Ladies’ Edinburgh Magazine > Volume 5

Debates of the Ladies' Edmbiirgh Literary Society. 45
Magazine, written by a stranger who was present. There was, in a
large meeting, a small majority against the servants.
In March, again, we had the practical question of the influence o
educational prizes on the moral character. A large majority took the
pleasanter view, that we may still hope for and enjoy rewards for
superior work, including work done as scholars, without fear for the
lowering of our moral standard.
For April there were interesting papers read in praise respectively
of Chaucer and of Spencer, two grand poets, whose beauties would
probably have been less known to our company before we shared the
advantages of the literary education of the University. Many of our
members had good reasons to give for their votes, showing much
appreciation of the old poets. May brought a rarity, a musical
debate, and one, too, on a real question—a question hndaute. It is
curious what fervour the pro and con Wagner parties throw into their
disputes ; and it says something for the educational influence of our
debates that the discussion was carried on, though with strong
opinions, without undue exaggeration or vehemence. The paper in
defence of Wagner dealt chiefly with his theory, declining to assert
that Wagner had carried it out successfully. The reply assented to
his own asserti<m that he had succeeded in setting forth his ideas,
but took the view that he had failed to find the noblest form of art
in his combination music-dramas. The leading papers were printed
in the July and August Magazines. Three other interesting papers
were read, for which we regret there was no room in the Magazine.
The voting showed that the audience were not yet ripe for the Music
of the Future. In June the question of home or school education for
girls found most people of the same mind in preferring a good school,
combined with home life, in day-boarders.
In July there was, as usual, no debate ; but descriptions were
given, written or spoken, of the most beautiful sights the speakers
remembered to have seen. Three good poems were read,—one
describing the 'Midnight Sun in Norway,' one on the star shower
in November 18CG, the third on a display of fireworks at the Crystal
Palace,—curiously enough, all on what might be called Celestial
Phenomena.
The October debate had for its subject the dress of the present
time, its tastefnlness and appropriateness ; and in a lively conversa¬
tion, which followed the extemporary speeches, the majority were of
opinion that the dress of ladies may at present be both graceful and
convenient, but that the usual masculine costume was, if convenient,
now hardly susceptible of being made tasteful or ornamental.
November was signalized by an assault on the spelling of the English
language, which was stoutly defended on historical and intellectual
grounds by the other side. On the whole, the meeting seemed con¬
vinced that our arbitrary spelling was in great measure unavoidable,
as the language itself had grown from such difi'erent roots, and been
developed by such various means. Some went so far as to maintain
that it was such good training for the youthful mind to encounter
dilEculties, that our odd spelling was rather an educational advan¬
tage than otherwise ; others said it was too arbitrary to be a good
means of cultivation, and also that there were necessary difficulties
enough in life without keeping up superfluous ones for practice. As
to the language, — formless, gramniarless, disastrously lawless in
orthography,—yet it remains our dear old English still, a free and