The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-29
OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
The Leading Attraction for Visitors on
"Degree Day."

The Leading Attraction for Visitors on
"Degree Day."
A bright and observant woman, Just re-
turned from tour of Europe, thus relates
her experiences at Oxford on degree day:
"We sat in the great hall where the exer-
cises were to take place. 1t seemed as if
all the dignitaries of church aud state were
present, besides vast crowd of people
who packed every gallery to overlooking.
Professor Roberts sat at the organ wait
ing for the entrance of the faculty and
students. The Marquis of Salisbury, chan
cellor of the university; the Earl of Car
narvon, high steward, and all the proctors,
burgesses. librarians, keepers, orators. pro-
fessors and moderators were present. 1t
was dignifed occasion.
Suddenly, from the highest gallery,
came thin voice:
"Oh, Mr.. Roberts, won't you please to
obllge us by playing that beautiful COM
position entitled Her Golden Hair Was
Hanging Down Her Back?' J"
"NOt head was turned in the hall.
The crowd sat in studied silence.
thought it the most shocking thing 1 had
ever heard of, but the great people around
me seemed to take not the slightest notice
of it. In a minute or two the voice was
heard again:
".Oh, Mr.. Roberts, are you going to
oblige US with that sweetest OF MELODIES
this evening, entitled Her Golden Hair
Was Hanging Down Her Back?' Perhaps
you have FORGOTTEN it, Mr.. Roberts?
"Up rose man on the other side OF the
hall.
Perhaps the gentleman making the
request of Mr.. Roberts does not under
stand that this is too dignifed an occasion
for the music he has mentioned. Mr..
Roberts would like to play for us all a
nocturne, or something of a similar char
acter.
.But Mr.. Roberts sat still.
"At last the procession entered and the
crowd awoke. Walk right to the front,
gentlemen and don't be bashful,' said a
voice in the gallery, while from the oppo-
site side came a running fire of words that
were bold, sarcastic and witty. The grad
yates read their papers, or tried to read
| them but not word was heard from one OF
them. The sallles from the crowd were SO
vigorous, and SO constant that they riveted
| the attention of the entire audience. One
of the graduates wore flaming red neck
tie, which the galleries did not admire.
flake off that red rag! they called
from all sides. He read on. off with
that red ragp Get out and borrow an.
other tie 2 I'VE can stand the speech, but
We can't stand that tie!' OFF with it,!
GAS the student paid no attention to
these remarks. one of the gallery gods
leaned over the railing in full view of the
audience, and taking off his own tie, threw
it down to the stage, calling ont, Here you
are. my boy; I'll lend you this till you can
get another. Return it to "a High street.
Late In the evening / met several
friends among the faculty, and expressed
surprise that such interruptions were al.
lowed.
"iOh, that is what we go for explained
one of the professors. Nobody cares tc
hear the papers read All want to listen
to the remarks from the galleries. The
wit was not at all up to the standard this
year, not at all. Last year it was really
very clever; it made most of us laugh. -
New Y ork Press.