free december, cb~ montbly r~cora - conway hall...non-mombors oan obtain this publication from the...

8
Non-Mombors oan obtain thi s publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926. montbly of Soutb Plact €tbical South Place, Moorgate, E.C.2 ()b\ect of the Society .. The Object of the Society is the cultivation of a rational religious sentiment, the study of ethical principles, and the promotion of human welfare, in harmony with advancing know led ge." MBMBBRSHIP. kny person in sympathy with the Object of the Society is oordially invited to b&OOJI14> & m<lmber. The .. mount of Bubocription i. optional , with .. minimum of 2.. Bd. pe!" Q".1,llft;;er, or lOa per annulll Any intC"resW in thp Sncw,t;v:s work wlshmg to biloome .. m_ber, ma.y jom 80S "n ASSOCUTII, the mmurum II1lbsorlption being Ss. per annum. Further pnrtioula.rB may be obtained in the Libr"ry_ before and "tter the Sundo.y """iOB, or on o.pplioa.tion to the Hon. Registrar, MU.8 R. HALLS, South Pl .. oe Institute, Fin.bury, E.0.2. SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES. The following DISCOURSES will be delivered on Sunday Service beginning at ELEVEN O·CLOCK. November 28. - S. K. RATCLIPFE. - The Goapel of Henry Ford. Quartet. Happy they who are not weary (No. 68) .. . Duet (S. and T.). Onwn.rd and Onwnrd ... ... .. . Hymn. {NO. 45. All are nrchiteots of fate. No. 112. There is in every human heart. Mendel8Rohn SuJ.lifJun December 5 .- C. DELlS LE BURNS, M.A., D.Lit. - Is there a New Religion? Quartet. "Make \UI .. god," said rean (No. 20,1) ... .. Colkt Trio (8.0. and T.). This world is not a fl eeting show Cu rsohma,,,, Hymna {NO. 5. Britain's flnt poet. No. 72. Would you go.in the golden city. December 12.-JOHN A. HOBSON, M.A. - Ia the Good Life Interesting? Qu .. rtet. Man is his own star H. Smith Webstl'r Quartet. How lovely is the world around SpoilT Hymns {NO. 42. All around us, f .. ir with flowers. No. 115. Hnppy ho whooo spirit ear. Deoember 19.-5. K. RATCLIFFE.-The Conftict of Race and Colour. Qun.rtet. Ring out wild billls (No. 172) Solo (B.). Ethiopia sn.luting the colours Hymne {NO. 30. Not with the flashing .tccl. No. 207. Men I whose bon.st dt is that yo. December 26.-No SerVice. Troussellc O. Wood . :tdHl/mn Praotioe, to Ulhioh all person. do.irolU of improving "'e hl/mn .inging are , ;, hold at the clo.. of each Service. Organut: H. Sllrrn WJalSTIIB, 68. Lonine Road, N .1. Su,J'ilito rl ar' invited to obtain information regarding the 800ietll in the Librarll on all "'<",lIng •. 8:1: A Oollection ill made at elUJh S'Mlice, to mabl. tho.e pr.,ent to contribute to the pen. Cl Of the Societl/. ... OIlClutl du,irinll to attend 11'8 Service, tire informed that the Oommittee hawe made 'Or hOlUing thoir mtJohin.. in the buement. U Is to be let for Meetings, etc. Application may be made to the Caretaker , T u lace, E.C.2. or to Mr. N. Lldstone, 96, Blacllstock Flnabury Park, N,4, he Chapel Is licensed for Marriages, Arrllog. ruents can be made for Funeral Services on application to the Se"otall)',

Upload: others

Post on 22-May-2020

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum

DECEMBER, 1926.

Cb~ montbly R~cora of

Soutb Plact €tbical South Place, Moorgate, E.C.2

()b\ect of the Society • .. The Object of the Society is the cultivation of a rational religious sentiment, the study of ethical principles, and the promotion of human welfare, in harmony with advancing know led ge."

MBMBBRSHIP. kny person in sympathy with the Object of the Society is oordially invited to b&OOJI14>

& m<lmber. The .. mount of Bubocription i. optional , with .. minimum of 2.. Bd. pe!" Q".1,llft;;er, or lOa per annulll Any pt'~(jn intC"resW in thp Sncw,t;v:s work bu~ ~ot wlshmg to biloome .. m_ber, ma.y jom 80S "n ASSOCUTII, the mmurum II1lbsorlption being Ss. per annum. Further pnrtioula.rB may be obtained in the Libr"ry_ before and "tter the Sundo.y """iOB, or on o.pplioa.tion to the Hon. Registrar, MU.8 R . HALLS, South Pl .. oe Institute, Fin.bury, E.0.2.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES. The following DISCOURSES will be delivered on Sunday mornin~s,

Service beginning at ELEVEN O·CLOCK.

