LIBER'S NOTE BOOK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 11

LIBER'S NOTE BOOK

Stray Leaves, Educationists who aro interested in knowing how tho Germans havo been conducting their educational institutions during tlio war period should note the forthcoming appearance of an English translation of V. 11. F.riedot's study of Germany's iron system of education during the war, "La Pedagogic do Guerre Allemande," which was published in Paris last year. Professor Sadler, of the Leeds "(Jnivorsity, has written an introduction to what should prove an extremely interesting book. In an interesting letter to "Tho Times" Literary Supplement, Mr. E. B. Osborn, editor of I hat fascinating volume, "Tho Muse in Anus," says that "music-hall songs were never really popular in tho Old Army, which sleeps content with its immortality iu the Ypres salient, pr in tho New Army, which inherits its unconquerable spirit. 'Tipperary,' for example, was nover anything like as popular as civilians have been led lo believe. To-day, if the tune is heard, you will find that the men arc singing tho accepted parody of the words that begins That's the wrong way it> tickle Marie, That's tho wrong way to kiss, and was invented by some nameless rhymester to celebrate the British conquest of French hearts. Three-fourths of the cordial in (ho cantinicre muse's little kegs is simple parody, tho more obvious the better." In the ltfl.val Navy also, says Mr. Osborn, parodies aro much favoured. The Fleet joiirnals-e.g., thedeligbtfiil "'Maid'stono Magazine," edited aboard the mother ship of a submarine flotilla—aro full of parodies, Kipling and Gilbert being the favourite models. And a topical perversion, prickly with porsonal points, of some well-known song is dear to the hearts of lower-deck audiences. Tho fine old tune of "Tho Dying Lancer" has bred for itself many new sets of words, one of the best of which is the .R.F.C. ditty of the victim of a crash;- - A liaudsomo young airman lay dying, And as on the oer'dromo ho lay, To tho mechanics who round him came Higlilng _ ~-,., These lust dvmg words ho did say: "Take tho cylinder out of my kiduoyi",, Tlio connecting rod out of my brain, The cam-box from under my backbone, And assemble the engiuo again." Mr. Osborn pleads for a "Soldier's Song Book," which should include a number of the beautiful and folk songs collected by Mr. Cecil Sharp and other national remembrancers. Ho also advocates.the inclusion of American favourites, such as ''John Brown" and "Dixie," which, if well known, would bo eagerly sung. Apropos to certain recent "lileraT.v" knighthoods nnd to Mr. John Galsworthy's refusal of the honour on the ground that ho did not think titles wore suitable for men of letters, a correspondent of Hie "Westminster Gazette" recalls a talk he had with Browning just after Tennyson had been made a peer. "It was in the 'quad' at Balliol, where he was staying with tho Mas'or, and he had invited me—then an undergraduate' —lo walk round with 1 im. I was equally gratified ami terrified at tho honour, but he quickly put mo ot my ease, and I drew him inio talking about <on temporary poclry. Tennyson was discussed, and he *|xiko. wi'h whole-hearted but discriminating admiration of a poet, whose ways were not his ways. Presently lie said: 'Some poets think a neevoge Hie right reward for a poel; T think a fellowship at. Balliol.' He had, recently boon elei'lcd an honorary Fellow at Balliol—a distinction which gave him more pleasure than aluvjsi any other that he had in his life."