out Aya Sofia , the grand exemplar of Byzantine style, and the Ahmcdic, the Suleimanie; the Muri Osmanie, all remarkable specimens of Turkish modifications of Bvzantine ideas. To our right are the towns Kadi, Keni, Haidar, Pasha and Skutari. We pass between ,
30
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Stambul, Skutari and reach the mouth of the Bosphorus. What lovely palaces line its banks! To our left, almost North of Stambul, are the European cities, as they are called, of Pera, Galata and Top Hane. Our ship puts in to Galata and is docked at the only steamship-quay that I saw in the Turkish Empire. Then began the trouble of landing?always a most serious affair in Turkey. I had written to the Jesuits of Constantinople. The Superior of our residence was on hand to meet my two Jesuit companions and myself. We left the ship without trouble; the preliminary examination of my passport was eminently pleasurable. The next official I had to pass charged me three piestres (fifteen cents) for the privilege of walking on the quay. He was a Greek and tried to cheat me in the change; but found out I was no tourist. Just before I reached the passport-office, the Jesuit Superior turned me over to a guide, took my American passport to have it visaed for my departure, and went off to attend to my two Jesuit confreres. The sequel was tragic. I unfortunately spoke Arabic at the passport-bureau. That Arabic was my undoing. The chief of the bureau at once scented game. He took me for a naturalized Armenian. My close cropped hair, long and bushy whiskers, soutane, and, worst of all, my Arabic were not of a sort with those who usually presented themselves as Americans. I must be an Armenian; and if there is anything the Turk balks at, it is a naturalized Syrian or Armenian. The United States is the only government that gives naturalization to Turkish subjects; and therefore is the Turk hostile to Americans. Well, to prove my identity, the chief of the bureau demanded my American passport. He had no right to make the demand. I had lived in Turkey and was therefore required
have a Turkish passport (the teskera ticket), and only this. Still caprice makes right in Turkey. I was undone. I explained that the Jesuit Father would soon bring my passport. There was no reasoning. Everything I said only made matters worse, only gave new confirmation to the suspicion that I had been sent by the Hunchakist to celebrate the anniversary of the Sultan's accession. The decision was final without an American passport, you cannot land. Go back to the ship and stay till you have an American passport. I expostulated, and tried to bring the fellow to see that the passport would not look for me but I should look for the passport. A soldier grasped me by the arm and escorted me back to the ship. Luckily I met the Jesuit Superior on my way. He tried all that day to free me. There was no use. My American passport was in order. My Turkish Teskera was covered with visas and had been properly visaed for Constantinople. There was a slight mistake in it. I had been set down as a Protestant, on the general supposition, I presume, that all Americans are Protestants; still this mistake had been looked on by me as a good joke, and had not been noticed by the passport officials. The Superior told me there Avas no hope. The Sultan's birthday was at hand. There was need of care. I might be a Hunchakist envoy. I had spoken Arabic; that was enough to outweigh the testimony of a dozen passports. All that day and all that night I tried to resign myself to the prospect of returning from the Orient without seeing Constantinople. Next morning, I said Mass on board ship and awaited my kindly Superior. He had received the promise that I should be freed early in the morning, and was on hand at 6.30 a. m. It was ten o'clock before he succeeded in passing me by the passport bureau. The ship was booked to sail at 3 p. m. I had no chance to see the city; so I acceptto
THE BOSTON
COLLEGE STYLUS
31
ed my Superior's invitation to await the next got the permit through the Austrian consul; French liner for Piraios. so I became a bit suspicious. The Consul My first business was to lay my complaint had been too cordial. My suspicion was conbefore our Consul-General. He was not in firmed that evening, when 1 received from the Deputy a letter in which he said that the the office; and neither Deputy Consul-General nor Vice Consul could do anything for Chief of Police had refused to let me see St. me. After three days, 1 found the Consul in. Sophia on Sunday, as it was the Sultan's day. He gave me a hearing and seemed very much I had distinctly explained that I did not wish overwrought about the affair. My feelings to go on Sunday; I knew the permit would were very- much hurt. The French Jesuits- not be granted for that day. The game of had no French passports, nor were any asked American bluff was developing. I was booked of them. I felt that in Turkey it were better to leave 011 Tuesday morning. The consulate was closed on Sunday. It-seemed more than to be a Frenchman, an Italian?anything but an American. The feeling gave me much likely that I should be foiled in my desire to pain. The Consul said he would at once take see the great church. Monday morning, I was on hand when the up the case, and demanded an apology and an indemnity of twenty-dollars. He said it Consul arrived. The Deputy heard with would take a battleship to draw the twentyfeigned surprise that I had not desired to see dollars from the Turk; but he would insist the mosques on Sunday. ? I was ushered into on the apology and the promise that the same the presence of the Consul, the Deputy, the thing would not occur again?well, till the Vice Consul and a qawas. We all stood. The presence was not awful; indignation next time. In fact, the Consul was so cordial that I began to feel no more shame at leaves 110 room for awe. From the outset, it was clear that I was to be sidetracked. Varibeing an American. The Turkish government is yearly makous reasons were suggested why I could not ing it more and more difficult for Christians see the mosques. Monday was a Jewish holito see St. Sophia. They must now get their day, the qawas did not wish to be again reconsuls to file a petition with the chief of fused, I should have put in my application police; and must make their visit in company earlier. That was too much. I called the with a plain-clothes man (bolis) and a conDeputy to witness that I had put in my apvisit the very hour of my arrival in the (qawas). plication sular guard On my first to our consulate, I had put in an application for the city. A firm stand had to be taken. I