The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-30
BARNARD STUDENT A
THE GIRLS ADOPT A RAINT-DAT
DRESS WHEN NECESSARY.

DRESS WHEN NECESSARY.
There Was No Formal Action In the Matter
but COmmon-senae Hule-Thia Years
Freshman ClAss-Ths sociRl Life OF the
College = Some Hard work Coming.
II the founders Of the Rainy-Day Club and
the advocates OF the short skirt, want to feel
that they have not lived, preached and suffered
In vain. and. moreover. II they want 10 sec q
direct result OF their crusade, they should drop
In at Barnard College some misty moisty morn
Ing and see the flock Of what. at first sight. APP
pear to be a race OF Liliputians going TO and
from classes, but which on closer inspection
turn out to DO a lot OF full-sized girls,
whose proportions are somewhat mini
mlzed by the use Of short skirts.
There have been no meetings to discuss
this matter. no coercion OF campaign OF hand
bills. but a gradual recognition on the part Of
every girl that a rainy-day dress and a college
education must 20 hand In hand. II the blcy-
Gle craze has been productive of no other good.
IL has certainly helped. mankind to accept and
tolerate the short skirt for some occasions. and
hence the Barnard girl has decided that II she
is to get through the year with the least wear
and tear and save her temper from total eclipse
she must make provision for n rainy day.
1t IN all well enough to have q view and n great
cNpanse OF country when the sun shines, but
when the heavens open then %neighbors are
useful innsmuch as they prove admirable
shields from the winds. but conditions as they
exist must be met. and 80 on every disagree
able day the Barnard girl puts on her short
skirt. covers 1t up with a macintosh. tucks
her books into her rockets, Just like her
brothers. and gives both her hands to holding
down her hat. What wonder then that she
arrives at college on time. looking as trim and
as serene as possible2 The era Of wet skirts
and soaked stockings has vanished. and the
record OF attendance has reached an almost
perfect state.
1t Is evident to the most casual observer that
there are q great many more girls at Barnard
this year than ever before. Everything shows
II. In the first place. there Is more noise in
college. not OF q distracting sort. but the noise
that belongs to any large and growing family.
Between IL and / the whole building seems to
swarm with girls. Groups wander up and down
stairs to the lunch room. and after lunch they
enjoy n little stroll through the halls before
going back to work. A general statement as
to the increased size OF the college Is all
well enough in its way; but. after all. figures
tell the true story. So here are the figures: The
record for the year Just passed was 23S. and it
was hoped by every one that at least $50 would
be reached before this year was out. That
goal, however. has not only, been reached. but
total p registration III" now W." being ia! a54. O9 EVEN the the
registration OF the graduate department OF last
ates this year against 81 last. Indeed, unless
all signs fail. Barnard is going to have the best
SG pEd In he q eift 81 100000 drop down into
her lap one morning this fallP Didn't q family
Of a~nonymouses promise to pay all the out
the subject When Barnard Paid Her Debts"
a anS P tSe stu %Rsa sf tfSlned' 70 Tlis sing ne e. Il in 10 u %SSlS
so that # may play the same factor as, the coll
lege yell now does. and serve all public occa-
best StSaI poem upon apon "The1 1n Eis w 8onorSt to % Bare sne
nard College. but Just what will be done with
this poem Is like those dear. modest friends.
The freshmen have settled down into their
proper niche; WHICH seems to require that they
cooking than usual. and, as one girl expressed
III i; when ihTssnaSS@ssosSd w wass . t6S ee5Gs Snf ppPiHion a 4Sst
Which. interprsted. meant. that d%t's they sS'' minded de;
airs. They have shown one popularity over
fully noted i, passinG-they started life asking
what they have not yet been able to acquire By
Of. An unsuccessful effort was made to Keep
them from wearing caps. and gowns. which
would prove that they are not quite so simple
All the old clubs and societies. some of which
were IN o most langulshlng condition at the
activity and are enjoying a boom" Some few
new ones. notably q simon-pure French club, In
which all the transactions are to be in French.
also simon-pure, are hustling for members. As
the French Club, enjoys the prestige of being
born and housed In tiske Hall. and as the Whis-
one Of the features Of the club. there is no need
for MUCH hustling In this particular instance.
but quite the contrary; There is bound to be a
teas are to start soon several plays are already
being rehearsed: the choral class is beginning
to try its voice again in fact, every known form
q social recreation e going to have a chance at
frivolous. the athletic. the conventional, II the
ever grinding treadmill OF work will only stop
occasionally.
The girls who spent all summer selecting
snap" courses are now suffering reaction and
wondering how they could have, made, such
feel that they never will get through ali that is
being piled upon them the juniors groan over
their exacted in Rhetoric G: the
s0phomores are cynical and laugh miserebly
much they Rroaned. as freshmen. And 30 the
year starts of. but Just the same II is going to
be u great year at Barnard. All the signs tell
the same story.