come so opaque by this time, that the discourse and my recollection of it were quite obscure, and showed how truly we shone in a borrowed light. I got down and went home-met Center Church coming down street, leaned up against the pavement to rest, didn't work, tried a tree, tree got away from me, got into bed, and next morning got out on the backside and could not find my pants, until a friend kindly assured me that they were on my person. Now, I shall change my philosophy, look about me for a better half and consult the moon as usual. And, as for my better half, I want one whom I may look upon as a comet, with a broad expanse of tail, luminous and lovely. But the less frequent her visits to the sun the better. H. K. S. Book Notices. The Englishman in Kansas. By T. H. GLADSTONE: with an introduction by F. L. OLMSTED. New York: Miller & Curtis, (late Dix, Edwards & Co.) For sale by T. H. Pease. This is one of the most interesting books upon the much vexed Kansas question. As the record of an unprejudiced observer and an impartial critic, it must take rank far above those productions which are the fruit of partisan views. It will be a valuable work of reference when the candid history of those troublous times shall be written. The introduction by Mr. Olmsted, appears to us as altogether too bitter and violent. TILLAH; or the Child Medium: A Tale of Spiritualism. New York: Miller & Curtis. For sale by T. H. Pease. We cannot commend the design or the execution of this story. It may, however, interest those who have devoted themselves to the investigation of modern spiritualism-a subject with which we have not the slightest sympathy. We have also received from Miller & Curtis, through T. H. Pease, Putnam's Monthly for July. This magazine appears under a new form, much enlarged and beautifully illustrated. The new proprietors announce their intention to conduct it upon a "more popular basis." It could not be on a more popular basis with us, as we have always considered it, since its first publication, as the leading American Magazine. But whatever new efforts it makes, may it meet with the success it de serves. Have a good hat; the secret of your looks But man and nature scorn the shocking hat. O. W. HOLMES. THE undersigned would not prostitute the columns of the Lit. to advertisements a grievous thing-but would simply tip his hat and return his most sincere thanks to his classmates for the elegant tile he so much needed, and they so magnanimously bestowed. Classmates, for your generous self-sacrifice you doubtless find ample recompense in your own breasts. Your bounty, gentlemen, consists not more in its sensible representative, than in the obsequious deference of all urchins under twelve, in the respect of all fathers and mothers, and in the smiles of their daughters. To the first a beaver is an object of idolatry, to the second, an evidence of respectability, and to the third, "a thing altogether lovely." Let me allude to the inscription. The first half is plainly a mixture of adulation and truth-" Sed nimia pulchritudine non praedito," indeed! But the latter half-“Ne deformi quidam diotae operculum deest SUUM." I am at a loss, gentlemen, whether to regard this as a compliment to myself, or as a reflection on the hat. If you, like myself, deem the plug beautiful, I must be at least handsome, in order that it should be appropriate, (suum.) On the other hand, if you would intimate that I am homely, it is clearly offering an indignity to the hat. This manifestly requires explanation. Setting aside this, however, permit me to say that my gratitude will long outlast the tegumentum, which I shall embalm in all spices, so that generations yet unborn may sing the praises of the mummy beaver. Your sincere friend and classmate, H. K. S. Memorabilia Valensia. As Presentation week was unusually rich in memorabilia, we will commence with the first day, and following the week through, jot down whatever is worthy of record. On Monday evening the annual Wooden Spoon Exhibition of the Junior Class took place at Brewster's Hall. As usual, there was no lack of an audience. The Spoon, which was of rosewood, elegantly carved, was presented in behalf of the Class by J. E. Kimball. The recipient was B. D. Sleight. The music was furnished by Robertson's band from New York. The brevity of the speeches was a move in the right direction. The general complaint of Wooden Spoon Exhibitions used to be, that the speeches were too long. The plan of introducing a new tune to the College world at each 'Spoon,' has already grown into a custom. This year 'Litoria' made its debut, and has