1933-01-04 — Page 17

ENGLISH LIGHT VERSE

ADDRESS TO ENGLISH

ASSOCIATION

“English Light Verso" was the subject taken by Mr. H. C. Mac- namsta for his address to the English Association yesterday afternon, Mr. Mnenamara did not touch on technicalities of matre and rhyme, but gave an entertaining discourse on the great writers of light vorse..

In the course of his, address, Mr. Macnamara sald:-The first question that prosents itself in opening a discussion on Light Verso" is, "What, le light verse?" Is it to be contrasted with heavy, verse? Certainly not! Heavy verse la moroly bad verse. The most sublime poetry, "Paradise Lost" for example, is not heavy. The only thing that can make it saem so is to hear it badly read.

As in the case of many other inquiries, the appropriate answer to the question can best be given by a comparison. Think for exam- pia of some lace of the nest poetry you know, and contrast them with the following short poem, the title of which is "On a distant prospect of an absconding

hookmaker."

my

"Alas! What boots It that

noble atced, "Chosen no carefully, the

field outran,

"I did not reckon, bookie, on

your speed, "The proper study of man-

kind is man.

The distinction I wish to em- phasize is apparent. The object of great verse is that it should be beautiful; the main object of light verse is that it should amuse

us. At the same time, it is not

all verae that amuses us that la tight verse in the sonse intended In this papor. Verse may be quite amusing, to some people at all events, and still literary merita at all. Light verse in the sense I am trying to in- dicate should have some beauty of

form.

have no

Historical Survey. What I propose to do this even- ing is not to try to analyse or at tempt to propound theories about light verso but simply to make rough historical survey of Eng- lish light verso beginning in the 17th Century and continuing down to the present time. The dificulty in dealing with this aub- ject in that we have too many writers of really good light verno and it is impossible to give more than a more outline of their work in the time available.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPII. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1933.

Tobacco. Calvertoy was one of, CANADA'S PROBLEMS.

the few mon who have been mom- bars of both the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. This ro minds me, that another writer of light verse, Lewis Carroll, was on Oxford ranthematical tutor. His veracs are too well known for me to take up your time by reciting thom. Lowla Carroll had a won- derful knack of making up port manteau words such as "brillig," "frabicous," "Blithey" and many others which are the despair of loss gifted persons. In the case

Thia art of crenting curious words ho had in common with the next author I intend to discuss, Edward Lear. Lear. was a vary popular children's poot some years

YEAR-END REVIEW BY. C.P.R. CHAIRMAN

custom:

in character.

WAR CLOUDS IN NORTH

ANTI-FOREIGNISM

IN PERSIA.

EUROPEAN WOMEN, AND RECEPTIONS BANNED

London, Jan. 3.

The following New Year message SHANHAIKWAN CRISIS has been sent out by Mr. E. W. Boatty, the Chairman and President

Pelping, Jan, 3. of tho Canadian Pacific Railway

Anxiety is at growing as de-

A decrco forbliding State (Montreal) to his staff in different velopments at Shanhaikuan, tand officials and army officers of high parts of the world, as is his annual

to be aggravated. So far the rank to associate with European "The improvement In Canadian Japanese have not, however, "de-women or to attend recoptions conditions anticipated at the end of livored. the ultimatum to Gèn.givon by forolgners, has" been 1931 has not taken place though on Chang Isuch-Hang na was ro-issued by the Shah of Porsin, of the word "chortle," he definite-more than one occasion during the ported by the Japanese sources. following the Anglo-Persian oll ly added a new word to the Eng-present year the hopes of Canadians

An official spokesman of the dispute and the dismissal of Toy Hish language.

were raised by favourable indications that turned out to be only temporary Japanese Legation at 10 am. de- Murtash, the Persian Minister of

clared that no ultimatum had yet Court. We have therafata bean forced to beni dolivored to Gén. Chang additional curtallments in our opera Houch-lling regarding the Shan- Another Indication of the grow- tions and to added personal sacrifices. hakuan affair. It is learned from ing feeling against foreign ahown by While not minimizing the serious- an authoritative source that dur-traders generally in ago and, I hope, is still so, Chil-nous of the general situation we may Ing the night two letters were de complaints made by Persian mer- dron will always enjoy making still retain our courage and our con-

livered to General Chang, one in chants that Soviet firms are acquaintance with the Jumblea Adence in ourselves and in Canada.

