Kenyon College - Reveille Yearbook (Gambier, OH)

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6 EDITORIAL pinnacle of learning; who thought that every passing head which chanced to turn after us was attracted by the air and atmosphere of exalted learning which hovered around us and pervaded us. Now we can look contemptuously on the follies of our verdant Fresh man hood, and unconcernedly and cold-bloodedly condemn the motes which obstruct the vision of our neighbor underclass- men, forgetting or ignoring the beams which were in our Fresh- men eyes. But surely if there were any beams in our young eyes, they were very small, and almost invisible to ourselves at least, while the motes in the optics of succeeding classes have been very patent to all critical observers. '75 always was noted for sur- passing all other classes in every way. It was always a matter of wonder to us that the Faculty did not sooner recognize our supe- rior ability. We are confident that they show their preference this year—at least we can see it if no one else can. Since now we have blown our own trumpet, which preceding classes refused to do for us, we hand over the brazen instrument to ’76. May they learn well its use, as it gives splendid exercise to the lungs, and sounds most joyfully the welcome, most pathetically the fare- well, and most brazenly the notes of mutual admiration. Perhaps a few remarks in general would not be out of place. How discouraging it is to us that after the heaps and mountains of labor last June, such a ridiculus mus as ’7cS should come forth. We went away from Gambier with our hopes for old Kenyon higher than they have been fora long time. The sad farewells of Commencement time were spoken in a more joyous spirit than usual. Our hearts were full of love for Alma Mater, our mem- t ories supplied with countless pictures of the beautiful spot and buildings of the “hill.” We came back with the same love and hope, to find the same beauty, natural and artificial; but alas, how discouraging, a Freshman class which is almost lost out of sight in the chapel seats. So, now we must keep up our hopes for the future by the thought that merit can not forever go unrewarded, nor can so bright a light as Kenyon be much longer concealed under a bushel. For

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EDITORIAL. “We as Freshmen came to Kenyon In a very verdant state; Now we splurge along the campus. Seniors stately and sedate.” How unfortunate it is that the name of the author of this touching verse has been lost to posterity. Its beauty of diction and depth of thought stamp it a production of the highest merit. Surely the knowledge of human nature, especially as displayed in the two classes of society mentioned, is wonderful. How more appropriately could you characterize a Freshman than as “ver- dant ? ” What so well could express Senior conceit as “splurge? ” They seem right before us, swinging along in their upper-classmen state and sedateness. How real; how true to life. Some muse must have inspired this elegant and expressive stanza. But we almost forgot in our raptures over the heaven-suggested rhyme, that we ourselves arc Seniors, and “splurge” along in the proverbial stateliness (?) and conceit. Perhaps we had better show more class spirit. Oh, yes! ’75 is an exception to the general rule. We exhibit to the admiring gaze of Freshmen and “Barbs” the real, original sedateness. We were only led to make the above observations on Seniors generally by our recol- lections of the last class, forgetting for the time that we had stepped into their boots. But the Senior and Editor is himself again—as the inquisitor of heretic Freshmen, the awe (?) as well as pride (?) of his fellow students. Classmates, forgive the mo- mentary desertion, and know that we shall forever hereafter be loyal to ’75. Yes, it is no less strange than true that we are Seniors who, less than four years ago, proudly imagined ourselves almost at the

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EDITORIAL 7 the present, our virtue must be its own reward. And surely we have cause to congratulate ourselves on the continued elevation of the standard of scholarship. In standard, if not in numbers, our motto is “ Excelsior,” and the snow and ice of want of ap- preciation should not prevent Kenyon’s flag from floating as high as any. What can the Reveille contribute to the future success of Ken- yon? Oh 1 where is some Rhoderick Dhu, whose Reveille blast would be worth a thousand men. Alas ! where is he! He must be the “coming man.” Regularly once a year our Reveille tries to awaken our friends from their sleep of inactivity and indiffer- ence. With what success hitherto ! Very little, we fear. Will a louder blast awaken the sleepers? We have sounded the notes with all our power. To longer-winded men we commit the trust. If our efforts are unsuccessful, ’76 has our best wishes for their triumph as buglers. Surely a class which has twice roused the “hill” with bore-day horns ought to have had suffi- cient practice in blowing to succeed well in setting their discord- ant notes to the tune of a Reveille.