already found its way into our rooms and under our elms. We might proceed to speak of how the colloquies were applauded-of how impressively the cochleaureati appeared upon the stage-of how bright eyes glanced admiringly along the line till white vests throbbed visibly, and glance echoed back to glance-of how, when the Exhibition was over and the audience had gone home and were wrapped in profound slumber, the midnight air was awakened by the melodious notes of the band serenading-of how blinds were carefully opened and beautiful boquets found their way into willing hands-of how the morning sun found the cochleaureati still engaged in their romantic expedition, till the jangling Prayer-bell called them back to stern realities and sleepy delinquencies:-upon all these, and fifty more collaterals, we might enlarge to any extent, were it not that modesty forbids what justice would demand., Wednesday morning, at ten o'clock, the Senior Class was presented by the Senior Tutor, Fiske P. Brewer. The exercises came off in the Chapel, which was well filled, though the weather was somewhat unfavorable. The presentstion having been concluded, the Poem, by Norman C. Perkins, of Pomfret, Vt., followed. The Valedictory Oration was by Augustus H. Strong, of Rochester, N. Y. The Parting Ode, composed by George H. Pratt, of East Weymouth, Mass., was sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." In the afternoon, the usual Presentation day performances came off. On account of the drizzling rain a tent was erected in front of Alumni Hall, beneath which the Class gathered at half-past two o'clock. The usual programme, consisting of songs, Class-histories, vocal duetts, stag-dancing and shaking of hands, was gone through with. The song-paper was not so well filled as usual. After dancing they formed for the march. The old Presentation marching tune, "Road to Boston," was this time compelled to yield to a couple of noisy drums and a squeaking fife, which kept up a perpetual din in ill-accordance with the mournful feelings of the departing Class. At Prayers, the Doxology, the most impressive of the Presentation customs, was for some unaccountable reason forbidden. In the evening, W. E. Doster, of the Senior Class, in behalf of his Classmates, delivered the farewell address to Linonia. About nine o'clock, blasts from sundry tin horns in the Freshman quarters, reminded the weary and sleepy, that Presentation day "wasn't dead yet." As it grew later and darker, Freshmen, covered as to their faces with burntcork,-Freshmen, with striped pants,-Freshmen, with hooped skirts,-Freshmen, with hoofs and tails,-mild Freshmen, with coats turned inside out,— fierce Freshmen, with big beards and bob tailed trainer-coats,-Freshmen, with bears' heads, and Freshmen with bare heads-in fine, Freshmen with all sorts of conceivable and practicable disguises, each one armed with a banger as big as he could lift, and a tin horn as big as he could blow, issued from their rooms, and marching sternly across the College yard, assembled at the State House steps for the purpose of celebrating their entrance upon Sophomore year. After orating in spite of the noisy Sophomores, who kept up a continual shouting of "Hear!" Hear!!" "Good!" "Time for you Fresh. to be in bed!" and sundry other equally entertaining and witty remarks, they sang a Greek song that looked quite natural, and then formed the procession. The boarding schools were serenaded as usual, only one, however, acknowledging the compliment. At half past two, in the morning, squads of muddy Freshmen crossed the College green and disappeared among the brick buildings, there to dream for an hour or two of hobgoblins, Greek songs, mud-puddles, serenades, fair faces, morning flunk, and dunning Pow Wow Committees. "Esto Perpetua." On Friday afternoon, the speaking for the DeForest Prize Medal took place in the Chapel. The weather prevented many from attending, yet the audience was by no means a small one. The Orations were as follows: 1. "Characteristics of the Logic of Revolutions," by George Pratt, East Weymouth, Mass. 2. "Mystery; its Influence on Religious Training," by Augustus H. Strong, Rochester, N. Y. 3. "Milton; as a Republican," by John Milton Holmes, Chicago, Ill. 4. "Characteristics of the Logic of Revolutions," by Norman C. Perkins, Pomfret, Vt. 5. "Mystery; its Influence on Religious Training," by Joseph C. Jackson, Newark, N. J. 6. " Mystery; its Influence on Religious Training," by William C. Case, Granby, Ct. The performances of A. H. Strong and J. M. Holmes were judged to be equal, but the prize fell by lot to the former. |