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

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four are numbered, and soon her identity will be lost forever, as each one of her members launches out for himself upon the restless sea of life to fight his way to fame or fortune. As we hurry on toward the culmination of our college life, we realize that the great boom about Senior year has at last become a stern reality. It is, however, a most important period. Like the keystone of an arch, it binds together for- mer work, giving strength and permanence. Without it, much of one ' s college training is lost. Isolated facts may be learned, but unless there is time in which they can be combined, practically applied, and seen in their different relations, they are but faintly impressed upon the memory, and much that is of true value is never realized. We have ever looked forward to graduation day as the consummation of our happiness. But as the time approaches, as the twilight of student-life draws near, and golden opportunities like the rays from the setting sun go down in the horizon of our career, we realize that the pleasantest part of our life is rapidly passing away, and soon will be an enjoyment of the past, living in the memory alone. But, as with the mind ' s eye we penetrate the mists of the future, there floats before our vision pictures of air castles, whose gilded spires and glittering domes seem to reach beyond the world of reality. Earnestly do we hope that the part we have j)layed in the field of college ac- tion, may prove the foundation of a future success which fancy now pictures upon the imagination. J. 15

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, fop fy HE curtain rises, the class of Eighty-four appears on the stage of college . life with her history. But as we look out upon the audience, we hardly fknow what words will interest them. When We look over the boastful greetings of former classes, we blush for shame at the self-assurant air with which they flaunt their brave deeds before the world. We surely cannot imitate them, our modesty forbids it. We also take the liberty to give less prominence to the time honored phrases usually found in writings of this nature, as Swiftly rolls the tide of time ; ' • Another year has passed away; or that We are Seniors and this is our fourth and last communication to the Index ; or other similar chronological facts expressed in metaphorical language much more elegant than the above. We assume that most of our readers are tolerably well acquainted with such truths as these, and especially unnecessary is it for us to herald the fact that we are Seniors. Who does not know it ? Is not the very atmosphere through which we move permeated with a profound dignity, which, of itself, reveals the true character of Eighty-four ? Controlled by our inborn modesty, we shall preserve a perfect silence concern- ing our manifold merits. We shall never disclose how when in the lowly condi- tion of Freshmen, we were the flower of the college, the admiration of the com- munity, and the terror of the Sophomores. Nor shall we reveal to a prying public the astounding fact that our foot ball team never lost a game. Nothing could induce us to relate or even call attention to our many and marvelous ex- ploits in the field against superior numbers, or our wonderful qualities of mind, as shown in the class room. Although conscious of our vast superiority, yet we would not hold ourselves up as models for future classes. Oh, no ! far be it from us. Let the brazen trumpet of fame herald our excellencies, and proclaim the profundity of our genius, not we ourselves. But alas ! the days of Eighty- 14

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- )f I T last we have crossed the stream that divides our college course and have A begun to wend our way up that rugged bank, whose path is crowded with T ajC knowledge, which we must bravely shoulder and retain, in order to J- i. gain the goal for which we are striving. What cares, what joys have been undergone none but those who have passed through can tell ; yet because her members are bound in silken ties of friendship, instead of shackles of wrong- doing, let no one think she lacks in spirit ; the same true mettle has been shown in the rush, on the ball field, and in the cremation of ' 85, as well as in the class- room. In short, she can say that the talents entrusted to her care have been so well used, that, when another year rolls round, bringing senior dignities and se- nior privileges, she will be ready to receive them. We greet our new President and admire the zeal with which he has begun his work, the effects of which, we feel in the magnanimity of our duties, for our time is completely occupied, and not only with college duties, but other avocations which necessarily devolve upon a Junior. A great change has been made in our college curriculum, which enables a stu- dent to study the languages instead of agriculture ; but so fully is our time oc- cupied, that we have not had the opportunity to grind out that ever-to-be-adored but soon forgotten Dutch, which many of us wish for in preference to agri- culture. It will be unnecessary to state at this jjeriod of our college course, that 16