took it. American bluff is generally the easiest permit to see Ava Sofia and Ahmedie. The Deputy told me there would be no trouble answer to American bluff. I tried that answer. A ith a show of suppressed feeling, I about my seeing the mosques, as the Consul had lately received ten permits from the began: "Mr. Consul-General, I am here alChief of Police byway of indemnity for just most a week; my chief purpose in coming such shabbv treatment as I had received. here is to see St. Sophia. If I leave ConstanOn the occasion of my talk with the Consul, tinople tomorrow morning, without seeing on Saturday, I asked him to let me use one of that church, Mr. Consul-General, I assure these permits on Monday. He told me the you, my sentiments will be such as my Ameriwonderful favor he was doing me and promcan patriotism forbids me to express!" The ised that on Monday I should see Aya Sofia. three were blank with surprise. No one Three Jesuits had, a few days before, readily spoke. I was encouraged and played my last
32
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
card in the game of American bluff against American bluff. "Mr. Consul-General, if I leave Constantinople tomorrow without seeing St. Sophia, I shall ever feel that I have here from start to finish been the victim of an Oriental game of fast and loose!" The card had an immediate effect; a flush came to the cheeks of the Consul. I was sure of either a complete capitulation or a violent attack. In fear of the latter, I broke the awful silence by a "Let me explain" and a few words of intense desire to see St. Sophia. The deadlock was broken. "Father Drum, you shall see St. Sophia!" and I did see St. Sophia. We were a party of three, besides the qawas and bolis. Two American students of architecture had entered the consulate a short time after I left, and had at once received the Consul's permission to go with me. The exterior of St. Sophia is not even interesting. Anything of ancient grandeur and beauty is utterly hidden or destroyed bv the rude buildings set up alongside the great church, by the props used to stay the cupola, and by the yellow paint and red streaks laid over all. The disappointment of the exterior prepares one for some slight sorrow at the interior. Excepting a few stray bits, the splendid Byzantine mosaics are covered over by the inartistic daubs we find in most mosques. After one has overcome the sorrow caused by Moslem whitewash and paint; one begins to appreciate the Christian grandeur of the massive structure. The great lines of the dome are most impressive; it dominates all, and is clearlv entirely visible from any part of the bodv of the church. Four massive pillars support the dome, which tapers off in a system of halfdomes. First come two half-domes that break in upon the great dome; these in turn are each broken in upon by a great arch stretching between two smaller half-domes. The
tapering off of the great dome by half-domes leaves a structure the majesty of whose great and sweeping lines held my attention more than did anything else in Aya Sofia. The beautiful columns of verde antico [probably brought from EphesusJ that stand in fours between the main pillars, and the four pairs of red porphyry columns [taken from the Bacalbe temple of Jupiter], the hundred and seven precious columns in all, the faint traces of mosaic that appear through some of the Turkish colors?all help to impress one with the former beauty and brilliancy of the great Byzantine church. There were seven or eight parties of tourists in the church with me, and only two parties had the qawas; naturally, I thought once again that in Turkey it were better at least for a priest to be anything but an American. Because of the Sultan's feast the dancing dervishes did not perform. I saw the howling dervishes; and heard them, too. An admission-fee of five piastres (about twenty-five cents) was paid by the unbelievers,?the majanin (fools), as Moslems call us. We were about an hundred "fools," and fifty Mussulmen at the ceremonv, which is gone through every Thursday afternoon in Skutari. The performance was at first exceedingly dull and uneventful. I had come to see something hideous, to hear sounds that were of the underworld. I was greatly disappointed at the start, but only at the start. The dervishes sat about the room in no special order, and seemed to be trying to think themselves into a stupor. Every minute or two one would shake off his lethagy and shriek. I could not catch the shrill cry ; but thought it 'lah,?the short for allah, a word which the Moslem pronounces with an a as broad as any broadest Boston a. 1 his shrill crv was the signal for a dissonant and short lasting chant, then the tedious ecstacv began again. After about half an hour of this monotony a new and
THE BOSTON
equallv uninteresting feature was set on the boards. The Shiek, or chief of the dervishes, seated in front of the mihrab (Moslem prayerniche), dragged out a dry-as-dust sermon for half an hour. He spoke Turkish, but used so much Arabic as to allow me to follow his gist. He must have told us fifty times: la illah ilia Allah, we Mahomed er-rasul Allah, "there is no god but God and Mahomed is the prophet of God." Soon after this tedious discourse, the excitement began. The dervishes sat in line, swayed from right to left, and shouted their prayer. Then they stood and swayed with greater rhythmic vigor. Keeping time to the deafening and monotonous chant of five or six "howlers," and to the handclapping of their shiek, the standing dervishes lunged obliquelv forward on the right foot, bowed the body till the hands nearly reached the ground; then returned to the upright position, and lunged in like manner to the left oblique. These motions took up one measure of common time, and were repeated for nearly two hours without any let up. The tempo was at first andante e dolce: by a constant crescendo, the shiek brought the chant to an allegro e furioso. The nervous and muscular strain of this strange form of prayer was verv great. Every muscle came into play, even those of the face: as the lunge was made forward, the face was made to look as near backward as possible. The lungers all the while grunted, in sounds deep, guttural and hollow, their only prayer and principle : la illah ilia allah. While this exciting prayer went on. some of the bystanders ("believers,' of course) got religion, and joined the ranks of the lungers. One of the new comers was a strapping negro, about six feet two in height. I watched him from his entrance. Even as he sat. he was a sort of metronome: his swaying body showed the spirit would not long resist. He was one of His Majes?
