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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (June 7, 1895)
THE HESPERIAN honor man may on joy his freo and easy life for tho first year or two; and there are tradi tions of taking n doublo first without a term of real study. How tho required work can be done with so little apparent effort, I don't protend to say. I feel satisfied, however, that the habit of concentration is more care fully cultivated among English students than with us. In fact the university educa tion is merely a rounding off and polishing process; so the habits that bring one success here arc those acquired in the lower schools. The statement then that the student well prepared in the school can take his degree with very little labor is not incredible. Nearly all tho students reside in college, but one who wishes to save expense may re ceive permission to go into licensed lodgings under general supervision of the authorities of tho college with which he is connected. In tho case of those not connected with a college, tho delegacy for non-collegiate stu dents has supervision. Those living in col lego arc supposed to have a much freer, plcasantcr life with vastly belter opportuni ties for culture, so the number preferring residence outside continues small. All students are subject to certain univer sity regulations, and also to college rules. The several college systems are very similar, of course. The whole body of regulations is a very interesting subject of study, and some items strike an inhabitant of the west ern world as odd. For instance, a student must wear tho cap and gown when calling upon an officer of the college or university, as well as at lectures, in the library, and in tho hall. If seen on tho street without them before one o'clock or after hall dinner, ho is liable to fine. Every undergraduate taking the university examinations must appear in a black coat and a white tie. The college gates are closed about nine p. in., and no one can go out afterwards, or remain out after midnight, without special permission. Unless excused because of conscientious scruples the student is expected to attend college chapel, and if absent a certain num ber of times in tho week is liable to tho dis cipline known as "hauling.'" Then there are rules against going into a hotel, and keeping or driving a horse without permis sion, and even against smoking on the street. Tho last must bo practically null, for I have observed that tho pipe seems to be as neces sary to the student as the walking-sttck, and an even more constant companion; for tho stick ordinarily is taken up only when the gown is laid off at lunch time, but tho pipe seems to have no regular period of rest. I should have said concerning the gown that the term "wear" is less strictly applied than we might suppose. A man is wearing his gown, technically, whether he carries it on his back or in his hand, ties it about his neck, or uses it for a book-strap. Each college man, provided he keeps within reasonable limits, may entertain as much and as expensively as his social in stincts dictate and his purse permits. It is a very common thing for half a dozen friends to order the "scout" to bring their lunch up to the sitting room of one of their number, and, not involving any expense, it is the simplest way of having company. If one wishes something more elaborate ho gives a dinner, or at greater outlay, by a caterer specially employed. I have heard tales of extravagant efforts in this direction, but they are either too frequent or kept too quiec to be matter for common talk. I hear only vaguely of these interesting affairs and do not know whether outsiders are permitted to enjoy them or not. The only college enter tainment with which I lnwo personal ac quaintance is tho afternoon tea. Unlike the dinner which must bo elaborate, and the breakfast which is supposed to bo simple, the only rule applied to the tea seems to be that it must be light. Most students have their own tea things, and as the college does not furnish this feast, the services of tho scout are obtained only as they may bo rendered in the college buttery. Tho fre quency with which a man may entertain his young lady friends in this way seems to he limiied only by the difficulty of obtaining chaperonage for them. One student of my acquaintance said he tried to have ladies to tea every day that ho was not invited out. I imagine, however, that most students have too limited a circle of acquaintance to ex ercise such constant hospitality. pyrg
