University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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BLUE AND GOLD I now took cognizance of a most peculiar thing- connected with these nobles. To nearly all of them was attached a shadow, which continually flitted around them. One shadow, I noticed, seemed to have no direct relation with any councilman; yet now and then it turned its head toward one of the Teutonic group as if in anger, but soon dropped it again wearily and passed moodily on. Another shade, which in fact seemed half real, I saw frequently walking up and down with its hands clasped be- hind its back. There was a peculiar gleam in its great eyes which had something unearthly about it. My companion whis- pered in a tone of awe, that he was currently reported to have dealings with the powers of the lower world and to have once composed a fantasy which is quite popular with them. However true it was, I never saw him approach afterwards without a feel- ing of fear. A third short prim little shadow was constantly flit- ting about. It seemed to have a funny little halt in its gait, for in walking it continually appeared to step too high for its height, doubtless to create the impression, that it was larger than it really was. But of all these shadows not one was of greater in- terest to me than a tall, slim shade, which followed closely after one of the Saxon groups. It reminded me greatly of one of those figures I had often seen on the streets in my own country, in which the joints seemed to be worked by some internal me- chanism. The peculiar manners of this shadow, I was told, had not succeeded very well among these people, with whom low cringing manners are ever looked down upon with well deserved contempt. Besides these upper and lower councils, a general assembly of the people was frequently he!4 upon a plain, so situated as to be easy of access to all the tribes. Here the people were given toys and playthings and compelled to amuse themselves with them. Those who handle their toys with the most care are re- warded with prizes, which lead some to strive most eagerly after them. K Many other extraordinary people and institutions did I see while in this country, a more lengthy description whereof, if my life be spared me, I intend soon to give in a separate volume.

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BLUE AND GOLD by the others through jealousy. These nobles form the home parliament, and are chosen according to their ability to look through a millstone. They are considered the most learned body in the kingdom. Their tenure of office is uncertain, depending chiefly upon the number of forms into which they can twist their tongues, which the upper council from time to time records, and upon their ability to look through the aforesaid millstone. They are also divided, according to the tribe from which they come and place of eating their mid-day meal, into the Teutonic and Saxon elements. Their occupations are various. One vener- able man had spent his entire life in searching for the original human, but, I was sorry to learn, had not yet found him. It was currently reported that he had even penetrated into the centre of the earth in his search. Another dapper old noble was busily engaged in trying to make water run up hill. Near him was a swarthy bearish man, who, I was told, had been lately admitted to the peerage. My guide could not tell why, nor could I in my short view of him see the cause of his new dignity. His intimate relationship with the upper council, how- ever, may have had something to do with it. My friend next pointed me out another newly chosen member of the Saxon tribe. He seemed to be gazing steadily into the millstone, in fact he had two round transparent frames before his eyes in order, no doubt, that he might see further. He had been long engaged upon the invention of a machine, with which he, by simply turning a crank, might find the maximum number of words to express nothing. He has already nearly perfected his design, I believe, and is now looked upon as a very great man. A large bovine-eyed man was compounding a mixture to blow up the world. He confidently whispered to my guide that but one more drop was necessary and that after spending a few years experimenting as to the size of a drop, he expected to win immor- tal fame by blowing up the universe. A short, thickset noble happening just then to pass by, I asked my friend what his par- ticular business in the community was. He answered that he was supposed to be compiling a recipe-book. This he prepares by collecting all the opinions of mankind upon all subjects whatso- ever, cutting them into little slips of a word each and then by a little invention of his own, matching them together, much as I have seen boys match small blocks, until they form an harmo- nious whole.

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BLUE AND GOLD Again the white plugs, donned now some eight years by each succeeding Junior class, are lifted in respectful courtesy to the world and the massive Junior heads uncovered. Peculiar class- men swear; co-educational simpletons hush for once their gig- gles; unfortunate Instructors sigh; indiscreet Professors scowl and by an unusual exertion fully determine, in their own minds at least, that the BLUE AND GOLD shall appear no more. So they have done each by-gone annus, so they will do now r . Regardless of their cry, the thirteenth volume appears before you to be read and torn to pie ces for a moment, and then be laid on the shelf with the worthy company which have gone before. As regards literary matter, it is a production somewhat differ- ent from the BLUE AND GOLDS of former years, to which it is indebted for many valuable hints. Each new volume has intro- duced features which have come to be considered as essential, and these will be found in their well known places. Perceiving that there is in the college world, with a few exceptions, a gen- eral feeling that much which is merely local matter should be replaced by something of wider interest and of more lasting character, the editors have weaved into their class publication something which, it is hoped, will be both enjoyable and useful to the general public as well as to the student body. Not that it is believed best to throw out all the lighter effusions as if in- discriminately casting discredit upon them, but that they should be pleasantly contrasted, as it were, that the BLUE AND GOLD should more materially benefit th e University and be of enduring merit. Such is the tendency in all colleges and we think that the student body will approve of the change here. That body itself has changed. It is broader than it was. It is a body, which from its manly enthusiasm now affords pleas- ure in its contemplation. There is a stronger bond of sympathy between it and the Faculty. And for the cause we must look in the main to the arrival of President Holden. His name itself started a glow of enthusiasm and pride among us, and his com- ing gave a feeling of confidence to the whole college world, vherever its component parts might be. We- did not hesitate to place reliance in the young, active, generous-hearted man- hood.