33
COLLEGE STYLUS
ty's soldiers, and was at first prevented from the reckless forward hinge by a double breasted military frock coat. Off went the coat, off the vest and stiff collar; "only that and nothing more." Once free, the great giant lunged and shouted and sweated as never negro preacher could have done in a Virginia Baptist revival. In the course of this last feature, several dervishes were prostrated bv the muscular contractions they went through and had to leave the ranks to rest.
The tout ensemble was the most hideous and diabolical thing I ever witnessed. There was no resisting the excitement of it all. I felt ashamed to be present at what seemed to me most evidently the devil't own game of bunco. The most interesting feature was now to come. The finale of the performance, the weekly miracle was about to be! The shiek would walk upon the bodies of little children and do them no hurt. My feelings revolted. I was ashamed to stay. I left. There is a great deal more to tell.?the museum, with its wonderful sarcophagi that were found a few years ago by Hamdy Bey outside of Saida; the lately uncovered mosaics of the old Byzantine church which is now called Kakriye lamia' (mosque) : the Bosphorus by day and during the costly illumination on the night of the Sultan's feast; the old walls and Fort of Seven Towers, etc. Time cuts my story short. I can already see the Assyrian hook-forms beckoning to me and the Babylonian wedge forms making a flank movement to get into my brain-cells and crowd old B. C. out. That cannot be. B. C. is in those cells for good. After my arrival at Innsbruck, the Consul informed me that the Turk had apologized. "Words, words, words!" WALTER DRUM, S. J..
'9O.
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Hon. Joseph F. O'Connell, '93. has been much in the limelight of late. According 10 the gentleman who writes the Washington notes for the "Record,"' he is much pleased with his committee assignments. The assignment to the committee on accounts, to which he was appointed by John Sharp Williams, is much sought after by the Congressmen, as it enables them to become thoroughly acquainted with the Representatives. His appointment to the committee cn immigration is also in line with the questions of interest to him. At that time (Jan. 15th), he was giving close attention to procedure and the debates, and he was yet to make his ''maiden'' effort. ''Some day, and perhaps soon," continues the "Record." "the House will learn that he has considerable ability as a debater."' The House had not long to wait for Congressman O'Connell's effort. Only five days later he was offered an opportunity to uphold his tenets on the subject of immigration in reply to Representative Hepburn of lowa, who declared that the immigrants of today are undesirable citizens compared with those who came to our shores a generation ago. O'Connell's advent as an orator was entirely unexpected and was impromptu. He asked Hepburn if he was classing the Italian and Jewish immigrants as the undesirable, but receiving no satisfaction he then secured the floor, and taking up the defence of the Italian and Jewish immigrants, declared that if Massachusetts, congested as it is, can assimilate these immigrants with advantage to itself, the great western states can. For insinuating that the member from lowa was guilty of misrepresentation and untruthfulness in presenting his arguments, he was called to order by the chairman. He was warmly applauded by the Democratic side of the House. In recognition of his brilliant defense of their interests in the immigration bill, the
grateful Italian friends of Congressman O'Connell tendered him a complimentary banquet at the Cafe Abiuzzi in the North EndMore than two score of representative Italian people of Boston were present. Among these was the rather un-Italian name of Thomas J.
Gradv, '9B.
\u2756
*
Since the beginning of his regime Archbishop O'Connell has given new impetus tothe work of the various Catholic charities throughout the archdiocese. To further his efforts in this regard the Archbishop has wisely chosen the Rev. Joseph G. Anderson,. 'B7, as diocesan director of Catholic charities, one of whose duties is to visit all such institutions and report upon their conditions and needs. The Working Boy's home is one of these institutions which has been struggling under a great debt. Its new home in Newton Highlands has given the home new opportunities for expansion. The three clerical members on the board, including His Grace the Archbishop, belong to the ranks of the Alumni. The others are Father Joseph G. Anderson, 'B7. and Father James J. Redican, '96, the former as vice-president, the latter as treasurer.
