Hobart College - Echo of the Seneca Yearbook (Geneva, NY)

Page 8 text:

1 J Bono shall truly be an echo of the past, softening life’s rugged winter by awakening happy memories of college experience—we shall feel that our efforts have been fully repaid. Our pages will be found lacking in that peculiar and highly elevating species of satire which consists in lampooning members of the Faculty. We would even express it as our own humble opinion that the allusions which appeared in Eighty’s Echo (though doubtless deriving much luster from the mere fact of their emanating from, so brilliant a class) were not the quintessence of wit. Again, we did not feel that we had any right to encroach upon the valuable time of the freshmen or cause them to rack their in nocent brains to provide subject matter other than their regular editorial, however much our Echo might have been improved thereby. This is another point in. which we have presumed to set aside the example left: us by our immediate predecessors, whose “characteristic modesty ” did not; permit them to exercise that originality for which they arc so justly celebrated. This rash conduct will doubtless call down upon our editorial heads quite an avalanche of criticism from our senior Mends; but in the language of the orator of the revolu- tion, 11 Let it come!” By forming a sort of intellectual joint stock combination with the freshmen they will possibly evolve something crushing, which may grace be given us to bear in “aequo animo.” It is a most gratifying portion of our duty to chronicle the con- summation of some of the projects anticipated in the Echo of last year. With regard to the matte)1 of a navy, the chief step has been taken and the last great obstacle removed. In other words sufficient funds for the purchase of boats have been secured, a constitution prepared, and the necessary officers elected, and with- out doubt the sunlight of the coming spring will flash upon the wake of our college crew. The foot-hall association, too, is no longer a myth existing only in printer’s ink, but is, at last, a happy realiza- tion. The men composing the fifteen, some of whom arc experi- enced players, exhibit a degree of skill, and pluck that bids fair for their future prowess. Under the efficient training of the present manager and captain. a successful campaign, may be expected during the approaching season. In connection with the navy and foot-ball associations, it is but j! w Jm

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ECHO OF THE SENECA, ■ ) CftjO'KOM the college life of EiOnTf-Ogit two years have winged m thci flight. Their rapid exit hurries ns on to the fulfilment MfJ0 ) of thoso dutie,s for which wo are supposed to be fitted, by the gray hairs and increased wisdom that traditionally attaches to the dignity of upper classmen. Of these duties the most agreeable, and perhaps the most important, is the issuing of our college annual The Echo ojr the Senjsoa. .Naturally we feel a degree of concern as to the reception which our effort will meet when completed. Nor to essay anything of a, literary character, in however limited a degree. is to set up a target upon which, certain alarmingly acute individu- als delight to display their astounding knowledge and skill in (ho art of criticism. Since such, however, constitute the class of those who make it their business to derogate without possessing the ability to suggest improvement, their opinion occasions little uneasiness. Just criticism, on the other hand, is desirable, and from it we have no re-ason either to claim or expect exemption. Indeed to escape altogether would be severe reflection upon the production thus ignored. While therefo.ro we would mildly hint that thoso who ha%'e only petty weapons to employ, keep them laid aside—lest they cut themselves-we respectfully ask for the kindly criticism of those who are competent to give it. It has been the earnest endeavor of her editors that the Eorro this year should he fully up to her average standard of merit. We have aimed to make her as far as we could a correct picture of our college world; a picture from which other college men and former graduates of Hobart (for these alone can be her proper interpreters) may derive a true idea of our college life hero at present. And if to any of those whom Alma, Mater has nurtured in years long gone by, the pleasure of a single hour is given—if to such a one our

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 Ii justice to state that our progress in these matters has been largely due to the energy and experience of the men who entered the dif- ferent classes in Hobart toward the close of last year Our Alma Mater has indeed great reason to congratulate herself upon the acquisition she lias made by receiving into her ranks those men. The chemical labratory alluded to last year as a thing of the .future now completed, and the long-wlshcd-for chemistry lectures will be held once- more. The.Latin Triennial Catalogue is also in circulation. Another project still, which has been carried out by the Faculty and Trustees within the last year, is the institution of honorary examinations, which are held biennially, at the dose of the Sophomore and Senior years. This fact renders it more plain than ever, that although Ilobart may be inferior to some other col- leges in the mere number of her students, yet her standard, of scholarship is such that in the- intellectual attainments of her alumni she will be surpassed by none. Among the literary achievements of her students since the last issue of the Kcho Is the starting of the Hobart Herald, a monthly sheet which compares very favorably with other college periodi- cals, if we may judge from the commendatory criticisms which it has almost universally received from the latter. One brief glance at the retrospect and then we close. On our entrance into college as a class we numbered, live. The entire number of all. the students at that time was twenty-one. Trinity Hall had just been, repaired. Geneva Hall was not lit for the abode of civilized man. Within two years JtfgMy-one’s orig- inal five has increased to thirteen. The twenty-one of the college has grown i:o sixty-five. The present freshman class, number- ing twenty-seven, is the largest class that has entered Hobart for fifteen years. Hotter dormitories than ours cannot be found in any other college in the land. The finances of the college are estab- lished upon a firm basis, and her patronage is daily increasing with her mci'easing reputation for high, scholarship and sound religious influence In view, then, of what has been effected within so short a space of time, the question naturally arises: To whom are these happy changes due? Most assuredly to the Faculty and Trustees, in a Vi UtMSlib ‘.Cert’: rtf f Cv. «nrtXVixiV wi iSEih'