Lehigh University - Epitome Yearbook (Bethlehem, PA)

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invaluable in itself ; and although the majority of the Class have not improved their opportunities amongst the fair sex to the extent of our Tenial F. W., — whose innumerable moonlight exploits in that direction, as related by himself, would fill a volume, — still, as human nature is at best imperfect, and we are not altogether innocent, we will, in considera- tion of the feelings of our ch ' mical friend S h, whose recent disappoint- ment in a neighboring city commands our heartfelt sympathy, shift the scene, realizing that we are treading upon dangerous ground. Long ago we sadly discarded the fond illusion tliat a four years ' course of syste- matic and scientific cramming and flunking, combined with a diploma, completed an education. The more we learn, the more we find remains to be learned, — asour cla-s president ' s daily complimentary and eulogistical remarks in connection with Rankine bear witness. During the past year we have taken various trips to different points alono the Valley and Philadelphia, in the interest of science and pleasure. It was a curious and remarkable coincidence that our barometrical journey around the Switchback and Glen Onoko wiih Professor Harding, last June, should have occurred on the same day as that of the Seminary. Here ' s those everlasting students again! There ' s your fellow! etc., were the coniplimentary remarks hurled at us by our fellow-students from the northern shore of the Lehigh, as we boarded the train at Mauch Chunk intent upon the stern discharge of our duty. Students we are still, and no doubt will be until we shuffle off this mortal coil ; but we failed, utterly failed, to study the beautiful scenery of Glen Onoko on that memorable occasion. What was studied ma) ' be inferred from S t ' s remark as he mounted the platform on the summit, and exclaimed, in his usual tragic style, By-by, gentlemen ; the proper study of mankind is girls. While at Packerton, in October, we were handsomely treated, and had a special train placed at our disposal Our steamboat excursion on the Lehigh was an incident in our career greatly enjoyed, and it demonstrated that we at least knew how to engineer ? boat. It may have been because stolen pleasures are sweet; but the temptation to indulge surreptitiously in a free ride was too great to be resisted, especially as we found combustible material conveniently arranged on the Island. 14

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History ' Seventy-Nine. FOR the third and last time during our sojourn at Lehigh we are called upon to furnish a short account of the Class of ' 79. To call it a history would be a misnomer; for while memory reverts to numerous incidents and events especially interesting to us individually and collectively as a Class, which would be incorporated in a history, still the lack of time and space at our disposal, combined with the fact that they would probably be of little interest to those not of us, precludes their consideration at this time, and we will briefly present a few general remarks ere bidding adieu to the readers of the Epitome. It seems but as yesterday, so short is the lapse of time, that over forty of us met together, one bright September morning in ' 75, all resolved to strive for sheepskins ; but alas ! we forgot, in dealing with futurity, to take Faculty into consideration. It played a lone hand against that portion of the Class who failed to provide themselves with the all-power- ful doctor ' s certificate, the universal antidote for unexcused absences, so that half our number were relegated to obscurity ere we returned as Sophomores. Various causes conspired to thin our ranks from time to time during Sophomore and Junior years, until finally our total expul- sion was threatened, should we publish the customary burlesque pro- gramme, usually distributed on Commencement Day by the Juniors. Suffice to say, we became frightened, the burlesque was published, and as a result of our discretion the Class of ' 79 still graces the boards for a short time. That we may have learned considerable during our presence in this sleepy borough will, no doubt, be granted. The experience gained is 13

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Often, as we gather in Dick ' s den, do we discuss old times over a cup of chocolate ; relate the peculiarities of this or that individual, and wonder where the whirligig of time will place us. No more does the drowsy senior toss up a cent at 8:io A. M. : heads, breakfast; tails, chapel. The element of chance has been obliterated under the new dispensation, and breakfast is punished accordingly, at the expense of chapel. Our brilliant V. P. of lasi year is supposed to be diligently engaged perusing Blackstone in the City of Brotherly Love. To be absent while considered present, was his chief study here. Our junior member from Maryland was the last of Seventy-nine ' s shining lights to leave. He was witty, humorous in a certain sense, and pre-eminently loud. The quietness now reigning o ' er Saucon Hall at midnight continually and forcibly reminds us of his absence. He was slowly and surely sending us to an early grave with his diabolical fish-horn ; and so strong is the force of habit that Dick ties himself to Stoney every night in order that his wonderful psychological dreams may not be disturbed by visions of this nocturnal Gabriel. Speaking of psychology reminds us that the important conundrum as to whether each soul is an individual creation, or a traditionary heredicature, remains unsolved. Has the oyster got a soul? is a very important question, and may be classed with Where has little Johnny gone ? as creating the greatest diversity of opinion. Our lectures in November, given at the request of the Class, by Professor Coppee, on the Use and Abuse of the English Language, were highly instructive, and judging from the attendance must have been appreciated. There has been one noticeable feature in the Class of ' 79, of which we have always been proud, and that is our perfect unity of action, and the unanimous good feeling sustained in our intercourse with each other. Often in the future, when far away from Lehigh, our thoughts will wander back with loving remembrance and fond recollection to our happy, jovial student life ; and as the days glide into months, and the months pass into years, the feeling may become so strong that we will be compelled to return. New faces will have taken the place of those so IB