The hundreds who assisted as guests of the Archbishop at the conferring of the Pallium, and who were delighted with the well-trained performance of the sanctuary choir, have onl\ words of praise for their able director. Rev. M. J. Scanlon, '95. of the Cathedral, who had the direction of the 75 male voices in that choir.
The solemnity and poetry of that grand ceremony and of that brilliant assemblage of
THE BOSTON
clergy and laity was aptly crystalized in a poem on the Pallium by Rev. Augustine D. Mallev, '93, which we beg leave to quote in full: "
THE PALLIUM.
Peter's son hath prayed o'er night In his crypt for mercy's light, And hath sent this, richly dight, To you for His morality. Take it, Shepherd, rule and reign! We, the sheep, cry out in pain, For light, for care, and our dear gain Of God's eternity. The secret nuns have worked and prayed, Spinning wool for those arrayed In Rome's great garb, the accolade In Christ's great chivalry. St. Botolph's town is thy rich dower, Known in learning, ruth and power; Be to us an ivour tower St.
In Life's plent mystery! Angle, Jute and Gall are here, Greek and Scythean o'er the mere; God hath made them, to Him dear, In Christ's broad charity. St. Agnes' wool is white and warm; The sheep are crying in the dawn, God hath not left us then forlorn, In Your paternity. And so the Church works out His will, The Holy Ghost is with her still, Then teach us all His love fulfill In deep fraternity. St. Agnes' nuns have spun all night; St. Peter's son in prayer hath might; Then lead is boldly in the fight, Shepherd of humanity.
Mr. Joseph C. Pelletier, '9l, was one of the contributors to the symposium in the Sunday Globe of January 12th on the subject of Old Age Pensions. He gives a very clear and forceful turning to his plea for "Justifiable Paternalism." This kind of paternalism can be justified, he says, on two grounds?the charitable and the economic. As it differs only in form from the traditional workhouse.
COLLEGE
STYLUS
35
why, he asks, should we provide the aged laborer with a poorhouse and deny him the equivalent of the money spent on him to enable him to spend his last days with his son, daughter, sister or brother? The economic side, too, is concrete and convincing: ''For example, let us consider the effect of an old age pension for the laborer in the employ of the city of Boston. First, the city would save a small part of the sum now spent in the maintenance of its almshouse. This saving would be, of course, trifling. Second, the saving in the payrolls would be immense. For it is tbe presence of superannuated day laborers in the ranks of the city working men that accounts for the slovenliness and incompetency of our municipal service. A fleet sails no faster than its slowest vessel. And theefficiency of the poorest workman is generally the efficiency of all."
The time-honored ceremony which signalled the conferring the plenitude of Episcopal power on the Most Rev. William H. O'Connell, 'Bl, head of the Archdiocese of Boston and spiritual director of over a million Catholics, has been conceded by all to have been a triumph in ecclesiastical ceremony. It is now a matter of history,?historv, not only of the progress of Catholicity in the United States, but also a red-letter day in the annals of the Alma Mater of an illustrious alumnus. Bv the happiest of coincidences, the vear of the official recognition and installation of her greatest son has also been the nodal year in the progress of the old College. We can only say then, now and hereafter Prosit omen! Evervbodv has read the accounts of the great ceremonv with avidity, and, in admiring the gorgeousness, has been no less struck with the impressiveness with which Mother
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
Church ushers in her spiritual councillors into their holy office, striking the spiritual side of man through his sentient characteristics. It would not be too much to say that the elite of Catholic New England were at hand both to encourage their Archbishop and at the same time testify their faith in the significance of the ceremony of the conferring of the Pallium. It was as the bodily presence of St. Peter himself, the bestowal of this holy insignia ''taken from the body of blessed Peter." Representatives of the Archbishop's Alma.
OUR.
Mater were there both in the spirit and in the letter. To mention a few: Rev. M. J. Seanlan, '95, who directed the splendid sanctuary choir; Rev. James J. McCarthy, 'B9, and Thomas R. McCoy, '95, assisting Fr. McQuaid as sub-deacon; from the Catholic Alumni Sodality, Pres. W. J. Barry, Henry Y. Cunningham, '92, and John D. Drum. '9O; from the College Alumni, Dr. John O'Brien, 'BB, Francis J. Carney, '9B, F. R. Mullin, 'OO. and Dr. T. J. Murphy, 'BB. Mr. J. C. Pelletier, '9l, was present as representative of the Knights of Columbus.
MOTHER'S HOUSE. EDWARD F. BURNS, '08.
Mast and wheel are at her door, Short her paths to rail or street: Traffic's breakers 'round her roar, Dust of tombs is at her feet.
Through her portal floats a breeze Sweet with scent of fruits and flowersApples of Hesperides, Bud and bloom of Tempe bowers.
Yistaed elm or colonnade, Lawn or hilltop, grove or grot, Stream that glides through golden glade, Sylvan arbor, she hath not.