November 28.- S. K. RATCLIPFE. - The Goapel of Henry Ford. Quartet. Happy they who are not weary (No. 68) .. . Duet (S. and T.). Onwn.rd and Onwnrd ... ... .. .

Hymn. {NO. 45. All are nrchiteots of fate. No. 112. There is in every human heart.

Mendel8Rohn SuJ.lifJun

December 5.-C. DELlS LE BURNS, M.A., D.Lit. - Is there a New Religion? Quartet. "Make \UI .. god," said rean (No. 20,1) ... .. Colkt Trio (8.0. and T.). This world is not a fl eeting show Cursohma,,,,

Hymna {NO. 5. Britain's flnt poet. No. 72. Would you go.in the golden city.

December 12.-JOHN A. HOBSON, M.A. - Ia the Good Life Interesting? Qu .. rtet. Man is his own star H. Smith Webstl'r Quartet. How lovely is the world around SpoilT

Hymns {NO. 42. All around us, f .. ir with flowers. No. 115. Hnppy ho whooo spirit ear.

Deoember 19.-5. K. RATCLIFFE.-The Conftict of Race and Colour. Qun.rtet. Ring out wild billls (No. 172) Solo (B.). Ethiopia sn.luting the colours

Hymne {NO. 30. Not with the flashing .tccl. No. 207. Men I whose bon.st dt is that yo.

December 26.-No SerVice.

Troussellc O. Wood

. :tdHl/mn Praotioe, to Ulhioh all person. do.irolU of improving "'e hl/mn .inging are "'~Ite , ;, hold at the clo.. of each Service.

Organut: H. Sllrrn WJalSTIIB, 68. Lonine Road, N .1.

Su,J'ilitorl ar' invited to obtain information regarding the 800ietll in the Librarll on all "'<",lIng •.

8:1: A Oollection ill made at elUJh S'Mlice, to mabl. tho.e pr.,ent to contribute to the pen. Cl Of the Societl/.

... OIlClutl du,irinll to attend 11'8 Service, tire informed that the Oommittee hawe made r~lIem~t' 'Or hOlUing thoir mtJohin.. in the buement.

U S~e teO~ldlOg Is to be let for Meetings, etc. Application may be made to the Caretaker , T u lace, E.C.2. or to Mr. N. Lldstone, 96, Blacllstock ~oad, Flnabury Park, N,4,

he Chapel Is licensed for Marriages, Arrllog.ruents can be made for Funeral Services on application to the Se"otall)',

Page 2: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

I

Lending Library. Tbe Lending Library is open fl'ee to Members of the Society on Sundey morning.

b.fore And .Iter th. ServIce. Assoeia. .... a.nd Non-Members of th .. 90oi.'Y mny under ocrta.in conditions be granted tbe u'"" of the Library upon payment of a. sUbsoription 01 2 •. 6d. per annum. The Ca.talogue, including Eevoral supplements, is on sa.lc, price 6d . A. written Oa.tRlogue, containing up·to-<lote a.dditioDs, is a.vRila.ble for the reference of borrowers. Subocriptions towards the purchase 8nd repair 01 books are invited.

{ WALLIS M'N~r01lD, ·"rh. Outlook." Ring,ond Av., Rul&llp, Middlc ... z.

Han Librariana F. JAMES, 802, Dn1ston La.ne, Hoekney, E.8. MISS V. A. ALEXANDER, 5, Hopefield Av., Brondesbury Pk., N.W.6.

Trea'tU'sr... ... M1I8. STEVItNS, 14711., Ola.pton Oommon, E.5.

League of Nations Union Branch. A Public Meeting will be beld on Monda.y, December lSth, a.t 7 p.m., in the Library

a.t South Plaoe Ill8tltute, when Mr. D. OURISTIE TAIT WIll speak on .. Tbe International La.bour Orgoni.a.tion." The lecture will be followed by question. end discusBions Admission froe.

Hon. Secretary, HELI!N M. FAmruLL, 8, Soorborougp Road, Stroud Groon, N.4.

Rambles. Tuesday, December 7~h -Duke of York's Theatre.-"The Queen was in the

Parlour."-Meet at tbe gallery entrance, i p.m. at IRtest. Sunday, December 12th.-After Service Ramble through the Royal Parks.

Conllucted by F. JA~ms. Bring lunch, which will be taken at S. P. If wet there will be " visit to the National Gallery.

Sunday, December 19th.-BrltiBh Museum Ramble. Conducted by B. O. WA1IWICK. Meet outside 2.30 p.m.

