The Beta Theta Pi - April 1884

THE .BETA THETA PI.

VoL . XI. APRIL, r884. TWO SONGS. I.

AN OLD ITALIAN AIR.

My hands went over the strings, and a strain from the years long over Woke to their quickening touch, like the pulse of an olden pain, And I saw the sun on the uplands, I heard the bees in the clover, The sound of the running water, the pipe of the far-off plover, As I saw and heard in a summer that never will come again.

The ghost of a hope re-arisen, the dream of a first love slain, Came through the twilight grey, where the circling sea-birds hover, As, with touches that woke the sound of a song I sang in vain, My hands went over the strings.

Something of youth's lost gladness thrilled out in the answering strain, I heard a voice on the silence like the whisper of April rain, I caught the glimmer of eyes that the churchyard grasses cover, As under the golden starlight, by the waves of God's murmuring main, For the last, last time, my Love, in the life of your girlhood's lover, My hands went over the strings.

II.

IN HARBOR.

We have flung the oars ashore and the voyage is ended, vVe have anchored the boat, to toss on the tide no moreBlown into the port at last, by the winds of God befriended, We have flung the oars ashore.

Far from the cruel storm-wreck, far from the breaker's roar, We rest in the long:sought haven, from the angry sea defended. We have found the peace of the waters fate's wind never wandered o'er.

Ah, well! but the seas were grand and the skies were splendid As we watched the waves run white and the rain and lightning pour; Farewell now to the waves and the wat.ers through which we wended, We have flung the oars ashore !

James Lindsay Gordon.

FRATERNITY STUDIES.*

BY WILLIAM RAIMOND BAIRD, Author of "American College Fraternities." v. BETA THETA PI, 1872-76.

In the fall of 187r Epsilon chapter, at Centre College, Ky., was re-established by the efforts of the Beta professors in the college faculty. Epsilon had been a fine chapter and maintained a high stand down to the outbreak of the rebellion. The chapter was divided by that struggle, and its members attained eminence in both armies. The chapter ceased to exist in r86z and remained dormant until its revival as mentioned. By the Indianapolis convention of r87r Rho chapter, at Washington and Le.e University, was made the presiding chapter. Rho was distant from the center of fraternity affairs, and her administration must be regarded with this fact in view, but the splendid personnel of the chapter and the earnest love which each member bore for the fraternity made light of the mere obstacle of space. The chapter straightened out the general correspondence of the fraternity, and placed it upon such a systematic basis that the establishment of the BET A THETA Pr may be said to have resulted from it. It introduced more business-like methods into the work of the fraternity, and demanded of the chapters a strict attention to their duties Rho felt that it was incumbent upon her as presiding chapter to endeavor to resuscitate the dead chapters in the Southern states, and a vigorous effort was made in that direction. Betas residing near to Davidson College, N. C., to Beloit College, Wisconsin, to Oglethorpe University and elsewhere, were urged to take part in the revival. It was found impracticable to revive the southern chapters, however, with the exception of Psi chapter at Bethany College, revived through the efforts of the chapter at Washington, Pa. In the way of extension, a large mass of information in regard to Northwestern University, the University of Georgia, and Randolph-Macon College was collected and placed before the chapters, with good results in regard to the first and last named institutions.

'

A chapter called Kappa Kappa was placed at Richmond College, in December, through the efforts of W. T. Thorn, of the presiding chapter ; one called Lambda Lambda, was established at Wooster University, by the absorption of a local club, the rival of a recently-organized chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, and late in the collegiate year of r87r-72 an alumnus of Zeta placed Mu Mu chapter at Howard College, Marion, Ala. The institution at which the latter was established was under Baptist control, had a military organization and strict regulations against the "fraternities. Our chapter alternately weakened and flourished as these regulations were enforced or not, and was finally withdrawn by the convention of r879·

Alumni chapters were organized at Cincinnati, 0., and Richmond, Va., and one application from Franklin College, Ind., was black-balled. During the college year Alpha chapter, at Miami University, had but one member, and was on the steady road toward destruction. Mu was left weakened by the graduation of her entire membership. Alpha Beta, at the University of Iowa, was torn by internal dissensions, and Alpha Iota, at Washington University, was nearly dormant. Theta, at Ohio vVesleyan, secured a new lease of life through the repeal of anti-fraternity laws, mainly through the effortsofRev. D. H. Moore,ofthe Athens chapter. To offset this picture was a list of active chapters in good condition,. securing the picked men of their colleges and showing grea t interest in their work. Pi, at Indiana University, was in especially fine condition ; in fact, she stood so far above her rivals that one rival chapter (Delta Tau Delta) made propositions to· join the Beta Theta Pi in a body.