On her altars, day and night, Kindles she her high desires, 'Giving all her sons a light Sacred as her vestal fires.
Yet, while crowds may pass her by Tagging fame or chasing gold, From her windows you and I True Arcadian lands behold.
Giving all the gift to find Youth and beauty, truth and art In the mirrors of the mind, In-the highways of the heart.
Underneath
our mother's eaves, Care i-s brief and joy is long; In her little lane of leaves Builded I my nest of song.
~
Yistaed elm or colonnade, Lawn or arbor, grove or grot, Stream that glides through golden glade, Sylvan arbor, she hath not. Yet, if knolls or woodland dells Should entice her from the sea, Wheresoe'er my mother dwells Is my mother's house to me.
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
HIGH
37
SCHOOL.
AT SEBASTAPOL. THOMAS L.
It is said that the ideal story must not only be tinged with romance but must also have a root in history. The reason given is that although we may for a time take pleasure in a tale that is purely fiction it soon vanishes from our memory from the very fact of its unreality; and certainly this is in many instances true?at least I have found it so. I have read numbers of the kind of stories which now fill our newspapers and magazines?intended simply for amusement. Some it is true were more interesting than others, and one in particular so impressed me that I thought 1 would never forget it, but now I find that even that too has shared the inevitable fate of pure fiction: it has been forgotten. But there is one little story which I can never forget?perhaps since I know it is true or because I heard it from an eye witness?\u25a0 and although it was told to me years ago I remember it now just as clearly as on the day that I first heard it. It happened in this way: During a tour in England, a few years ago, I came to the little seaport town of Eustis, facing the English Channel. It was a quaint old town, inhabited mostly by seafaring men and their families, but had such an air of home and comfort about it?which is the first thing which appeals to a traveller?that I determined to spend some of my time in looking it over. With the intention of finding a stopping place for the night I sought out the village inn, which I found without much difficulty, since in so small a village the church and the tavern are the first two buildings which one sees. There was nothing extraordinary in the appearance of the tavern ; simply a plain two-
GANNON, 111.
story building girded by a broad piazza over-
hung with ivy and the bench before the door well filled with "lookers on.'' Passing the close scrutiny of these gentlemen of leisure I entered the little inn and was busily engaged in eating what the innkeeper set before me when the door opened and three men entered. Sitting down next to me they were served and as they supped their "grog"' I had a chance to observe them. Two were plainly sailors?I could tell this by their dress and the sailor-like phrases of which they made frequent use. The other, a more elderly man, appeared to have retired from active life. He was dressed in the careless fashion of an idler in a country village, but his keen gray eyes, his square shoulders which though slightly drooped with age still showed signs of their former erectness?distinguished him from the common idler, and lastlv there was such an air of firmness and decision about his iron jaw that his appearance was that of an old soldier. 111 silence the two sailors finished their drinks and settling back in their chairs lit their pipes, as though preparing to engage in that only occupation which an "old salt" seems to enjoy: smoke and spin varns. After a while the old man followed suit and with a wistful glance at the three empty steins?as though half unwilling to believe that there wasn't one more drop left?took an old black pipe from his pocket and lit it with an ember from the fire. Then pulling his chair up nearer to the blaze, he nestled down comfortablv and gazing thoughtfully into the flames puffed at his pipe slowly and tranquilly with a look of perfect contentment. How long the ?
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THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
three sat thus smoking in silence I do not know but at last one of the seamen turned to the old soldier and lazily drawled out: "Well, ole man, I reckon it's your turn tonight. Bill here an' me," ?he jerked his thumb towards his companion?-"has told you about all the yarns as we can remember. An' then you know, you promised to tell us somethin' about war, somethin' you yourself has seen; so now out with it ole man." "Ole Mnan-'' thus rudely awakened from his reverie was silent for a while, as if choosing his words, but at last he seemed to have collected his thoughts and between long puffs at his pipe began?-
"Well, lads, I'm not much of a hand at 'telling stories, though I've seen enough in my day to fill dozens of books, if I was only the kind to write them. I suppose ye in the navy think there's nothing worth knowing unless it happens on sea, but I've seen some things on land that would make your blood crawl and that used to keep me awake nights 'till I got used to them. "What I was going to tell ye about was something that happened in the Crimean War, when ye were only knee high. It was way back in the fifties and we were laying siege to the Russian stronghold at Sebastapol, and a mighty hard time we had of it, too. By some blunder of the government we didn't get enough provisions and we were half starved and only half clothed and every day dozens were dying from hunger and sickness. And then the Crimean winter set in and disease and starvation and cold were rapidly thinning down our ranks, and still we had to stay there, trying to starve out the Russians who were two to every one of us, and all well fed. Many a night I was sent out on picket duty with the others, and without any supper we had to stand there in the driving snow and sleet, freezing to death and hungry, and lots of times, lads, I thought of home and the