Sunday, December 26th.-Orpington and Diatrict. Oonducted by Mr. F. M. OVERY. Trnln, Obaring Cros., 10.5, London Brillge, 10.10. Obeap return Orplngtcn, 1/10. Bring lunch.

Saturday, January 1st. 1927.-The London Museum. Conducted by Mr. EDWABD SNELLING. Meet 2.15 p.m. outside.

R Se t . {Mrs. J AMl<8, 302, Dalston Lane, R8. on. ere artu: B. O. WARWICK, 134, Hlgbbllry Hill, N.b

Soiree. The monthly soiree will be held on Thursday, December 9th, from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m. A

short )1lay will be presented by members of the play·rendlng circle, and will be followed by games and dancing. Ligbt refreshments. Oollectlon.

Play.Reading eircle. On Wednesday, December 15th, at 630 p.m .. In tbe J~ibrary, .. A Bill of Divorcement."

by Olemence Dnne will be real!. TeaM 5.30. All members are cordially InvIted to attend bet.h the tea and the reading.

lInnual ehildren's Party. The South Place annual children's party will be heJn on Tuesday, January 11th, at 5.30

p.m. It is hDped to a.rrange a play to be acted by the children of members, in addition to the customary games and danCing.

Suaday Popular eoaeerts (ebamber Mu ale). 'rhe FORTY·}' IRS'r SEASON wiIJ be continu~d every SUNDAY, ex<'Cpt December 26.

Doors open at 6.10, commenOO at 6.30 p.m. <~dmi.ssion Free, with CoUcotion. November 28.-Tll" Woon SAUTU STRINO QUARTC'T: Georg" Stl'lltton, J esaie Stcwor"

.lli<'C Grassi., Johu lIfoore. Solo Piu,," : ha bel Grny. Vo calist: Dorothen Wobb. At Ihe Pian.u: Elln Ivinley. Boro<1inc's Quartet in .A t .M endelssohn's Quarter in D.

December 5.-PhEUISClTE OoNCERT. Voca list: Oath.rine St .. wnrt. At tit. Piano ; Mhel Attwood.

Dooember 12.-l'nE KUTCIlElt 'E;lrmNo QUAltTCT : Samuel Kutch er, G(>org<! Whitaker , .IAm ... Locky.r, Ambrose Gmmtlett. OI("ill,·t : OhM·I"" Dra.IX'r. Voca!i8t: H el,., <limpson . • H the Piano: A rthur aDdfol'd. Oodcl'idge 1'I>ylo,', ('fiarin"t Qnintet: Mozo,rt' s Qua.rtet III B. fiat, K. 458; Hugo Wolf's Ita.lio.n Se!'enu<le.

December 19.-OncUEST'RU OoNCERT hy the SOUTn PLACE OllCllESTUA. COllducto/' : R. H . Wo.lthcw. Ha.y<In SymphollY (B. & H. No. 10'2), Allber, Overture Fra Dinvolo ; Snt(>tana, Overture, Doer KllSS; Duch's Violin overhlre in A minor.

JUDUa.ry 2.-'1'11£ NEW STluNa QCARTF.'!': Antonio Brosa, Edithn Braho.m, Gerbrutl Hopkins, Livio M."l1nucci. Pianoforte; Isabcl GrllY ond Olaud" Pollard. Strin g' Qunrtots: Beetil9ven in D, Op. 18, No. S ; Dollllnnyi in A, Op. 7. Duet. for Two I'ianos : Schumann's An<1anto ond Vari&ti011S, Arensky'~ Silbouett~.

'l' he 1,OOOth Conocrt will take plaoo on February 20. when " Special Programme "'Ill be given and mony Ar tist. a."""oia.ted with the Oonoerts will appenr.

Transferable Reserved Seat Tickets, 5. ench., ava.ilnbl" to March 27, 1927, Md inoludinl! admis-sion to the l,OOOtb Concert. Progro.mme Subscri]ltions 5s. CX!r6. ,Ipplicotlon 8hould be mAde to the Ron. 'l'rea.surer of the Ooncel'ts , ~' . A. HAWKINS, 13, 'i'hurlow ra.rk J;l.oad, S.E.21, ncoompruued by remittRnoo and stll.mped nddre",,,<l envel0p'"

Hon. Treas.: b' RANX A. HAWKINS, IS, '1'hurlo .... Park Road, S.E.21. HOII. S~e.: AL'lI£D J. OLIUP.NT8, 8, Finohley W01, N.S. HAt 9B {Air •. D. At. OLnll!lfTS, 8, Finohley W"1' N.S. 0... ... 0 •• : W. S. MEADMn1l.B, 11', LoWlld.,. Bqua.." Knlgbt,bridge, S.W.1.

Page 3: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

a Discussions.

