The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-05-11
VENERABLE NASSAU HALL.
oue orPrincetOn's Cherished Institutlo

New YORK Ilmos, nave already begun
10 make assessments and other prepara-
tons for the commencement exercises.
This is probably the only tax list circu-
lated among the college student is which
is not received with any marks of dis
favor or blank refusals. When the
amount ofprepsration and supplies used
are taken into consideration, and
the fact that nearly evers Ming in the
line OF music, flowers and programmes
has to he imported from New York or
Philanelphia, the commencement fine
is far from beine heavy, 1t is reported
by the class Gay committee this year
that each man will he assessed IS. This
money will be- expended in the pur
chase of the class day programmes,
music and incidental matters. Then
the man who viii Ego the whole bill'
must eXpend about $25 for class photo.
graphs, and must also purchase class
history end a Nassau Herald, which
contains the oraiions delivered on class
day about the cold canon.n Then there
are few more requirements, IS a ticket
for the sop omore reception aud quiet
little spread for the last time with the
sold boys"
The senior class is to have something
rather unique and unlike their prede.
oessors la the gift u two class iyies.
PrincetOns classes are probably more
favored than those OF most American col
leges, for here the mllduess of the winters
permits he cultivation of the genuineEn-
gltsh ivy, and thus they are not com
PEELED tO substitute WOodbine or somo
more hardy plant in the impressive Ger
emony Of the planting of the old time
ivy. Through members OF the class Of
'S5 two ivies OF historic note have been
presented, one being from "Sunnyside,"
the home Of Washington irving at Tar.
rytown- On-the Hudson. This ivy was
planted IN Its present place by the hands
of Irving from slip which he plucked
at Sir Waiter ScotJ's home, AbkOttsford.
The 9th vine is given by member Of
the class and was gathered by him from
Its native place ON the walls of Heidel-
berg castle, Germany. The ivy Grafton
will be delivered from the steps OF
Nassau hall, AS usual, and the
ivy vine will be planted sgsinst the
north wall of the same building Mas
sau hall and the presidents old house,
now Occupie by Dean Murray, are this
oldest sud the original college builo-
ings, having been erected in 1856. Mas
sau hall was 70 named at the request of
Gov. Belcher, ia honor of his majesty,
William Ill, who belonged to the mouse
of Nassau; hence the origin of the
Princetonians' col0Ts OF orange and
black. Around this old building cluster
all that ~ of historic interest with Iefer-
ence to tho growth OF Princeton college.
In this editice, which was then the la-c-
est structure iu The "British posses
siOns of North Americas" wore the col
lego chapel, library, dormitoIy, recits-
fihn and rnfnptApH lnila
ident's house WAS Just across tho road.
There are some records OF The college
laws enacted at that time which
state that students could purchase
from the buttery, in the basement OF
the building, only bread, butter, can
dies and small beer. At the retectOry
meals, tea and coffee we're served ~
breakfast, small beer and cider at noon,
and milk and chocolate at tea. During
the reVo ution college was suspended
and Nassau hall became al important
military center. On the lst Of January,
l777, Nav WOODS Brigade was quartersd
in the building, making the dOrmitOry
barrack nj using the basement for
stables. 1t was also used by CONT
mental troops, and hospital was fitted
up in the various rooms, and later dur
ing the war President WeatheTspoOn
handed it over no the tailOrs OF the New
Jersey army. Bot the American and
British troops helped to misuse and
plumber the old building. In the Chan
eel hung a picture OF William H., and
IL is said tuSt cannon
ball from Al American gun entered the
south window OF the chapel, cutting OF
the head OF che king The frame WIS
preserved, and nov contain a iuu
length portrait OF George Washington,
painted by Stuart, the Revolutionary
artist. In 1878 tho national cangy IS,
finding Philadelphia too disturbing
came TO Princeton and held their FRS
meeting in this building. Happenings
here at common ement time, INT ii
respec, 10 the col ege anu its president
congress adjourned Suh attended the
commencement exercises. Washing
ton and several foreign ministers wore
present Two destgagt 20 tire. ono in
1S)l, the other in 81 have sue
iyely destroyed ihv interior
OF Ns-sau 'y.i nu' be- original
walls HH,8 been gru. ttved
ana now ,-aud as lhey were Dgilt
in 1856. Old Nassau has been the scene
many ~ tDs most exciting college
prauks. Some IllscuieVuuS student,
once carried, piece by piece, wagon
loaded With hay up ioLo tine ttitd story
of this rG,lliug, lrt set 10 Np M the
room of ,u1 pt he professors. Tricks
and gunp WIDER plots, for ,ho purpose NJ
blowing up"u tutor,' doors, we're ire
quenly INDUCED iu AZ present only
tho western portion of the building j,
used FOR uormijOTies; the part one,
known as the old chapel has been en-
larged, ana now contains the e. NJ
museum aud the collection al portions
al the college presidents and trustees
Rooms have also been used Tor the
geological and mineral specimens 90
tanned from the scientific expedition,
In the west.
ON the spacious stone stepsi n front Of
old Nassau, during the spring term
is a time-honored custom for the seuiO
class 20 sit during tho early part Of Tn,
evening and sing college Rlees. Ate
the work and sports OF the day ar
over the entire class IN Is body, except
few over diligent "pollers," assemble
here and praise their "alma mater
and OLD Nassau hail, while ON tn
campus, about ana under the over
spreading elms, the three remain
ing classes congregste and respectful,
listen and envy those who ere soon u
sever their connections with their fel
lows and enter the business and reali
ties OF the outside world. When thi
step-singiug time comes il means some
thing serious to the senior. He remem
bers that those long four years bav
passed, the fun and work OF q collog
course have been experienced, and no,
he must leave these scenes and friend
of the pleasanter years Of his life.
The new PrincetOnian board med
their first appearance before the coilcg
public on Friday afternoon. The pape
has undergone radical change. Here
toioro IL has been weekly publication
printed and bound IN magazine form
The new number will be issued Or
weekly, and IN the form of u diminutlv
newspaper. The new board exprosse
the intention Of filling its columns wit
editorials on college topics an,
general college news, thus oradicR
ing much Of thnt puorile an
trashy literature which has always bee
tho haue of the contribution depar
ment,n Princeton has felt she need {
some sort OF change, and the genera
opinion of the college IL that the ne'
board will revolutionize the college pa
nor Thara orn nptx ttun 40 lara nprinN