warm firesides,?but there, I'm getting away from my story. Everything must end and so did this winter, but when spring came about half of the army had died, and then just when we least expected it the Russians attacked us, in the hope of breaking the siege. I'll never forget that day. It was cold and damp and a heavy fog had settled down all around us. We awoke under the fire of the enemy, and shivering with the cold and only half awake we grabbed our guns and fell into line. It was the worst battle I was ever in because there didn't seem to be any head nor tail to the army. The commanding officers lost their heads and it was only the individual courage of the soldiers that kept the army from being routed. We fought with the energy of despair, and however we did it, 8,000 of us, all on foot, kept back 40,000 Russians all day long, though they fought like demons. "At last the French troops came to our aid, and by and by the fog lifted, but we weren't much better off on account of the dense smoke. Then we started to drive the Russians before us, but we soon reached a narrow clearing, swept by the guns of the enemy. Of course we must either cross this or go back, and boys, when an army's winning there's 110 such thing as turning back, so we'd cross this whatever it cost. Dozens of lines would cross in safety, and then all of a sudden, as a line of men was half way over they would be swept off their feet by a volley of shot and shell. "Well, we waited our chance, and just as the smoke was lifting after a sudden shot we managed to get safely over, that is all except one, a young private named Jim , anyway that was what we called him. He was a little behind the rest and just as he was half way over a roar of cannon burst out and a sheet of flame shot across the clearing. 'Drop,' we yelled to him, 'Drop or you're lost!' If he heard us at all it was too late. An iron ball came bounding along the ground "
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS and struck him on the knee. Most of the force of the shell was already spent by repeatedly striking the ground and as the poor fellow fell from the force of the blow the bomb rolled over on him and pinned him to the earth!
"It was an awful sight! There was one of men lying helpless before us yet we were powerless to aid him, for in a minute the bomb would explode! I'll never forget the way he looked and the expression of that face as poor Jim looked toward us: the mouth set rigidly in intense agony, the bloodshot eyes bulging from their sockets in terror and despair for he realized the horrible death to which he was doomed. One leg had been half torn from the socket hv the terrific force of the bomb and the blood was rushing swiftly from it. With the other he was kicking furiously and clawing the earth and tearing his hair with his hands, frantically trying to shake off the iron hall that held him down. The wound was bleeding freely and the loss of blood began to tell on him. His efforts grew weaker and finally as his limbs relaxed, a look ?of extreme despair settled on his face. "Suddenly the poor fellow spied his particular friend and companion, Welch, and with a wild yell he cried out: "'Oh, Welch! Oh, Welch, Save me!' "Oh, that voice! Hundreds of times I have heard the cries of dying men in their last agonv on the battlefield?enough to wring pity from a heart of stone?but never have I heard such a heart-piercing cry as that! It was the very keynote of physical and mental anguish, of hopelessness, of despair. "Above the shrieking of the shells Welch heard that crv and like a mad man he rushed to the side of his friend! Ah, it was a wonderful but a reckless act! The fuse was hissing loudly and many a man turned away from the sight sick. Rooted to the spot with terror I stood there. I can see it now! The poor
\u25a0our
39
fellow lying prostrate on the ground, bathed in his own blood, and throwing his arms feebly above his head. "And the bomb! I could see tbe fuse getting shorter and shorter, I could hear its deadly hiss growing louder and I could see the little blaze on the fuse creeping nearer and nearer to the hole in the shell, and when it reached the end?I shuddered at the thought. Slowly, inch by inch, the flame approached the hole. Oh, Death! why do you so tantalize your victim ! Suddenly with a shower of little sparks the blaze shot into the bomb! A little puff of smoke rose out of the hole and then the infernal thing looked as if it had gone out. But we all knew different! Welch knew it too and drops of perspiration stood out on his forehad. What followed was a dreadful thing to_ see. There was Welch, alone with that awful bomb and the man he was trying to save. He was down on his knees; his face pale as death; his eyes starting from his head! He was glaring at the fuse and tugging desperately at the shell. He saw the flame drawing nearer, always nearer! He tried to smother it with his hand but in vain, and as it suddenly darted into the bomb a frightful look of madness shot across his face! He knew now that he was doomed, but he would save Jim ! With superhuman strength he grabbed the shell in his arms and staggered to his feet! For an instant he looked wildly about him and then a blinding flash! a terrific explosion and it was all over ! We never afterwards found so much as an atom of either of them. ?-
"Poor Welch! It was a crazy thing for him to do. There wasn't any possible chance of saving the man and it was suicide to go anywhere near the bomb, but then I suppose he loved Jim so he couldn't bear to stand still and see him die without someone trying to help him. Men may talk about the charge of the Light Brigade at Balklava, I saw that myself ?but it wasn't anything in my mind com-
40
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
