New-York tribune., 1905-03-12

quite possible TO do both The average freshman
Is not likely to prove adept at both and the
easy practice at the beginning OF the term soon
tries him out. Thus. before really hard tiring
practice begins the man has been dropped from
one or the other OF the lists and can conAne his
energies to that form OF sport to which he seems
best ntted Captains of American athletic teams
anxious for would find this method OF
personal canvass fruitful of good results.
After luncheon next day we donned our football
costumes. which were rowing costumes as well
and oetook ourselves to the athletic ground Here
we We're initiated into the secret OF English Rugby
We found 1t quite easy to understand. although IL
Is very different from American football. After ten
or fifteen minutes Of fast playing we were allowed
10 so 10 the river Here We taken out. two
at time. with college eghtsman as coxswain
and coach. Again We were taught gams. for
tne English stroke is quite different from what wa
knew at home. We houndered about in the river
o0eying the coach as well possible. and soon put
oack TO the barge We gave places to two
other freshmen and returned to our rooms.
On the most of US the day had formed vivid i'm
pressions We admired the spirit with which the
English student takes up sport. After luncheon
every one starts for the field the river. Tho
college is absolutely deserted. Athletics appears TO
be as essential part OF life here as study itself
Indeed. it seemed to TO be the whole OF college
life. for as yet had heard nothing about lessons
and the social life seemed deIuson. The ex-
perience of the previous night. the silence and re-
| serve Of our fellow students. had been continued
| Of the games little had been said to US so that
/ the social life, so far had seen It. had not
| fulfilled our expectations. Indeed. we were struck
rather by the lack Of it, But soon our eyes were
opened. and We found the intellectual and social
| activities entered materially into Oxford life
| as did athletics.
Soon the intellectual side or our course developed
We found that we had been assigned to head tutors
Each head tutor had under him some twenty
students more or less proportionately TO the size
OF
Of lectures for his proteges and give such advcs
as the student might wish Throughout the term
he acts as the guardian angel of his flock and IS
usually on intimate terms with all.
In obedience to summons, we appeared at the
stated time, before our tutor. To him told
intentions, what wished 10 pursue to-
gether with such details might aid him In estab-
fishing standing. Roughly speaking, we were
divided into two groups: On Those who wishing to
read for the advanced degree OF B. Lift B. c. L.
being over twenty-one and being the recipient Of a
degree from the home university. allowed to
follow their advanced course; and % these who
were to read for E. A. whether from choice on
account of lack OF necessary qualification for ths
advanced degree.
On being assigned to lectures we got another i'm
preston. likewise proved false, that the Oxford
dergraduate did not do much work. At home we
had been used TO minimum OF twelve hours
week. Here found twelve hours almost max
inum. and the average seemed to be ten This i'm
preston strengthened by the fact that most oc
examination in any case was year on. SO We
GOULD be but little blamed for opinion that.
since no work was required. no work was done.
We soon learned. however that. although IL
not required. even evident. there work
done and lots of It; that If We took honOrs, as
were expected to do. idleness on our part, at the
beginning of the course. meant hopeless entange-'
n ent at the end. and that we must work durir7
vacations well. in time Thus was our
premature conclusion changed. ana IT is needless TO
say that availed ourselves OF discovery.
Soon our opinions of the social life were changed
We freshmen were asked in groups OF a dozen. by
each second year man in turn, to breakfast with
him. Here merry morning was passed After
breakfast around the table smoking and
listening TO stories of escapades and adventures OF
former days. Here. too We learned the established
customs and traditions OF the college handed down
from time immemorial by these freshers'
breakfasts. an excellent custom for it affords
ample opportunity for intimate acquaintance
between the freshmen and the upper classmen.
Mutual intimacy and goodfeIowship are en-
couraged in every way Early in the term the
second year give coffee to the first year
in the common room in the great dining
hall This is an informal and jovial party. The
upper class men pass coffee and fruit songs
sung with great gusto. stories are told. and when
the meeting breaks up each new man is thoroughly
familiar with every one ir college Even the most
shy Of the freshers must needs out OF hia
shell at time OF such merriment
For freshers. too there is the annual banquet
whole freshman class is thoroughly organized
Thus acquaintances made and int1nacies de-
veloDed which form the basis OF the social factor
of Oxford life.
Having in this way gained the acquaintance oe
ALL college life in all its branches began In earnest
On coming back from the field or river We would
separate in groups OF four five and go 10 some
friends room for tea here. sitting around thu
open fire, discussed the events OF the after
noon; we talked over any games that had tazan
place; praised a for brilliant plays and
were not afraid to blame him for poor playa Every
seemed mutual understanding and
Ill feeling apparent Then. having whiled
away pleasant hour. returned to our rooms
for study, quiet two hours before dinner.
Dinner in term was very different from the din
ners had had during first week The dining
hall filed with merry laughter and with
the busy hum of conversation Each class has 8.
long table 10 itself at the head OF which sits tha
president OF the senior scholar. In end OF the
hall. raised dais. the dons. tutors. wass
seated
In connection with dinner there is in some coli
leges interesting custom This is the 'sconcs.-
IL man comes in late makes a stale joke. re-
marks the food or commits any gaucherie tha
cry of 'sconce' is raised Thereupon he appeals
kis case. in writing. to the dons. II they agree
that the sconce is just the guilty must drink
a quart OF small beer without breath II he sue
ceeds he is a hero. II he fails he must provide
beer for his table. IT. however. the sconce Is not
justiiabe in the eyes OF the dons the prosecutor
must pay the penalty There is a little story cur
rent of undergraduate who did something quite
worthy OF sconce. There seemed 70 be no Ques-
ton and the whole table was looking forward to
the treat Whereupon the man appealed his case
70 the dons in Latin hexameters so faultless in
style that he was acquitted.
After dinner the men go to coffee. sometimes In
the Junior Common Room. where they talk over