The convention of 'r872 met August zrst, at Richmond, Va., under the auspices of the newly-established college and alumni chapters situated there. '.Ii'he convention was a great success, and equaled

*Copyright 1883, by Wm. Raimond Baird.

in enthusiasm and good many of the larger meetings held sin ce. A skeleton badge was adopted, signs of recognition were chosen and delegates instructed toreport them to their chapters. The songbook was ordered published, and was placed in charge of brother C.]. Seaman. Chi chapter was ordered to be re-established at Beloit College, Wisconsin, and petitions from Northwestern and Kansas Universities were referred back to the for their action. It was voted that the next convention be held at Louisville, Ky., and Tau chapter, at Wabash College, was made the presiding chapter.

There were several points of fraternity administration considered at this convention which merit special attention. The first was a request from the members of two chapters for permission to place upon the chapter roll the names of men who had been elected, but who had died pending their initiation. This was granted, and, we think, wrongly, because the men so honored were not Betas. The second was the initiation of a member into the fraternity by direct action of the convention. The circumstances were as follows:

The chapter at the Virginia Military Institute had elected to membership a student who was prevented from joining the chapter purely from family reasons. During his college course he had been intimately associated with the members of the chapter, and was a member in all but name. After graduation he became a student in the Episcopal Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Va ., and there continued his association with members of the fraternity. At his own instance and backed np by the petitions of the two chapters at Lexington , Va., he was unanimously elected a "member at large" by the convention, and then and there initiated, his name being ordered to be placed upon the roll of the V. M. I. chapter. There was also an addition made to the pledge to be taken by candidates at their initiation, the direct outcome of the desertion of the chapter at Western Reserve College It was in effect a promise to uphold the particular chapter as a chapter, in addition to the fraternity as a whole.

A curious point as to transfer of membership arose out of a quarrel in Epsilon chapter. Four members of that chapter became dissatisfied with the conduct of another member, whether with or with-

out just grounds being unnecessary to dwell upon. The discontented brothers did not wish to remain and meet with the chapter, neither did they wish to withdraw from the fraternity. Accordingly, with the full consent and approval of both chapters, they transferred themselves to the roll of Iota chapter, at Hanover College, situated only a few miles away. The convention disapproved of this action entirely, and held that the only means of regularly withdrawing from a chapter was by expulsion, that the transfer was irregular and void, and ordered the names to be restored to the roll of Epsilon. The staff of general officers was increased by the establishment of the office of general secretary, to which Charles D. Walker, of Alpha Theta, was elected, and of general treasurer, which John I. Covington, of Alpha, was directed to fill. The powers of both were somewhat hazy and undefined, but in general the former was to supervise the correspondence of the fraternity, and the latter to take care of the funds. The chapter roll was revised, all the chapters having double names were ordered to substitute the letter "A" for their first letter. The name Beta Beta was changed to Alpha Beta, Gamma Gamma to Alpha Gamma, Delta Delta to Alpha Delta, etc.

The administration of Tau at Wabash College opened favorably by the institution of the revived Chi at Beloit College, Wis. This revival was mainly due to the efforts of Prof.]. D. S. Riggs, of Chicago University, who, failing in his efforts to put any life jnto his own chapter, found a vent for his fraternity enthusiasm in this work. The general secretary, in October, issued printed forms for monthly reports, voting upon chapters, and for use in facilitating the business of carrying on the chapter work. In September the circular preliminary to the establishment of the BETA THETA Pr was issued, and the first number of the paper came from the press December rsth, r872 . · Alpha chapter, at Miami University, Mu, at Cumberland University, and Alpha Beta, at the University of Iowa, ceased to exercise their functions as chapters early in r873. The last act of the year 1872 was the establishment of Alpha N u chapter, at the University of Kansas, the promoters being W. C. Ransom, Michigan, '47, T. J. Gardner, Western Reserve, '58, and L. D. L. Tosh, Miami,

