The student's magazine of Dudley Training College for Teachers was called The Eagle. The magazine displayed an eagle on the front cover with the motto Doctrina promovet (learning promotes). Volume 24, number 1, published at Christmas 1932 (32 pp, including 3 blank), was edited by J.L. Carr. The magazine contained a little verse (none by Carr) and reports of College societies. The report of the Dramatic Society on page 23 was written by E.E. Bettle; J.L. Carr was Secretary.
Carr wrote an editorial for the magazine, which may have been his first printed work.
Editorial
. . . and some have greatness thrust upon them.
I wish to thank every student who has assisted by contributions published and unpublished to reduce me to a state of severe nervous prostration. For weeks, nay months, the men of letters were silent and then, when it seemed as if I must publish the whole of my reports of visits to sanitaria, extracts from the monumental essay on the philosophy of Carlyle (this for the benefit of the Advanced English Class) and even my flights into the realms of poesy, the deluge descended. The Manager received a tremendous amount of copy varying from elegies to open letters addressed to ‘Powers That Be’ in College; (one brilliant tirade addressed to the Common Room Committee beginning, “Brutes,”) and although our public would have rejoiced in the sad tale of how the Senior Prefect burst, we were compelled, this being the season of goodwill, to refuse both extremes.
THE EAGLE has had a very precarious existence this term. At the first meeting of the S.R.C., our colleague the aforementioned S.P., advocated in a scintillating speech, that the magazine should cease its hitherto useless existence and that the bullion it possessed be given to the fund for the provision of playing cards. But as Kai Lung has told you –
'There is a time to silence an adversary with the honey of logical persuasion and there is a time to silence him with a heavily directed club'.
Socially, (and we hope, otherwise) college life has been tremendously busy; in college games we have upheld the traditions of D.T.C., and the formation of the Historical Society and the Literary and Debating Society give one an idea of social advances, too. The Soccer XI are to be congratulated on their hitherto unbeaten record (they visit Cheltenham on Saturday, however). The House Concerts have proved to be a great success and Houses II and III receive thanks of the students for two very enjoyable evenings.
To conclude, let us hope that the well-meant but depressing report of the wordy Mr Ray will share he same fate as 1932. But if it doesn’t, then remember, 'A philosopher is a man who can look at an empty glass with a smile'. J.L.C.
A Stop Press at the end of the magazine reported: Cheltenham St Pauls 8; College, 0.
Carr's involvement with the cross country running club is reported in the section on Sport.