The Downside Review (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883. Excerpt: ... the abolition of the old Downside Christmas was a good thing. To some, however, it appears that with it have passed away also, many of the glories of the old place, and that uninterrupted series of links between past and present which the continuance of the institution maintained. It was the means of assembling together old friends of the college, not for one or two days, as now at the July gathering, but for a series of days, and at a time when there was nothing else of particular importance to occupy their attention. We all know the state of things at the July meeting. The break up of the scholastic year, the bustle and confusion, the packing up, the totting up the examination marks, and the settling of who are to have the prizes, give quite too much occupation to those connected with the management of the college to render their enjoyment of the three last days at all possible. They are to them certainly in no sense day3 of rest and leisure. Now, the charm of the Christmas time was that it was essentially a time of rest and leisure. The greater number had positively nothing to do. To the hard-worked professors they were days of real relaxation from business. The guests enjoyed it, the monks enjoyed it, the king and his officers in the palace enjoyed it--in fact, all parties as a rule, enjoyed it; and no substitute for that time can be found which will exactly take its place. However, it is now numbered with the things of the past. Once an institution of this kind is abolished it can never be restored. We who were its devoted adherents whilst it lasted, can only cherish its memory as one does the memory of dear and loving friends who too have passed away beyond the power of recall, and while wishing the college every success in the future, we may be per...