'69. It was rather singular that these three Betas were all members of defunct chapters. In February, 1873, Denison University, at Granville, Ohio, ceased to contain a Beta chapter, owing to the successful enforcement of anti-fraternity laws. A local fraternity at RandolphMacon College, calle.d the Phi Iota Chi, which had been established under the auspices of Prof. T. R. Price, of the U niversity of Virginia, applied for a Beta charter and was instituted as a chapter under the name of Alpha Xi, April 24th, 1873. Thoroughly warming to the work of extension by such successful efforts, Alpha Omicron was placed at Trinity University, Tehuacana, Texas, through the efforts of brothers Morgan and Seay, of Cumberland University, Alpha Pi was placed at the University of Wisconsin, by Works, Forrest, and Q-ray, of the newlyrevived Chi chapter, and Alpha Rho at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., by the aid of 0. R. Brouse, of Asbury. And, in addition, an alumni chapter was organized at Evansville, Ind. The publication of the fraternity journal visibly increased the activity and enthusiasm among the chapters, and under its influence, coml:>ined with that of a new constitution and a good presiding chapter and general officers, the fraternity began to assume a somewhat more consistent form and policy.

The numerical weakness of the chapter at Centre College made it impossible to hold the convention at Louisville in August, as had been anticipated, and the kind invitation of the Cincinnati alumni to hold it in that city was accepted. The prevalence of an epidemic caused its postponement,· however, and the convention did not meet until December 29th, 1873. The publication of the BETA THETA Pr was continued during the summer, however, and helped to bridge over the gap caused by the want of a convention.

Early in the college year of 1873-74 the question whether Beta Theta Pi was to continue to exist as a purely Western fraternity was brought squarely before the fraternity for decision. It will be remembered that under the domination of the Michigan chapter the convention of 1864 had passed resolutions that eastern extension was impracticable and undesirable, and this had seemed to be the settled policy of the fraternity. The determination was unfortunate, and was

largely due to ignorance of the real strength of eastern fraternities and the ease and rapidity with which extension in their field could be accomplished. This policy was a large factor in the desertion of the Western Reserve chapter. As noted above, the chapter at Denison U niversity was dispersed by anti-fraternity laws. Its members, composed of the cream of a college noted for the thoroughness of its instruction, scattered and became students at the various eastern colleges. In most cases, unwilling to join other fraternities, they sought to find a foothold for their own fraternity, and the presiding chapter was made nearly distracted by the simultaneous receipt of propositions to establish chapters at Williams, Brown, Syracuse, Lafayette, and Dickinson, while members of Psi chapter residing in New York advocated the immediate establishment of a chapter at Columbia College. The presiding chapter, imbued with the fictitious idea of the great strength of eastern colleges and fraternities, doubted whether new chapters could successfully cope with older and firmly established rivals, and vacillated until the opportunities had ceased to exist. The Williams, Syracuse, and Brown projects were discouraged and never reached the point of a direct petition, and, though we anticipate a little, we may properly mention here that the Columbia petition was rejected, together with that from Lafayette, while the one from Dickinson, signed by the entire member' ship of a local organization, was accepted. Thus the weakest college seemed by fate to have been selected, and the advance of Beta Theta Pi into the East was retarded for six years. In the fall of r873 Alpha Iota chapter, at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., unexpectedly came to life after remaining dormant for some two years.

The convention called the ThirtyFourth Annual was held at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 29th, 3oth and 31st, 1873. It was very successful. The attendance of delegates and visitors was large, the work undertaken was well done, and the public exercises, consisting of an oration of Hon. Stanley Matthews and a poem by Rev. Earl Cranston, attracted considerable public attention. The discussion of the question of eastern extension was warm an'd animated, but, as stated above, it finally resulted in the disapproval of

such a move, a letter from the Betas at Princeton, commenting on the inadvisability of the step, having much influence. The BETA THETA PI was officially adopted as the organ of the fraternity. Brother Walker was elected to continue as its editor, and it was recommended that a more convenient size and better paper be adopted for it. Alpha Alpha chapter, at Monmouth College, was made the presiding chapter, Chi, at Beloit, and Psi, at Bethany, the latter by reason of small size, and the former because antifraternity laws compelled her to remain sub rosa. A new constitution was adopted, A. N. Grant, of Asbury, was chosen general secretary, R. Harvey Young, of Washington and Jefferson, general treasurer, and John I. Covington editor of the BETA THETA Pr, to s ucceed brother Walker after the expiration of his term of six months. The next convention was ordere d to be held at Evansville, Ind., August zsth, I87S·