Tho Disoussioo Oirole will meet on Monday ennings .. t 6.45 p.m. DOI'ember R.-Mr. D.vrenforth: .. Olher Times, Other Manners." December lS.-D. Ohristie Tn.it: .. T"" Int>e.rnationaJ Labour Organis .. tion." D<'OOIr. ber 2O.-Prevlou8 Sunday's Lecture. Deoomber 27.-No Meeting.

South Place ercheatra. Conductor: RICHARD H. WALTHEW.

Memberahip.-Tba .upport ot fonne.r m"",ber. and the _.iou ot n .... OMot, are deeiNld in order that tM improvement ot b.ot ..... on may not only be mamtained but 6s'ended.

Bubaerlption.-lOe. tor OAoh ba.lt """80a. Iny further partiouLar. m .. y be had from the Hon. Beeret&ry,

F. '\'!. OUfNINO, 6S, Kingaball Road, &ckenhaDl.

eonwlIY Memorial Lectures. The Conway Memori .. l. Lecture., which are d.liT.red .. nnuo11y in M,!"oh. ,:",cre in,ug~,.

rated in 1908, ... a Memorial to Dr. Moncure D. Oonw .. y. The CommIttee la not ,et In Posses.ion ot the necessary capital for th e permAnent endowment ot the J",etnr.shlp~ nnd in th. men~tlm. it makes an enrnest appeal to o!1 rpnder" of 'he l\fflNTUI T RECORD .,tber for suhaeriptions or donntions, to ensur the continuance ot tl,e leetnl'<'" These 81,ould be .ent to tbe Hon. Treasurer. Mr •. CoOKDUltN, Perndeniya. 18, Northampton Rond, Croydon.

Seventeen lectures have been given, and copies of these can be purchased .. t the book .tall.

Hon SerBta '. f FoRNEaT OAnn, .. T"yndnll," Es..,ndon Ron<1, Sand~ .. tond, Surrey. . 'le Mrs. C. FLETcnEn SIoIlTIJ, 35. iltntion Wny, Letohworth.

The GmmnAL OOMlIITTEE wiU meet on Wcrlnt\odn,y, Decem],er I. Corrospo~d('nce denlinlr with mnUer. for conlriderntlon .hould be forwardod to F. M. OVEnT, Hon. Bee., 36. Oaterham Road, L,,,vi8hnm, S.E.lS, nt tile earliest p088ible moment. All mntters relntin.g to flnnnce should be addressed to tho TrerulUrer.

Seoretari .. of 8ub,committNle are requested to note that nnv mattpr whioh they wish to insert In the UONrm.r nJ!conD ohould be In the bands of Mr. F. W. lli:AD not later ~h1l.D 15th of the month . All literary mntter should be for ... arded to the Editor. Mr.

. .T. Por.LAnn, as early in tho month as po08ible.

EDITORIAL. L.C.C. SCHOOL CHILDREN'S TREAT.-In January the farewell party will

00:: give? to children from neighbouring L.C.C. schools, and the Sub-Com­mittee m charge naturally wish tbat this last occasion shall be at least as S.uccessful as its many predecessors. They will, therefore, be glad to ,recelV.e subscriptions to the fund now opened to carry it out. Last year 240 gals and boys were present at the tea and entertainment, and a present ~as given to each of them on leaving. The presents for this year will InclUde books, knives, balls, dolls, necklaces, swimming caps, tool se ts . ~andbags, moutb-organs and work baskets. Subscriptions will be received Irn the Library, or may be sent to the Hon . Treasurer of the fund, Mr. F. A. {awkins, 13, Thurlow Park Road, S.E.21.

.. WHY EDUCATE? "-Mr. F. J. Gould has printed for gratis-giving a ~ct~re he gave on this subiect at Chesterfield, under the auspices of the - atlonal Union of 'Women Teachers. Copies can be obtained by sending 't. halfpenny stamp to Mr. Gould, Armorel, Woodfield Avenue, Ealing, W.S. 1 he lecture was listened to by an audience including 700 teachers, five in ­spectors, one Mayor, one M.P. and one Bishop. Its spirit may be gathered from the fOllowing quotation: .. I here and now declare my view that we are on the edge of a new time. The world outside the school is full of ~novement, which old-fashioned fogies call' unrest' and' revolution.' Then' IS no desperate unrest and no real revolution. There is strong breathinJ! and a healthy heart-beat, and a courage that is going to conquer war and jOverty. This heart-beat must move the school. Education must no onger ben.d over the desk and cramp its soul into spell in/!, writing', and

. umds,. or, Indeed, into any list of' subjects.' It must live in, and live by.

an bve for, great ideas."

