The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-05-30
THE MONTICOLA

THE M0NTIC0LA
or the West Virginia UnIversltyj or the
College AnnnaI-A Remarkably Clever
Work.
There lies before the writer volume
entitled THE Montlcoia" of the West
Virginia University, or the year book.
It is the first production of Its character
issued by the students of that instItu-
tIon. and In no sense is 1t a strain on the
elasticity ofone's neutrality-suspicious.
it most wonderfully complete and in
teresting work. For the initial effort in
this line 1t not only compares favorably
with similar publications Of time stain
ed universities, but in Its arrangement,
division OF subjects. subject matter and
Illustrations 1t challenges comparison
with any.
Owing to the character and scope of
the work much of mind and matter The
Monticola contains is of interest only to
the students who are now enrolled at
the university. This fact springs from
yelled illusions and family disguised
wittlcisms which, while remaining
Greek and Latin to the uLtlanders of the
college Transvaal, are easily construed
and translated by the elect. In this 1t Is
especially free from the brutality and
'even inhumanity that have SO often
passed for wit In many college ANIMALS.
In The Monticola every Parthian shaft
is tipped with Attic wit and harmless
humor. For this the editors deserve
more than the passing tribute Of
critics praise.
But there is another class to whom It's
pages will appeal with equal interest
the old students who long ago left the
spires on the banks of the Monongahela
behind them and sought the broad
plains OF active life. This work will an
peal to them not only from selfish
but sentimental point of view, and he
who is not moved with tender feelings
and the lingering echoes In the cavsrn3
of memory" Is, indeed, fit for treason.
stratagem and spells" 1t is n very
suggestive work for an old student to
pour over and renew his youth. 1t re-
calls names almost forgotten, scenes
that have nearly faded through the
struggle and strife In the world once
thought so fair, but which has been so
bitter and hollow. Some Of the names
discovered on the pages OF The Month
cola rise up like tOmbstones in a neglect
ed graveyard. From cover to cover,
preface TO fms It suggests those mellow
lines in Gray's ode to Elton college:
All. happy hills! All, pleasing shade!
An, fields beloved In vain!
Who're once my careless childhood 3trayed'
a stranger yet TO pain!
] feel the gales that from we blow
A momentary bliss bestOw.
AS waving fresh their gladstone wing
My weary Foul they seem to soothe,
And redolent of Joy and youth
To breathe second spring
The annual contains EOS pages, and It's
descriptive part comprises everything Of
interest about the history Of the uaiver-
sity from It's predecessor, the old Mon
onEalla Academy under the late
Roy. DR.. ]. r. Moore, up to the present
day. The editors were most happy IN
its dedication in bestowlnE this dlsiinc-I
ton on DR.. l. c. White, an alumnus and
until lately distinguished member OF
the faculty of the university. No higher
tribute could have been paid TO Dr.
White than the simple words of the dsd-
ication:
ITO DR.. l. c. White, the friend and
patron nf the West Virginia University
in recognition OF his attachments as
scholar, his usefulness as citizen, ana
his worth rs man, this volume Is re-
spectfully dedicated"
An elegant portrait OF Or. White 4
adorns the first page OF The Montlcoll.
The work Is pTnfusely illustrated with
pictures OF the university buildings ana
grounds, the old WOODBURY. seminary,
Monongalla Academy and portraits OF
the presidents. regents, members of the
faculty and others, all being of high
att, In nuTlV
history OF the university the omission OF
my reference to the burning OF Wood
burn seminary, which was used as n
boarding hall for students under the
m!nistratlOns NJ that kind and generous
man Kinsey Fife, Is a matter Of regret
The old building was rich In associa-
lions and memories and some account
of It's use and fate would have rounded
out harmonious Whole.
with this exception the historical
matter has been carefully prepared. In
looking over the roster of those who
have been members OF the faculty from
1868 to the present time death has
taken nearly all the earlier professors TO
a higher instruction. Notable among
those the writcr can remember are Pres
Ident Alexander Martin. j. II. McMech-
en-, Capt. IL. II. Pierce. Rcv. j. w. Scott.
rev. j. r. Solomon. S. @. Stevens and
Or. H. w. Brock a glance at the list
of graduates also reveals the fact that
the tomb has drawn heavily OH their
ranks, while among the living many
have risen TO distinction In all the walks
OF life. What will interest the student
most Is the history of the classes, also
the banjo. mnndolln and guitar and
Glce clubs. and the base ball ana foot
ball associations, which have been pro-
pared with care.
The history Of the prep" IS well
written paper, and contains Eomc strlk-
ing truths about that much abused adj
junct OF the university. In six days
The Lord made heaven and earth" says
the historian. "and sea and all that IN
them ig. except the Prep Thr seventh
DIV He reated Then he made the Prey,
N6bndy has rested since" This Is.
rather hard on the prep, but he has
stood many worse thinG5 aud stIll lives
To be distraction and g subject of good
nntured ridlculc.
The literary features of Tho Montlcola
are very attractive and many Of the
pages devoted 10 this department con-
tnIn some rare gcns The humor aud
facetiac IT, OF course. In the nature of -
local hubitatlon and name" and u.s.
c0natrucilvely appreciated only by those
who are throwing stones at the frogs,
one or two hits might be quoted here
that would be rCllshrd They arc taken
ffOm the calendar" The first refers to
tho football game In this city last year
between the university aud washing
nn-.Iolferson college tcnms: November
%. Mud and the referee lose us the
game ut Wheeling TO w. & j. Score A-O'