Baltimore Polytechnic Institute - Cracker Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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L'Esprit du Corps .af HE student of the language of a people is able, long after it may I . C have ceased to be a spoken tongue, to form a nearly correct idea C FEW of the character of the individuals, of their methods of thought, of their conceptions of the ethics which should govern their actions, and even of their practical application of those conceptions to the varied affairs of every- day life. From this it will readily be seen that the sources from which a language springs, the environment of its users, and their consequent modes of thought, will result in the production of words and phrases, which in another language, evolved from different conditions, will have no full equivalent, and be inca- pable of being comprehended until the hearer can put his mind into the same condition as that of the speaker. The French and Early English fAnglo-Saxonj sprang from such totally different beginnings, their development was along such widely different lines, the character of the individuals, and, per consequence, the character of the people, so entirely diverse, that it is not strange that today we find it difficult to substitute an exactly synonymous expression in English for the caption of this article. The origin of knighthood in France preceded by so long the rise of the same system in England that its principles had become thoroughly grounded in the minds of the people, and had become a dominating influence in the thought and action of the French, and when transplanted to the uncongenial soil of England it had much difficulty in gaining an entrance into the sturdy, straightforward, plain-thinking and plainer-speaking mind of the almost brutal Anglo-Saxon. WVhen, therefore, the errant knights, who held their individual honor above even their lives, came to be gathered into the compacted masses of the royal armies, and each, in a measure, to lose his identity in an aggregation, of necessity the same opinions permeated the combination Cale corps--the body j and becoming l'esprit-the soul, controlled their actions. From these considerations we have an insight into the tremendous moral force of the expression which is almost meaningless when converted into 5

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Introduction .w HE reader is invited to the perusal of this very original book, wherein he will doubtless find painful evidences of the immaturity of its contributors. There is, however, the sweet consolation that too much will not be expected, and if, in years to come, those who are now pupils find any pleasure in reading what is here offered, the editors will feel amply repaid for the time and trouble expended in its preparation. Discernible here and there is a vein of gentle satire which the authors proudly proclaim to be the results of the greatest efforts of their lives, and the well-meant sallies will, it is believed, do much mutually to preserve the recollections of teacher and pupil concerning the events of this period in the existence of the Polytechnic Institute. The secondary school period is critical in the life of a boy, for the propo- sition of a higher educationifaces him, and it is not too much to say that the seriousness of the question is fully appreciated and causes him a greater mental disturbance than that with which he is usually credited. Then, too, it is the impressionable period when the effects of apparently triiiing incidents in the course of his instruction take deep-rooted loclgment in the mind, to reappear opportunely to supply missing links in the solution of serious prob- lems. . l Little wonder, then, that the desire is strong in the boy to chronicle school experiences of this important epoch, for in no better way can he contribute to their preservation, and it is with this suggestion of intent that these unpolished pages are submitted. A VV. R. K. 4

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its literal English equivalent. VVithout a knowledge of what it meant, and still means to the Frenchman, it could not possibly appeal to any part' of the Englishman's mental equipment, and so far from influencing his actions, would only excite his derision. But when, from a more intimate acquaintance with the people, when from witnessing the potential influence a mere sentiment had upon the actions of those who acknowledged the controlling power of its true meaning, the Englishman recognized its value as a principle to be cultivated and encour- aged, at the same time he realized that, from the lack of its conception by his Anglo-Saxon ancestors, he had no words which would represent the idea, and he has been compelled to adopt the phrase into his language, and to attempt to teach its meaning by inculcating the ideas which lead to its forma- tion. Passing from the rude school of military life to the gentler walks of peace, we find that this sentiment, or something near akin to it, exists in many other situations. Wherever it is allowed to control the actions of those, subject to it, there exists a restful sense of security among those dominated by its influence. When each member of the body feels that its honor is in his keeping, that a bar sinister upon the escutcheon of one is a taint upon all, and that a cloud over the body envelopes each member, when each feels that his individual honor and interests are in the keeping of all 5 that cliques, cabals, conspiracies and combinations for personal advantage against his single interests are impossible, because dishonorable: then is each member of the body free to give his best efforts to the work in which all share honor or reproach alike, then the true esprit animates the entire corps and the member reaches the fullest fruition of his hopes. That each class in our Institute may cultivate l'esprit du corps is the sincere wish of J. W. W. 00065909 00606000 6