Page 4: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

4

TilE ETHICAL MOVf:1IENT, 1876--1926.-Mr. H. Snell, M.P., has written a valuable pamphlet, in which he answers with optimism the following questions, giving good reason for the faith he has in the future: "What contribution has the Ethical Movement made to human experience dUrIng the fifty years it has lived? If it were destined to die at the present time, would men's thoughts respecting religion and life bear no trace of its work? Has the propaganda which it has conducted been worth while, and is the Movement, after fifty years of effort, still at the spring time and the sowing of the seed, or is it as when they have gathered the summer fruits?" Copies of this pamphlet are on sale at the Book Stall, price twopence.

AN EVENT IN NOVEMBER. To select and place 011 record one single group of bappy memories, when

so many can be lightly summoned from the social round provided during the late summer and autumn, would appear to be not only difficult but nnfair. Yet repe6tion of all the good times we have had might easily pall upon the reader, even if space and time had not more urgent claims. So beyond saying to those members and friends who have contributed their part, that life during 1926 was made a little more worth the while after tlae light excursions we made together over windswept moors, or within the closer intimacy of the furnished room, we will pass on to describe one event in which only a limited number could participate.

On November 13 a party was organised to visit the studio of a well­known artist in Chelsea-a privilege kindly secured through the medium of our friend, Mrs. Stuttig. The studio was that of Mr. Charles Wheeler, whose work has highly merited the appreciation it has received in the present exhibition of the National Portrait Society in Piccadilly. Mr. Charles Wheeler is a sculptor, whose recognition has surely come, because the British public rely on their intuitive perception of truth along lines of simple suggestion, rather than upon special emphasis of certain features, which, if not treated with the touch of a genius, may lead to undue exaggeration. In his work one pauses upon the whole and instinctively sees the part in its living perspective. 'With infinite patience Mr. and Mrs. \Vheeler and their companion told us of their material, of their tools, and of their art. The emergence of wood and stone into life, and the privilep'e of seeing the process in being is our ouly excuse for the close attenti~n in which we held our host and hostess for the space of two hours or more. It was particularly interesting to see the work Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler (who share the honours equally) have recently executed on order for the Con ­tinent. One graceful figure in wood, and two symbolic figures in stone, representing the upward struggle of pioneer man through the ages, are notable for their directness and simplicity. The range of interest compre­hended by the sculptor's art was too great a theme for ollr little Saturdav Rfternoon visit, and we must needs be content with the fine opportunity we were afforded of gaining a little more insight into the most ancient of !.he cnltivated arts. Therefore, our warmest tbanks are due to our bost and hostess for the trial tbey willingly endured. W. F.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION BRANCH. In view of tbe lecture which Mr. D. Cbristie Tait is to give to our

League of Nations Union Branch on December 13, it is interesting to recall Article 23 of tbe Covenant, according to wbich the Members of the League declare, inter alia, that they" will endeavour to secure and main ­tain fair and humane conditions of labour for men, women and children . . . and for that purpose wiIJ establish and maintain the necessarv international organisations." In this Article is tbe germ of the International Labour Organisation, which was, in fact, set up by a separate chapter (Part XIII) of the Treaty of Versailles, and whicb has during the seven years of its existence done much to bring about an improvement in the conditions of labour of the working men and women of tbe world, particu­larly in tbe East and in tbe new European countries born as a result of the 'Var. In this country, tbe I.L.O. is best known by tbe discussions

Page 5: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

"

a which have taken place, both in Parliament and outside, on the Washing­ton Eight-Hour Day Convention_ This is, hOWeVE.l, only ont: of a great variety of subjects, such as unemployment, social insurance, conditions of labour of seamen, agriculture and emigration, for example, on which it has added to our knowledge, and has helped to promote international agree­ment, thus diminishing the severity of the competition of countries with less advanced labour legislation than our own_

