'The remainder of the evening was given over to R.L. Stevenson & his work.
[the format of the evening's discussion on the question of whether Stevenson's work will live is explained]
To enable us to review his work readings were given as under
from the Essays - 'An Apology for Idlers' by Alfred vice Janet Rawlings
Poems - 'Christmas at Sea'
'Tropic Rain'
'Vagabond' [all read by] Mrs W.H. Smith
Travel Books - 'Travels with a Donkey' by E.E. Unwin
Novels - 'Master of Ballantrae' by H.M. Wallis
Letters - Mr & Mrs Evans.
[some remarks on songs sung by various members]
It is difficult for any one to sum up the results of the discussion - it was soon apparent that to some members his essays were the one & only thing worth having, to others his stories, 'Treasure Island', 'Island Nights Entertainments' & so on reveal his greatness: to others, his letters are the thing & so one might proceed'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles and Katherine Evans Print: Book
'The subject of the evening, 'Ballads', now occupied attention.
From an introductory paper prepared by Mary Hayward & from readings by Rosamund Wallis we learnt what a ballad is or was & is not. [this is summarised at length] The programme was divided into six parts dealing with the six main varieties of ballads. Some of these ballads were read & others were sung.
Part 1. dealing with Magic
Song The Two Musicians Mr & Mrs Unwin
Reading The Demon Lover Mr Rawlings
[ditto] Thomas the Rhymer Miss R Wallis
Part 2. Stories of Romance
Song Lord Rendel The Book Club
Reading Edward Edward (Binnorie) R.B Graham
Instead of Binnorie we were favoured by a rendering of a Berkshire version of this story by Mr Graham. In fact he broke forth into song & was assisted in the chorus refrain by the whole Club who sang with differing emphasis "And I'll be true to my love - if my love'll be true to me".
part 3. Romance Shading into History
reading Sir Patrick Spens Mr R.H. Robson
[ditto] Bonnie house of Airly [sic] Mr H.R. Smith
Part 4. Greenwood & Robin Hood
Reading Nut Brown Maid Mr & Mrs Evans
[ditto] Death of Robin Hood Mr Rawlings
H.M. Wallis read at this stage an interesting paper upon the subject [contents summarised]
Part 5. Later History
Reading Battle of Otterburn Miss Marriage
[ditto] Helen of Kirconnel H.M. Wallis
Part 6. Showing gradual decline
Song Bailiff's Daughter of Islington Mrs Robson
Reading Undaunted Mary Mrs Rawlings
Song Mowing the Barley All
Song The Wealthy Farmer's Son Mr & Mrs Unwin'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles and Katherine Evans Print: Unknown
'The rest of the evening was devoted to the works of Laurence Housman. Most of the members had seen & heard Mr Housman recently so there is no need to give any personal details & H.M. Wallis's encyclopaedic summary of Housman's artistic gifts & works put us in touch with the versatility of the man. "A charming man" says H.M.W. & so say all of us tho' I'm not sure whether someone did not say "a little effeminate". It was news perhaps to some to know that "An Englishwoman's Love Letters" published some years ago anonymously were by Housman.
The bill of fare was varied & we were introduced to a novel, a St Francis play, a Victorian play & the Child's Guide to Knowledge. The choice whether conscious or otherwise gave us a rather curious result for in the main it dealt with the struggles & characters of women.
Mrr & Mrs Evans dealt with The Sheepfold which relates the spirited history of a woman, 'Jane Sterling'.
R.B. Graham chose out of all the St Francis cycle the coming of Sister Clair into the monkish community.
Miss Marriage. E.E. Unwin & Alfred Rawlings gave a part-reading of "The Queen God Bless Her" which brought into prominence the foibles of Victoria and showed her in relation to two intimates, John Brown her favourite man-servant & Beaconsfield - her favourite minister.
There was but little time left for R.H. Robson to display the fun of "A Child's Guide to Knowledge".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles and Katherine Evans Manuscript: Unknown
'The remainder of the evening was devoted to a series of readings & quotations from Shakespeare intended to indicate different aspects of him and these were interspersed with brief informal & sometimes penetrating discussions. We were indebted to E.A. Smith for quotations on public & private life to C.I. and K.S. Evans for a reading from King Lear R.B. Graham gave us a series on Death & after several short items C.E. Stansfield appropriately concluded with Shakespeare's description of a wet Summer in "A Midsummer Night's Dream".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles and Katherine Evans Print: Book
