IN RELAXED MOOD

Evening Star, Issue 18259, 26 April 1923, Page 1

IN RELAXED MOOD

SIR U. HORNE TALKS TO STUDENTS. LORD BALFOUR AND THE SKYSCRAPER. In cheerful mood, Sir Robert Homo addressed nt Glasgow a. largo gathering of past, and present students of Aberdeen University. Referring to tho chairman’s complimentary references to his parliamentary career,'Sir Robert said that when ho first joined His Majesty’s Government ho felt like a debutante with fluttering heart entering upon her first season. When he went to tho Exchequer he had innumerable suitors, who he found wore all after his money. Now he was a widow without a dowry. (Laughter.) Sir Robert said he was embarrassed with such a largo and influential gathering, as he had expected a quiet, social meeting, and had no speech prepared. That reminded him of the minister who intimated to Iris congregation that, ns he had forgotten his sermon, ho would just speak what the Lord put in his mouth, but he would have something better to say in the evening. REPARTEE IN NEW YORK. Declaring himself to be a proud defender of Aberdeen, which was not ns wellknown among cities as it ought to he, Sir Robert recalled a conversation during his recent American visit with an American who was curious to know about Aberdeen.

“ [ did my best for Aberdeen,” continued Kir Robert. 11 I told him of the great university and of its climate, which was rim best in tho world, though perhaps a little relaxing. (Laughter.) I told how round Aberdeen them were distilleries which produced tho best whisky in .Scotland, and though the people were very fond of it, vet they were so magnanimous that they ' exported large quantities to countries whoso people wore prohibited from drinking it- (Laughter.) 1 told him that although tho winter nights were long and dark there was no need for artificial illumination because thojieoplo could rely on Aurora Borealis. He appeared a’little dejected, and asked if we had any tiling as high as tlio tower of the Metropolitan Insurance, Company. I replied: ‘‘No; but wo have nothing so low as tho Bowery.” (Laughter.; Sir Robert also told a story of Lord Balfour when the same met ropolitan tower was pointed out io him. Ho was told it was 800 ft high. “ Really,” replied Lord Balfour. He was (old it had torty-cight (lights, and anwered, ” You don’t say so.” Moreover, he was assured it was built of fireproof material, and could not ho burnt down, "What a pity,” replied Lord Balfour. (Laughter.) LESSON OF THE WAR.

Speaking more seriously, Sir Robert referred to the many changes in university educatlion. Jn the old days one had to take seven classes in tho arts faculty, and he still regarded them as tho seven lamps of architecture in the temple of learning. Nowadays university education was applied more directly to fitting a man for his occupation in life. Both points of view might bo exaggerated, but he believed that it did not much matter what one. learnt so long ns it was learnt well, and was worth learning. Tho great thing was the development of the intellect. The war had shown that men of culture and good' education could turn their abilities to almost any profession.