The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-24
The Harvard Commencement i.

The Harvard Commencement.
In our mild youth, when GRANT was
President, there was plenty Of room at
the Harvard Commencement. Tho Yard
had not yet been stuffed with wondrous
buildings The Commencement process
sion had not become congested. Tho
younger graduates had not been OFF,
cially reminded of their superfluousness
The fountains Of rum punch had not been
sealed. Harvard was still little COL
lege. Lord, how it has grown and growsl
The unfortunate babes who have been
weaned from the Nursing Mamma less
than twenty years win not be permitted
to hear the eloQuence and wisdom that
will shake Sanders Theatre to-day; and
they will be shut out from the Heliogab-
allan gorge in Memorial Hall this after
noon. The infant graduates don't know
what they are losing.
The many gated yard is closed to the
public. In a few years only graduates
Of fifty years standing will be admitted
to those sacred precincts Well, We
don't have to have ticket to see tho
show. We can catch from here tho
thunder of tho hoofs Of the proud steeds
that bear the Boston Lancers, those bril-
liant guards that escort the Governor to
Cambridge. The glory Of the LAncers
has been dimmed by the immitigable
radiance OF the Ancients, but anywhere
else than in Boston they would be too
high for rivalry. Dashing and seasoned
old troopers, they think nothing Of the
hardships Of the expedition to Cam
bridge, non-license town. Tho military
staff of the Governor We can see with our
eyes shut: indeed, it would be dangerous
to let the naked eyes gaze at that series Of
martial burning-glasses. Let us rest our
sight by going to the van OF the process
sion. The candidates for degrees are
an army, a multitude. The mere num-
Der of degrees that the University gives
startles an old fogy. A. B., s. B., A. NJ,
S. NJ, Phi. D., 8. D., B. A. s., D. NJ. D.,
ILL., BIS. T. B.-sure, all the world is put
ting on the gown. But here comes Presi-
dent ELIOT, a pillar Of man, tall and
straight, looking his part. Nine cheers
for" Old CHARLEY" as they used to call
him when he was lad Of 40 And here
are the Fellows Of tho Corporation, the
most august fellows in the world. Self
perpetuating, immortal, rich, mysteri-
ously powerful, shrewd investors, solid
men OF Boston, dignified and august,
grave and respectable as an Egyptian
temple, they are JUPITER plus PLUTUs.
Next marches the Honorable and Rev.
erend the Board of Overseers, body Of
excellent gentlemen, but still only Over
seers. Compared with Fellow, moro
Overceer il a. Tanagra figurine to the
Parthenon.
Now the Governor goes by; Mr.. BATES
Of East Boston-or is it South Boston?
A worthy person, q successful person
considering where he comes from. And
now the mob of Deans, Professors and
Assistant Professors and former Profess
sors, and 80 on, is too great to count.
But We know that somewhere in it are the
two finest men in the world, the Sheriff
of Suffolk and the Sheriff Of Middlesex,
in their blue dress-coats with brass but
tons and their cooked hats. Eighteenth
century figures, rearing the majesty Of
the law. And here, march. waddle or
totter the graduates OF not less than
twenty years. standing" Is this the
Old Mems Home taking an airing? Some
OF these old buffers We must have known
when the down was on the cheek and tho
bloom was on the rye; and now look at
'em' PARIS is to PRIAM turned. No;
We deny all knowledge Of these venerable
impostors. For the sake Of acquiring
face of wealth or wisdom they have
shaved their foreheads. Some are wear
ing Leading Old Mems wigs, bought at
. bargain at the sale Of the properties
of the Boston Museum. Praise heaven,
we're not in that procession of patriarchs!
Thanks to this idyllic Manhattan life, we
scorn to look more than half our age.
The Puritans are decorating them
selves. In the Harpdrd Graduates Maya
zine Prof. GEORGE p BAKER describes
the present fashions Of academic tail
orinG
Gor'ls. \. =. -. SO u :! s. Ola, wprsted
stun, with pointed sleeves. 4 N, and s. NJ; black
silk wor.ted stuff with long. closed sleeves Phi.
D.. S. D.. N. D. ". D. N. D.. NJ D.. Ill. b.. S. T. B.
b. D.. LII. D.; black silk worsed stun with round.