The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-07-04
from the n. Y. Times.]
The Happy Graduate.

The Happy Graduate.
This is the commencement season. and
the undergraduate is about TO perform
that process always described by the val
edictorian as leaving these classic
shrines and going out into the world
Most people imagine that this going out
into the world is joyous process They
picture the undergraduate who hovers
on the brink of graduation as cheerfully
packing up his well-worn text books and
putting on his Commencement suit with
heart full of buoyant hope and glad
ness. He may, perhaps. feel a little sad
as he bids farewell to his beloved instruc-
tors and distributes a few simple gifts
among the friends whom he leaves be-
hind, but nothing can seriously dim the
joy with which he looks forward to the
magnificent success which awaits him,
whatever profession he may adopt. Per
haps this was true in earlier days, but
at the present time, under the shining
shirt front of the graduate are concealed
griefs and cares of which the world has
little conception.
Those who heard DR. McCosh deliver
his baccalaureate sermon last Sunday
must have noticed a total absence of all
hilality in the faces Of the graduating
class These hardened young men lis
L
stern and subdued faces. Ever and anon
tear trickled down some broken nose,
or bandage was removed from some
confused eye that the owner might wipe
it with the corner of his handkerchief.
And yet no one who knows the desper-
ate character of the Princeton student
will imagine that remorse was wringing
the hearts of the graduating class last
Sunday. The undergraduate who has
never spared theological student in his
wrath, or shrunk from sacrificing Fresh
man to his pleasure, does not suddenly
become humanized by listening to a ser
mon on the eve of Commencement.
What really subdued these young men
was the knowledge that they were short
ly to be cast without protection on a
world where policemen and magistrates
combine to suppress culture and courte-
sy. If, after next Thursday. Princeton
graduate assaults theological student
or destroys the property of a Freshman,
he will be dragged away to prison and
punished as certainly as if he were not a
scholar and gentleman. To the Prince
ton graduate is presented the terrible al
tentative of reformation or Jail He
must throw away his revolver and his
club; and he must abstain from riot and
violence, or else he must be prepared to
be treated as an outlaw and ruffian.
We need not wonder that tears stained
the scanned and battered faces of the
Princeton Seniors last Sunday. They
knew that in three more days they must
abandon their merry lives of collegiate
piracy, and must try to copy the manners
and habits of moral and law abiding peo
Pile
This, it may be said, is not a fair pic
ture of the average undergraduate state
of mind, however true it may be Of the
Princetonians OF course, there are IN
dergraduates at other colleges who are
wholly unlike the Princeton gang-that
is to say, the Princeton Senior class but
even to these the approach of Commence
ment is cause of sadness. Let US con-
slider the good aud studious Senior of
Yale College. He has worked hard for
four years-having rowed in Freshman
crew, and in the old university six, and
in the later university six. The Faculty
will gladly certify that he showed great
enthusiasm in his studies, that he never
violated his trainers rules and never
once missed exercising with the crew
He has been quick to learn the Bob Cook
stroke, and to keep up with every other
advance in science. He has never vast
ed an hour in the dissolute pleasures of
Greek or Latin, nor has he spent his
evenings in the frivolous pursuit of math-
ematics. In the gymnasium he was
among the first OF the athletes of the
whole college, and in base ball he was
surpassed by none. 1t is rare that
young man passes through college with
so brilliant record, and his friends who
come from afar to see him receive his
diploma fancy that he is a proud and
happy man.
Nevertheless, this young Senior is a
profoundly miserable man. He knows
hat TO fol
with the young lady from Walton, Vt,
whom he is engaged to marry, will come
to see his room, to inspect his boat, and
to feast their eyes on the trophies he has.
therefore, to take down the pictures of
Lydia Thompson and Mile. Aimee from
his walls, and to get rid of everything
that might lead his fathers mind in to in
convenient channels. His TASKS and his
well-worn cards he can wrap up in par
eel and send anonymously to the Presi-
dent, but how can he get the smell of to-
bacco out of his room? Then, he has to
go over the memorandum of his debts,
and to decide which he will mention to
his father with the view of obtaining a.
loan for their ostensible payment He
must think out plan for keeping the
existence of his Vermont betrothed from
the knowledge of his local betrothed,
and must decide upon the best way of
explaining any sudden appearance OF an
angry washerwoman or an excited land
lady. In addition to these troubles, he
has to face the fact that outside of col
lege there is little demand for oarsmen
With all his talents and accomplish
ments, he may fail to obtain profitable
engagement with some rich rowing club.
and may be compelled to rely upon row.
ing occasional singlescull matches He
gloomily remembers that many a young
oarsman who graduated with high rep
utation, has been driven by want to the
study of profession, and has gradually
become a confirmed doctor or an open
and notorious lawyerl To call man
thus harassed by conflicting emotions,
girls and creditors, and thus devoid of
any prospect for future usefulness, a
proud and happy man, is to betray to-
tai ignorance of that wretched crisis in
college life known as graduation.
The just-published report of an Irish
ha0evolent SOcietV SAWS. HNOtwithStand d