University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1913-03-03
LIFE IN THE OXFORD ''DIGS"
Doctor Fairchild Tells of Venerated Traditions
at the English University-Charm in
the Dormitory System.
the DOrmitOry System.

lishman calls this making dirty
roller" After chapel he may come
back and sleep until noon If he de-
sires.
Breakfast is served In the room.
The students tell the scout the night
before just what he will want for
breakfast and after chapel the SER
want brings it in. II the student was
a dirty roller" and has gone to bed
again, the scout will leave the break
fast on a tray near the crate. to keep
it warm.
Breakfast is the meal that students
like to invite their friends to enjoy.
After the three courses are served,
they will sit around and smoke and
talk until 10 or II o'clock.
No Record Of ~Cutting."
Lectures begin at this time, the
library is opened and appointments
with tutors begin. You don't have to
go to lectures If you don't want to
There are two examinations, one at
the end of the sophomore year and
one at the end of the senior year. You
can use any sort Of preparation you
wish. Most students spend the vaca-
tion in thorough, methodical study ana
enjoy the fellowship Of their fellow
students during the three terms of
eight weeks each. During the term
each man is under a tutor who advises
him as to his work. He does some
reading and may write some papers.
Nearly every students spends the time
from 10 to 1 o'clock in school work
of some kind.
At 1 o'clock luncheon is served in
the room. It is usually very light
crackers and cheese, bread and mar
and perhaps a half-pint of
beer. Then everyone goes out for ex-
ercise. Exercise is necessary to keep
in condition in the climate at Oxford.
Every man goes for a run or ride. or
out to play football or cricket, or to
row on the river. When the English
student plays. he plays as hard as he
studies. Every man is on a team of
some sort for his college. Games are
played with other colleges in the Uni
versity.
By o'clock every man has come
back to his room, and his tub" and
is ready for tea. This is another meal
to which the student delights in invit-
ing his friends. After tea they sit
around and smoke and discuss polit-
ical. sorial, athletic subjects. every
kind of subject. All English students
take a deep interest in affairs of gov
ernment and most of their talk is SER
ious. From 6 to o'clock the stu
dent is by himself in his room.
Dinner is the one meal of the day
when all the men are in the large
dining hall. At o'clock all the stu
dents, both from the dormitories and
the digs" out in town, file into the
dining room with its bare oak tables
and benches No man has a perma-
nent seat. At one end Of the room is
a raised table at which the "dons," or
tutors, eat Each don is expected to
eat at the dining hall at least once q
week. The best plate and the best
food are given them.
Blessing Said in Latin.
When the students first gather
around the tables, everyone begins to
knock on the table as loudly as he can
This is kept up until a don appears
and with uplifted hand demands 81
lence. The don asks a blessing in
Latin and a response is given by some
student in Latin. The dinner is
served.
The upperclassmen often take ad-
vantage. Of their position to report