pared with Welch's sacrifice. The praises of the six hundred may he sung as long as the world lasts and no mention may ever be made of Welch, but that don't count for much. I don't know much about saints and them kind of things, but I can't believe that a man as brave as he was never got any reward. Oh, how he must have loved Jim to do that for him! Poor Welch!'' That is the story. I have told it in the words of the old soldier as near as I could remember them. It may have been a very ordinary occurrence and may have many equals in history hut it left a vivid impression on my mind which years have not tarnished and which every allusion to the war in which it happened serves to brighten. And whenever mention is made of the Crimean War there rises before my eyes the picture of a quaint little English tavern, and I see within an old soldier wrinkled and bent with age, and I hear again the recital of that act of reckless bravery which he witnessed at the seige of Sebastopol. CLASS NIGHT
of FIRST NIGHT
SPECIAL. LEWIS
J. GWYNN, '10
"Special"' lield its lirst banquet Saturday evenfirst. It was a round of jollity from seven until all were supposed to be under cover at eleven-thirty. The early part of the evening was spent in singing in the music room. Then we trooped down stairs for the main pare of the night's program. INIr. Dalton, Mr. Earls and Mr. Tivnan were the guests of the class. Fr. Rector was to have been present, but was unexpectedly called away. However, he joined us later in the evening and expressed himself us well pleased with the spirit of loyalty displayed by the class. When the banquet was somewhat advanced, several members of the class made their debut in after-dinner speeches. Charles FitzGerald, the class president, after a most interesting discourse on "Class Studies" introduced the various speaking, February the
ers. The speech of Theodore Kelley on "Class Spirit," was the tinest that came from our youthful orators. The other speakers were John H. Carey on "Youth," and Lewis J. Gwynn on "Our New College." The future careers of his classmates were clearly defined in the Prophecy read by Clement I. Loughman. The addresses by the faculty were greatly enjoyed and appreciated. The remaining part of the evening was spent in piano and vocal selections. FitzGibbon, Loughman, Carroll and Maher give promise of becoming Future Paderewskis, while Lavis, Kelley, Turcotte and the Kig Four will strive to outshine Caruso. The southern melodies rendered by members of the faculty were enjoyed by all. Through the kindness of FitzGibbon the class was supplied with dainty menu cards.
HIGH
SCHOOL NOTES.
Fourth Yoar wishes to extend its deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to Dennis Dooley in his recent bereavement. MacPeake says that the barbers around .Meeting Plouse Hill are on a strike. Ma honey has a great chest.
Capt. McCool Company of the Sacred Heart Cadets recently won a prize. Rah for Bill! Hans Goldin von Natick entertained us with a 'Greek song recently. McHugh has recently donned a Derby. It is but proof of his undaunted courage and valiant heroism. N. B. Bailey paid us a few visits last month. Come again, Bill. It is hoped that we take the elocution prize. Chisolm and Dooley should do something. Contributions for a safety razor for Keefe will be gratefully received. Condon was redolent with odoriferous perfume last month. Wall has composed a new, heartrending ballad, ?'Ode to a Bald Head Man.'' Murphy ought to be called by an uglier and shorter name. Dwyer would like to know what a Turkish Trophy is. F. Foley has the earmarks of a clever old "pol."
Third A secured four of the six officers of the Bapst Debating Society. The successful members were Phelan. Sollaway, Nash and Death. Daley related a dream to some of the class in
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS "which he saw Phelan picking first testimonials by the bushel off a plum tree. Second Year D is the new name for Special. Little Alfred wants to know why big Charles wears a plug hat outside of class hours. Tell him, somebody. Sweeney tries hard to figure out how many baskets he didn't make during the past season. The banquet was a big success?so was the doctor's bill. "I came, I saw, I conquered the exams ?i.e , I didn't take them," quoth .Toel from Lowell. We have it on the word of Brown that Taylor has gone bag and baggage to Chelsea: also that Wall gave a half promise to follow. Wall, wilt thou be a Benedict Arnold to South Boston? The Big Four?McLaughlin, S,eve FitzGerald, Carey and Murray?have banded together for concerted protection against the rest of the class. Taylor, don the trousers long, lest you be classed with the infant quartette. Theodore Kelley will be henceforth known as the "Modern Demcsthenes," owing to the stirring
41
noticed that the cap was not off. After a few minutes spent in the music room we moved downstairs to get the worth of our money. After-dinner speeches were given by President Clinton, Vice-President Lynch, Secretary Finnegan, Treasurer (also Beadle) Brown, Orator Moran, Janitor Schaefer, Poet Stone, and Serge.int-at-Arms Cannon representing the class: by our teachers, Mr. Keyes and Mr. Tivnan, and by Mr. Dalton and Mr. Miley, the guests who honored us by their presence. Unfortunately Mr. Earls was unable to attend. After recitations by Stenson, Stone, Moore, Nolan, and Reardon, a duet entitled "Raw," by Stackhouse and our "worthy" president, and songs by Edward Sullivan, Moran, Mc("We don't Uowan, Rouke, and Joseph Sullivan. remember just who sang and recited, but as Reardon wouldn't lend us his fountain we had to put him down. By the way, we acknowledge the loan of Stackhouse's pen for the inditing of these notes.) We left for home. So much for the banquet. Second B is now in first place in the Basketball
speech he made at the class banquet. Why are (Iwynn and FitzGibbon so much together of late? "Sunny Jim" McSwiney wishes to state that in the recent conflagration, he saved his insurance policy and hence is not in need of charity. Did you read in the paper that "Charley" Shannon made the hit of the evening in the comic opera presented in Lynn a couple of weeks ago ?
