The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-24

survival OF the clerks uniform OF
the Middle ages; but the forms Of
each college have distinctive fea-
lures, such as the three small velvet
chevrons on the sleeves of those of
st. Johns.
Normally the gowns are black,
but those of Caius pronounced
"Keys') are blue with black fac
ings, those of Trinity darker blue.
They, and their accompanying
square mortar-board caps, are often
in the most decrepit state, since
tattered gown or crushed cap
is regarded as sign of seniority;
hence, ''freshers," as the first-year
undergraduates are called, fire.
quently indulge in an orgy Of near
destruction to acquire this outward
mark Of seniority. This procedure
can prove expensive. 1t may in
volve the purchase of an entire new
outfit to secure the approval of out
ragged authority.
lectures, or when dining in college
hall, which is the one occasion when
the members of college meet to-
gether, certain number of nights
each week, whether they wish to or
not.
Gowns must also be worn on the
streets after dusk, and woe betide
the unfortunate undergraduate who
encounters a proctor when not in
this garb. 1t is an equally heinous
sin if he be found smoking in the
streets, even when he is properly
attired. These are two of the Of
fenses against the dignity of the
university for which the proctors.
who have charge of university dis
cipline, are on the lookout.
A proctor, to the undergraduate
is an impressive and fear-inspiring
being not only because of the moral
weight of the authority behind him
but also because he is always sup
ported by two bulldogs" or bull
ers." These robust college porters.
in spite of silk hats and formal
black suits which they are obliged
to wear, are often surprisingly agile
in their pursuit of a delinquent un-
dergraduate.
Process of Discipline.
But when a capture is effected,
proper formalities must be OBJ
served.
Sir" says the buller. polite but
putting, ''the proctor would like to
speak to you for a moment"
And when you are brought before
the majesty Of authority, the con-
versation is equally courteous.
''Sir, regret to see that you are
not properly dressed; I should be
glad if you would call on me in
the morning"
Your name is noted in a book.
and when in spirit Of due re-
pentance the visit is made the next
day. you are fined. II you are
bachelor of arts the fine is larger,
for surely years of discretion, ac-
companied by the right to wear
longer gown and a proper tassel on
the cap, must be expected to bring
a proper respect for the laws of
the university. Offenses committed
on Sunday also involve a double
penalty. No offender escapes. 1t is
on record that King George vi
smoked what was probably the most
expensive cigarette of his life dur
ing his undergraduate days at Cam
bridge.
Friendly rivalry among the col
leges is shown in the wide variety of
sports jackets, or blazers" They
appear in all colors and combina-
tions of colors, and may denote not
only membership in some particular
college but also some athletic
achievement, such as membership
in the cricket eleven or the Rugby
football team.
Most coveted is the pale blue
blazer which only those who have
represented the university in ath-
leticS are entitled to wear. For the
remainder Of their lives these for
tunate ones will be remembered as
Cambridge "blues." There are half
blues for the less arduouS sports,
such as shooting. or even chess!
BLAZERS" owe their very name
to Cambridge. for this was thA term
quite naturally applied to the scar
let coats which the Lady Margaret
Boat club, of St. Johns college,
ADOPTED as its uniform.
Sports in general hold a high
place in life at Cambridge. Rugby
and association football-known as
"rugger" and "soccer"-are pop
ular in the winter, while in sum-
mer cricket and tennis take their
turn. But the sport of sports at
Cauohrjdpe ia rowing