College Customs.

"Yet not an image when remotely viewed,
However trivial or however rude,

But wins the heart, and wakes the social sigh
With ev'ry claim of close affinity."

THERE is a certain indefinable charm connected with the memories of the past. The aged sire bent by the toils and cares of passing years, regains his youthful energy, and feels its fiery current bounding through his veins, while he recounts the stirring scenes and touching reminiscence of early days. The world-worn traveler who seeks the home endeared to him by childhood, thrills with pleasure as he nears some well-remembered spot, or recognizes some familiar sound. Whatever circumstance, or passing word, touches the golden chord of memory, it awakes sweet melody in the heart of him round whom it is entwined. He whom his Alma Mater has sent forth to wreathe fresh laurels in the active scenes of life, cherished, amid all its vicissitudes, fond recollections of the many pleasing incidents and reminiscences of College life.

Viewing the pleasures which arise from these associations, both "while we repose beneath the classic shades of Yale," and when in after years we mingle with a toiling world—we willingly stand forth the advocate of แ College Customs." Not that we would throw down our gauntlet in defense of those barbarities which shock the feelings of Religion, or of Honor. Not that we would seek a single instant to perpetuate those ceremonies, which degrade to menial servitude, or cast a momentary shade upon that honor, for which Yale's sons have ever been so justly celebrated. But there are recollections, kindled in youth, which, like the dew-drop in the crystal's centre, remain forever pure and sparkling, though the cold touch of an unfeeling world may have hardened all around. There are moments, when in spite of selfish apathy, memory will steal silently, though surely, through each heart-when momentos of the past will easily make room for those mute thoughts, "too big for utterance," when a momentary spell of youth's enthusiasm will return, shedding a gleam of sunshine on the days of "Auld Lang Syne," and causing us, for once, to banish from our mind the shallow schemes, and false ambition of the world. And it is of these bright spots that we would think. There is much more in trifles than is generally acknowledged or expected; many of our College customs, innocent and trifling in themselves, the memories of the past have gilded with a

fascinating halo, and who would seek to banish aught, that will in after life prove useful in dispelling, only for a time, the veil that sordid selfishness has thrown around us? Again,

"All men will honor custom, and are prone

To reverence what is ancient, and to plead
A course of long observance for its use."

He whose sire, the champion of his Class has borne the far-famed "Club" he who in his school-boy days has listened to the exploits of College experience, feels a natural desire, bordering almost on infatuation, to participate in their renewal. And should his spirit, seeking thus to recreate itself, and change the dull monotony of College life, receive a check? The youthful mind, buoyant with hopes and new-born expectations, as it enters on a field-so long the very acme of its most inspiring dreams-seizes with earnestness on every novelty, and if not indulged in harmless recreation, plunges too often into pleasures more exciting, though less innocent.

College customs may be considered under these distinctive heads, the amusing, and the touching. The planting an ivy vine, as introduced by the late Graduating Class of our own Institution—the thought accompanying it, that as its tender fibres cling to for support, and wind around the massive shrines of learning, so their hearts will turn and twine around it in remembrance, is an expressive and beautiful ceremony. The parting scene at Harvard, when each member plucks a flower from the "wreath" suspended on the "Farewell tree," to be treasured ever as a last momento, is no less touching and refined. To these pleasant scenes the mind delights to wander back in after reverie, and feel again the pleasures of those ne'er forgotten hours; and when does memory afford more happiness than when she thus reveals a vision of the bright and happy moments of the past. The mirthful too, are not without their pleasures and their use-when the mind becomes weighed down by flunks, and fizzles, and scholastic toil, what more refreshing or enlivening than the near approach, or participation in some scene of Class festivity and joy! How swells the heart, and rises the ambition of those favored ones, the splurgees on the bestowal, and recipient of the "Classic Wooden Spoon!" What deeds of daring emulation, and quantities of plasters, are prepared upon the anniversary of that antiquated rite, “The Annual Foot Ball Game!" How much excited seem those devotees, who doubtless, from their admiration of his virtues, suffer not old Euclid to roam unpitied and unburied on the Stygian shore, but fearful lest his

shades return to haunt them, consign him with due ceremony to the flaming funeral pyre! These yet remain, but over others "Oblivion's dust has fallen.” The “ Red topped Boots” bestowed upon the candidate for College popularity-the "Jack-knife" on the one whom jealous nature, fearing the combined effects of brain and beauty had refused the latter—the “ Leather Medal," on the one from whom, reasoning in the same way she had withhled the former-the " Mathematical Slate,” handed down from Class to Class, the undisputed right of him who showed his nearest kin to Euclid, by manifest approval of his works-the silverbanded "Freshman Club," are all among the things that were. Yet there still remain enough to drive away dull care, and enliven the monotony of College life. The scholar may still be enticed from ever-beckoning shades of problems, Greek-roots, and Latin synonyms, to feast awhile on sportive thoughts and ceremonies, ere he return to necessary and instructive toil. Thus would we ever have it-wandering o'er Life's plains, gathering at the same time, its pleasant blossoms, and its useful fruits.

