1896.]
footprints but which will make more sublime, in the mind of the
student who attends their Alma Mater, the life of this institution.
To the new students the PREE LANCE tenders a most hearty
welcome and, as usual, has its words of advice to offer. You have
been brought into a new microcosm, so to speak; the laws of this
new universe are many; perhaps a few are unwritten; of all, you
are more or less ignorant. Many of these unwritten laws are for
the purpose of grinding off the peculiar edges of your personality
and numerous are the agencies which will work the changes; you
may make up your mind that there will be a change in yourself be
fore the session is over. Watch the process closely. Silende is
golden, surely in this case. Base your Opinions of college life and its
duties and corresponding rights not upon the whims and fancies
of others who have become prejudiced, but upon the solid rock of
entlufsiasm and patriotism for your adopted Alma Mater.
MANY improvements have been made in and about the college
library during the past year. Books are now carefully and well
catalogued for the use of the students. Papers and magazines are
nicely arranged and the leading articles of interest properly
bulletined—all for the benefit of the students. But how many
students are benefited by these improvements ? Very few. Why ?
Because during the hours which the library is now open the
students are supposed to be at work at recitation, at the labora
tories, or at drill.
Let us look more closely into the hours. Suppose we have a
vacant period during the morning hours and we repair to the read
ing room, what do we find? We find that the sub-Freshmen have
converted it into a study room and that every available chair is
occupied. Again, let us suppose we have a half-hour after dinner
or a half-hour after supper, and, we think we will look tip a few
pointers for an essay, an oration, or a thesis and we go to the
library. Dowe find it open ? No! nay! " nit!" And so on a
careful examination discloses the fact that a very few minutes
may be spent in access to the privileges of the college library
unless one wishes to violate some of the rules and regulations
pertaining to absences from recitations, practicums, rhetoricals,
drill, and study hours.
" WHY, yes! That's better." '' Well, I don't know 1" '' Well,
yes, it is about the same, the allowances are the same, and it
Editorial.