recont commercial Problems which are particularly our the name of the Japanese Military abusing the the "quangle-wanglo" and "Aunt own because they relate to Canadian and Naval Attaches and the other treaty. Jobisen," Ho also popularised conditions are receiving serious at in the name of the Japanese Com- the limerick.

tention by our public men and leaders mander of troops in North China. Imediate appointment of a Com- The merchants demand the im- in finance industry and agriculture Both of the communfentions state mulasiou to

best minds

examine futo tlie and the worlds

that Gon. Chang must assume.res- 'uestion and revise the treaty. grappling with economic and international problemsponsibility for the Shanhaikuan They allege that the prices of which presently exist.

Incident.

Soviet imports are continually. The result of these efforts must Further developments in connercasing beyond the stipulated oven if slowly indicato itself during nexion with the Japanese attitude terms-Our Own Correspondent.. the coming months.

and threata are being awaited here with great interest and an xiety-Reuter.

· The great name of Gilbert raises an interesting thought. To what extent, if at all, to the writer of light verso alded by his verses In the case being Bot to music? of Gilbert, I think he would have been great and much-admired writer of light verse, if no single line of his had ever been set to music. On the other hand, I la certain that his collaboration with his reputation, Sullivan did enormously enhance

Gilbert besides being à writer of light verses was a very real

satirist.

One of Gilbert's light operas doserves special mention; "Prin- cess Ida." In tho other operos, the parts that are not sung are in prosc. In "Princess Ida" they are in blank verac. It is the only In- stance I can recollect of "light" blank verse.

Gilbert, I think, is the greatest name that can be mentioned in connexion with English light verse.

equal.

Living Authors.

tho

compllented

I am satisfied that our officers and employees will not only meet these unusual conditions with their accus- tomed courage and ability but will make their own not inconsiderablu contribution to the solution of our problems.

the Com-

I wish you all the best of health with which to meet the personal and official problems of 1933,"

ainet

to

corned with the news. Some quar- Japanese Reinforced. tors are most apprehensive over

Peifing, Jan. 3.

the preservation of peace along

We have the certain assurance that has taken a turn for the worse this line

The situation at Shanhaikuan,the Mukden-Peking Railway be cause of the British interest on even a moderate Improvement in the Yesterday morning all was

and possibility of it

panys varied activities. Immediately throughout general situation will reflect itself with the cessation of firing. With being involved through the Bino- the arrival of Japanese reinforce Japanese clashes which are now

nearer being shifted much nients, the situation suddenly be- Peking and Tientsin, came tense again and fighting was resumed. At present several hun- When Tientsin received nowa dred Japanese troops are taking of the fall of Shanhaikunn tho positions between Shanbalkuan and Government enforced martial law PASSAGE CUTS.

Chinwangtao.

and in addition, armed gendarmes With regard to the outbreak on wore sent out this evening to pre- REDUCTIONS ON STEAMERS stor is that at 9 o'clock that night, Chinese residents

January 1, the Chinese official ver- serve orders, because hundreds of evacuated the TO AUSTRALIA

a number of plainclothesmen wore Chinese settlement for the foreign observed to be attempting to scale settlements fearing a resumption of London, Jan. 3. the Shanhaikunn city walls and at the anti-Japanese disturbances and Saloon and cabin clann steam- the same time gunshots being clashes between the Chiness and I now propose to consider liv-ship fares to Australia and New directed towards the city. Ride Japanese, hooligans. ing authora. I will mantlon at Zoaland been reduced as from to firing also started from Nankuan, once the names of five living ex-day. The reductions vary accord the suburb of Shanhaikaan where velopment Japanese officers at Chin- Because of the Shanhalkuan de- ponents of the art of writing light, ing to the class and grade of ac- the Japanese reside. An exchange 'wangtao this afternoon ordered the verse. They are Menars, Chester commodation and they amount in, of are between the attackers and evacuation from Chinwangtao of 60 ton, Belloc, Graham, Herbert and some cases to as much as £26 on the defenders of the city also fol- Japanese women and children for Wyndham Lewis. Some may con- a single fare.

