Phillips Exeter Academy - PEAN Yearbook (Exeter, NH)

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., f'4' gay:- occupies a somewhat less important position, but it is concerning this same reflection that the Perm is issued. Through the utiliza- tion of a brown cover, this Perm could at least appear different from the last few. lf only the editors had continued to make changes in the stilted writing, in the regimented layout and spent more time on the humor section, this Perm could have been a real break with the poorer editions which preceded it. The quality of the 1914 Perm was only fair-due to the lack of writing, good art and photography-but it was presented in a very dignified and attractive manner. But this annual needed an element of realism, which in yearbook writing usually means a trend towards an analytical outlook. Perhaps the most significant feature of this Penn was the sixty-two page ad section. Since the start of the century the ad section had been increasing. This enabled the editors to produce a more dignified book and Cineidentally of coursej to make a small profit. The danger in any yearbook is that the financial will predominate and hinder the creativity. The next three Pefms-1915, 1916, 1917-were all very much alike, and what is worse, very much like the last ten. Faetually, they were quite complete. But as a refiection of the school year they were not very realistic or perceptive. And this was due to the excessive conservatism. Yet there are articles in the humor section which are still amusing and which still reflect the viewpoint of a good many Exonians. Of these three Peam' the '17 was the best. There were a few indications of what was to come in the 1918 edition. Per- haps this was all that could be expected from a board of eight of whom five resigned. Resignation has always been a problem of the Perm, and also the Exowiaw. No matter how carefully the senior executive board chooses its successors, mistakes are inevitable. 'No one can tell whether a certain individual will respond to the challenge and responsibility. To Those Exonians Who Have Dedicated Their Lives To The Great Causef, More of a tribute than this simple dedication was the content of the 1918 Perm, the best at that time and still one of the best in every respect. As early as May, 1917, we needed little urging to convince us of the need for a different Perm. The former Penm were good, but somehow or other a stereotyped form has been developed, just as if the point of perfection had been reached. The 1918 P61171 will have every- thing the former Pefms have had, PLUS: larger page size, con- forming to college standard, rearrangement of the entire volume into six separate 'books', six color inserts, a sixteen page section in sepia of school buildings, war time features, double the usual number of snapshots, and the PEAL. These last two changes are the most signincant. Photography was at that time an unexploited field as far as the Perm was concerned. The if 'Q i X: al 43 aww, 4 . . ,rm ,, .lzmx if V yrs, m t. ...i , , . . The Third Academy Building, 1872-1915. Note barge', at right that ran between station and Academy. 1 i The start of an Exeter-Andover track race - 1900.

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1 The Smile That XVon't Come Off. A Latin Classroom in the Third Academy Building. boundless opportunities the school would open to us. We cannot measure how much we have gained from these years, we cannot begin to express all the old school has done for us. In return for all this, if we cannot do anything more, we can, and will cherish for her, deep in our heart of hearts, a loyal and abiding love. If this is not the true reflection of the thoughts and emotions towards the school of some mature senior, then what is? It is out of this conflict between gaiety and seriousness that meaning comes, and it is gratifying to examine the '04 Perm where this balance was so well maintained. ln conjunction with the superb editorial writing came another advancement: sports stories. They have always been a headache to any editor, but they are necessary if the Perm is to be a complete reflection. The most amusing page in the '04 Perm, particularly to this year's executives, contained only a small portrait and a short poem: The Smile Thar W07l,f Come Off. The Pcmfs out, at last l'm free, No more of this hard work for meg And so upon my face you see The Smile That VVon't Colne Cfl. The '05 Penn was not unusual, but the 1906 Perm was the strangest ever. With a green suede cover, a colored frontispiece, and colored divisors, and the text printed in sepia, this Perm was novel. VVe hope the book will accomplish its object, that it will be a reflection of and not on the school life for the past year. The criticism has always been that yearbook writing is a glori- fled form of a chronological table, and in most instances this has been true. lt is always pleasant to remember only the successes and joys of Exeter life. Yet it is important and even necessary to remember the failures and disappointments. The '07 Perm deserves credit if it has helped any Exonian to reflect on his life at the Academy by presenting a reflection of that life. The '08 Perm was an increase in size, yet there seemed to be little originality to distinguish this Perm from so many others. The influence of '08 and '09 was very great, too great. It is important yet discouraging to perceive that, although there were short stories on the four class football teams, there were few articles on other organizations. It is amusing to peruse one of the poems-The Rbime of the B7l.Vi7IC5.Y Mnvmger. A student has just been caught by the Business Manager and has paid for his Perm. Then: He went like one who hath been stunned, And is of sense forlorn, A sadder and a wiser man He rose the morrow morn. There seems to have been a mould for all Peam from 1908 to 1912, the results were almost the same, except for KNOCKS, the humor section. But if there were no enlightening changes in layout, editorial, art, or photography there were some pecu- liar ones in content. In 1909 the Tenstickstoit Club appeared. What the club did has now become a mystery. The editors of the 1913 Penn stated their hopes rather well. Anticipation, realization, and reflection are three emotions com- mon to everyone . . . Reflection, to treat on the third emotion,

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modern feature page which is the thing most Exonians especially appreciate in the Penn-at least most underclassmen-originated in this issue. There were too many pictures on each page, and they were too small, but it was a great advance. In the 1918 Penn the editors had expressed their wish that future boards would not use their Penn as the basis for another stereotyped form. The 1919 Peavz was surprisingly successful in heeding this advice. Although it held the Academy record for coming out late, this was due to a sincere desire to have this Perm a war memorial. A great deal of time and resources were spent to procure a picture of every Exonian who was killed in the war. It is gratifying and encouraging to see the effort which was put into this memorial. One can only hope that it was not in vain. At least the editors did not think it was. The artistic use of color cuts and divisors was very attractive. In fact, there are many interesting things in this annual. The religious life at Exeter is a thing which is not spoken of-not much discussed-not much given vent to, by the members of the school, and still it is the backbone of the school, and there is little which is not religious at the bottom. It is interesting that such an idea should have found its way into yearbook writing. It is the occasional emergence of such ideas which gives an indication of what perceptive and consequently more realistic Writing can be. For the first time there was a story on the Exeter Chapter of Cum Laude. While Cum Laude may not deserve the importance which many of its members would like to think, nonetheless it is indicative of something more than diligence and easy courses. It was time that this society, the only organization which explicitly represents the most important side of Exeter, was recognized in the Pean. The editors apologized for the curtailment of the Peril. They necdn't have. Cartoons, photographs, and stories, well chosen and well arranged combined to make this section very amusing, and on a surprisingly high plane too. Ye Wonderful Towne of Exeter? . After a few boring introductory remarks this story continues with a quote from the Bulletin- It contains about 5,000 inhabitants, has a valuable Public Library, an endowed seminary for girls, good public schools, wide streets shaded by beautiful elms, and many other attractions which make it a desirable place of residence. It has long been known for the refinement and culture of its citizens, and for the liberality and public spirit of its citizens . . . etc. The most erudite editorial was a discussion of osculation- its advantages and disadvantages. Witli black and gold predominating, the 1920 Perm was published. lt was not up to the standard of the last two. The greatest retrogression was in the editorial department. The editorials this year are shorter, perhaps through the laziness of the authors, or perhaps because, through experience, we have come The Pool Room Association of 1893. Now Grant's Pharmacy 0. -fr , .fir Mai is :si if t f f X are 1 'K f 0 .55 . l