Swarthmore College - Halcyon Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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Swarthmore College SWARTHMORE, Pa. INCORPORATED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, 1864. First Class Graduated 1873 COLOR— Garnet. Cheer: ' kah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah! ' Rah, ' rah ' rah! Swarthmore !

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most happy reminiscences in years to come, when we shall have no longer the guardian care of our Alnui Mater and the loving watchfulness of our instructors to shield us from the stern discipline of the heartless world, and safely guide our careless steps in the noble struggle for existence. As we complete our pleasant task of publication, we realize that one more of the duties of our class is done, and that we are one step nearer the end of college days. But although Commencement will sever some of the happiest associations of our life, we are impatient for our battle with the world, impatient to rise into prominence and to reflect the credit due to our Alma Mater. But if we fail we must regretfully acknowledge that we have wasted the most valuable opportunities which life affords. For the sake of ourselves and our college may we not fail.

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The Recreations of German and American Students. By Charles De Garmo. HE problem of the manual laborer is how to make his recreations Lr cultivate his mind ; that of the student, how to make them develop his body. The best type of modern manhood is not trained muscle with untrained brain, or cultured mind with feeble physique, but the sound mind in the sound body. Students of different nations use various means of combining their amusements and their physical training. The English, as we know, are perhaps as fond of out-door athletic games as were the ancient Greeks, but German students have scarcely any con- ception of such sports. They have all had rigorous gymnastic drill from childhood, but how to play they do not know. The one substitute that the German student has for all that we include under the term athletics is the Me isur, a form of the duel. It is intended to be, not fatal to life, but full of excitement, and stimulative of mental and physical fortitude. The Mensur is looked upon as an amusement, if not to the participants, at least to the observers. The dueling days recur once or twice each week during most of the year, there being usually, at each meeting, a number of couples to try their skill. The actual contest is preceded by several weeks ' training with the Schliiger, a long, straight sword, sharpened on both edges for some twenty inches from the end. Thrusting or striking are not allowed, but the whole play of the sword is produced by a wrist movement, and is confined to the region of the opponent ' s head. Sword-arm and breast are padded, large iron goggles protect the eyes, and the ears are tied down, while a silk scarf wound about the neck protects the jugular vein. The head and face are with these exceptions left exposed. The contest must last for iifteen minutes, exclusive of stops to repair damages. It is difficult to compare justly the merits or demerits of amusements in countries so different in traditions and social conditions as are Germany and the United States. Perhaps the chief reason for German toleration of 9