Committee Members
Editor: Margaret Taylor
Old Girls' Editor: Edith Lang
Secretary: Dorothy Cornish
Treasurer: Nita Woodhouse
Form representatives
Seniors: Maggie Lea
Upper VI: Maud Vernon
Upper V: Dorothy Cornish
Middle V: Annie Truscotte
Upper IV: Jessie Headridge
Middle IV: Mabel Swindells
Upper IV A: Augusta de Jong
Upper III: Ada Corbett
Middle III: Nina Wahltuch
Lower III: Lilian Hollingworth
Maud Vernon
Prize Shakespearian Character: Lady Macbeth
Winning essay of the competition announced in the Magazine for April 1886. Depicts Lady Macbeth in a sympathetic manner by praising her "steadfast purpose."
H. L. G.
Newnham Letter
Description of work and recreation at Newnham College. In exams, women students are described as doing as well as men. Recreation includes tennis and the debating society where the Irish Question was discussed.
Diggory
The Tale of a Cat
Story of a cat which fosters a stray cat.
Furze Blossom
Savanarola
First part of an essay on the early career of Savanarola in Florence. [For the conclusion see Magazine for October 1886].
Sappho
Girlhood
Poem idealising girlhood.
Rosinante
Madge Bryce and I
Beginning of a story in which two girls on holiday together get lost in the snow. [For the conclusion see Magazine for October 1886].
Rosinante
Oxford in Spring
Poem idealising Oxford.
No author
Charlemagne and Alfred the Great
Essay comparing Charlemagne and Alfred the Great. Concludes that Alfred is the greater king because, although not as powerful as Charlemagne, he was "nobler and purer."
M. E. M. O.
A Finger-post
Story about a girl who goes to her aunt for advice as she is about to leave school. The aunt tells her that girls have "a Divine mission" to be mothers.
Old Girls' Association
At the meeting the President referred to the forthcoming departure of Miss Turnball, the Botanical Club and the Reading Club which may have to fold because of lack of members. Members watched various tableaux and listened to some music.
Girls' Botanical Club, Special Meeting
Descriptions of an exhibition and excursions.
New committee members were elected:
President: N Baker
Secretary: S Eccles
Treasurer: E Fulton
Librarian: E Montgomery
Reporter: A Allison
Others: C Coignou, M Lea
Debating Society
Debate held, [details given]: "Society is now better than it was 100 years ago." Moved by Fannie Evington, opposer not given. Carried unanimously.
Debate held [details given]: "The tendency of modern civilisation is to discourage originality." Moved by Dorothy Cornish, opposed by Edith Robinson. Motion defeated.
Debate held [details given]: "Individual taste is a better guide to taste than fashion." Moved by Miss McCroban, opposer not given. Motion carried.
Debate held [details given]: "The study of modern languages and sciences is more profitable than that of the classics." Moved by Maggie Lea, opposed by Amy Mullock. Motion carried.
The Reform Society
This was set up on 26 March 1885 by Dorothy Cornish and Ella MacGill. Its aims are defined and early problems mentioned. The Society has a magazine.
Committee members:
President: Dorothy Cornish
Vice President : Ella MacGill
Secretary: Ethel Stuart
Reporter: May Winlaw
Council: Lucy Baker, Elsie Boyd, Margaret Birley, Annie Hardman, Madeleine Mellin, Maud Vernon
The following papers were read:
Women in private life by Dorothy Cornish.
Women in public life [reader not given].
Should women vote and sit in Parliament? by Laura Rhodes.
Old practices and customs by Elsie Boyd.
The education of girls by May Winlaw.
How to choose a profession by Miss England.
School News
New buildings have begun which will house a large playroom in the basement, classrooms and a cloakroom on the ground floor for the Prep which will move to Dover St from Oxford Rd. There will also be a lecture theatre and lab on the first floor. They will not be finished before early 1887.
Miss Lawton, an old girl, has joined the staff.
Ruth Lamb, the Magazine secretary has resigned and has been replaced by Dorothy Cornish.