University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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ing in which the students used a variety of odd pronunciations. It was from this banter that the current usage descended. Today, when speaking of this creature, the word is almost universally sounded as pair-ah-grin-OOS , that is, the in of Peregrinus is short, while the u is long and is accented. This unorthodox pronunciation has mistakenly been attributed to judge Simkins, in reality, he always spoke the word in the correct Latin, even on that fateful day when the animal was iirst drawn. Iudge Simkins saw this Peregrinus as symbol- izing the administration of equity. The work shoe -he called it an Irish ditcher's boot-shows that law will protect the least of mankind. The bare claws give warning that the greatest of mankind must fear its power. The arched back suggests it is ready to spring, just as the law is always ready to protect rights or prevent wrong. The sharp beak symbolizes the power of equity to penetrate the mysteries of the law, a power which must be developed by study. The bushy tail reminds us that equity brushes away the technicalities of the law and does justice on the merits. Early in the spring of 1901, the junior Law Class adopted this Peregrinus as their emblem. Savage drew the creature on cloth and, with the help of his landladies and of Elmer Pope, cut out the drawing and sewed it onto another piece of cloth of a different color, creating a banner. Its life was short, for in a few weeks a rival student group, either the Freshman Law Class or the Engineers, destroyed it. ' ' In 1902 the Peregrinus was being depicted with a high-top work shoe on each front foot, a boxing glove on each hind foot. It was thus shod when it made its first appearance in print, in the 1902 Cactus. . The first papier mache model of the Peregrinus was created in the fall of 1912. It is unknown ex- actly how many have been created and destroyed since. The Peregrinus which currently reigns over the Law School appeared about 1948. The upraised left front foot and the right hind foot each wear a cowboy boot emblazened with the Texas Lone Star. The other two feet are bare, showing claws. The legs are somewhat thicker and shorter than on the original Peregrinus, and the tail is far less bushy. Brought out only for special occasions, the Peregrinus is kept safe in a secret location. 5 if 5 Q Russell Savage practiced law in Corpus Christi for many years. On February 24, 1936, he wrote to judge Ira P. Hildebrand, then Dean of the Law Department: Someone has suggested to me that, as I am getting past middle age, it might be well to do something about the Peregrinus. Personally, I doubt very much that anyone but an engineer would have any designs on the Pere- grinus. Nevertheless, as the sole perpetrator of this monstrosity, I will be glad to do anything that you may suggest to fix the ownership where it belongs. The only thing I can think of just at present is for me to convey whatever right I have in it to the University for the benefit of the Law Department, and then the Law Department could take out the necessary papers on it. I really am confused in whether it should be copyrighted, trade-marked, or patented. Perhaps, being somewhat animal-like, it might be registered. I feel sure that the Iunior Laws of this year will be able to work out the pro- cedure. With best wishes, I am, ' Your friend, Russell Savage Although there is no record of it being officially adopted, the Peregrinus is now firmly rooted as the traditional symbol of The University of Texas School of Law. Page 5

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V 1111 Evhirniinn to Corwin Waggoner Jonnson Professor oi Law It is appropriate that the Tenth Anniversary Peregrinus should honor a man who displays a summation of the qualities found in the many fine professors who, through the years, have formed the strong academic foundation upon which our law school stands today. One of the most popular and respected members of the faculty, he is not only a gentle- man and a scholar, but a skillful, patient teacher of the highest standard. It is with sincere appreciation that we dedicate this Peregrinus to Professor Iohnson.