The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-06

| letter fraternities which have three
hundred thousand members to-day In
| the various colleges and universities OF
| the land and exert an Unreasonable
influence for tho brotherhood OF man.
| The discovery of the existence of
this society is, therefore. OF interest
throughout the nation, especially In the
republic Of letters, There Is extant
partial list OF the Flat Hat Club" to-
gcther with its constitution, In cipher
and Latin also "a list Of n hundred or
sition, prepared by one Of the members,
Mr.. drevatkin." Some contemporary
correspondence IS preserved relative to
the nature and aim of the society, as
we'll u photograph of the medal
badge of the club. These papers art
In the possession OF George Preston
Coleman, of Williamsburg, n grandson
of ST. George Tucker. who was MEM
Der of the Flat Hat Club" and appar-
emily the custodian of the effects of
the society, which were found among
his private papers. Among the mem
bers of the Flat Hat" were the Rev
crend Mr.. Grevatliin, st. George Tucker.
Thomas Jefferson. George wythe, Rob-
ert Baylor. Jr., and Edmund Randolph.
In "a letter from Mr.. jefferson to John
w. Taylor, OF Union College, New York,
written in 1921 with regard to the
founding of chapter of Phi Beta
Kappa at that institution, Mr.. Jefferson
said that he knew of that society only
by reputation, and that while at Will
liam and Mary he had been member
of the Fiat Hat" On another occa-
sion Mr.. jefferson said that the FLAT
Hat was mot for any useful purpose"
so that it may be inferred by some
that tho society was entirely social in
Its purposes. This Inference seems to
of books prepared by Mr. Grevatkln for
in this catalogue there are. under the
heads OF philosophy. history. mathe-
mates. science and miscellaneous"
vast collection of books by such authors
as Locke, Newton, TricstIy, Franklin.
HALEY and Walpolc. Editor Doty
makes a very logical deduction when
he says that lit would seem that the
pleasures of these young gentlemen
were pretty substantial. even If for no
useful purpose, II the subjects for
their light reading can be supposed to
suggest anything" Indeed, company
of youths amusing themselves with
ouch absorbing literature as Tho Scrip
ture Doctrine of Remission" ION the
Conduct of the Understanding" and
Tho Method of Making Commonplace
Books" might have been expected to
generate the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
1t was most fitting, therefore, that
have been given to the new publica ton
at William and Mary. on the editorial
stan of which four States are repre-
scented. The Flat Hat is well bah
anccd readable and thoroughly inter
esting 1t Is well edited. and the sto-
usually good for a college paper, and
has snap and an originality that are
pleasing. II has piquant flavor which
every college newspaper should pos
sess but which few do THE Flat
Hat" reflects much credit, not alone
on Its makers, but upon the fine old
college 1t represents as we'll. William
and Mary has given many excellent
men to letters, and this newspaper will
aid in promoting literary work and
scholarship Its first issue Stems to
have scored n distinct scoop" on the
very scholarly president of William and
Mary, DR.. Lyon G. Tyler, who hereto
fore was thought to have written
all tho history extant pertaining to tie
noble and venerable seat OF learning
Mt Williamsburg. In its historical ex-
cavations The Flat Hat" has scooped
all the historians and newspapers for
one Hundred and sixty-one years.
/ Thats good start, my masters.