" ROSMERSHOLM." (C oncluded)_

The public at large have never understOOd that the Ibsen drama is not a drama of persons, but of ideas. Hence the discussion many years ago whether Nora Helmer ought to have left ber husband and children, and the obvious reflection that Rosmer an<:l Rebecca might have made a happy marriage. The answer in these matters is that Ibsen's men and women are primarily an embodiment of ideas, and are obliged to act under t1le spell of a conceived purpose; only in a secondary and restricted sense are they human beings of flesh and blood. As in the phrase of Shakespeare, ., as £lies to wall'ton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their Sport," so in the conception of Ibsen, Rosmer and Rebecca go to rthe mill race because the unseen deities who preside over the mysteries of heredity and ghostly inheritance so decree. It is further to be noted that Lbsen was wont to utilise ideas in varying dramatic form. When he had presented a problem in the shape which originally suggested itself to his mind, he turned it round in order to exhibit ;,t in another aspect. Thus, as he himself pointed out, Brand is the antithesis of Pecr Gynt; the former is the incarnation of unconquerable human will, the latter of a weak invertebrate volition. The marriage question has one aspect in IJ Doll's House, another in The Lady from lite Sea. In Gliosis the male­~cent operation of the law of heredity is envisaged; in Rosmersholm it IS depicted as an instrument of purification. The legend which was cur­rent when Ibsen first became famous that he was a preacher with a mes­sage ought to have disappeared, especially in view of his express repudia tion of the prophetical office, but such things die ~ard. It survives with regard to the question of woman's social position; he is still regarded as a champion of female emancipation, mainly because of his insistence ').n the virtue of complete freedom and the somewhat relatively contemp­llble presentation of men in the plays. That woman should carry the flag of frep-dom, and that man should pose as the tyrant, is an ingenious d:splay of theatrical technique; it has no moral significance. Ibsen dId not regard man as the possessor of liberty any more than woman, he thoug-ht that the race needed to be liberated, and 1hat freedom was a ~ood in itself. till less did he hold the superstition iliat the emancipa­t Ion of women would necessarily effect a general moral improvement. In GllOsts, the representation of evil takes masculine form, but in RosmersllOhll the Woman is the anarchical and non-moral force; the man the restraining and beneficent influence.

That the conception which Ibsen sets himself to realise is too gigantic for the theatre can easily be contended . His genius worked naturally ie. ~ragic form, and his high seriousness assumed a temper which may not Ina~tly be termed religious. There must have been a. time when the ancl~nt Greeks thought that the gods impelled them to the commission ~f chabolical crimes, and the conviction was carried on into Christianity. \~hen the moralising process ~et in, it was introduced into the human mInd through the prevailing sentiment that the Deity actively supervised the aff~irs of the world; the activity of the gods in Euripides and Shakes­Peare lS COnceived to be di reet, and therefore comparatively easy of effec­tlve :e~re5{)ntation on the stage. In ancient Greece too, the drama was a rehglouS function, and in Shakespeare's time it had a background of ?~tward feudal splendour· it was concerned largely with the doings of {lngs and princes. But ~hen Ibsen came upon ilie dramatic SCene the gOds. had vanished from human affairs, their place had been taken by <'ertaln dimly defined entities which wise men only comprehended vaguely

Page 6: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

6

and the vast majority understood nOlt at all. His task was to represent the action of these entities which had displaced the gods as an expression of human character, an achievement of extreme difficulty, in that {he forces at work could only be shown as operating indirectly. Into the cauldron of unintelligence represented by the normal play-going public seeking only for an evening's amusement, Ib~en threw his potent alembic, and there arose a spectre more impressive than all the ancient gods, and veiled in Impenetrable mystery. This Frapkenstein-raised monster declared to be the master of the universe, the embodiment of those inherited instincts and aspirations which dominate the race and walk in darkness. It would have been a marvel if such a presentation had been made effective to a theatrical audience; it is hardly le5s marvellous that the attempt should have been made. The conception stamps Ibsen as a great innovating artist, and furnishes him with a sure passport to immor.tality. A. S. TOMS.

BYRON-THE PILGRIM OF ETERNITY. Dedicated by permission to Mr. Charles Ian Fraser, of Newstead Abbey.

o dauntless pilgrim in a world of strife! Strong passions stirred, deep sorrows bri=ed thy life. Ban~shed from wife, and child, and native shore; Traduced by slander, exiled evermore; A tragic wanderer o'er land and sea; Facing thy fate, thou bad'st thy muse be free. Thy poetry's music dried thy bitter tears, Restored thee zest for life through lonely years.

Courage was thine!

When roused to action by a country's call, For Hellas thou did'st sacrifice thy all ! Imagination fired thy valiant mind, To light a torch of freedom for mankind. Fighting for liberty, thou knew'st no fear. Britain acclaims thee Poet-Hero-Seer! Greece, now a nation, venerates thy name, Enshrined immortal on the heights of fame!

WALLIS MANsFoRD.

SHAW AND" SAINT lOAN." We, who warmly admire Shaw, admit the vein of impishness in his

work, but we accept him primarily as a sincere and earnest thinker, and a dramatist of genius. His plays, considered as an embodiment of the intuitions of their anthor, demonstrate a writer of fundamental seriousness. Arnold Rennett doubtless had Shaw in his mind when he wrote: " Our chief playwright is a teacher before he is an amuser." "Saint J oan " is a striking testimony to Shaw's inherent dignity of mind, nor do I think that this play can be properly quoted as an exception that proves the rule. In my opinion, " Saint J oan " does not mark the birth of a new spirit or a different outlook in Shaw, but is a finer and deeper expression of ideas and tendencies already manifest in his previous works.

