The Portland daily press., 1881-03-19
Robert Lincoln in College.
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times
writes as follows of Secretary Lincoln as he ap-
rad hon, s.tI. .do.4

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times
writes as follows of Secretary Lincoln as he ap-
peared when student at Harvard College:
"One of the most vivid recollections of those
days is that of Young Lincoln, as he hied with
nimble and elastic step across the college cam
puS, the Shrewd, good natured glance of his
eye, the quick, abrupt nod to right and left as
he greeted passing friends, his CHEEKY voice as
he hailed some crony or another with some odd
nickname OF his own fresh coinage 1t is an
old tale that he stood we'll and was liked but in
gauging the estimation in which he was held
we might as we'll, once for all leave his sonship
to the President out of the account. OF course
his parentage gave him celebrity, but in the
democratic community of Cambridge that was
all. 1t fixed all eyes on him, but it was very
insignificant factor in determining his essen
tial Importance. His own unassisted traits of
character were all that he could safely fall
back upon, and these stood him in very good
his unassuming dignity, sterling talents and
earnest purpose winning him general respect.
Whether in the recitation room or in the de-
bates of the Institute he always acquitted
himself fairly-what he said and what he
wrote alike evinced a quick understanding, an
active mind, sound judgment; and the proofs
OF these, con- joi1ed with push and force, a
pose and self-l,cssession made it clear he could
get along in the world Independent of the ad-
ventitious aids of position and influence.
Beside he brought keen relish to his text
books that is often lacking in students who
take higher standing. The incisive phrases
OF Tacitus and the rollicking humor of Aristo-
phanes might elicit the quickest response from
his appreciation, but he did not neglect the
drier pages of philosophy or physics. Certainly,
while there was nothing brilliant in his scholar
ship there was, on the other hand, nothing
perfunctory in his habits of study. Perhaps he
was greater reader than student. At any
rate. the college curriculum was fat from sup
plying the whole of his mental pabulum;
through all his four years he was exploring
through the Dramatists down to the New
comes, and finding food for thought as we'll as
merriment, in Rabelais lie Diable Botieux,'
and the like.
ITO do all that he did required the greatest
care in husband his time, and sporting his
oak became at times measure of absolute ne
cessity. For he and his chum were very at
tractive company, and his numerous friends
were repeatedly dropping in, if for nothing
more, to help him color his pipes. For it may
we'll be understood that the popular son of a
popular President would be the recipient of
more presents than he could we'll keep count
of. These included knick-knacks of every con-
ceivable kind, just suited to a Students taste
and just the thing to litter up mantel-piece
and tables and TO decorate the, walls-gifts
from friends and gifts largely from tradesm en-
who were eager to seek recognition as purvey-
ors of odds and ends in general to his Excel
lency the Presidents sou. Here were meer-
schaums without number, of all sizes and neal
ly all of very elaborate workmanship, and
these meerschaums his friends were yery kind
and very assiduous in helping him to color
But pipes, don't imagine, were the sole attrac-
ton. Did any one seek to drive away dull
care the sole thing needed was to drop in when
work was over at the familiar den, Hollis 25
1t was enough TO hear the latest and the best
yet of Bob's inimitabe anecdotes-they were
in the blood-or the absurdest quips and quid-
dities of his droll roommate. This Yorick's
rebelious risiblities only the strongest effort
of the will could COMPOSE to the constrained
solemnity of chapel or lecture room, and it was
we'll attested fact that his catching grins
were just the sovereignest thing on earth to
cure the blues"