BACK TO THE COLLEGES
Si,—It is only with due diffidence that a freshman of two weeks' standing may essay to question the published opinions of his seniors. I feel, however, that the assertion by "A Cambridge Tutor," in an otherwise illuminating article, that "the position of the youngster straight from school, who finds himself cheek-by-jowl with these war veterans, is a little pathetic," should not be allowed to stand without qualification.
Certainly, if the writer of the article glances, when in hall, along the packed rows of undergraduates, he will have no difficulty in marking the division of the freshmen into two sharply contrasting camps. There are those, the majority, who are plainly at ease in one another's company, maintaining a healthy flow of conversation, vociferous at times with animal good spirits. But dotted here and there among their number are the few of the second camp—self-conscious, uncomfortable, taciturn ; unable, for disparity of years and experience, to join light-heartedly in the chatter of those around them ; in a word, shy. These are the "war veterans " ; but, far from embarrassing the " youngsters " (and themselves) by a ceaseless exchange of "robust war reminiscences," they seem only too relieved to be in surroundings where talking " shop " no longer means logistics or aerodynamics. Indeed, I would suggest that those occasions on which they do lapse into war reminiscences are dictated rather by shyness than by any hankering after kudos. The manifest vigour and assurance of the ex-sixth-former can well be frightening, until one recalls one's own confident omniscience of six years ago.
It is, because "A Cambridge Tutor's" view of the situation might well appear plausible to read trs beyond the college confines that I wish to join with other ex-Service freshmen in stating that the boot is most assuredly on the other foot. If I am guilty of exaggeration, it is solely with a view to redressing the balance of error.—Yours, &c.,
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