The modern muse [poem]

Title

Creator

A. R. E.

Language

English

Year

1929

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

July, 1929 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 19 guilt of pride and of sensuality; a simple and mortified appearance was more suitable to the Christian who was certain of his sins and doubtful of his salvation. In their censures of luxury the fathers are extremely minute and circumstantial; and among the various articles which excite their pious indignation we may enumerate false hair, garments of any color except white, instruments of music, vases of gold or silver, downy pillows (as Jacob reposed his head on a stone), white bread, foreign wines, public salutations, the use of warm baths, and the practice of shaving the beard, which, according to the expression of Tertullian, is a lie against our own faces, and an impious attempt to improve the works of the Creator. When Christianity was introduced among the rich and the polite, the observation of these singular laws was left, as it would be at present, to the few who were ambitious of superior sanctity. But it is always easy, as well as agreeable, for the inferior ranks of mankind to claim a merit from the contempt of that pomp and pleasure which fortune has placed beyond their reach. The virtue of the primitive Christians, like that of the first Romans, was very frequently guarded by poverty and ignorance. (Continued in August) The Modern Muse Long years ago there sat beneath a tree A muse, possessed of lovely, winning grace; Entwined with ivy was her hair, her face Filled souls of men with nameless ecstasy. And ever was she satisfied to be Alone, as seated in some leafy place She sent a vagrant song through space With fingers that were light and deft and free. But now her hair is shingled, and her eyes Have turned from starlight to an earthy hue; No longer does she don a classic guise, But shows herself a Rhapsody in Blue. She does not care to strum a harp alone, So fashions song upon a saxophone. —A. R. E. Just a Word on Shannon’s Work in Manila Ge o r g e Po pe Sh a n n o n Dr. George Pope Shannon, head of the English department of the University of the Philippines during the past three years, will leave Manila for a similar post in the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque before another issue of the Jo u r n a l is out, so it is desired to bid him bon voyage here, and to say just a few words about his work. He is young, but intensely scholarly; he is endowed with an exemplary character, unswerving in adherence to good principles of manhood; his personality, 4iis native talents and his educational attainments combine to make him peculiarly fit to instruct youth and inspire young men to genuine effort in search for knowledge. Mrs. Shannon has been with him in Manila, and in the English work at the University; both deserve the commendation they have received, and the friendships they have made and will not forget. Dr. Shannon went about his task of directing university instruction in English most sensibly. The course is such as that in American universities. Dr. Shannon studied this question, but did not feel qualified to resolve it; so he did not destroy what had been done before he came, but he built upon what he found established. He encouraged his students to write in English, with the result that the grist of English compositions of every sort, from University undergraduates, is more voluminous and of higher quality every year. The University’s literary annual attests this, as do the columns of the newspapers on which Filipinos are editors and reporters. With correct insight, Dr. Shannon introduced a course in Greek and Roman mythology at the University to familiarize Filipino students with the common allusions in English literature and enable them to grasp more fully the sense of their English studies. The new course in medieval literature serves the same purpose. Skill in the accurate expression of thought in English will come of this—in time. Dr. Shannon has the scholar’s appreciation of the long way that lies between the beginner’s aspirations and the seasoned student’s achievements. The permanent value of his deanship of English at the University will prove to be the thoroughness with which he proceeded in all the work, without patience with loafing nor a vain ambition to undertake too much. —W. R. THE WHITE EMPRESS OF THE PACIFIC EMPRESS OF ASIA EMPRESS OF FRANCE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA 16900 tons 18400 tons 16800 tons To CANADA, UNITED STATES and EUROPE QUICKEST TIME ACROSS THE PACIFIC CANADIAN PACIFIC STEAMSHIPS 14-16 CALLE DAVID MANILA, P. I. IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL

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