Wellesley College - Legenda Yearbook (Wellesley, MA)

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Evolution of Wellesley Float K | ' : HE class of ' 98 fears that the members of the College who had the good fortune to be present at Float last year failed to catch the full signifi- cance of the occasion. In the minds of our ' 99 friends, the morning of that day is fixed with mathematical precision. We kindly excuse their inability to assimilate the subtle meaning of the evening, remembering the jaded condition, — one, alas! too prophetic of others still to follow, — to which the day ' s toil had reduced them. We shall find, however, if we turn for aid to those whom we devotedly believe all-wise, all knowing (we speak of our revered Faculty), that a little, we are sorry not to say all, of the subtlety of the evening was suggested. Doubt- less, a few of this learned body as they looked on said to themselves : What a lesson in an evolutionary sense even so frivolous a part of the college year as Float teaches us! Since no one of this chosen few has seen fit to work up the subject for class-room presentation, ' 98 modestly assumes the responsibility, keenly aware of the magnitude of the undertaking, but well content to shoulder it, inasmuch as, by this means, we hope to enlighten the ignorance of both Faculty and students. In discussing Float as a completed product of evolution, we have decided to employ, for a clear apprehension of the subject, a series of stereoscopic views, which will picture Float as it has existed in different periods of development: (1) in infancy, (2) in adolescence, (3) in its transitional period between youth and full development, and (4) in maturity. In connection with the stereoscope, which will give you a visual cognizance of the successive steps taken, we wish to make use of the phonograph to give a realistic touch to the whole. We now ask for full and undivided attention. ( All ready ! ) Our first view, which is somewhat nebulous, but which we hope to make sufficiently clear, represents Float in its embryonic form in the early days of the ' 8o ' s. In the foreground, you see the grassy shores of Lake Waban, on a warm June evening. Here, a small crowd of women, with a very modest sprinkling of men in attendance, are standing about in groups or seated comfortably on the green benches scattered about. On the outskirts of the crowd a few inquisitive small boys are lurking in quest of fun. An atmosphere of repose hangs over all. Out on the lake, close to the point, jutting out from the west woods, you can see certain huge hulks which are drifting nearer. The white-robed girls, riding secure in their queer-looking tubs, are resting on their oars and leisurely floating in to shore. Now they begin to sing. We are sorry that our phono- graph does not give us more volume, but all efforts to produce a fuller tone have proved futile. If you strain your ears you can catch a few shrill notes, and even distinguish several of the words. Listen ! Why is there only one Mayflower on the lake? Answer: Because there is only room for one. Look well at the Mayflower. She is immense, cumbrous, tublike, so rounded at stern and bow that you cannot judge when she is headed bow to. See the

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pursuit. Its mobility of character was at an end, for its ingredients became fixed and known quantities : cream, fresh butter, granulated sugar, Baker ' s chocolate, — without such a combination it was deemed impossible to make it. When done, it was snatched as a brand plucked from the burning, and consumed almost before its last bubbles had ceased to rise. ' Twas made the center and sole entertainment of large and eager parties, instead of being introduced inci- dentally into the quiet of an evening ' s pastime among a small and select group of congenials (three is the ideal number). It was also desecrated by improper motives which inspired its use as a gift to both equals and superiors, a habit diminishing, however, on account of non-return of china, etc., etc. Such phase of the movement one cannot but regret. One longs with Rousseau to return to a state of nature and non-civilized pursuits, where con- densed milk, lump sugar, cocoa, and mature butter conduce to perfect enjoy- ment. And in the height of the flood tide one sees the possibility. Palled by the over-sufficiency of this cordial for failing physiques, the inconstant crowd is swaying in another direction. And as they gloat over the glories of Penu- ci, simpler natures may resort again to the innocent pleasures of Freshman year. We cannot in truth restore the old flame which burned beneath the tin box. It has been replaced by the confining bulb. The inspiration of a Higher Criticism Behind Closed Doors is also beyond our reach (c. f. Wellesley Magazine, ' 96). But the old-time materials, the fluted teacup saucers — three of them — and the rocky rings, are still happy possibilities. NIBBLING BEGUN.

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mt she bears. Here are dainty maids, clad in thin white muslins, with ribbons of festive pink and blue floating from their waists. A second slide, conveniently adapted to our purpose, will en- able you to see the movements of these strange boats as propelled by their occupants. Behold the Mayflower, followed by her sister tubs, now takes on a queer sidling motion, responding to the strokes of the heavy oars wielded by the white-robed maidens. What a catching of crabs is here ! What sputtering, what effort ! At last they succeed in forming a strange clump close off shore. Hearken to our phonograph. In distinct tones, it says: A star. We of ' 98, being well versed in astronomy, can hardly recommend this would-be construction as truly representative of its kind, but that is neither here nor there. Without stopping to regale you with the list of songs which the phonograph is willing and ready to render, but which are too faint and desultory to merit further straining of the ears, we pass on to the second phase of our subject. Skipping over a few years, we shall now show you a picture taken in the year ' 89, representative of Float in its adolescent period. This view is com- paratively distinct, and would be perfect if it were not for heavy showers which fell at frequent intervals during the day in question. First, observe the crowd, courageously armed with galoshes and umbrellas. A goodly gathering of men and women is cheerfully standing on the muddy margin of the lake. On the shore, our old friends the tubs wait ready to be moored. Another slide shows a gay procession of girls winding down the hill. They are dressed in brilliant colors, and brandish long oars aloft. Some of these young women are of a dignified and lofty carriage, and wear suits of red, and what, for convenience ' sake, we shall style ecru. The phonograph says, The Senior Class of ' 89. Another group in heliotrope and gold follow close in their wake. Here are others in bright green, and last, but not least, come nine squads in blues and reds and whites. The phonograph whispers, Freshmen crews ! Glance at their variegated headgear. Observe a few sailor hats with bands of blue and white. See these bright red Tarn O ' Shanters of heavy velvet, close by. Of a truth, there is spice in variety. In another view, we see the girls grouped in the time-honored star. We will give a few of the vocal gems with which they favored the audience of the evening. Notice, how exceedingly high and squeaky they are. Here is a better one, the crew song of ' 91. It is really quite full and good. We must pass hastily on to Float as it existed during its transition period, the step between youth and full-grown maturity. You note several radical changes. You will first see that the spectators have increased considerably in numbers since ' 89. They look as if they had been spending a great part of the day picnicking in the grounds, for they seem jaded, and are surreptitiously bear- ing luncheon baskets. But see the boats. Here is a new variety. It is fitted out, to be sure, with double seats, but shows marked signs of developed elonga- tion. The ' 94 crew has appropriated one of these unto itself, and, as the pho- nograph puts it laconically, is floating by on the half shell. ' 92 and ' 93 are conspicuous for jaunty suits, the one in clover pink and white, the other in stiff ducks with gold trimmings. But look with care at ' 95. See the brawn of their muscles, the strength of their backs. Says the phonograph proudly: First crew on the lake chosen on the athletic basis.