Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-09
CHAPTER I.
Naval Maueuvers.

preston about as frequently as the sphinx
and about as violently as a treacle we'll.
This remark specially applies between
the hours of breakfast and luncheon The
courts, with their monastic cloisters and
inviolahle grass plots. lie hasking in a
sunny obliviousness to the world outside.
Their stately exclusivcness is accentu-
ated rather than diminished by the
glimpse Of an occasional flying figure In
q cap and gown. or the spectacle OF a
Iniddle-aged female of a discreet and
chastened appearance, who glides respect
fully from one archway to another. carry
ing broom and a tin pail. or-alas for
the goings on that clustered cell may
conceal behind it's art-muslin curtains
a tankard containing some gentleman
morning ale.
In one corner. close to the buttery door.
YOU may behold one Of the college cats,
which appears to be combining a search
ing morning toilet with a. course OF prac-
teal calisthenics: and inside the massive
arch OF the gateway stands majestic
figure in a tall hat whom appreciative
Americans usually mistake for tho mas
ter. but who In reality occupies the far
more onerous and responsible post of head
porter.
Perhaps the greatest variation from the
normal is to be observed on a Saturday
morning. Then the scene is Frightened
by the vision of an occa sional washer
woman. who totters bravely at one end
of a heavy basket. what time her lord
and master (who has temporarily aban-
doned his favorite street corner and
donned sabbath attire for this. his week.
ly contribution to the work Of the world
sulkily supports the other.
Undergraduates, too, are more in evil
dence than on other days. On most morn
ings they either stay indoors, to work or
sleep, or else go outside the college alto
gether. Lettering in the courts is not
the undergraduate minds that; but IT
will probably cost him half-a-crown every
time he does so. not because he letters,
but because he smokes.
The old court Of st. Benedicts College
1T is hardly necessary to say that we
are in Cambridge and not In Oxford,
otherwise We should have said quad
presents to us on the present occasion a
very fair sample of Saturday morning
crowd. The observant eye Of the dean
looking down Oike JezebeD from an upper
chamber, can discern
/. Three washerwomen, with the ap-
purtenances thereof.
. One small boy delivering the Granta
3. A solitary specialized gentleman. OF
the type described by the university cal
endar in stately periphrasis as "a native
of Asia, not of European parentage" (bu'
more tersely classified by the rest Of the
community as "a nigger"), hurrying. In
cap and gown, to secure a good place al
the feet of some out-of-college Gamaliel
4. A kitchen man In white Jacket and
tanning a salmon mayonnaise. outlets In
aspic and q special Cambridge dainty
known as grassy corner pudding "a
fearsome compound of whipped cream
and pistachio nuts.
). A buttery boy, walking close behind
IDENTIFY some young gentleman is about to
entertain angels--unawares so far as his
bill-paying papa is concerned.
g. Four young men converging to a
group in the center Of the court. OF these
two are attired in the undergraduate
mode Of the moment--tweed jackets with
leather buttons. waistcoats of the Trim &
Thummim variety. gray flannel trousers
we'll turned up. clamorous silk socks and
heavy Highland shooting brogues. The
describe rather ingenuously as athletic
Dress Pheidippides himself would have
found it difficult to perform feats OF
prowesS in costume composed OF split
pumps. white duck trousers. and a blazer
admirably qualified to serve as a model
OF the solar spectrum.
1t may be mentioned in passing that,
to the college regulations, athletic dress
Is not in itself q costume In which 1t is
possible to perform athletic feats, but one
whose color scheme clashes with the sub
fuse standard which obtains in all college
courts until pm: such. in tact. as
would tend to distract the eye and sap the
diligence OF those who traverse the courts
on their way to lectures. In consequence.
he who would be matutinally athletic
III tot
where out of college. or drape himself
like d stage conspirator as he fits from
his rooms to the river or Fenner's.
The fourth gentleman Of the party was
dressed, If not g0rgeously. sufficiently re-
specially to warrant the assumption that
he was not member OF the university.
All four were smoking.
The dean. glanctng in the direction OF
the gateway. and observing with sardonic
satisfaction that the watchful Cerberus
there was taking note Of the delin-
auency. returned to his work. Regard
crown apiece. the undergraduates ex.-
changed cheerful greetings.
Halo. DishyWashy"'
"IIallo, Gussie!"
There ensued an awkward pause, while
Messrs. Gussie and Tower. nervously
conscious of the presence OF a stranger
to whom they were about to be presented.
looked intently at their boots and waited
for the introduction to take place.
The gentleman previously addressed as
Dishy- Washy. a diminutive youth with
wizened features--his name was Dishart-
Watson-cleared his throat.
Introduce my brother" he said, huSl-
fly. "Mr. Poltimore-Mr. August"
The gentlemen indicated shook hands
with the visitor. and Mr.. Angus, after a
mental effort. inquired:
Come to see US go head?
He giggled deprecatingly. to show that
he did not really mean this.
Hope so,'' said Dishy Washy's brother,
politely. II hear you've got q pretty hot
First chop" said Mr. Poltimore. You
just arrived?''
Eyes. down from town this morning."
"Oh! live there?"
'Er-yes."
Oxford man. interpolated Dishy-
Washy, swiftly. Sent down. he added
in extenuation.
The other two nodded sympathetically
and the conversation proceeded more
briskly.
Are you going to catch those chaps
tonight. Dishy?" inquired Mr.. Angus,
Don't know" replied Dishy-washy,
boat enjoyed a position Of authority and
esteem I'm inverse ratio to his inches.
"Duncombe's q good enough little oar.
but you can't expect q man who weighs
nine stone ten to stroke the boat and
pull It along too. OF course. II we had
PufYin--''
Fourteen stone Of tripe!' interpolated
Mr.. Angus, the gentleman In athletic
dress. Lord help the boat" he added.
bitterly.
1t may be mentioned in passing that Mr.
~ IN