The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-23

Harvard, and which has the effect
there, as in most colleges. of picking out
the eligible freshmen. sophomores, and
juniors, and bringing them into asso-
citation with the graduating class and
out of association with their class
mates, who do not belong to the fra
ternity. If the cap and gown will Coun-
teract the influence Of the fraternity,
its introduction will be a good thing
not so much that there is any distinc-
tive virtue in the garb itself, but be
cause its introduction for this alleged
reason seems TO show that the class
spirit is waking up. The change Of
dress is a symptom rather than d cause
of reform.
This academic costume has been
adopted more or less in the women's
colleges, where il has had more vogue
than in the mems for two or three rea-
sons One reason probably is that it
makes the fair coIegian feel as if she
were a candidate. in good and regular
standing, for the degree, and that is
something, Another reason is. TN
doubtedly. that it is becoming. Third,
it is convenient. The girl college stu
dent is apt TO be devoted to her work,
and likely to welcome anything which
will save her spending an undue
amount of time on her everyday dress.
although she Is not averse to the vani-
ties of fine clothes when some extraor-
binary occasion arrives. The cap and
gown saves an immense amount of time
without looking untidy or being unbe-
coming
None of these reasons is likely to have
much weight with the Harvard stu
dents, and therefore the adoption OF the
distinctive college dress there arises
probably from other causes. There is
one thing certainly to be said about this
garb; it tends to promote social equal
ity, which is always a good thing in a
college. There is plenty of social in
equality in the world outside. due to
circumstances which cannot at present
be altered, and perhaps ought not to be;
but there Is ne way in which it VIII pro-
mote the good Of students to StTatfy
the college community in caste lines
like those which prevail outside
In the first place, the object Of a col
lege is to inpart learning, to train men
to self-centroI, good breeding, and gen
eraI elevation of character. The prime
object Of the institution-knoWledg
| certainly interfered with by any kind
OF social nonsense. If the students
thoughts are given, not to his work. but
to the problem of making an impression
on somebody by his polish or pic
turesqueness of personality. manifestIy
he viii not learn as much as he would
If he came To his work with an uudi-
vided mind. As to the effect on charac-
ter of the establishment of lines Of caste
among the students. il is just this:
Some Of the men become social leaders.
and that not only takes up much OF
their time and thought. but modifies the
natural 'ove OF youth Tor new things,
and prevents them from becoming
friendly with men of different antece-
dents from their own. who might help
them to see life from a more practical
point Of view In other words, it makes
them narrow. Others. who are not
social leaders. OF even followers of the
convention of the moment. are placed
outside OF all college life through want
of money or early training. and fail 70
get or to give the good which Is possible
from a thorough intermixture Of types