, 1872-11-14
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.
A Grand ssRush" Between the
-tsLits" and ssNTedics.'

| From Our 01rn Correspondent
/ ANN A8poR, Mich, Nov II, 1872.
Last Saturday occurred the largest and most
exciting ''rush ~ known in the history OF the
University. The annual srushes ~ Of Yale and
other Eastern Colleges, between sophomorez
and Freshmen. have been celebrated in prose
| and verse for many years. The sophomores Of
| Michigan University have never been backward
in introducing Freshmen to College customs
and, during tho last ak weeks, various earnest,
but friendly, encounters have taken place be-
| tween them. Last Saturday, however, wit
! messed a "rush ~ differing from the historic one
| in many particulars. Instead Of being between
| two classes, it was between two departments
| between the Medical and Literary Departments.
From time immemoria1, there has been q
slight disagreement between the two Depart
ments. Tho 81 Medics have looked with manly
scorn On the more youthful " Lifts ;" and history
| relates that they we're in the habit OF breaking
| up by force the anciont custom of "burning
Physics by the Junior class. The "Lits," !" in
turn have looked upon them as social outlaws,
| mere bone-cutters, without Wit, or worth, or
| manners. The football ground being in close
vicinity to the Medical building, on several oc-
! casons Of late frolicsome 'fMedics" have
Joined in the game while on their way to lee
tures, and once or twice carried the bali with
them into the lecture-room, leaving the i" Lifts"
morning without. Last Friday afternoon, 3
number Of 's Medics played football with the
practised and agile opponents. An extempore
"rush closed the game, in which neither side
gained any material advantage. The slumber
ing lion in the breasts OF the 'Medics" was
meeting OF their Department, to show the I'M
pertinent ''Lits" their proper place, and to
''rush " them all off from the Campus, without
any ado, that same afternoon. Alas for the plans
Of man, how they are frustrated! Full three
hours that afternoon, bloodless war was
fought, when the last sanguine ''M Medic" was
gently tossed over the fence by the triumphant
Lifts, "a case Of poetic justice.
At the commencement there seemed to be but
little doubt Of the issue: The "Medics " we're
ont in full force the "Lits," with the excep-
tion Of the Freshmen aud sophomoree, who az
pected to play. football, were not all present,
and those Of the Juniors and Seniors
tators OF the same. After 8 couple Of
games Of football the "ALedics," at q signal,
commemorate w1estle with every ''Lit in reach.
For time, everything went merry as marriage
bell for the "Medics !" but the bystanding up
crowd, tore of coat and vest, and, leaving jewell
~ and canes in the hands OF neutral friends,
plunged in with the ardor of former days. The
war cries of "Here Lit !" "Here Medic !" "Go
AA~AAN<
side. Presently, well-matched slit" and
Medic" would be seen struggling for the mast
cry, and then the cry of Form a r1ng !" would
rise; and, locking arms, those nearest the con-
ing crowd until one should throw the other. The
friends OF the victorious hero would then rush
forward to elevate him above the crowd, when
the other side would make q similar ruah to
pull him down. The unfortunate victor would
thus become the focus Of the efforts Of some
fifty or moro struggling and perspiring beings.
Sooner OF later, down he would come, more c1-
hauBted by the attention Of his friends than by
his single contest. Another and another ring
was formed, containing sometimes several
couples struggling at once. Frequently, the VIC
torious one would raise his fallen foe, and,
shaking him by the hand, in token Of good will,
seek other prey.
Was many noble deed, and many baae,
And chance and craft and strength in single fights,
And ever and anon, with host to host,
Shocks.
1t length, q large ring was made by common
consent, and two self-appointed masters OF cere-
monies brought out their pets. Fortune was
tickle, although she seemed at last to amilo most
decidedly on the cause OF the "Lits." One
ssMedic,'' Of short and solid build, had fre-
quently called for some 81 Lit Of his own stature
to come forth. He objected to all who responded
as not fulfilling his requirement, until one Senior
WAS procuced who, il anything, WAS slighter than
"Medic" After some twisting and turning, the
sLit" landed him on his back twice.
Then, to vary the performance, a Medic" and
slit tried the country style Of boxing. BY
knocking off the cap. a skilfu1 boxer in the
Junior class, unused to that mode OF boxing:
came of second-bost with an active Medic;'
but, on pair Of bo1ing-gloves being lntro,
duced astonished not only the "Medic,,, but
even his own friends, by q display OF skill and
science quite beautiful to witness. Others then
put on the gloves but uniformly the :" Medlcs
Jared i'll. Their antagonists we're lighter anu
quicker, and shoWed.the superiority OF Skill osef
mere muscle.
Both sides being now rested the ring vas
broken, and the u rush - commenced over, W1tn
even greater energy than before. In the . rnen'
if anywhere, it was expected that the :. " '.Meolca
would conquer. The average age OF the men 10
unquestionably several years greater t4a9 tnat Of
the &C. "Lits," and they are larger anu neavlei.
Nevertheless, unused to the business; tnG1 1e
strength was not rightly directed Mhiio sne
:. Lifts, acting as by one mind, pusnena N on1
direction. !: Westward ~ cried the ,Mga'cc
" Eastward" responded tho "Llts. u "As M
now growing late, and numbers weary o1 tne
work, left the ground. The "Llts naa sue
ceeded in nearing the east fence, and al stray
+" DIedics !" we're lifted Oyer the 1ence, Willy
nilly. ...,
Tie victorious 81 Lifts then marched IN pro-
cession down town, leaving fragments OF shirts
as banners, and singing songs OF triumph. The
)" Medics ACKNOWLEDGE the defeat, but declare
that they will have another " rush soon.
Altogether, it was the largest rush +" that
ever was seen here. There we're upward Of 900
men on the field, exclusive OF spectators.