Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 11 text:

9 The appearance of a gymnasium at Brown has been for years constantly awaited with a feeling of expectation, similar to that which annually precedes the appearance of the Liber. It will be a most agreeable piece of news to many of our alumni and possibly to some of the more studious residents of Hope, to learn that the work of placing one stone upon another and applying the mortar thereto, is being rapidly carried on. The erection of the Ladd Observatory is another evidence that this year has been one of building, while other years have been those of planning. The location of the Observatory will not allure the boys who are looking for snaps, but is eminently suited to the needs of real astronomers. The department of post-graduate instruction has this year assumed a position of importance and attracted quite a large number who are availing themselves of this opportunity. The introduction into the curriculum of courses in Hebrew, Arabic and Assyrian is also a source of wonder and admiration. In fact, progress here is of an all-round nature and ranges from the opening of a German Seminar to the construction of fire- escapes. The latter have already proved of use. If you do not believe it ask Bert Meader. Athletics were never .more promising than at present. Of the ball nine, little needs to be said here. Last spring a long list of victories culminated in the defeat of Yale in spite of all Stagg's efforts. The outlook for this year seemed even more bril- liant. Our hopes were well founded, as was proved, when in our second game of the season we defeated Harvard six to four. It would have done the heart of any true Brown man good to have seen the Insect and Braddy doing up the town Qaccom- panied by the rest of the collegej. We sincerely hope with the New York alumni that the nine will continue knocking them out. Football is no longer an organization in the Liber only. The eleven did the college and themselves credit, considering football is in its infancy here. Time is all that is needed for a healthy growth of the sport. The worthy dignitaries, who adorn the walls of Sayles Hall, witnessed a novel sight on the occasion of the Winter Meet of the Athletic Association. -No one present could doubt for a moment the interest taken by the college in this branch of athletics. Boating has revived in the shape of the Canoe Club. It is unnecessary for us to say anythingaabout the great war canoe. George Hazard has already told you all about it. The Brown Universty Mandolin Club is something new in musical circles and is a great credit to the musical talent of the college. All honor to Norton and 'his men for their advance along this hitherto untrodden path.

Page 10 text:

8 . , , . y J i x 'ti'lil'4 Zf IVIVV f f ,,,fQ,:' nf R' N? Cir ll 3 ur i r ,,,V A,,. . 5 - l i f!!! ,,5a,,'yg ff' I w A2 fl AAQ' rw . 1 li' ' M H' l i 1 l ! X.,-N,x., N.,x-vx,X,,,-NJN.,-,A,,x,V. In presenting you with the Liber for 1891, the board of editors have endeavored to produce a book, combining with literary attractions, a durable and permanent form, which shall cause it to be preserved as a book among books, rather than added to a mere collection of pamphlets. It has also been our desire to give subscribers their money's worth by introducing an entirely new set of illustrations, and calling in the succession of venerable landmarks which have adorned the Liber for a generation or more. If in our attempt to realize these aims we have been successful, then we rest content. We leave it to others to pass judgment. You will notice among the portraits of the faculty several new faces. To our new professors we extend our heartiest welcome and congratulate them upon their advent at a time so auspicious in the history of Old Brown. No one visiting the college to-day can fail to observe the progress made during the past year in almost every branch. Wilson Hall exists no longer on paper. It is at last completed and stands to-day the best constructed building in the state. The number of blue overalls and jumpers, which drape the figures of Lipper classmen, prove the popularity of an entirely new phase of instruction here, namely, the mechanical department.

Page 12 text:

IO Indoor athletics in the shape of draw poker have flourished extensively this year. Free capital seems to be unlimited and its circulation unrestricted. Univer- sity Hall was reported to be the stronghold of this amusement last term, but Slater Hall has borne away the palm of late. We deprecate the prevalence of I. O. U's. and a paper game, claiming that such a game is always demoralizing. We have but two bits of advice to give : stick to a cash game and remember the dictum of our con- temporary, the Bru7z0m'an- Sporting men always keep their mouths shut. Please notice that we have omitted to grind the Faculty to any extent this year. The Faculty are doing good work and we wish to applaud, rather than to discourage them. We had a notion to touch up Fisher a little but took pity on him. If it causes any surprise that we have taken the trouble to roast Lou Lincoln, we desire to say that the college unanimously requested it or we would have devoted the space to some- thing else. Of course the Editors have received considerable advice during the year. Bobby Taft has suggested that we grind only the most prominent men and we have so far fallen in with his ideas as to let him go unground. I7 We desire to express our obligation to our genial Librarian, Dr. Guild, for his contribution prepared with so much care. The thanks of the board are also due to Mr. E. B. Bird, our illustrator, for the interest he has taken in the preparation of the book. A In closing we beg our readers not to pass by the preface but to bear in mind the words of Dean Swift: Read all the prefaces of Dryden, For these the critics much confide in, Though only writ at first for filling, To raise the volume's price a shilling.