Kenyon College - Reveille Yearbook (Gambier, OH)

Page 9 text:

Praefatio. is death in this pot of delectable things we are preparing, not for the partakers but for the preparers, unless prudence and discretion enter largely into its composition. Hence, look not in this book for reckless illustrations, daring scintillations of wit or irreverent illusions. We prefer to creep along the sheltered shore, rather than by venturing uj on the treacherous deep, risk the wind and waves that swamped our predecessors.

Page 8 text:

 K deem it expedient before entering ujjon the body of the work, to set forth some of the mo- tives which might have influenced us to the publication of The Reveille, but which most certainly did not. Perhaps the bare mention of these may make clear the nature of those which did im| el us to the task, but if not, no matter. Necessity was not in the case. Cus- tom, that inexorable ruler of Kenyon, did not call us to the front, to leap the wide gulf that has hitherto separated the Sophomores from The Reveille. On the Seniors, and on them alone, has rested until now the responsi- bility of its publication. Neither did propriety demand it. The mantle of seniorial dignity, which now rests in part upon us, should have fallen upon ’79. But though the yearnings of that lass for immortality are only equalled by the | crsistency with which they follow the “back track,” distrusting their own merits, or from other causes, they rejected the proffered boon, and plodded on down the hill. ealth was not a motive. A glance at the distressful financial experience of those who have preceded, told us that whatever benefits might in other respects accrue, riches could by no means crown our efforts. Fame was beyond possibility. There is a well attested legend embodied in the College records, that certain young men once wooed the fickle goddess through the medium of I he Reveille, and soon after found it convenient to “fold their tents like the Arabs, and silently steal away.” This teaches us that though there may be a path to glory, it evidently does not lie by way of The Reveille. We realize that there

Page 10 text:

f dtiociaj. NOTHER year in its swift flight has goru by. I he Reveille is heard once more. Its sound goes forth through the land awakening thou who herve been dozing away all the time, since it was last heard. Many changes have taken place within a year. 77 took its departure in order to give 78 plenty of room to move. Having reached the top round of college-life, it stepped off and fell into that deep abyss— the world. Let us hope that after the first dive and the surprise which it occasions, the members of that class may rise steadily, and may remember to follow the teachings of their motto: ltNon solum nobis nati sumus. ” I heir whole course was the same. They did nothing to characterize themselves. They seemed to be wholly oblivious to all ( lass spirit, evidently not knowing what it was. No class supper either at the beginning or ending of their course; no rows °f any kind, and, above all, no Bore Day—giving up that good old custom for the sake of a holiday. As Sophomores they did nothing, but left sophomoric pranks to more fun-loving men. •ut ve are keeping them too long before us. Let us say to them, gently but firmly, “vale.” 78 ha ing attained the long wished for dignity of Senior, 'veil fills the place left vacant by '77. ’78 is and always has een small, though they seem to have had some of the qualities pertaining to the Hydra, yet, what they lack in quantity they make up in quality. While Freshmen they were eager to keep I ( customs, and this has been one of their good points all the