The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-22
HARVARD COLLEGE.
To the Editor of the Press:

To the Editor of the Press: liz
Harvard College, Oct. 1s.-'sBloody
Monday marks the actual beginning of
the college year at Harvard, and COM
mencing with this historic recurrence
will comment on the past two
weeks, and take look at what we have
before us. According to Hazard his
torians, Bloody Monday night was a
special period of Freshman killing and
massaores. Now, however, the date re-
minds us more particularly of big stu.
dent gathering in Sanders Theatre, where
the committee on reception to students
have prepared suitable exercises of well
come. The exercises were, think, far
more widely attended this year than the
preceding.
After short addresses by President
Eliot, the Governor of the Common
wealth and others, the students we're
given the usual reception in Memorial
Hall. Then we gotta touch of the good
old times in the way of more informal
reception in the yard rendered by the
Sophomores to their Freshmen br thren.
Right from the first the interest in de-
batting has manifested itself most strong
ly. Applicants have been indeed numer-
GUS enough for the debating courses,
English 80 and English 1, and for the
course in Speaking, English 10 AS
matter of fact the large number of stu
dents taking these courses has practically
closed them to all except Seniors and
Juniors. Sometimes some of the more
unfortunate of these men are unable to
secure admittanoe. Thirty and six re-
quire somewhat extensive knowledge of
history and political economy. The Har-,
ward Union has already had two meet
ings. The time of the coming debate
with Yale is yet unsettled. 1t will take
place in New Haven. probably about the
first of December.
Athletics too, are popular as ever. They
never will be otherwise. The football
crowd wins regularly and seems to con
tain the right sort OF stuff. Exhaustive
comments may be formed in the Boston
papers on the plays of our capillary expo
nents OF the game.
. Autumn is busy time for DR.. Sar-
gent, the medical examiner, who must
not only keep an eye on the football Grip
pies, but must make corporal inspec-
ton OF 1000 students, more or less, and
prescribe for the twisted spines, hollow
chests, and what not. The board of medi-
cal visitation has issued its annual no.
t1ces urging students to report immedi.
ately at the college office all cases OF i'll
ness. The services of the college ply
sIclanS are gratuitons.
Conspicuous for their programme this
year are the departments of French and
music. Raime's tragedy, "Athalie' will
be given in Sanders Theatre three days
in Decem Der. There also commences at
once a series of lectures on French Liter
allure and the French stage. These LEG
turers are given by members OF the Uni
yersity. Professor Paine now offers to
undergraduates course on the chamber
music of Beethoven and other modern
masters. Supplementary to the lectures
of this course is series Of ten chamber
concerts giyen in Sanders Theatre by the
kneisel Quartet. These concerts are open
to the public ON payment of fee. The
first is on Tuesday, Oct 10, The student
Club and Pierian Sodality, have been
picking new talent from the two lower
classes and have now about completed
their lists of new members for the year
The Pierian, Oldest of any American
College musical organization, is now
upon the ninetieth year of its existence.
The yard wouldn't be itself without
venerable John Loveitt, the fruit man.
His grotesoue figure basket in hand, still
hobbies down the walk with many an
expectant look at the windows above.
The little covered wagon still joys about
from building to building, and the inter-
esting long cared creature that draws it
sounds his mellow notes. This aggres-
siye melody turned to the chimes of the
Harvard Hall bell may, suppose, be
termed our characteristic yard music.
Without any tedious discussion on the
lack of universal fellowship existing, it is
said among us, / will refer to the Univer-
sity Club, which is once more up for
active consideration. For the last few
years there have grown in the minds of
Harvard graduates and others interested
persons projects to found a society which
shaI embrace all members Of Harvard
University, and stimulate the social side
Of University life. Last year Mr.. Leh-
mann in his address on college life had
much to say about the Oxford club and
it's beneficial effects of the fellowship of
the University. his remarks, coupled
with the great apparent need of such a
society here, have given the movement
great irnuetus. All that remains now to
cali m the funds from those who have
been waiting is the proper manifestation
of enthusiasm on the part of undergrad
mates. and | think that will show itself
in the form of rousing mass meeting
some time in the near future. Mr. Leh-
man will be with US again in about a
month to commence the fall coaching of
Permit me in conclusion to speak
briefly of the University Chapel services.
which have been frequently commented
on because of their great value to thu
student. Unlimited freedom is granted
him in religion, as in everything else.
The University processes no creed, and
welcomes her students to her own SER
vices or provides seats for them in other
churches. Attendance at chapel was
once a college function. Today I doubt
if many look upon 1t as even duty; but
- =. iTe+I,y regarded ms "a Driyileua nc a