The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1883-09-29
THE NENATED UNIVERSITY.
The CheerfulneSs that is Characteristic
of Life at Chapel Hill.


Special Correspondence Of The State Chronicle.
CHAPEL HILL, September 25-There
Is much in the appearance OF the boys,
aud not little in the temper OF the men
about an institution Of learning which to
person who knows anything about insti-
tutions of learning, tells the story Of the
work doing there. The innocent eager
ness and the determined harmlessness of
these rascalS when Fresh appears, is
good omen for the North Carolina OF the
future. 1t is radical change from the
old boys. There used to be two types of
the college virgin, Il. e., not maidens, but
virg in in the sense that turpeniine is vir-
gin.) One was a bully. He, dare say,
is the older in history. He survives to our
shame at Annapolis and at West Point.
The other was a pig-headed fellow, and
rather sanctimonious. He carried with
him the burden OF a duty to turn the
world over. He always felt that he had
great mission to perform. He was ser;oas
to excess. He either neveNede ponies or
he lied about it. He was NOT frank PER-
son, nor cheerful. He, too, has disappeared
from the Chapel Hill of to-day
You find here rather a frank and nanly
company of young gentlemen. They
seem to have come from the soil. They
are not ashamed of the natural youth that
makes them charming, nor do they clothe
so easily transforms the boy jlto the
| donkey. The conclusion is surly war
| rantable that they will make FOOD citi-
zens, but they don't try to Impress you
with the notion that the world has hith-
! erto turned the wrong way. an ''old
boy eats with them, ne maybe amused
at the fellow who whistles to the waiter
| for biscuits, but it is a stupit man who
would be disguised. The whistle is so
! frank, yon know. 1t is a cjmmand, but
there is no oath in it, nor is acre a growl.
! 1t is to the negro what an appealing smile
| and dollar would be o a guide in
Europe. 1t is an acceptance of the situ-
alton, and at the same tire an effort to
improve it in a good natIred way. Why
| should the waiter go to 8lOther table with
warm biscuits when a whistle will allure
| him?
The faculty like ever other faculty. yet
holds the ola traditonsof stiff dignity in
certain reverence. But he philOsophic boys
understand the joke. S'he notion that Presi-
dent Battle is grave issimply modern res
| pect paid to the reveed shade of President
Swain. DR.. Mangun himself has suffered
ejuvenescence, anf Professor Gravess
supple step and Paceful attitudes show
| simply the irony name. If one were
allowed to tell th plain truth, one would
say that the most genial companionship to
be found from lurphy to Manteo is the
| cOmpanlOnSnlpN OOyS ana OlueT OOyS mere.
This is more han mere gossip to a man
who knows WHIT college life is. 1t is the
highest compliment that could be paid to
Chapel Hill There is no good cheer or
happiness for len W no do not work There
is no real jelity in a lazy Or in stupid
| fellow. Thee is no hope in this age OF the
world in perpetual seriousness. Not least
among the cod things for youth to learn is
proper v.w of work and Of life. The
old commencement Grafton wherein was
thrust on oung shoulders the weight of the
world, ar, whereby the torch Of learning
was sole,nly delivered to the young run
ner-thfs Greek to us of these days.
The ption that living means working is
always cheerful notion and the man who
bears re heaviest responsibility feels it the
least. Yet he does better work aud more
Of ity reason Of his cheerfulness.
Ofh her things another time. The cheer
fulnss of the University is enough for a
snse letter and my single letter is done
WIN | repeat with qualification that this
chcrfulness is remarkable.