66 As we had missed the proper time to see the lodgers in full swing, we resolved to leave these quarters for this night, and pay them another visit shortly; but in turning our footsteps homeward we dropped in at several dens," my guide having an eye to business; and sure enough, in a room at the rear of an innocent-looking tobacco shop, we found a young girl not more than fifteen or sixteen, whose parents had given information to the police of her having been decoyed from a country home. P., being in possession of this information, "drew a bow at a venture" when he said to her "I am coming here to-morrow to fetch you away, and take you back to S." The immediate effect of this remark was to make the child-for she was little more-burst into tears which would not be restrained. The story was very simple. She was the daughter of respectable parents, and was in service at S. On her "night out" she had got into bad company and taken too much to drink, and the next morning found herself where we had now discovered her, too firmly in the toils to extricate herself had she wished it; but still, thanks to our excellent police service, soon to be in a fair way to do so, though it would be with shame upon her young cheek. Space will not permit of a description of the other quarters visited, but enough may have been written to raise an interest in the sketches still in my note book, and which, with the Editor's permission, I hope to transcribe for a future number. W. M. TReview. R. FRANK SMITH BRITTAIN, a student of the Birmingham Medical School, has published a little volume entitled "Oscar and Esther, and other Poems."* In these days, when so many self-styled poets, destitute of the smallest spark of the true Promethean fire, persistently rush into print under the mistaken impression that there is a burning desire on the part of the public to read any and all poetry that may be issued from the press, it is refreshing to light upon a volume, which, to give it the mildest praise, is far above mediocrity, and gives promise of still better work. Like all youthful poets, Mr. Brittain's principal theme is Love; and if, in some of his pieces, he does not speak from actual experience, he has certainly obtained a wonderfully intuitive knowledge of the mysterious passion, if we may judge from the following extracts from a poem entitled "We did not Kiss." *Wyman & Sons, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's-Inn Fields, W.C. For a wondrous love was spoken The reader must not imagine, however, that the wonderful self-denial indicated by the title of the piece is rigidly persevered in to the end, for we find later on "Ah! I will not say how often I have kissed that truthful brow." The principal poem is well sustained, and contains many passages breathing the true poetic spirit. τα Our Local Contemporaries. HEN we-that is, the Central Literary Magazine-made our first appearance in January, 1873, with fear and trembling, and with many misgivings as to the probabilities of success, we could not then refer to "Our Contemporaries," for we had but one—the immortal "Jacob.” Now, however, that we are almost at the close of the 12th year of our existence, we feel a somewhat patriarchal pride in enumerating the Magazines which have arisen in the meantime to keep us company; viz, The Midland Naturalist, The Midland Institute Magazine, The Mason College Magazine, Edgbastonia, The Antiquarian, The Central Debating Magazine, and The Small Heath Magazine. With the exception of the last two, which came to an untimely end, all are still in existence, and give evidence of vigorous vitality. Considerations of space forbid special reference to their contents, suffice it to say that each magazine has its own raison d'ètre, and appeals to its own distinct class of readers. Just as The Institute Magazine, under the guidance of Mr. H. S. Pearson, expresses the thoughtful aspirations of the students of the great Institution to which they belong, so The Mason College Magazine, ably edited by Miss Constance Naden, whilst reflecting the scientific character of the studies of its contributors, affords ample proof that literary excellence is not by any means incompatible with their severer pursuits. The Mialand Naturalist, which has now reached its 7th volume, is, as its title implies, devoted to the consideration of a special subject. The success which it has achieved should be very gratifying to the joint editors, Messrs. Badger and Harrison. Edgbastonia, which is always readable and interesting, might be appropriately described as S.D.R.'s Own Magazine, since its contents are chiefly contributed by Mr. Edwards, whose memoirs of Edgbaston worthies have a peculiar and special attraction for all who take a lively interest in the public and social life of the town we live in. To the Editor of the C.L.M. The Evenings with the Poets. A SUGGESTION. DEAR MR. EDITOR, Permit me space for a few lines to direct the attention of the Committee and Members generally of the C.L.A. to a little matter that I think calls for some alteration. I attended the last meeting of the Association-the "Evening with Burns "—and was very pleasantly entertained, as were no doubt all those members and their friends who were enabled to be present-although I think the gatherings would be still more appreciated if one or two vocal illustrations could be rendered sometimes, and thus complete the charm of the Poetical Evenings. But there was one thing that seemed, and always does seem to me, rather absurd; I allude to the vote, or rather votes, of thanks given to the three gentlemen who read the papers on the life and works of the selected poet, and to which each was compelled to reply in turn. They certainly looked rather uncomfortable, for although their work was most creditable, yet, after all, they had not done such a very great thing; for instance, they had not rescued General Gordon, nor discovered the latest dynamitards. I am afraid our Society is rather prone to overdo