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

Page 16 text:

THE INDEX. Perhaps we are not yet altogether undeserving of the wild-cat reputation which students used to have. The Junior class is, perhaps, as bad in this respect as any other ; now, classmates and collegeniates, can ' t we obtain a higher perfection in this respect, and overcome some of this thoughtlessness and carelessness ? Among other things that have transpired, in the past year, is the very acceptable change in military instruct- ors. We feel now as if we had a military teacher who understands us and takes an interest in his and our work. Militaiy matters begin to have a pleasure and to have an object. Early in the term the Sophs, came like birds of prey, who scent their flesh from afar. The amount of burnt cork they destroyed was astounding. The old clothes they wore were peculiar. They were bent on doing glori- ous things to Freshmen, but their designs, like other bad, barbarous ones, amounted to but little ; they doubtless had good reasons for this attack ; their assembled wis- dom must have been great, for, when we consider that one Sophomore is wiser in his own conceit, than seven Juniors, who can render a reason, it is not strange that they should follow unkind and ungentlemanly college customs. Is it not about time some of these poor thread- bare customs were done away, and a step taken above these things to something more worthy of our time and better calculated for our powers ? Who, classmates, would have thought, two years ago, that this time would be here so soon. We can look back to some of the pleasant times and enjoyments that we have passed, to the little that we have learned compared with what there is to learn in this vast field of knowl- edge we see spread out before us. It behooves us to make a better use of our time, that we may get a full benefit of our two remaining years. Let us do what we can, as students and athletes, to maintain our spirit of class independence, and remember the requirements of our motto. S.

Page 15 text:

' 77. The earth has swung around again into its former posi- tion ; thus having our premises established, we will pro- ceed with our • communication. Our class numbers seventeen, a loss of one from our number of last year. We are sorry to have him leave us ; his presence is missed. We wish him success in whatever path he may tread. There also seeiiis to be some danger of a loss of two others, owing to their as- pirations. One half of our college course is completed. We have entered the petted Junior year, the prominent feature of which is ease. Alas ! Believe it not, ye young aspir- ants for Junior prerogatives. It is but a fable, a thing of the past, and exists only in song or as a myth. We spend the flying moments thumbing the leaves of an Adler, or pouring over the formulae of Deschanel. We ' ve compassed the farm and tested grapes, the lat- ter going under the head of practical horticulture. These, witli some minor things, such as beating ' 76 at base-ball, occupy our time. Time, with relentless hand, has deprived us of ' 75. We rejoice at their advancement, but mourn our loss. They were our true class friends and did much to initiate us in college w ays ; they seemed to be a set of men bound to succeed in life. We have high hopes of their future. As we advance in our course, do we, as college stu- dents, fill the quota of manners that is expected of us ?

Page 17 text:

One year of college life lias passed away, and we are again called upon for our communication to the Index. Several of our men have left during the past year, but others have come in and we are still the largest class in college. Our first year here passed very pleasantly, and we feel sure that during that time we have gained the confidence of t]ie Faculty, and have taken a high rank in scholar- ship. We can boast, especially, of excellence in chem- istry and mathematics ; and we think no class ever read more French, in the same time, than we. We have aided in ornamenting the college grounds by setting out about fifty elms along the various drives near the college. This custom is, cei ' tainly, a good one, and we hope it will be kept up as well by the classes to come as it has by the preceding ones. We have departed from the old custom of the college, by getting class canes instead of class pins. The canes are neat, solid looking sticks, and are fully able to sup- port our youthful frames at all times. The Freshmen, no doubt, appreciate our kindness to thein. With tlie exception of administering a little medicine to one of them, who was very ill, if his pale face was any indication of his feelings, and kindly re- lieving another of the weight of a cane, with which he seemed inclined to burden himself, we have let them alone. Strange to say, on the second night of the term.