Inter-class League. Our boys held up the honor of the class by defeating the 2-Yr. A. basketball team by the score, 7?.J, after one of the hardest-fought and bestplayed games ever witnessed at B. 0. At the end of the second period the score stood .">??">. An extra period of play was called for and after bo-
Xo? Well! neither did I. There is an unconfirmed
from the spectators.
rumor going the rounds that Smith and Corcoran are about to set up a nursery. All who wish to join in the undertaking are referred to the principals. When O'Brien appeared in school with a green tie and a red handkerchief he was hailed with
joy by Kerrigan who thought that the seventeenth of March had come ahead of time.
Second A's banquet was such a success as we exnect when under the able direction of A basket-shooting contest Lynch and Cannon. It was the number on the program. was first closed on the disappearance cf the prize, Mr. Miley's orange. (Someone saw Stone and Brown with a piece) After a few tastes of the exciting sports of basketball and astronomical research. Shaughnessey gazed through the telescope into total darkness for some time before Mr. Tivnan would
minutes overtime, Capt. Welch caged a spectacular basket from the tioor, which brought cheers McUouey says Ed Kelly cuts fancy figures on the ice, but Ed tells me he cuts the ice instead. Fine playing, Jack Fleming. Keep up the good work. Spang deserves much credit for his play-
Kelly covered his man in fine manner. Ilolden hums a tune entitled, "The Lost Bell Cow with a Washboiler Cover on Each Foot." The yearning for home, the hopeless struggles with fate and with the washboiler cove.-, the plaintive bell and the faraway call of the huntsman, the times when she pulled her hoof with a "gloop" out of a muddy place, could almost be seen and heard. ing.
Second C is at last to be heard from. Our basketball team defeated First Special, 30 to 0, chiefly through good work by liiley and McDermott, who scored most of the baskets. Kirby also did good work as a back. Our second team followed
42
THE BOSTON COLLEGE STYLUS
the good example and defeated First Year C, 2d to 12. Grady represents our class on the High School relay team. John Corcoran is looking for a position as professor of Greek.
Fr. Reddan has taken possession of Fr. Raley's '"big stick."
McDermott Italian songs.
has
a
great
knack
for
singing
We had a visit from Fr. Hearn during the month of January. He took us an hour in English and the time passed very pleasantly and
quickly. We hope he will favor us with another visit soon.
First B has relieved the first year classes of any further worry over the Junior championship in basketball. Sheedy, Walsh and Gilbride are busy arranging for the class banquet, our sleigh party having been cancelled. Shall it he recorded in modern socials?
Watch
O'Kesfe's complacent smile when distributed. Coady asks that his January proceedings be published. We are all very timid about appearing in "toga virilis." Wait till the Easter number
the
first testimonials are
not
the for
a full account. Of the class sections the Spartans apparently are in the lead, probably because Walsh is in charge of the score. There is, however, a great deal of rivalry between a few of the members on either side. Riley for the Spartans, O'Keefe for the Athenians, and John Connor for the Thebans. The class is highly honored by a member taking first prize at the poultry show.
First D thinks that Goggin and Eonas are partespecially in writing out 50. & .75 lines. We are sorry that one of our members, John .T. MacAvoy, is very sick. Sheehan has not woke up to the fact that we ners lately,
are not all asleep.
ATHLETICS. D. H. O'B., '08.
From an athletic point of view, January proved to be the busiest month thus far this year. The various track meets both here and throughout the city, afforded our apsirants to track honors many opportunities for distinction which they were not slow to realize. Coach McCarthy has again succeeded in bringing out some good runners, besides developing many all-round athletes. The various class teams have all made a creditable showing. Prosperity in athletics at the College rests on our loyalty and strong support. Come to the meets. Come out and practice. Come to give encouragement to the competitors. The class meet, which was held Jan. 15, proved to be a walkover for the 'O9 class, due in a great
measure to the work of Capt. O'Kane, 'O9. "Bernie" was in a class by himself capturing four out of six possible firsts, and one second. "Bill" McHale. 'lO, was his closest rival, taking one first and one second. John Manning, 'O9, "Bill" Carroll, 'll, and George Keelan, 'OB, also showed up well. The relay races, however, proved the most interesting.
Great credit is due the management for the successful way in which the events were run off. The judges in spite of many perplexing situations gave welcome decisions.. Summary: 25-yd. Dash?Won by Manning, 'O9; Carroll, 'lO, second; Sullivan, 'O9, third. Time 3 l-ss. 440-yd. Dasli?Won by O'Kane, 'O9; Keelan, 'OB, second; Welch, 'll, third. Time, 5Ss. 880-yd. Run?Won by O'Kane. 'olan Unteitor IDecorator ant>
and
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