Oxford Undergrads Jump Into Isis For “Love Of A Lady"

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 June 1948, Page 5

Oxford Undergrads Jump Into Isis For “Love Of A Lady"

(N.Z.P. A.—Special—Copyright) London, June 7. The people of Oxford have just had the pleasure of seeing nine young undergraduates jump into the Isis “for love of a lady.” It was part of a “rag” as a climax to Eights Week and was based on the story of Zuleika Dobson, one of Max Beerbohm’s heroines. Her personality was such that undergraduates used to jump in the river to drown themselves and their sorrows. Men students of the Oxford University Labour Club decided to elect a modern Zu’eika Dobson, and discover how many members would be willing to swim for her. They chose the vivacious 20-year-old Anne Whates, of ady Margaret Hall, from five competitors. and over 100 students dedared that her charms were such that they were willing to take the p’unge. There might have been more If the voters had less hazv about what, they were-voting for. Some thought they were voting for the girl they would most like to throw in the river; others for the girl they would most like to iumn In the river with; others again thought the voting was for the girl they would most 'ike to jump in the river f rom. Some merely wanted to be in the swim. The temnerature of the Isis, at 33 degrees, however, cooled the ardour of all but nine. Watching them Trnn. a safe seat in a punt, was Miss Whates. dressed in parly Edwardian fashion. An unfashionable note was a bottle of rum. which she brnught to warm the cockles of the nine noble hearts after their dip. “My heart bleeds for these unfortunate men.” she said: “but in times such as this one mustn’t allow personal feelings to divert one from the path of duty.’’