lowed.-Reuter.

the Japanese gunboats. sider that the most perfect light The new minimum first clasa verse is produced

The 626th Chinese regiment Reinforcements by Harry rate by mali steamer works out at

stationed at Chinwangtao with. Graham. There is an exquisite about 11⁄2d per mile. It is anti-

Tientsin, Jan. 3." drew for Shanhaikuan this after- neatness about his lines that few cipated that the reductions will

Eight Japanche armoured trains noon and during their evacuation other writers can be found to serve to stimulate travel between and several troop trains took up the Chinese troops were fired on Britain and the Dominions.-Bri-, an attack on Shanhaikuan on Mon by the Japanese cruisern. Many Mr. Belloe is another example | tiah Wireless.

day afternoon and the walled city muglties-are reported, hut fur- of the truth exemplified by Gilbert

suffered heavy damage from shellther details concerning this fight that the writing of light versc

I bave given you an ail too brief | fire and air bombing,

at Chinwangtao are not available does not prevent composition on

The main fire was concentrated at present.--Router. more serious themes. Mr. A. P. account of some of the writers of

headquarters, Herbert is a popular writer of light veree I moat admire. There on the Chinese

are others known to you all. The attackers were mainly of the light verse and I mention him

no doubt, missed. | 8th, Japanese Division, which cap- here because he is popular and Some I have because, he is trying, I think, and Others do not attract me so much tured Chinchow last Spring.

as those I have mentioned. For nometimes with success, to follow example, A. A. Milne is a writer arrived from Chinwangino. Res

Eight Japanese warships have in the steps of the great Gilbert.

A very charming writer of light with a wide appeal. I must con- ter's Special" and serious verze is Mr. G. K. Chesterton. Of his serious verse it in fair to say that it stands high in English poetry. Unfor- tunately I have been unable to find a suitable example of his light verne to present to you to-night. I may any that the ballad is a form of verse in which he has shown both skill and humour.

I do not know whether Wynd- It is called "Rejected Addresses."

ham Lewis has published in book The authora wero James and form the verses he used to write Horace Smith who wrote it in in the Daily Mail. Some years 1812. An advertisement had been ngo, Mr. Kipling expressed an put In the London papers shortly admiration for no less a person before the book was written ask than Jane Austin. in one of his ing for addresses to be sent in books and wrote a poem about her for an open competition in which Mr. Wyndham Lewis thought it the winning address was to be, would be a good thing to write read at the opening of the new something nice about Mr. Kipling Drury Lane Theatre. The au and bere are the first two. versos thors seized on the idea of writ of his poem. It is called "Jane's ing parodies on the best known Visitor." authors and publishing them as being the addresses that had been sent in and rejected. The book contains excellent parodies of, amongst others, Lord Byron, WII- Ham Cobbelt, Thomas Moore, Robert Southey, Sir Walter Scott, Dr. Johnson, Coleridge and Crabbe.

The first poet I shall deal with is Samuel Butler who flourished in the reign of Charica II. His great poem "Hudilras" Wis satire on the Puritan and Military party. To read it without full notes render much of it incompre hensible and to read it with full notos is a severe labour. Still I do know people who have the highest regard for it,

Perhaps the richest and most varied collection of English light verse is to be found in a book once well known but now, unfor- tunately, practically

unknown.

A Great Parodist..

The next writer of light verse I would mention is Calverley, a very great scholar and parodist. His best known poem is the Ode to

fess that to me his verses have

Japanese Warships Move. always seemed somewhat insipid

Peking, Jan. 3. and if a child had the misfortune.

The Japanese second squadron to be called Christopher Robin, the fact should be kept in the at Taingtao left this morning for family circle rather than be reck- Shanhaikuan.-Reuter, lessly broadcast.

In conclusion I will quote you a few lines whose patriotic senti- ment will be a fitting conclusion to my efforts to amuse you:

The Germans live in Germany, The Romans live in Rome," The Turkeys live in Turkey.

But the English live at Home.

The Discussion.

