Editorial
It is in a spirit of complete confidence that we pen our second editorial. The hearty welcome accorded to our first issue has proved both a justification of The Hydra's existence and a stimulus to yet further enterprise, while we feel that it augers well for future success.
Yet, in answer to our critics, if such there be, we would remind our readers that our success or failure are in their hands. Their's is the responsibility, and it is to them that we look for contributions and aid. If they will ensure a constant supply of "copy", we shall speedily find the increasing circulation at which we aim. The demand for our first number proved greater than the supply, and we were soon sold out. We would, therefore, while regretting our inability to satisfy some of our would be readers, advise them to avoid delay in purchasing future issues.
We hope, in time, to enlarge our circulation outside the Hospital, and, with this end in view, we ask our readers to introduce The Hydra to their friends outside. There are a large number of people interested in the Hospital and its inmates, who would, in consequence, welcome a record of their life and work. Once help us to increase circulation in this manner, and the financial position of the Magazine will become unquestionable, while the quality of its contents will tend to become higher. But this is for our readers to decide. It is to them, too, that we look for criticism and suggestions. In a new magazine there is always room for both, and, to both, therefore, we offer a hearty welcome.
After some anxious thoughts - printing prices are high and our contributors lamentably few - we decided to increase the Magazine to its present size. This, we trust, will satisfy a large number of people, whose one complaint was the The Hydra was too small; and we hope that those same people will ensure that the extra pages are always filled full. We have experienced enormous difficulty, so far, in persuading people to write: some are apathetic, but most are so firmly convinced of their inability that they never even try. The result is that we are compelled to perform the degrading office of dogging nervous patients about the Hospital, and exorting by truculence, or a professional whine, at most the promise of a contribution. Under these circumstances, the Editorial Office is likely to incur unpopularity as well as hard work, and we hope our readers will change this in the future. It's up to them!
One word more. We hope that strangers to Edinburgh, desirous of making purchases, will find the advertising map of use to them. Each advertiser's shop has its position indicated by a figure on the map, and we trust that this scheme will prove satisfactory, both from the point of view of the stranger and that of the shop he visits.
Notes and News
Editorial Staff
It is with the utmost regret that we announce the departure of Mr Whitehead, who gave so much expert help to the production of this Magazine. When The Hydra was first suggested, he at once threw himself into the task of producing a magazine in the face of many difficulties. His knowledge and his efforts were invaluable; one difficulty vanished after another, and although he could not stay to see the Magazine in print, he was yet able to leave knowing that the first number was at last in the printer's hands.
We thank him sincerely for his work, and we wish him the best of luck in the world of letters to which he has gone.
Golf
The ancient and honourable game of golf is, unhappily, one which has but few enthusiastic followers in the Hospital at present, despite the facilities which have been most generously granted for its pursuit by the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club. Such a state of circumstances is most deplorable, especially when one considers how much more beneficial for patients to play even once round the course daily - and it is not a long or fatiguing one - than to be perpetually immured in a picture house, or to parade Princes Street for the gratification of their own vanity. Clubs are provided by the House Committee, which are of a most serviceable nature, and, with every incitement offered them, it is a pity that more officers, be they beginners or not, do not avail themselves of such opportunities. Perhaps, were the Committee to arrange for handicap and other competitions, interest might be stimulated in this great health-giving national game, and the result would be advantageous to the patients, morally and physically.
S.
Cricket
In spite of their experience of the possibilities of Edinburgh weather, a number of gentlemen interested in the game have started a cricket club, and all wishing to join should put their names on the notice pinned on the board in the hall. The club has written to Merchiston School with a view to obtaining the loan of their ground for practice and games. No definite answer has so far been received, but we understand that leave will probably be granted. We wish the club the best of luck.
Debating Society
On Monday, 23rd April, the debating society met to discuss the question of Woman Suffrage. Mr Seager proposed "that the electoral laws of Great Britain require no alteration in their relation to women." After a few bold statements, which were rather inclined to beg the question, he confined himself almost entirely to the question of women workers, striving to show that in no way would they receive better treatment at the hands of their own sex.
Mr McGregor, who rose to oppose this motion, made a concise and well-phrased speech, and proved himself a master of oratory. If anything, he was too fond of abstract generalities, and seemed disinclined to descend to the more practical and very complicated details of the question. In this he was the direct antithesis of Mr Seager, who was inclined to dwell on them too much.
