Adelphi University - Oracle Yearbook (Garden City, NY)

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 ‘The Victory of 1905’ is the name of this beautiful athletic figure, poised on a basketball, and pointing to an imaginary score of 12 to 3. “We will now pass into the second gallery. Observe the superb car- riage of the head, the increase in majesty and stateliness. This, my friends, is the Sophomore gailery. The intense excitement of this first group at once reveals its subject. This is the class election. You will observe several groups conferring together. The most serene-looking girl in the crowd becomes the new President, £. C, who has done much to make the history of 1905 so creditable. This second is not a Brooklyn Bridge crush, but the great reception. Note the happy faces, and the miraculous manner in which the frappe is being distributed without serious accident. Ladies and Gentlemen, here is one of the most touching pieces of waxwork in our collection. This beautiful maiden is absorbed in weigh- ing a diploma and a wedding ring, while the young man in the background is slyly endeavoring to tip the scale in favor of the latter. Alas! I. E. succeeded only too well! and did the limits of our time permit we might reveal the interesting tale, but we must leave it to your imagination. “Lay aside frivolities, my friends, as we enter the third gallery. This is the Junior collection; and the great book swung from the ceiling is placed there to show that it entirely dominates the situation. This is the illustrious Oracle! Here you will find a series of statuettes which may remind you vaguely of the Twelve Labors of Hercules. This ink-stained scribbler, with the wild eye and gloomy brow, is the joke manufacturer. Here we see a luckless individual called upon suddenly for class recita- tion while dreaming a Pindaric ode for the Oracle, and the blank dismay of her face prefigures the terrible catastrophe about to overtake her. These people grouped around a table piled with manuscript, tearing their hair while the editor-in-chief, K. T., pounds for order, are sculptured from life,—an Oracle Board meeting, where all arc anything but bored. The commanding figure in the corner is S. T. demanding ‘ads.’ These twelve girls swinging on a rope arc a chef-doeuvre; as also the one doing the Statue of Liberty on a post by the mad sea waves; both serving to revive other memories of the Board. You will all admire the Gibson effect of this Belle of the Prom. “This last figure might be a reproduction of its forerunner in the second gallery; but the artist has shown his versatility by another repre- sentation. This cluster of college girls, with their hows falling off in sur-

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History of Class of Nineteen=Five ADIES and Gentlemen!” announced the sonorous voice of Mrs. Jarley’s new manager; this exhibition is calm, classical, inspir- ing. It is the life history of a typical college class, that of 1905, in the splendid institution of Adelphi College; which we have chosen to represent in the world-renowned waxworks of Mrs. Jarley, kindly lent us for that purpose. Please step this way, to the first gallery. Observe the word upon the threshold: ‘Freshmen!’ a truly magic Open Sesame!” The manager, a dignified young woman in cap and gown, with the tassel over the left eyebrow, withdrew the purple velvet curtain disclosing the immortal collection of “divers sprightly effigies, singly and in groups, with their eyes very wide open and their nostrils very much inflated, and all their countenances expressing great surprise.” This first magnificent group to the right,” she continued, pointing to one where half the figures were ornamented with enormous bows which the rest were struggling vainly to secure, portrays the first event of col- lege life for 1905—the 'War of the Ribbons’ resulting from the unwar- ranted prohibition of such decorations imposed by the Sophomores. Ob- serve the disconsolate young lady in the background weeping over a broken bag. That is R. N., and she has early discovered what it means to come in conflict with ’05. This bag contained trophies of her con- quests, triumphantly retaken by the Freshmen. “The chubby, bewitching figure next in line, in baby dress, bib, and bonnet, with all the charms of infant grace, is C. M., who captivated all hearts at the celebrated Baby Party given ’05 bv her considerate sister, ’04. Coy little B. B., by her side, distinguished herself by making ’way with the greatest amount of bread and milk on that occasion, and the orator on the chair is A. W., whose success as a deelaimer of ‘Mother Goose’ prophe- sied her dramatic future. “The scene of stirring action here represented is called the ‘Snowball Battle.’ The heroic defenders in the sleigh are Freshmen, their cruel foes the Sophomores; the lady in the distance is the deserted Miss F., and the smiling gentleman is Dr. L., whose friendliness is deceptive, as he per- fidiously betrayed them the next day.

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prise, is a study of expression well worth noting. They are friends listen- ing to G. Q.'s overwhelming piece of news. Another deserter to the ranks of matrimony! Why must '05 girls be so attractive? Gentlemen, remove your hats. No loud conversation, please. This high and solemn portal opens into the Senior gallery. Here is the stately procession on the way to chapel, K. T. leading. But this is the gem of the collection. What hints of melodrama are here! This wary couple are escaping down a ladder from their loving friends waiting with the rice in front. G. is a wise old owl! On your right is an interesting work of art. These two lines of girls, somewhat frightened,, but nevertheless in high glee, are enjoying an old-fashioned spelling match. We learn from this, my friends, that even the most eminent can condescend to simple pleasures that would delight Wagner’s soul. Observe the surprised person sitting down in defeat. She is just discovering that she has spelled 'jocose’ with a ‘g and it shocks her painfully. This gallery is somewhat incomplete as yet, for all the niches are not filled. We think we can safely reveal this, however, as a prophecy of the near future. “Behold a noble statue of a wobbly young woman squeezing between two portentous dignitaries who are scooping her into a peculiar brown and gold net. This represents the triumphant graduate receiving her hood. Observe the diploma in her hand, and the satisfied smile of achieve- ment lighting up her worn features. “As we pass out, let me call your attention to this line of busts. These are a few of the ’05 girls who have won college distinction. C. W., E. C., and J. D. appear with Barlow medals. J. D. and M. L. are winners of essay prizes. Underneath are the likenesses of several Presidents drawn from this same celebrated class; the Y. W. C. A. for two years, the Round Table for two years, the Glee Club, Athletic Association, Students’ Asso- ciation. One word more in regard to J. D. We have heard of every-day courage, and we believe in it since watching this strong-minded youth face classes of girls every day for years in solitary championship of his sex. We rejoice that Mr. R. has appeared to lighten his labors. That is all. We thank you for your kind attention, ladies and gen- tlemen, and trust we have proved to you the many-sided character of Adel- phi training, and the splendid record of 1905.”