Kenyon College - Reveille Yearbook (Gambier, OH)

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 EDITORIAL. 5 IIE EXPRESSION, “ Times change, and we change with time,” is true as well as time-honored ; and our short Gol- lege course has undoubtedly verified it, and added one more link to its already strong chain. College is a little world in itself; and as the tendency of the age is that of progress and reform, likewise we pride ourselves that it is the same in our own little sphere. True, the changes which we have experienced have not been of an alarmingly striking nature; nor would we be apt to notice them, perhaps, unless by reverting to the earliest stages of our College course, and comparing them with the present. They have crept in so slowly and stealthily, that at the time they were scarcely noticeable, and are even now hard to be accounted for. Upon the whole, we would say that they have been for the better. Many old College customs, it is true, have been slowly eradicated ; and, although by their disappearance the enjoyment of many has been somewhat diminished, still we can not but acknowledge that it is better for the College that it should be so; for the enjoy- ments which have been denied us might, perhaps, be styled of the rougher sort. But whether we have been infected by our sur- roundings—not of the College—which bid defiance to change, or by a spirit of pride and unwillingness, that what have hitherto been termed College rights should be lost in our day, we know

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4 SALUTA TION. with more benefit and glory to ourselves. We could perhaps spend an hour in pointing out the way to those we see toiling after us. But who starting out in life seeks advice, or follows it, if he does? If we only trace out the analogy, we shall find that our College life is very much like that in the world beyond. We have our ambitions, our triumphs and defeats. Some of us are politicians too; and feel now and then the bitter jealousies which inflame politicians of a wider sphere. With as much temptation, we are better able to bear it; with a more intimate connection with men, we can more successfully study human nature. Instead of sending out the household pet to grapple with the world before he has overcome his homesickness, it is much more considerate to send him where sharper and kindlier critics will point out his errors, and help him in a gentler way to correct them. We know not yet how it will be, but are eager for the fray; and feel all the more able to cope with the world for our four years tarrying in Jericho.

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6 EDITORIAL. not. But we certainly do know that for many reasons we mourn their departure. As regards the standard of the College, it has certainly been perceptibly raised, owing, perhaps, to the fact that we have so many prodigies among us. For here, it should be remembered, no one ever studies; we acquire our knowledge by---well, it is one of those wonderful things that can not be accounted for. But certain it is that little time is wasted in useless pleasure (per- haps owing to the scarcity of inducements), with but little fear of the results of “All work and no play,” at least until after our course has been finished. . Perhaps here it would not be out of place to mention also the marked progress of our Grammar School. In fact, its members seem fair to rival College students in importance, and are so anxiously watched over and so tenderly caressed by some of the latter, that we would beg leave to offer the suggestion that care be taken lest Kenyon Grammar School should change places with Kenyon College. Again, if the expression may be pardoned, we have become somewhat more civilized. We both rise and retire at a more gen- tlemanly hour, and feel better for the change, both in body and mind. In fact, in every respect we live more comfortably than in years past, and have greater facilities for supplying our de- mands; one of which, the easiest way to get to Mt. Vernon, has met with unlooked for improvement. Now, we can get there by railroad—but, alas! only on a freight train. On the whole, our College life, if not a very checkered one, has been aptly fitted for the student, being conducive to good health and sound minds. It is true that here we are far removed from any great worldly gayety and bustle; but the little enjoyment we have had, has only served to heighten the pleasure. But we can not forget that during long intervals, while engaged in deep study, our souls are jarred by the whistle of a locomotive, telling us that