Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 9 text:

4 LIBER BR UNENSIS. general stagnation has characterized the business of the external world such cannot be said of affairs within our world. Probably at no time has there been so much reason for the sons of Brown to rejoice at what seems the bieginninglof an era of improvement. The new Library building, ready for occupancy, and the new Dormitory persistently rising amidst the cantankerous protes- tations of the disinterested few, are sources of hope and pleasure to all who love our Alma Mater, and the establishment of several new professorships serve to greatly strengthen that hope and pleasure. Owing to the greater stress of study forthe past year, athletic sports have declined. Of Foot Ball there is now and then a phenomenal appearance of the Ding an sich there is no demonstrable evidence. Boating-das ist ausgcspiel! and zum NWN gqgfmgen. Of Base Ball we have better things to report. In spite of the general disintercstedness occasioned by the unbroken series of defeats sustained by the nine, yet by the pe1'severanee and finan- cial skill of the manager, not only was the association kept from accumulating, but some debts of years standing were paid, and the affairsf were turned over into the hands of the present manager in a much better condition than before for a long time. And new not only is the association free from debt but has a bal- ance in the treasury. ' The musical element in college may be said to be both a source of congratulation and damnation to all who live within a radius of a half mile .of it. One approaching Hope College in the evening would think the spirit of the Troubadour was within, making the stillness live with harps and pure voices. Tl1e singing in Chapel has steadily improved during the year. Seldom now is any member of the faculty called upon for a solo, sustained only by a timorous strain. The manner in which the time honored customs of college have been sustained by the under-classmen wins our 'unbounded approbation. The man-ennobling rushes, the soul-disciplining hazing of last term elicited our unconditioned approval.

Page 8 text:

Etlitesfrait -langau- INOE, owing to vague rumors of late, the Brown University Catalogue has somehow attained reputation as a vehicle of much unveraeity respecting external affairs, and since it does not profess to give any idea of the social element in college, the Editors of the LIBER feel the greater stress of duty resting upon them. Though while reading within that yellow covered specimen of modern fiction of certain enormous moneys appropriated for the rent of a Gymnasium Hall, for the exclusive use of the students of the University, also of certain requirements respecting Divine worship, we were prompted to smile aloud and take a more cheerful view of life since weight of years, carking cares, bitter disappointments and pressing responsibilities were inadequate to suppress the pleasure inherent in the human heart at the gulli- bility of its fellow mortals, yet we could but acutely feel the poignant satire on the spirit of our time that rage forthe fictitious has grown so great as to insinuate itself within the pages of a publication professedly serious. Hence the Editors of the LIBER have girded themselves to the high service of truth though tl1e Heavens fall 5 and as our predecessors in this ofliee have demonstrated in language embellished with all the arts of the rhetorieian, the logieian, the historian and the metaphysieian, that the continuation of secret societies in eol- lege is an indispensable element to its weal, we leave it as iinally and conclusively established in the minds of all rational men and turn to the pleasanter task of reviewing the year. While, a

Page 10 text:

LIBER me UNENSJS. T 5 By a subtile, inserutable, inexorable law of thought, we have arrived at tl1e conclusion that Sophomores are the natural guar- dians of good order in college as well as the legitimate disciplin- arians of Freshmen, and ought to be sustained in that position. llence, when tl1e Brmzonian takes occasion to stigmatize a little over zeal on the part of some Sophomores in the performance of their conscientious duty asa species of low rowdyism we regret that the spirit of too great conservatism has chilled thus early the blood of youth, and can attribute it only to the fact that of the present Senior editors none of them live in college, hence are ignorant of that which is peculiar and dearest to college life. With this exception we give our unqualified approval to the course of the Brzmonian this year and congratulate it upon the high literary stand it has maintained among other college papers and the marked ability with which it has been conducted. The Hammer and Tongs Society is not dead but sleepeth, and it is expected will arouse to action before the dandelions emboss the campus, or the sultry zephyrs inflate the flower bells. Experience has pointed out a much needed change with refer- ence to the LIBER. Owing to the general confusion consequent upon the beginning of a new year, the election of the editors has been delayed generally until just before eramming timef' The result is a general p1'ess for time and it is only with great effort and difli- culty that the LIBER can be got out before Junior Exhibitions. And for the benefit of our successors we would suggest that in future the Editors be elected at the end of the year instead of at the beginning, as heretofore. P In presenting the LIBER for 1878, the Editors offer in excuse for its many imperfections t11e great stress of their studies and lack of time in which to have given it that garniture they so much desi1'c. If, however, it wins the approbation of our fellow students and serves to deepen their affection for old Brown, and to give a brighter tinge to the memory of their college days, we will feel that we have received an ample reward.