The secretary, Mr Fincken, who supported Mr Seager, bristled with statistics. Reams and reams of figures were hurled at the chairman's head to prove that women did not want to vote, but that if they did they could swamp the men by a quarter of a million or so. After this display of bellicosity there seemed a general desire to hide from the feminine menace behind the hon. secretary's stalwart frame. However, a trenchant speech by Captain Buchanan seemed to restore the balance again, for after contradicting every statement made by the opposition, he threw new light on the subject from the medical point of view. In a most interesting and capable speech Mr Tappenden also spoke on the motion. The shock of the debate, however, came when Mr Seager made his concluding remarks. Under the scathing criticism of the opposition the pent-up fury of the original speaker vented itself into a fiery harangue. This inspired the meeting with much more life. It is hoped that in future, without, of course, going to extremes, gentlemen will endeavour to instil more life and vigour into their debates.
The motion was lost, only four members voting for the motion, and the suggestion that there were only four married men present must be treated as a malicious libel by the anti-suffragists. On the whole the debate was a very successful one, and it is hoped that, the Society being now fairly launched, more members will volunteer to move or oppose some motion. The meetings form a very interesting and instructive way of passing an evening each week, and should prove welcome to many.
On Monday, 30th April, a general meeting of the Debating Society was held, in lieu of the customary weekly debate. The minutes of the last meeting were signed, and Mr Clark then read a paper on the evolution of offensive weapons, which he illustrated with sketches on a blackboard. In an interesting and illuminating address he traced the history of the catapult and mangonel and their gradual development into modern ordnance. At the end of this, there took place one of the readiest and most general discussions that have so far been held. From the weapons of modern warfare we passed by easy stages to the whole question of progress, and thence to a seemingly general appreciation of Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and H.G. Wells, as writers of fantastic fiction.
The evening was undoubtedly a success,and it is a great pity that more people do not avail themselves of the opportunity for mental recreation afforded by the Debating Society; but perhaps the apathy so evident in this hospital has atrophied their minds.
The Baths
During the last few days the baths would seem to have gained in popularity, and at any moment of the day one can usually find one or two people disporting themselves in the water. Most especially is this noticeable in the early morning, and we have nothing but praise for those who can rise in time to indulge in a swim before breakfast. People, too, are forsaking the Turkish bath proper, and are commencing to use it more as a drying-room after a swim. It seems that they are finding out what a devitalising experience a Turkish bath can prove.
But there is still plenty of room down there; and the cold water might succeed in awakening the literary talents of the most perverse generation that ever turned an editor's hair grey.
Gardening and Poultry-Keeping Association
The gardeners and poultry keepers have suffered a great loss in their chairman, Mr Ritchie, who has just left us, but his office is now being ably filled by Mr Judge, while Mr Nicholson has undertaken the secretarial work, and we wish them both the best of luck.
With the advent of finer and more spring-like weather considerable progress has been made in the garden. All the available ground has been dug, and some of it is already planted. This is due largely to the interest taken in the association by the C.O. and Captain Brock, which has resulted in a large influx of new members. They are now numerous enough to work a much larger plot than that at their disposal, and efforts are being made to secure a further piece of ground, so that, if the war continues, we may yet see the Association the proud possessor of at least "three acres and a cow". Meanwhile, lest inaction should damp the enthusiasm of the members who yearn to get back to the land, the Association proposes to undertake the care and upkeep of the tennis lawn and bowling-greens.
Up to the present the poultry keepers have been handicapped by lack of space, but if, as is hoped, they secure the loan of a piece of grass land, they hope to extend their section considerably. Before this can be done, however, and the model poultry farm of their dreams realised, houses and runs will have to be erected, and so there will still be a lot of work waiting for volunteers.
Badminton
It was to be expected that with the advent of finer weather badminton, as an indoor game, would decline in popularity, but we suggest that, owing to the vagaries of this northern clime, it may be necessary to resort to it later. Practice, therefore, should not be neglected. There are apparently other reasons for the neglect of the game, and complaints have reached us about the shortage of shuttles. Players, and especially learners of the game, have themselves largely to blame for this, as it is entirely due to the harsh treatment which the shuttles receive that there is any scarcity. Shuttles are expensive, and players are very prodigal of their use, partly through ignorance and partly through carelessness. An improvement in this state of affairs would be effectual if attention were paid to the condition of the shuttles when in use. Slight damage to the feathers can frequently be remedied by straightening out bent or twisted feathers before serving. Again, players have been noticed knocking shuttles along the ground and trying to pick them up with raquets. These practices are very injurious to the life of the shuttle and should be avoided. After a game is finished it is only sportsman-like to put away the raquets and shuttles carefully so that unnecessary damage may be avoided. Remember that the expense is borne by the House Club, whose funds are limited. (Please excuse my verbosity, Mr Editor.)
