The Student Vagabond

The Vagabond has been deeply intrigued and highly amused recently at the vast number of parodies which have flooded the literary market. This series of Saugus cheers which have greeted the publication of many of the more serious works during the last few months seem to be indicative of a subconscious feeling in literary circles that the American reading public is in danger of developing a psychopathic personality on a large scale. To prevent any such general tendency towards self-consciousness and introspection, the Benchleys and the Stewarts have taken it upon themselves to grasp the bull by the horns; and whatever else may be said for them, these efforts are unquestionably amusing.

Anyone who has not yet become acquainted with Corey Ford's rebuke to Joan Lowell, "Salt Water Taffy", will still find it well worth their while. Then there is "Ex-Husband" which followed with more alacrity than true conjugal consideration on the heels of "Ex-Wife". But there seems to be a certain comparability nevertheless, for the value of either of these books is doubled and tripled by the other. Incidentally, "Ex-Wife" was selected as one of the 50 best examples of good bookmaking for the year 1929-30. Donald Ogden Stewart has contributed handsomely with a take-off on the "New Book of Etiquette"--"Perfect Behavior" and his "Parody Outline of History". And even such an inadequate bibliography as this one would be sadly incomplete without "Is Sex Necessary?" a highly amusing burlesque on everything in general and Mrs. Bertrand Russel in particular; and by all means, the "Censored Mother Goose Rhymes!"

But perhaps for the astute Vagabond reader this is all stale news, or perhaps he has broken his glasses and would prefer just to listen. If such is the case, there follows a list of subjects which promise to repay even the trouble of getting up early on Saturday morning.

TODAY

9 o'clock

English 55 in Sever 11, Professor Bliss Perry on "The Varieties of Tennyson's Style."

12 o'clock

History 2b in Harvard 6, Professor Langer on "The Establishment of the Republic in France."

2 o'clock

English 50b in Sever 11, Professor Greenough on "English History from 1600-1700."

TOMORROW

9 o'clock

English 41 in Sever 11. Dr. Taeusch on "English Plays of the 18th Century".

10 o'clock

History 68 in Emerson F. Professor Webster on "The Foundation of British Diplomacy in the 19th Century."