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

Page 17 text:

TheIndex. 11 faithfully we have endeavored to initiate them into the many minor points of college life. Some generous spirits, having their future welfare at heart, favored them quite early in their college career with a visit, and when the ominous Sophomoric rap resounded in their ears, with what alacrity did they open unto us, and produce the calumet together with the weed that lulls, but doesn ' t agitate, and tremblingly invite us to fall to. In hazing we have never indulged, knowing well it would be be- neath the dignity of ' 75. ' Tis true we did invite one hero of ' 76 to remove his outer habihments and prepare himself for the embrace of kindly Moipheus. Need I say that this modest request was com- plied with, notwithstanding the disinterested advice of ' 74 to the contrary ? In regard to Rushes, we have had but one decided one, and then were challenged by ' 76. We responded to the urgent ap- peals for ' 75 to appear, and, though the night was extremely dark, the result will never be published in the annals of those brave but rash Freshmen. Thus we have briefly glanced over some of the leading points of interest in our Sophomore year thus far. It vnll be our endeavor to maintain the record thus far creditable, throughout the remain- der of our course. May all of us, when called upon to fight hfe ' s battles in after years, be able to say that our Alma Mater never had cause to blush for us during our college course. K.

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The class of ' 75 enters upon its Sophomore year with but little diminution of its original number. In our Freshmen year we were called upon to mourn the death of one beloved classmate, whom we trust is now beyond the pale of sin and sorrow. The transition from Freshmen to Sophomores has deprived us of some able men, some indeed, who, in the language of one that has gone from us, could manipulate the cue, and agitate the ivories with a precision unequalled ; others there have been, who, having taken aU chapel exercises, would follow the mazy and intricate paths of Agricultural Science oftentimes once in a week or more. But the loss of these men was to be expected. The great world called upon them to let their light shine in other fields of action, and they responded. Let it be the endeavor of every man in the class, through scholarship and ability, to compensate for the loss of those thus early called in. In regard to our studies, we flatter ourselves that we are as far advanced as previous classes were at this stage of their college life. One of our number has already received a prize scholarship, to ob- tain which, must have cost no small amount of unremitting applica- tion to study. Our respected instructor in Mathematics and in Military Art, has been superseded in the last named by one whose fitness for that branch of instruction none would be so rash as to question. As chemists, at this particular time, we are searching for the base, but don ' t always find it, as many a treacherous test tube could testify. Nevertheless we shall endeavor to press on toward the goal, which is, of course, with those of us who intend to farm it, to analyze our soils, and eventually cause all those unscrupulous persons, who at the present time vend their third rate fertihzing compounds, to migrate to that section where chemists are unknown. But enough of hopes and aspirations ; let us turn to that subject ever fraught with interest to the dignified Soi)h., the hapless Freshy ! What a paternal interest we have taken in them ! How

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Wm The class of ' 76 enters College with her members numbering thirty-seven. Not as large a number as were reported to be coming at the commencement of the term, but we hope the difference be- tween the actual and expected number wiU be ma de up partially, if not wholly, in the second term. Among us, four different States and one foreign country (Japan) are represented ; the four States being New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, of which Massachusetts sends more than two-thirds of the whole number ; thus showing that the people of this State are alive to the advantages of an Agricultural College, and that they intend, by sending their sons to it, to give them through life the benefit of a thorough scientific education. The Sophs have treated us very well thus far. To be sure a few doors have been tested by them, and one or two Freshmen have re- ceived practical instructions in chemistry (experiments with sul- phuretted hydrogen); but such things must be looked upon as due to an overflow of animal spirits. As regards rushes , we have had one, or rather, several closely following each other on the same evening. In these, we flatter our- selves that we came out a little ahead. We endeavored, and we hope succeeded, in showing them that we were not deficient in pluck, and that the spirit of ' 76 burned as brightly as it did a hundred years ago. ' 74 has kindly offered to assist us in all class matters; such as forming our corps of rushers, filling the office of moderator, etc., for which we are, of course, grateful to them. They try to make us feel that, although we are much persecuted Fresh- men, we have friends upon whom we may rely in time of need, and always find consolation. As in all classes, so in ours, there are some odd names on the list. Most curious of all is. our having three bearing the same surname.