The handicap, which started off so splendidly with an entry of 18 singles and 11 doubles, has suffered a death-blow by the departure of several of our most enthusiastic players, but there is no reason why a fresh start should not be made. The game affords good exercise, and the wind can be tempered to the shorn lamb as required. Some of the heats were played off, but no doubt those who took part and are still with us will only be too willing to back up another handicap. Let the shuttle continue to weave health and strength into our tired muscles. We hope to note renewed enthusiasm in our next issue.
Mr Wheatley, who has supervised the interests of badminton and lawn tennis so well, and who was so active in arranging the handicap, has now left us, but his place is being filled by Mr Lidbury, than whom no one could be better qualified. He is the only survivor of the small coterie of experienced players which first started the badminton club, but we hope that, with practice, the House will soon produce a number of players of equal calibre to those who have left.
Lawn Tennis
There is very little to report regarding tennis, as the weather has been somewhat backward for this time of year, but practice has gone on when possible on the hard court. This court is somewhat strange to those accustomed to grass, but the exercise obtained and the quickness required are of the utmost value to those in want of practice. More use could be made of the hard court with advantage. At the time of writing the weather has improved very considerably, and it is hoped that the grass courts may be available by the second week in May. Balls, nets, etc., will be arranged for by the House Club, but players will require to supply their own racquets. Again we would call attention to the necessity of having the lawns rolled, and players and others able and willing might spend a profitable time in putting their shoulder to the wheel.
Billiards
Many familiar faces have gone from amongst us since our last issue, and it seems strange indeed to miss Lee's cheery voice on entering the billiard room. Dott, the runner-up in our last handicap, has also departed. Some men are favoured of the gods indeed! It is given to few to carry away a billiard prize, a railway warrant, and last but not least, a "ticket", all in the short space of an afternoon. The last two weeks have been somewhat uneventful, with the exception of two noteworthy breaks, one of 50, neatly strung together by Cruikshank, and a somewhat smaller, though still praiseworthy, effort by a member who is both topical and "tropical" in his play. By the way, who was the unkind member who suggested that Captain Brock might find a few useful recruits for his pet potato plot amongst the strenuous players on No. 2 table? The new handicap, for which no less than thirty-two entries were received, is progressing well, and the first-round matches have all been decided with the exception of one - that between Major Bryce and Seager. Two of the entrants - Lidbury and Scotchburn - were, unfortunately, compelled to scratch through illness. The two backmarkers - Cruikshank and Nichol - thus each get a walk-over, for which they should be truly thankful. Lamb has again started well, vanquishing McKay and Lecomber in the first and second rounds respectively. The match between Lake and Scott was a stiff tussle, the latter winning by the narrow margin of two. Major Smith defeated Wilson with ease, the latter scarely showing his true form; while Major Maclagen beat Evans, who is very much "off" at present. Major Maclagan followed this up by winning a rather slow game against Major Smith by 29. Our noble Editor carried all before him in his game with Fincken, and enters the second round in a blaze of glory. (This may fetch something a line extra, although "blood out of a stone" isn't in with our Editor.) [Or with our contributor when it comes to getting "copy". - ED.]
“CAUSA BELLI.”
Time: 2.30 A.M.
Place: Suburban Police Station.
Special Constable had just arrived off his beat after having been relieved. His uniform, much bespattered, showed other signs of recent rough usage. His face was beyond recognition, which, no doubt, is the reason why his name cannot be mentioned. Both eyes bunged up, or nearly so; lips delightfully contused, and a thick ear, presented a vision that made the Inspector on duty stare for a bit. Then, gradually, as the scene presented itself more vividly and revealed a slight tinge of humour, an irrepressible smile stole o'er the superior officer's genial countenance as he blandly inquired:
"What's up?"
"Hold on a bit,"' replied the Special Constable, "let me collect my shattered wits."
A moment lapsed, and the Inspector grew more curious.
"Well go on," said he.
"Oh, yes! Now I remember," rejoined the Special Constable, eager to unfold his tale.
"Yes," said the Inspector.
"You know my beat in Pickle Street?" inquired the S.C.
"Yes," was the Inspector's interested reply.
"Do you know No. 34, where that charming brunette with nice ankles, lives?"
'The Inspector's eyebrows rose, his eyes stared with curiosity, not knowing what to anticipate.
"Yes, yes," he said eagerly.
Then the S.C. leaned on his elbow towards his chief, resuming:
"Whose husband is out in Mesopotamia?"
"Yes, yes!" was the excited reply.
The Special upon this stood erect. Then, resting his hands upon the table, he cautiously stretched across the table towards his listener's ear, and, in a deep gutteral whisper, handed in his report:
"Well - he - isn't!!!"
SYNJIN.