TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14885, 27 January 1914, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

in reply to a query by Mr Rhodes .Anthony Hope, tho novelSchoLars. ist, regarding the acauemic and athletic achievements of Rhodes scholars, both previously and subsequently to their appearance in the scholarship lists, an Oxford writer givevS some interesting facts in "The Times." Taking the year just passed, ho finds that 53 Rhodes scholars look Final Honour Schools, including 10 firsts, 21 seconds, 15 thirds, aud five fourths, and that seven who too!: tho examination for the B.C.L. degree, an examination the standard of which is admittedly high, obtained one first, two seconds, and four thirds. Nine were awarded advanced (i.e., research) degrees, six won University prizes, and nine took diplomas in special subjects. No Rhodes scholar took a mere pass degree. Turning to athletics, one finds that in track athletics nine past Rhodes Scholars have been "full blues." Of these one married, and left Oxford before arriving at "Schools," and of the rest one took the B.C.L. at the end of his second year, and another the diploma in Economics at tho end of his first year. The other six took the Final Honour Schools, obtaining throe thirds, ono second, and two firsts. In Rugby football, 19 Rhodes scholars have represented tho University against Cambridge. Of these, 17 were oversea students, mostly schoolboys from South Africa. Ono left before taking Schools, two failed to get honours, two appeared in the fourth class, four in the third, and seven in tho second. In tennis, eight Rhodes scholars have represented Oxford. One of these was ill before Schools, and received an "tegrotat," the other, seven winning between them two thirds and five seconds. One added to a second in History the diploma in Economics "with distinction," while another got a College exhibition. Threo oversea scholars have played in the Oxford cricket eleven, and of these one took a. firstclass in the Schools and a, University Scholarship, another two seconds in Honours Schools, and tho last a third in Schools and an "honourable • mention" for a University Scholarship. In rowing only ono past Rhodes scholar has obtained his "Blue." His academic record for three years was as follows: — A first-class in the Honour Schools, a University Scholarship, the diploma in Anthropology "with distinction," and a Senior Entrance Scholarship at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Instances drawn from other branches of athletics could bo adduced, but those given by tho writer in "The Times" seem to discountenance fairly satisfactorily the view sometimes put forward that Rhodes scholars are first and foremost athletes, their intellectual achievements occupying only a very secondary place. Eggs are astonishingly dear The in the cities of the United Soaring States. The story goes Egg. that a New York waiter bore with calm dignity a diner's order for tho most epicurean dishes; but when "ham and eggs" was the demand he walked away muttering that this sort of thing, the bloated extravagance of the plutocrat, was driving the working man to Socialism. Recent American papers give an account of the fight for cheap eggs. A powerful cold storage combine, it is alleged, has cornered tho egg market of the States, ar.d the destinies of 720 millions of last year's eggs are in the hands of an unscrupulous monopoly. The price of eggs in New York recently was over 90 cents a dozen—nearly 4d for each egg, and tho trust, it was said; was maintaining the high prico by keeping out of the market their huge supplies of preserved eggs. But the consumer is taking up arms. A prominent New York woman started an eggboycott as a ■ weapon to compel tho monopolists to lower prices, and her proposal has been taken up with enthusiasm. Tho movement hae gathered force, and its representatives are demanding legislation to free the cold storage supplies. A house-to-house canvassing campaign, mass meetings of enthusiasts, and an elaborate anti-egg procession have been incidents in the agitation. Thousands of men and women have pledged themselves to abstain from the egg at all costs until prices drop to 32 cents. The suffragettes and prohibitionists are stalwart champions in the battle ag.iinst tho egg, and tho boycott is spreading far and wide. Other proposals to end the trouble have been put forward ; efforts will bo made to send eggs by parcel post direct from the farmers to the consumers. Municipal egg markeUs are also advocated. The man who is contemWriting plating writing a novel a often looks about him. Novel, first of all, to select a suitable environment for his labours. The kind which he certainly should not, select is described in a little fable by Walter A. Dyer, in "Country Life in America." The hero of the faTjle is named Solomon John. Mc had been successful at business, and had saved a little money. Thinking he could work better away from taxis, theatres, restaurant parties, and other distractions of tho city, he built for himself and family, in a- quiet country spot, an artistic little house in quite the latest and most approved style. "It was a many-gabled, manydoriuered house of stucco, with shingletile roofs and English chimneys. It was built of hollow tile, with reinforced concreto where arches, etc.. came. All tho timbering on the outside was really structural—not merely boards tacked on. ; It shall be a hou&o without a fake or a poor thing in it, , declared Solomon John. 'Real beams, real stono fireplaces, coppor drains, brass

waterpipes—hang the expense! , " Dozens of casement windows let in light from all sides. Without, there were terraces and stone steps, shrubberies, roso gardens and rockeries. Such was the earthly paradise in which Solomon John was to write his famous novel. For the actual carrying-out of tho great work he had had built a dear little attic in an artistic old-fashioned gable at tho head of some winding stairs. Of course he did not get to work all at once. There was a series of house-warmings, and crowds of guests came to inspect the residence of Solomon John. "Of course I enjoy all this," he told his friends. "When jt is over 1 will got to work." Alter the guests came the neighbours. Then there was a fishing enthusiast down tho road who absolutely insisted on dragging Solomon John off to a fishing flub back in tho country, where there were lots of fine trout. There fallowed motor-trip>. yachting-trip?. and other pastimes. Tho John family began to feel it incumbent on them to run a motor-car. This they did. plus a chauffeur. The only trouble was of a monetary nature. Little by little things settled down, and Solomon John put pen to paper to write his great novel. His idea was to describe the amusing adventures of a Kentucky Colonel on Broadway. "He tried to recall tho Broadway atmosphere, but the view from his two windowns didn't help him." Sequel—the artistic villa, the fabulist informs us. is rented to a man who doesn't need to work in it. Solomon John, happily ensconced in a room in the back of a town fiat —primarily intended for a maid's bedroom—is clicking out his great novel on a tvnewrite.r. One wonders if it will bo something about country life.