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Last Night

Last night I attended the ordinary session of the University of St Andrews Union Debating Society. It was an altogether so-so debate, (This House Believes Harry Potter is A Danger to sometherother) with the first proposition rather overwhelming the three other speakers.

The most interesting aspect was Mr. Ralph Covino in the Chair, since the Convenor of the UDS, Mr. Peter Blair, was second prop. Mr. Covino showed himself very capable of such a task, and handled the Chair with alacrity.

My only criticism was when he mistook a portrait for Andrew Carnegie for the Marquess of Bute, which is actually all the way towards the back. It hangs approximate to the portrait of Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts, replete with the coats of arms of the University (of which he was Lord Rector) and the Union of South Africa (of which he was Prime Minister — twice).

Of course the heraldic achievement of South Africa has since been replaced by Thabo Mbeki and his gang of aloof halfwits.

The old coat of arms (left) and the new coat of arms (right).

Covino Bostoniensis in the Chair.

Lower Parliament Hall packed to the brim.

Photos courtesy of none other than Mr. David Bean.

Published at 11:31 am on Thursday 7 October 2004. Categories: Journal People St Andrews.
Comments

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”? Please. You’re giving Christianity a bad name.

Good thing Philip didn’t greet the Ethiopian eunuch with racist jokes.

— M 20 Jun 2007 1:52 am
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