At the first glance there seems an incongruity in the fact that a drama depicting an early fifteenth century heroine-a play that makes Joan of Arc live as a hi.storical characte~~hould als? illustrate the thought and feeling of a twentIeth century Bnllsh playwnght. It would have required an acute and sympathetic critic to imagine that Shaw would choose Joan of !,rc as th.e protagonist of one of his plays and, still more strange, that ln presentlllg J oan of Arc he would be able to vOIce some of the leading principles of his own religious and philosophical make-up, and that he could accomplish this dual effect, not only without maltreating the memory of Joan of Arc, but could at the same time compass a portrait that pays eloquent tribute to the beauty and significance of her life. This remark­able feat Shaw has, I think, achieved. He has produced a living represen­tation of Joan of Arc, and has also poured into the mould of Joan of Arc, in a perfectly natural manner, much of his own spirit and creed. The explanation of this two-fold effect must surely be that Shaw's attitude to

Page 7: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

7

life and its spiritual problems is in many essential respects similar to that of J oan of Arc.

In 1891 Shaw published his" Quintessence of Ibsenism "-his first play, "Widowers' Houses," was produced in 1892. In the concluding chapter of this study of Ihsen's plays Shaw wrote: "Since happiness consists In the fulfilment of the will . . . Ibsen claims afresh the old Protestant right of private judgment in questions of conduct as against all institu tions." Shaw obviously agrees with this attitude and he himself, in the opening chapter of this book, describes the will as the prime motor of life and affirms in a footnote that" the will is our old friend the soul or spirit of man." He also says that although "ability to reason accurately is as desirable as ever . . . yet faith in reason as a prime motor is no longer the criterion of the sane mind." This idea of the will or soul of man as ~he motive power, thus enunciated in ·this early essay, is frequently repeated In his plays. In" Arms and the Man," first produced in 1894, Sarenoff cries out: "Oh! give me the man who will defy to the death any power on earth or in heaven that sets itself up against his own will and con­science. He alone is the brave man." In" The Devil's Disciple," first produced 1897, Dick Dudgeon explained his quixotism in allowing himself to be taken prisoner in place of Pastor Anderson in the following language: "I had no motive and no interest; all I can tell you is that when it came to the point whether I would take my neck out of the noose and put another man's into it, I could not do it. I have been brought up standing by the law of my own nature; and I may not go against it, ~allows or no gallows." In bis essay on " The Sanity of Art," published In 1907, Shaw wrote: ". . . We are afraid to look life straight in the face and see in it, not the fulfilment of a moral law, or of the deduction of reason, but the satisfaction of a passion in us of which we can give no rational account whatever." And in a personal communication he said: " Not only is man the vehicle of the force that moves him; but he is also the vehicle of the force that chooses. He is, in the old phrase, the temple of the Holy Ghost. He has, in another old phrase, the divine spark within him."

The foregoing quotations from Shaw, representative of his general trend of thought, establish a close relationship between the inner inspiration of Joan of Arc and that of Bernard Shaw. The terminology is different, the effect upon Shaw of increased knowledge and wider experience of the wo,:ld is evident, but fundamentally they were both actuated by convictions WhlC~ have much in common: belief in the authority of the individual C~)Qsclence, tlle duty to follow its dictates, irrespective of outside domina. hon, and never to compromise in matters of conscience. C. J. POLLARD.

SUNDAY POPULAR CONCERTS . . Among the excellent musicians who contributed solos to the programmes

dUnng the past month, was Mr. David Sisserman, who played violoncello ~olos on October 24. Mr. Sisserman so gripped the audience by his render­~ng. of an "Elegie/' by Faun~, and " Minuet," Beethoven, that they lns1st.ed on an encore. He. then played "Orientale," by Cui. The effect ?f thIS on his audience was almost one of mesmerism, so perfect was the 1 n terpretation.

On two succeeeding Sundays excellent performances of Brahms' piano 'huartets were given. That in C minor was played on October SI, and t.e <? minor Quartet on November 7. Mrs. Herbert Withers was the PIanIst in the latter Quartet. She has a rippling technique, whicb showed to .great advantage in the last movement of the work. The grandeur whIch is a characteristique of the master, was well marked by Mrs. 'Vithers and the string players, led by Miss ]essie Grimson.

. The annual concert in aid of the Musicians' Benevolent Fund was §lven on November 14, with Miss Dilys Jones as the vocalist and Mr. a~uel Kutcher leading his quartet. The concert concluded with a spirited

P7r ormance of the Dvorak Piano Quintet, with Mdme. Lily Henkel at the fl~no. The few, but well-chosen words spoken respecting the Fund by Mr. o n Gow must have considerably augmented the collection. H. D.