these votes of thanks, for I hold that it is the simple duty of every member to do his best to sustain the reputation of the Association, each in his own way; and that we are not called upon as members to be continually buttering each other in this way, any more than that we should expect to be rewarded for being honest, or for doing our other allotted tasks in this world. I say this in no way to depreciate the valuable efforts of my fellow members to amuse and instruct us; on the contrary, I am grateful to them for many pleasant evenings. I would, therefore, humbly suggest that it would be more dignified to omit on all ordinary occasions the votes of thanks to members. (Let them, the votes, be understood as they are in other societies in this town -notably the Birmingham Natural History Society.) If the Committee could effect this, and also, if possible, abbreviate the somewhat lengthy mass of adulation which has hitherto been so prominent a feature of our annual meetings, they would confer a great boon upon the rank and file of the C.L.A., and would delight none more than Yours faithfully, A (USUALLY) SILENT MEMBER. DEAR MR. Editor, To the Editor of the C.L.M. Will you allow me space in the Magazine to make a suggestion concerning the welfare and increased prosperity of our Association? I am not a speaking member; and if I were, a fitting occasion for the delivery of my opinions would probably be difficult to find. I therefore seek this means of addressing the following question to my fellow members, and those in authority: Has not the time arrived when the present limit of our numbers to 250 may fairly and advantageously be extended-say to 300 ? I am strongly of opinion that one of the wisest steps ever taken by our Society was the limitation of its numbers, and the closing of its doors when that limit had been attained. People all the world over set greatest store by that which is not easy to acquire, and membership of the C.L.A. is no exception to this rule. Valuable as that membership might have been in other respects before, it became doubly so when it was found that it could only be reached by means of a severely contested election. Members already in possession of their seats became sensible of their advantages, and took care not to throw them away lightly. Candidates under the new conditions knew beforehand that they might have to fight again and again; and that for the most part it was a case of the "Survival of the fittest." From that survival the Association has undoubtedly reaped enormous benefit; and it is admitted by general consent that at no previous period of its history has it contained such a promising band of able, vigorous, and enthusiastic young members as at the present moment. But there is room for more of them, and plenty more are waiting to come in. Some have already tried once, and others twice (I know one whose "third time of asking" resulted only in a forbiddal of the banns) -to say nothing of eligible virgin aspirants, of whom most of us have at least one specimen to introduce. Why should not we enlarge our borders a little, and seek to encourage rather than to repress a growth which is natural and healthy? Some of us have sons, many of us friends, whom we should like to see enjoying the same privileges as ourselves. Why are they to be kept out so persistently? Surely there is no magic charm in 250! 300 is a rounder figure still, and I should say barely represents the proportionate increase of the town's population since our first limit was fixed. Why should we stand still while all the rest of the world moves on? Our Committee are men wide-awake enough in most things; in this one thing, I take the liberty of telling them they have been caught sleeping. I have sometimes heard old members offer to resign in favour of younger men of larger leisure. Worse still, I have even known resignation sought to be thrust upon them in a fit of honest but mistaken zeal. This, sir, in my humble judgment, is very little short of a crime. Nay, it is a blunder! Let the old boys stay with us-and be only too glad to get them to do so, say I. Respect for age and past services counts for more in our history than some amongst us wot of; and there are faces I would sooner miss than those which, greeting us now but rarely, were once in the thickest of every fight. No, Sir, let us keep the Seniors, for they pay to keep; and it is worth something if only once a year to greet them at our Conversazione, surrounded by sons and daughters, and renewing their C.L.A. youth like the eagle. All the same we can do with fifty new members; and we can find both room and work for them. I dare say the Treasurer won't mind collecting fifty more subscriptions; nor you, Mr. Editor, distributing fifty more Magazines. As for the Secretary, he has long since given up minding anything. I am not proposing to admit these fifty fortunate individuals all at once; nor all in one session. The pleasure of ballotting (to us in possession) is too sweet to be lightly swept aside; and vested interests must, of course, be respected. But these and all other details might safely be left for the consideration of our governors. And commending my suggestion to them with all respect, I remain, Mr. Editor, June 23, 1884. Yours very truly, A CONSERVATIVE LIBERAL. I Scraps. THE IDEA OF THE "JAFFRAY" HOSPITAL FOrestalled. 'N the Theatrical Looker-on of May 19th, 1823, we find the following paragraph-being a portion of the Editor's "Address to the Reader," and one of the reasons assigned for increasing the price of his little paper :- "Thirdly because, foreseeing the necessity of removing the General Hospital at no distant time, in consequence of the increasing nuisances around it, we feel disposed (whenever our profits will permit) to devote a sum for this benevolent purpose." Another reason given is worth quoting for its naïveté : "Fourthly because we know the public will buy our numbers with two-fold avidity, because we have doubled the price." |