University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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ffM Two years of onr college life have passed away, and, as we are starting on the third, our annual contribution to The Index is called foi. As we look back through the past year upon that sunny autumn, when we felt for the first time that we were no longer the et cetera ; upon the cold winter, when one ' s fireside was the most comfortable place this side of home ; upon the bright summer, when we were wont to gather around the stately form of some pro- fessor, and tell, with boyish delight, of Angles, Kingk and Reformers, or What we knew about ar ra ' nc ; when we look upon all this that has passed, a feeling of sadness comes over us. Not that we have neglected duty, far from it, but that one place in this happy circle is vacant, never again in this hfe to be filled. And however long we may be spared to life ' s work, we shall always remember the happy countenance, the kind words and the Christian example of our classmate Clark. Feeling that what was our loss has resulted in his eternal gain, we are willing to leave it in the hands of Him who doeth all things weU. With the Faculty we are on the best of terms, having done noth- ing to merit their displeasure, not even having bolted without wait- ing the required time. And no one can fail to see how highly they estimate our abilities, if they but read the routine for the present term. For, to aid us in the digestion of our great intellectual feast, a Physical portion is given us as dessert, which, by the way, is one of the most substantial and hearty dishes of the feast. In Veterinary Science we are progressing finely, under the guidance of our new Professor in this depariment ; and any one not acquainted with us (or the language) would think German our native tongue. Our work in the Horticultural department has been very pleasant, thus far, as the path to the scene of action passes through the vineyard, and onions grow not there. In Agriculture our progress has been

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7 W TheIndex. hoping tliat we may turn the information and knowledge, which we have here stored away, to vakiable account. But this, as has been before stated, is the last communication from ' 73 to The Index, and to all of us it is a sad thought. It is true that we have long been looking forward to graduation day as the final consummation of our happiness. We have been eager to quit the sometimes dull monotony of college life, and to go forth and try our fortunes with others in the great world around us. But as the time draws near, and as we begin to perform, one by one, this and that duty for the last time, these feehugs give way to those of sad- ness and reflection. The cords of affection which have so long bound us together, seem to tighten at the thought of separation, and love for our Alma Mater increases as the parting draws near. It is hard to think that the time is so near at nand when the old class will break up, probably never to meet again an unbroken circle, and also that our life as students, in many respects so pleasant, will so soon end. In closing, we are happy to say that we are not at all ashamed of the record which we leave behind us. We have ever held the re- spect and esteem of all the classes with whom we have been con- nected- In athletic sports we leave an unspotted record. Our class nine has never suffered a defeat. In the rowing regattas at Ingleside and Springfield the muscle of ' 73 has been freely and profitably expended. We have two qualities which we feel safe in advising our successors to imitate ; they are, the unity, and class- pride which have ever characterized ' 73. Yes, we love our old col- lege home and are loth to leave it, but as in the natural course of events partings and separations must come, we put on a cheerful face and bid the readers of The Index a long farewell. W.

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TheIndex. 9 rapid, liaviag gone thi ' ough, or as we might say, over, the different kinds of farms, and arrived at cranberries, which, by the way, are studied here entirely by theory. But few, as yet, have shown themselves dangerous rivals of Booth in the rendering of Shakespeare ; but, in the words of one of our number, we arn ' t through, yet. In Military Science we are quite expert, having had both theory and practice combined, which, as we all know, ' makes perfect. In conclusion we can say, that, having come off victorious in all games of science during the past year with ' 75, (who, like the old salt , commenced with nothing, and have held their own ever since) we feel competent for the task of sustaining ourselves, during the rest of our course, as honorably as we have heretofore, and then with sheep-skins under our arms, take up the song, — ' Farewell to College duties, Farewell to Amherst We ' re going home. D.