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

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NOTHER link has detached itself from the chain of ages and fallen into the abyss of the past. Another class has sepa- rated itself from us and gone forth into the busy world to strike for themselves, leaving those who are behind to press forward into their vacant places and prepare for a similar leap at the ap- pointed time. Again, by the new faces appearing amongst us, we ar3 constantly reminded that the wheel of time has turned once more, bringing another class in sight, ready to join hands with us while marching forward in the search for knowledge, able and will- ing to maintain their j)art in college duties. And it is these changes, as also the changes in our private hves and doings, that we are called upon at this time to notice and record. In fact, we present to you the fourth volume of The Index, a name significant of its con- tents, as containing facts and fancies pointing in some measure to the character and good will of all connected in any way with our College. The publication of The Index by the Junior classes, has become, we hope, a fixed thing, one that will be kept up and con- tinued by the classes in the future. The class of ' 74, not lacking in the spirit of former classes, has taken up this pleasant task, handed down to them by their predecessors, and have in full time, by their editorial corps, exerted t hemselves to make this issue fully equal to those of the past, while endeavoring to go. beyond them in its ex- cellence and worth as far as possible. The curriculum of the College has been somewhat changed or modified of late, and now we have a complete course in Veterinai-y Science, which may be considered of great advantage to all con-

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4 T HE Ind ex. cerned. A change has likewise occiiiTed in the Mihfcary depart- ment, and a new man in blue has been given us to salute in the office and in the ranks. In the M. A. C. Cadets the Seniors have commenced their lives as commissioned officers ; the Juniors and Sophs, theirs in lesser grades, and all unite in trying to make the poor Freshmen hold up their heads and march to the proper tune. We are glad to see the Faculty of the College exerting thems elves too, for we students had fallen into a deplorable state of inaction, and though the fault lies with ourselves in a great measure, we can ' t but help seeing that a screw has been loose somewhere. By the low standard of admission that has been in practice, many have en- tered the institution, who have neither benefited themselves nor others, but have, on the other hand, been the means of positive in- jury to all. This we see the Faculty are commencing to obviate by a more thorough examination of new students, and requiring more from those already entered. Although only a commencement has been made, we are rejoiced to see it, and more of the same, and will welcome the day when a flunk (in college language) will be considered a strange and rare thing. In our private lives, too, the Faculty seem to have become imbued with a parental anxiety for our comfort and health, so that now we are favored with a weekly visit from LHusjiedeur, compelling some of us, we can but say, to work on the day set apart for rest. Our Professors are, as a general thing, what they should be, — skilled in their several departments, and capable of imparting their knowledge to others ; possessing, in most cases, the good-will and resj)ect of the students. We hope they will continue to occupy theu ' respective positions in public and private life, though as to the latter some are meditating a serious change. During the past collegiate year two college-mates have gone from us, taken, after a short illness in both cases, by the reaper Death, reminding us that we all are but dust, and to dust we shall all return. Classmates, turning to you, we might ask with what enjoyment and how satisfactory have been all our meetings and gather- ings together, but it is needless so to do. Suffice it to say, that in all our participations, the best of order has been maintained, the strictest rules of tem])erance as well as those of gentlemaril con- duct have been observed, and none but the most amicable senti- ments have been sustained among us. How many of those still re- maining, can, in after years, when age has wrapped its fleecy mantle