“The Beginning of Things”
Chapter Themes
- Academic Awakening: Struggles with Latin, history preferences, and exam pressures
- War’s Shadow: Hitler rumors contrast with vibrant student life
- Art & Faith: Choral music, Gothic architecture, and Maritain’s philosophy
- Social Microcosm: International Club dynamics and melancholy friendships
April 23 – The Feast of St. George
Morning:
“Bernice and I are both starting diaries… I think that as we learn history to find other men’s experience it is useful to record one’s own.”
- 6:30 AM: Attended Mass and Holy Communion
- 7:50 AM: Breakfast of eggs and oranges
- Discovered lectures wouldn’t begin until tomorrow
Reflections:
- Observations on Sedgley’s transformation from bare winter trees to lush spring greenery (“the lupins have grown from 1 to 12 inches”)
- Nostalgia for last summer’s robins, Alaric and Benny, now absent
- Reading Jacques Maritain’s Art and Scholasticism
Social & Academic:
- Enjoyed previous night’s International Society debate on gender equality with Sa’ad Haffar and Peter Meisl
- Afternoon film: Between Two Worlds starring Paul Henreid (“quite Dickensian”)
- Late-night talk with Bernice → overslept for next day’s Mass
April 24 – First Day of Term
Resolutions:
“I have resolved to live my life as well as possible this term… pass my exams, get exercise, sing well.”
- Disappointed to be placed in Prof. Cheney’s medieval history class instead of Prof. Atkinson’s ancient history
- Miss Wrong’s lectures: personally liked but found unproductive
- Max Beloff’s American history lecture: “spoke out of the corner of his mouth”
Notable Encounters:
- Bernard McCabe (future theologian) spotted in Cafeteria
- Frank Coombs’ melancholy presence: “I like Frank and feel sorry for him for some obscure reason.”
April 25-28
Academic Highlights:
- Latin results improved (64% on set books)
- Economics paper praised by Dr. Redford: “sensibly written and clear”
- Choral practice: Praised for “Falmouth” and “Draw on sweet night”
Cultural Moments:
- T.S. Eliot discussion at International Society (“Mother Cecily asked if I did Medieval… I indignantly refuted”)
- Dr. Niklaus’ hilarious French lecture mistranslating “La Mairie et la Femme” as a funeral
Political Interlude:
- Sir Richard Acland’s socialist speech: “Property has no rights but its owners have”
April 29 – May 1
Strange Weather:
- Snow in late April (“started snowing in the laburnum tree”)
Club Elections:
- Jan Grusker elected International Club chairman
- Crocodile physics debate with Sa’ad: “What would happen if three crocodiles ate each other’s tails?”
War Rumors:
“Mussolini dead? Rumours of Hitler’s death.”
May 5-7
Cultural Pursuits:
- Laurence Olivier’s Richard III: “He squirmed at midnight, then suddenly relaxed and flopped flat on the stage.”
- Preparing French Impressionism talk using university epidiascope
Final Entry:
- Chaplaincy renovations complete (“new floor, working telephone”)
- T. Coady plays “In Dulce Jubilo” on harmonium
- Snow returns as May begins