Greek

At Balliol I was quite intimidated by rival candidates for a scholarship. They seemed so confident and sophisticated. My interview on a wintry day was in a study with a fire burning in the hearth. I mentioned having learned some of the funeral speech in Greek. At which Russell Meiggs (the renowned ancient historian) said ‘Well, go on: recite!’ I began to do so, my eyes shining, no doubt, with youthful idealism at this early statement of democratic principles, in such fine but controlled prose. Then Meiggs said: ‘It’s just school prize-giving day stuff, isn’t it?’ I was shocked, and too callow to respond. I didn’t get a place at Balliol. An obituary published in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society said of Meiggs: ‘the real challenge was to stand up to Meiggs, to challenge him as he challenged others. He admired and encouraged fierce integrity.’

bust of Pericles

But I did go to study at Oxford University, and later enjoyed going to Meiggs’s lectures, and participating in one of his seminars. In one lecture, not read from any text or notes, he was constructing an unusually complicated phrase. Then he paused, looked out of the window with his very long hair (not at all a fashion at that time), and whispered loudly: ‘Fuck! I’ve forgotten the beginning of the sentence.’

Russell Meiggs, ancient historian

There was another incident with our Headmaster. For some reason, some of the Sixth-Formers were aware of a reception to be held by the Governors of our School. Out of mischief, three of us went out at lunch-time to a public telephone booth, and telephoned invitations for this occasion to unlikely people. It must have been difficult for the three of us to get into the booth. When we came out, it happened that the Head was passing. The Head said: ‘Moore! Placing your bet on the 2.30?’

King's College School, Wimbledon

recollections Section 19. Greek (1957) 3/7

recollections
Section 19. Greek (1957)
3/7