New-York tribune., 1903-03-08
IMITATION AT HARVARD.
ENGLISH MANNERS AND SPEECH NOW
THE FAD.

Cambridge Mass March 5.-"The power OF
imitation is strong In ali creatures, but in none
more than man, and in no men more tnan
Harvard men," said cynical New-Yorker who
recently returned from a visit to his freshman
son at Cambridge
Harvard men have their seasons OF imita-
ton. like small boys their seasons of stnts.
marbles, roller skates and kites One student
sets the pace and all the others follow.
"If an upper class man of the ultra swell set
gets an overcoat made with belt across the
back sophomores freshmen and even the young
negro dandies in and about Harvard Square
soon appear in the same costume Harvard men
do not follow the tailors. The tailors follow
them, and thus college styles are made
But of course men cannot always remain
freshmen, any more than they care always 70
remain sophomores- Eventually, II they Duy
printed notes and are willing to forego some
other pleasures, they will become upper class
men themselves, and in their turn, set the fasn-
ions for the plastic youngsters under them
Then having no one to look up to in the under
graduate department they turn their aspiring
eyes to the outside world, seeking in other
clines and even across the ocean for something
to initiate Sometimes they find the objects OF
their quest in Germany. Sometimes France Is
the favored spot, and, again, other countries
answer the purpose. But, no matter which
manners and customs stamps Harvard as clearly
as q footprint in soft snow The fashions and
habits initiated by upper class men are in turn
taken up by freshmen and sophomOres until al
most unconsciously, the whole college Is perrne-
ated with a foreign atmosphere
"Of all countries, at the present time England
is playing the most important part in the Life
and politics Of Harvard
Everything Is English from the cut Of a
aTV1Roc h oIo
mate on the street.
Harvard men do not say Good morning.
or How do YOU dol? or Hellor or any other OF
the nice polite greetings which one might al
most expect to find in place where culture
and courtesy are so inherent. HI is the COM
mon substitute for all of these-an abbreViation
for How are your which was first shortened
to How're ye? then to HTye" and then to
HI This is very English and very popular,
for it has curtness and expressiveness' and
combines the atmosphere of an English race
track with the culture and refinement of Cam
bridge life.
Another English expression is I say which
was prefaced at first with an elevated eyebrow
and languid- InonocIe air which one might ex-
pect from an English lord. Gradually, however
this affectation has been lost, until to-day the
4 say is curt and brief, although still as GUS
tomary a beginning of every sentence as soup
Harvard men haven't reached the stage
where they leave off their his and put them on
Just opposite to the American dictionary but
thev have many other little ways in which they
reflect the English influence.
For instance they are never surprised II
one of them should be informed that his pro-
fessor had eIoped with the servant girl he would
affect no wonder, but would simply say with
the politest acquiescence. Why, of course, ne
has or. whatever else it was, he would agree IN
the incest manner possible
I'm clothes. too, the Harvard man copies mis-
English brother-a fact never more apparent
than lust at this very time. Trousers no longer
are pegtop and tight fitting at the bottom, but
are Tapping about ones ankles Inches above
that limit set even by the most yerdant rustics
as the high water mark There is spring IN
them too, that was lacking year ago. They
are broad now even like a sailors trousers, and
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