, j

:

!

Page 8: free DECEMBER, Cb~ montbly R~cora - Conway Hall...Non-Mombors oan obtain this publication from the Hon. Seoretary, post free 21· per annum DECEMBER, 1926.Cb~ montbly R~cora of Soutb

11

ReNeRRRY ePFJ(~ERS.

Tr.a'UT.r ... . •. O. E. LISTER, 21, Abbotts Park Road, Leyton, E.10.

S.crotari.. { MR.~. O. FLETCKER MITIf. 3.';. Station Way. Letchworth . .. , F. 111. OVERY. 36, Onterham Hoad, Lewilham. S.KI3

Sunday Lecture Secretary F. W R.AD, 65, Harloy Road, Harleoden, N.W.IO. Minute .'I.cret0'1l Registrar of M.mb.,. and} .

A .. ociate. MISI R. RULS. 21, Estcourt Road, Fulbnm, S. W.6.

Editor of MONTHLY RECORD C. J. POLLlUD, .. ShILnklin," Th. AYellUO. Ohilliford, E.'.

Librarian, {

w .. Lt.~s MA.NBFORD, "l'ho Outlook," Klng"enn Avonue, Ruislip MlCidlcscx.

... F. JUI.9, 802, Da.lston L""e, HlLOkney. E.B. Mu.. V. A. ALEXANDEn, 5, Hopelleld Avenue, Brondesbury

Park, N.W.6.

Secretaries of Sub.eommfttee •.

BuHd1n,; Concert

Conway Memorial Discu8sIons Esperanto Musle Publica tlon.

Rambles

SocIals

}{IBB .E. BylUOJI W. FISH MRS. F. Mo HAWXl1'lS MRS. JAMBB F. JUIBB Una. LIDBTOm N. LIDSTOlOl

New Associates:

F. HaRD.aT M.n,sroBD, .. Walden." Kinrlend Avenue, RuiaHp.

ALwaaD J. OLJlHIlNTS, B, Fincble,. Way, Finohley, N.S.

E. OARR, 6, Ea •• l1don Read, Sa.nd.eT1Jtead., SUTTeY. W. FIsn, 11 . Gray'. Inn Place, W.O.I.

S. J. SIIITlI, 48, Hornaey Rise Ga.rdens, N .19. MI •• F. J. SIMONS, ~O, Gr.nvllle Road, N.4.

E. SII'ILLINO, 8, Amberley Read, Leyton, E.IO.

{Mrs. J AMES, 802, Dnlston Lane, E.S. B. O. WAUWJOI<, 184, Highbury Hill, N.S.

{ .11 rl. F. A. RJOHARDS, 55, Oapel Road., E.7. MRS. A.. E. WATBON, Oheriton, A.lder·8brook Read, E.12.

(!l'!)MMITTEB.

Mns. LISTlln J. J. MURPBY O. J. POLLARD MIBS E. SIIdONb S. J. SMITH R. E. SNKLLINO Mas. B. E. STIIVENB

MRS. BTUTTIO F. STUTTIG MBB. SUTCLun J. E. SUTCLrlTB A. S. TOMS MRB. WATSON A. E. WATSON

Mr. GEOROR FnaMAN, 2fT, Cotleigh Rond, N .W.6. Mr. W. S. GODFR.EY, Red HOWle, UptOR, Bexlcy Heath, Kent. Mr. JOSGrIf GORl/AN, 4/4a, Heascl Street, Oommercial Rood, E.l.

changes of Address: Mr. E. B. GRP.EDY, 70, Vernham Road., S.lll.IS. Mrs. M. OoNWAY SAWYER, Colony Olub, 564, Park A...,nue, New York, V.S.A. Mr. W. FrFP£, 63, Magdalen Road, Wandsworth Common, S.W.IS.

DIRRY Fl'!)R DBeEMBBR.

I General Committee... 6.30 p.m. 13 Leagne of Nations 5 Service I 1.0 a.m. Union Branch 5 Popul~r Concert 6.30 p.m. IS Play Reading ... 6 Discussion 6.45 p.m. 19 Service 7 Theatre Party (see p. 2). I9 Ramble: British

7 p.m. 6.30 p.m. 11.0 a.m.

9 Soiree 6·30 p.m. Museum (see p. 2). [2 Service 11.0 a.m. 19 Popular Concert 6.30 p.m. 12 Popular Concert 6.30 p.m. :20 Disculsion 6.45 p.m. 12 Ramblp. : Royal Parks (see p.:2). :26 Ramble: Orpington (see p. 2).

Printed and Publilhcd by TIllI UTOPIA PJIJI8S, UrD., 44, Worobip 9tr'eet, E.O.2.