University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Tbe Wine iinil (Uolrl. 19 the example, and the proud standard of emulation for all succeeding classes. When there was no one left in Berkeley to challenge us, we were compelled to seek our match among the professional clubs of San Francisco. Base- ball was our specialty, but in foot-ball we have made no inconsiderable advance, and with better opportunities might have stood high in the field of fame. When we first entered the University, our numbers were so great that in a little while we forgot the duties of Freshmen, and were compelled to sup- ply the place of the Sophomore. That this was creditably and amply done, too, Berkeley contains permanent evidence. When we came to the Sopho- more year, we were compelled to, at least, rival our earlier record, and in doing this we carried the standard of Sophomoric excellence so high that succeeding classes, despairing of rivalry, have quietly acquiesced in our su- periority. Our Bogus had the exceptional merit of being witty without vul- garity, and enlightening without coarseness. The novel feature of the Telephone was so successfully introduced, that the whole effort was pro- nounced an honor to the class, and a credit to the institution. During this year the Freshmen knew their place, some by intuition, some by instruc- tion, and all kept it. Our junior year was a time of peace. We had done our work well, and now the respect of all. and the humble reverence of ' 80. was our reward. Our Junior Ex. was generally acknowledged an exception- ally good one. When we came to the Senior year, little remained undone, and that little has been performed to the satisfaction of the Faculty and Students. As a Class we have always been characterized by a moderate ap- preciation of our own merit. The one thing we have been peculiarly dis- tinguished for has been our moral support. We have never hesitated, by our vigorous and saintly howl, to inspire our favored companions with a new vigor and enthusiasm. There is one department of our Class of which we are justly proud that is the representation of young ladies. We shall graduate more ladies than all the preceding classes combined. And in age, beauty, intellectuality and studentship, they are by no means the most deficient portion of the Class. Many are the festive adventures that might -be recounted; there was one hazing adventure of peculiar character, but in silence is safety. The Class of ' 79 is to-day a living example of the developing power of con- flict. Our first war was- between the sections -of the country; next there was a struggle between the College of Science and Letters. At last came the

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Ititvcr ity of fiilit oi-titi UR four years draw near to their close; we no longer look for- ward with trembling apprehension to the maze of College- adventures. Berkeley ceases to be the goal of our aspiration, and takes its place beside the hearth of home, as one of the sacred things of the past. Already, in our thoughts, we look back to the scenes of our college life, as bright spots on the checkered field of time. For the fourth time, vales of Berkeley are green with spring, the time is well nigh at hand, and the class of ' 79 goes forth to the world of active life. To write the history of a Class is a well nigh hopeless task, for to those who have been parties in all the changes, there is no need for the recital of well known facts, and to any others, we can only hope to give, at best, a confused idea. Were we disposed to boast, we have many grounds. Ye have always taken a prominent part in the affairs of Berkeley. The most noticeable thing, even four years ago, was the great number of our Class in all departments of college energy; and in succeeding times we have not suffered our reputation to grow less. Our base-ball record will always be

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20 1 !ui vcris Jftj tvl great rock on which the unity of our Class was shattered. And the same rock stands yet, as a gloomy monumemt of the obstinancy of delusion, and of the selfishness of men. Some have broken the unity of the Class, others have attempted to do so; and for no other reason than that judgment has been prevented by prejudice. The times have changed. There is no longer that firm love for our Col- lege that characterized and distinguished our days of unity. Even the student life is becoming dull and stupid. The times are past when men lived in the hotel only by permission Freshmen not at all, when Effigy avenue was lighted by the genial fire of convivialty, when Berkeley rang loud with the serenade of T. Dick. The turn-table now rests quietly in its place, the songs are hushed, and the chickens are at peace. Club House Number Two is deserted, and the wind whistles through the broken glass, only to move the faded strip of curtain, like the ghost of a once festive band. Effigy avenue is dark, and the waving grass nods in the gusty spring over the sacred circle of ashes; for energy and interest, in all departments, have gone as companions to our departed unity. We have struggled against these evil tendencies, sometimes not in vain. Our hearts overflowing with gratitude for the past, and our thoughts filled with hope for the future, we yield our place to the next class, and pass out. We go forth into the world in the main, content with the result of our endeavors, and proud to have been not the least among the fosterlings of our Alma Mater. M. A. DORN, Glass Historian.