Amherst College - Olio Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 9 text:

AMHICRST OLIO. I I l ' -Ullllllm l-:-f--- ff we M ' X l 7 Dim f if 5179 t fs QQ.: . 1 'iv I, . f : H 735 meta 'iii'-aiiiifiiiiliz kd gil' is with sincere satisfaction that we iind our names en- rolled in the rank and lile ot' Amherst's sons, and with a humble simplicity befitting our station, we would make our H best bow to the public through the medium of these pages. So brief has been our career, so Fresh in our ears still sound the shouts of welcome with which our advent here was greeted, that we have not many items in our history of which We are able to speak. 'lfhere are a few features, however, to which we may be permitted to refer with, we trust, pardonable pride. Nor is it with wholly unmixed diflidence that we thus essay to speak for ourselves, as we think we have ' abun- dantly demonstrated our ability to blow as well as keep in possession our own horn. To the truth of the former state- ment those will be willing witnesses, whose ears have been charmed with the sweet melody which this delightful instru- ment of music, whose use is popularly supposed to be the Sophomore's prerogative, has given forth at our bidding. As to the latter, ample proof will be found in the numerous specimens which adorn the walls of many of our rooms, and which bear in their battered sides abundant testimony to the fact that they have come from well-fought fields.

Page 8 text:

IO AMHERST OLIO. '76 has acquitted herself creditably and has received the well merited approbation of her instructors., ln physical strength we yield the palm to no class in collegeg the present Junior class will, perchance, bear reluctant witness to our valor. The national game has received an unusual amount of attention from us, and we have unquestionably the best organized class nine in college, which gives us full assurance that it will ever meet our highest expectations. Our crew was certainly the finest Freshman crew which Am- herst ever produced, and, but for untoward circumstances, would, doubtless, have carried oifthe champion flag at the late inter-collegiate regatta. In spite of every obstacle she ac- quitted herself nobly and earned for us the second place, an honor not to be despised. The stroke of our last ff University crew also hails from '76. Of course, '76 has had her stereo- typed Burning of Matl1ematics, which, although regarded as a questionable amusement by the authorities, is, neverthe- less, highly conducive to class fellowship. There are many enduring memorials of our last year's career, not the least attractive of which are the beautiful Bible and hymn books in the new college church, which will long exist as reminders of our generosity. ' On the whole, our past year 'has glided quietly and happily away and the beginning of our new year has been auspicious. We have returned with renewed spirits and increased numbers to follow in the footsteps of those who erst were Sophs, imitating their virtues and taking warning from their failures. Our course thus far as Sopho- mores has been comparatively peaceful. Instead of the traditional rush, our class voted to substitute the rope- pull, a fairer and a less fatal method of testing the relative strength oftwo classes. Owing to unforeseen emergencies, the trial of our strength with the Freshman class still remains undecided, but when it comes '76 will, doubtless, hold her own. May the beginning of each new year iind us with as good cause to be satisfied. And when, having completed our college course, we shall have entered upon the duties of active life, may we never cease to be animated .that by which has hitherto been our mainspring of action-the true spirit of '76. .

Page 10 text:

2 AMHERST OLIO. As far as numbers are concerned we are enabled to claim a superiority over all the classes that have preceded us. Nor in numbers alone do we hope to be able to excel. Very little opportunity has as yet been given for those exhibitions of individual !1rz'!Zz'am'y of which very likely many of our members are capable. Still our brief history as a class gives us an assurance that, whatever fires we may institute to dispel the darkness and ignorance of the world, they will burn undinv med, notwithstanding all tl1e efforts 'f Soph- istry and error may bring to bear against them. 7, I Some attention is already being given to boating among us, and the stalwart forms of those of our number who from time to time bend to the oar, Qin the gymnasium and on the Io, foretoken an' honorable record'for '77 whenever her muscle shall in this way be put to the test. Much, however, as We delight in these manly and heroic pastimes, we hope to prove ourselves more deeply attached to the real work of college life, and to be found devoting our- selves to it with a constantly increasing enthusiasm, during the comingfour years of our course. VVe do not, indeed, look forward to the time of our gradua- tion, as do our immediate predecessors, with any earnest desire to gain an imaginary independence by a release from the duties imposed upon us here, Nor do we rely upon the glory rising from some events which occurred in this country a century or so ago, to add any luster to our name. On the other hand we hope, unaided by any such association, to make the spirit of '77 synonymous with whatever is noblest in lofty aspiration and most eflicient in earnest endeavor.