W. H. T.

Extract from a Freshman's Diary.

Ir matters not in what secret archives, or among what musty papers, I came across the parchment from which these random extracts are made, sobeit they are veritable, and worthy your confidence, kind reader. Suffice it that I did find them, and offer them for your inspection as objects of curiosity, genuine relics, and no products of my own imagination. I make my own selections, and thus readeth the manuscript before me.

"This little booke, presented by a muche esteemed friend, is to be employed for noting down daily passing eventes of intereste in this my College life. To-day is my firste at College; left home ye morning of yesterday, and reached here last nighte. Slept with S. who is in ye class above me; we occupied a single bed soe that one would think there wd be no room for ye bed-bugges. Nethertheless, experience proved ye contrary. Went to tutor H. somethinge less than one dozen times to get a roome; finally had one assigned. Went in with my classe about 11 of ye clocke, to ye Chapel to have lessons given out. At 4 went to receite in y Algebra. Began a letter to mother."

"Sabbath. This morninge after prayers at Chapel, accordinge to previous appointmente, a Prayer meetinge of our classe was held in ye Mathematicall roome. Ye seats were almost filled. Y meetinge was conducted by a member of ye Senior classe. After singing and prayer he made some remarkes practicall and explanatory. He say'd there are classe meetinges Sabbath morningse and Tuesday ev❜g, a meetinge Friday ev'g, and one Sabbath ev'g, &c. Alsoe he say'd there are here two strong currents, one goode and one evill, and who gives himself up frelly to either, will be carried away by it. Spite of the temptations,

nowhere is there a place more favourable for living an exemplary Christian life. As seats have not yet been given us in Chapel, my Chum and I went this morninge to St. Paul's. The texte was, “Them who love his appearing." This violates I sd think one rule in ye selection of a texte, namely, that it sd make complete sense. Received a box from home. Found all right saving a lampe, the which was in more pieces than I had ever seen one lampe in before.

At ye Latin recitation this morninge, tutor L. read an invitation to ye gentlemen who have juste entered College, to be presente at yo Temple, (Solomon's?) at one quarter paste 12 o'clocke, to listen to a statement of ye facts respecting ye Society of Fratres in Unitate.

Soe soon as recitation was over, S. and I hurried down to ye place mentioned. At ye door thereof was a noisie crowd of students of ye upper classes, and a "force Committee," soe styled, to prevent ye entrance of anie one untill ye Freshmen sd be seated. I was passed through and made my way to ye hall, where on a platform sat ye Presidents of ye Societies, and ye speakers of ye occasion. Freshmen being all in yo others were admitted, when such a turmoil, shouting, hustling, rushing after seats, I never saw before. Order being restored ye President introduced ye first speaker. He was greeted with loud and long cheers; his speech was capitall well written, and handsomely delivered. Ye next speaker was a Senior, not soe eloquent but verie sarcastic. Him the President followed in plain, matter-of-fact language. Y conclusion to which all these speakers arrived was that ye Brothers Society, though fifteen years younger than its rival, was alsoe infinitely its superior, in everie respect. Immediately after dinner, we did assemble at ye same place, and with verie great curiosity to hear what ye Linonian Society could offer to rebutt y convincing arguments of ye morning. Verilee ye orators of ye afternoon succeeded far better than humble I had anticipated.

Some of the speaking was splendid, and ye applause of the morning was redoubled. Ye conclusions reached by ye opposite party were completely reversed, and ye whole matter brought into a state of delightsome clearness and perplexity. Places of rendezvous were assigned for the new recruits, and ye meeting broke up. I had previously made up my mind in the matter, and like all the rest, was guided in my choice more by inclination than by argument. After the recruits were all assembled, our side formed a procession, giving three cheers for everiebody else, and three times three for ourselves, and thereupon marched to ye Hali."