Waking up (in) the city of dreaming spires
"I think they’ll wake up Oxford. There’s no doubt that these fellows will make the average undergrad look round him a bit."
Apparently this remark by Smithers resulted in a shudder round a dinner party, and the butler slipping the champagne ice down the back of the guests. Well! If you haven’t guessed, Smithers thus announces the arrival of the first Rhodes scholars in Sir Compton Mackenzie’s Sinister Street. That was way back in 1902. As we are nearing a hundred years of Rhodes scholarships, it is worth while to look at the following conversation initiated by the hero of that novel, Michael Fane, with the Dean and the Warden:
"I think Oxford will change the Rhodes scholars much more profoundly than the Rhodes scholars will change Oxford", said Michael. "At least they will if Oxford hasn’t lost anything lately. Sometimes I’m worried by that, and then I’m not, for I do really feel that they must be changed. Civilisation must have some power, or we should all revert."
"And what will Oxford give them?" asked the Dean dryly.
"Oh, I don’t know", said Michael. "But vaguely I would say that Oxford would cure them of being surprised by themselves or of showing surprise at anybody else. Also they will gain a sense of humour, or rather they will ripen whatever sense they already possess."
"Very true, very true", said the Warden. "But, my dear Fane, your optimism and your pessimism are both quixotic, immensely quixotic."
Some of Fane’s quixotic opinions have probably come true! The Rhodes community has become a part of Oxford as much as Rhodes scholars would consider Oxford an important part of their lives. May be some of us may like to look back at the years we spent in Oxford - (hopefully not like V. S. Naipaul) - years spent in sub-fusc, collections, rowing, high table, bops… and the Ball Committee is full of quixotic optimism that the Rhodes Ball would find a place in your list!
With the exception of North America, it wouldn't be a bad approximation to say that all nations that have Rhodes scholarships play cricket. It is a wonderful time for Rhodes scholars to celebrate, as England is hosting the 1999 cricket world cup. The official theme of this world cup also beautifully summarises the theme of Rhodes Ball 1999:
The meek and the gentle will inherit the stars
Men from Mars, women from Venus
If their bodies be weak, let their spirit be strong
Their time will come, each and everyone
Everybody, everybody all over the world, join the festival
Everybody, everybody all over the world, life is a Carnival
The Rhodes Ball 1999 is in your court. Have a great time!
Vasan S. Seshadri
(India, Trinity, 1998)
Next
