A panoramic map in Cockspur Street.
And sudden in my heart began to play
Echoes of old romance, and all my feet
Fluttered responsive to the name's sheer beauty,
So rhythmical and fluty.
Smithers! The music of it filled my mouth.
I saw Provence and that enchanted shore,
And lotus-isles amid the dreamy South,
And champions out of mediaeval lore
Looking at large for ladies in distress
Round storied Lyonnesse.
I was a _trovatore_ (with guitar);
Venezia's airy domes above me shone;
I heard Alhambra's fountains, faint and far;
I broke the Kaliph's line at Carcassonne;
All kinds of lost chords latent in my withers
Woke at the name of Smithers.
Ah, if in Avalon's vale I may not rest
When envious Time has worn me to a thread,
Then let me go to Smithers in the West,
And on my gravestone let these words be read:
_Attracted by its name to this fair scene_,
_He died a Smitherene._
O. S.
* * * * *
THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.
Now that the Headmaster of Bradfield has decided to start a "Commercial
side," to enable boys to prepare at school for a business career, it may be
of interest to publish these fragments from the diary of another Headmaster
who has done pioneering work in a similar direction:--
_January 20._--First day of term. This morning, in Hall, I made the
momentous announcement that the School would shortly have a new
"side"--devoted to Business. School-boys are usually so conservative that I
had anticipated some signs of disapproval. Nothing of the sort. The speech
was received with loud cheers, renewed when I prophesied that the Waterloo
of the future would be won on the "Commercial side" of Fadfield. Truly a
hopeful outlook.
_January 21._--As I expected, the Commercial side has been the chief topic
of conversation among boys and masters. The latter are, I fear,
reactionary--realising, no doubt, their incompetence to deal with business
subjects. The boys are enthusiastic. I am constantly approached in the
corridors by lads who say it has always been their ambition to become a
Tipton or a Whiteridge, or a Gilling and Warow, as the case may be. One
little fellow quaintly confessed that he had always longed to be a "Mother
Spiegel." Great Britain's future in trade is assured if this spirit
continues.
_January 22._--Even the Classical VI. seems interested in my new project,
and questio
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