City Falls

Chinese Reaction

Shanghal, Jan. 3. The Chinese newspapers aro disastrous 1932 and declare that the outlook animadverting on the

for 1983 Is most despressing.

The Sin Wan Pao declares that China is in a precarious position and unless she fights desperately for her existence the country will soon be ruined. It deplores the unpre- ¡paredness of the authorities and the people when war seems inevitable. -Reuter's Special,

Tientsin, Jan. 8.. Japanese troops and aeroplanes

Mr. Soong Coustic, which attacked Shanhaikuan since

Shanghai, Jan. 3. this morning with the asssistance The Finance Minister, Mr. T. V: of their cruisers from Chinwang- Soong, in a press interview to-day tao occupied Shanhaikuan and its stated: "The two live bombs dis- aurrounding countries at 2 p.m. covered in the Japanese gendar The Japanese infantry began its merie at Shanhaikunn, which is In the subsequent discussion, assaults on the Chinese troops this the protext for the latest Japan. Prof. Simpson commented on the morning, attacking from the sou- ese drive may go down in history fact that most of the writers of thern suburbs. The Chinese soldiera longside the mythical explosion great poetry were also writers of offered little resistance. The baton the South Manchuria railway leht verse. He quoted the folto lasted four hours which even on September 18, 1931. Jowing few lines written on the tually decided the fate of Shanhul- death of Queen Victoria, to ex-kuan. The Japanese soldiers first motives for the drive. Jakol le "It is not difficult to divine the emplify the pitfalls of rhyme: entered Shanhaikuan from the Sou- the gateway to North China and

Dust to dust, and ashes to ashes, thern Gate. The greatest

con- Mongolia has long been coveted Into the grave the great Queeri fusion occurred in 'the city.

dashes.

The victorious Japanese soldiers the Japanese militarista, but Father Byrne quoted a French made a hot pursuit of the defeated as an ultack on that mountainous philosopher whose theory it was Chinese troops which

province in mid-winter is a dim- that with the absence of sympathy from Shanhaikuan heading for cult problem it is hoped that pres- and the emotions, verse became Shih Ho River, The Japanese sol-sure on Tientsin and. Pelping. light.

diora ceased the hot pursuit only sult in its surrender without seri- through Shanhaikuan, might ro "On the motion of the chairman, after sunset according to the latest eus fighting. Thus, at the begin- Mr. Macnamara was accorded a messages from Shanhaikuan. vote of thanks.

The Nanking Foreign Ministryning of 1933 as at the beginning The next discusalon will take was shocked this afternoon with of 1932, the shadow of Japanese place on February 2, when Mr. R. the receipt of news concerning militarism coats a gloom over a White the in apurn clanked for joy T. Barrelt will speak on "English the fall of Shanhaikuan. Peking world desperately in need of

On Rud's boot.

and the Preas."

dipioz:otic circles are greatly cun-peace."-Reuter's Special.

Rudyard went to Paradise,

That was only fair.

A Sergeant Major met him frat

And led ha un the stair.

Six and twenty Generals

Nibbona red as blood,

Stood there chamning at the lop

To welcome Rud,

Up came the Three soldiers

At a martial run,

Drilled the Host of Heavens. Hastily roaring "'Shun"

Smartly the Archangles,

Sprang to the ralute

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS.

retreated

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WELL, ANOTHER DAY GONE.... BOY! ITLL FEEL GOOD TO SET TO

BED I WONDER HOW HARRY REDFELD, OUT IN CASABA,

ARIZONA, 16 getting.

ALONG

FUNNY HOW A FELLA THINKS OF THINGS WHEN IT'S

BED TIME... BUT, HE JUST CAME INTO MY MIND...

AN' POODLE!!

I'LL BET: HARRY WAS GLAD TO SEE HER, AND POODLE WAS JUST AS GLAD TO SEE HIM......

BUT ITS FUNNY HARRY

NEVER WROTE

TO ME!

I BETTER "TURN OUT THE LIGHT AND GET

TO SLEER, ILL BE "THINKIN” ALL

NIGHT, IF I BONT...

1 AND IN.

THE DEAD

OF NIGHT FRECKLES

· AWAKENED FROM

A

SOUND SLEER

GOSH! WHAT

WAS THAT