In regard to the condition of the chapters, all were stated to be in good condition, except Xi at Knox Colle ge and Alpha Eta at Denison University, owing to anti-fraternity sentiments. It wa s deemed advisab le to re-establi s h Lambda chapter at the Univer s ity of Michigan, and Delta ch a pter at Asbury was enstrusted with that duty. The chapter at \V a shi ngton -Jeffer so n College, formed by the union of Gamma at J efferson and N u at vV as hington, was named Gamma Nu. The general secretary, upon his own recommendation, was ordered to divide the fraternity into five territorial d istri cts for convenience of administration, and to appoint over each district a c hief assistant se<;:retary, who s hould be under his genera l direction. He was also ordered t o prepare a code of administrative law to go into tentative operation until the meetng of the next convention. The ystem of voting u.pon petitions for chapters was amended so that where a chapter did not vote within thirty days it was considered to have cast its ballot in the affirmative. This was a most pernicious practice, and had lasting and evil results.

The year 1874 opened with bright prospects. The paper had been officially recognized, the administrative machinery systematized, the new district system in full operation, and twenty-six strong, active chapters answering to the roJl . call.

Xi Prime had died from the graduation of its last member, but this was the only loss experienced in some time. But it is just when things look brightest that a fall may be expected . Th e chapter at Lafayette failed of establishment, because of circumstances beyond the control of its promoters . But a fine chapter, called Alpha Sigma, was pl"aced at Dickins on College, absorbing a powerful local organization This chapter has had a very remarkable scholarship record. In June the last number of the paper was issued until 1876, the s ubscription not having been enough to support it properly. The presiding chapter at Monmouth, Ill., was obliged to run strictly sub 1'osa, and this seriously impaired its usefulness. Durin g 1874 no convention was held, there were no new chapters granted during thi s year or 1875, and affairs in the fraternity seemed to be at a standstill. The ye a r 1874-75 showed no improvement. The loss or the paper w as severe ly felt, and as it had, in a measure, s upplanted the fraternity correspondence, it was a double loss. But one chapter was voted up o n during the year. This was a petiti o n from the Delta Tau Delta chapte r at Franklin, Ind ., and was rejected with great unanimity. Th e fraternit y see med fated to meet this other fraternity in antagonistic relations In 1859 Psi chapter had been composed of the founders of that then local order. As previou sly menti o ned, their chapter at University of Indiana had petitioned for admission into the fraternity in a body and been rejected, and now came this attempt. A more serious encounter took place, h oweve r, in the fall of 1874· At Ohio We sleyan University we h ave a lready noted that anti-fraternity laws had been repealed through the efforts of some eminent Ohio Betas. In s tarting out upon a new lease of life the Phi Kappa P s i and Delta Tau Delta chapters were prominently successful, while the Beta chapter was only moderately so. The Delta Tau Delta chapter was the "grand" chapter of the fraternity. For reasons unnecessary to state, it s brightest members became much dis sa ti sfied with the standing arid condition of their organization. Con seq uently, after agreeing amicably among them se lves to disband, eig h t of them, together with one member each from the chapters of Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Gamma Delta , joined the Theta

chapter of Beta Theta Pi, placing it in a position far above its rivals, and creating considerable excitement at the university. We are assured that none but the most amicable relations have ever existed between those members of Delta Tau D e lta who joined Beta Theta Pi and those who remafned in Delta Tau Delta, and that the cau s e of the decea s e of the chapter has always been mi s under s tood by the latter fraternity. However that may be, we are plea s ed to rec o rd that the' chapter of Delta Tau Delta at Delaware h a s been revived, and that the fraternity at large has a very good standing. Toward the close of the year 1874-75 efforts . were made to revive the chapter at the University of Michigan, with good prospect of succe s s .

The convention of 1875 met at Evansville, Ind., August 25th, r875· It was very well attended. The nece s sity of a fraternity journal was recognized, and it was ordered to be re-e s tablished, 0. R. Brouse, of Asbury, and D. H. Cheney, of Northwestern, being appointed editors Delta, at Asbury University, was made presiding chapter. D . H. Cheney was elected general secretary and R. Harvey Young was continued as general treasurer. The code of laws reported by the secretary was adopted. Otherwise the enactments of the convention were of little importance. A curious case of chapter jurisdiction arose out of a dispute between Alpha Eta, at Denison University, and Alpha Lambda, at Wooster. The facts are unimportant, but the committee appointed to try the matter reported as the law that "a member was only amenable to the chapter at which he was initiated, or to the chapter to which he had been regularly transferred, or to the alumni chapter of which he was a regular member," and they recommended the passage of an act" giving each chapter exclusive jurisdiction over each Beta attending the college where it is situated, no matter whether he was a member of that chapter or not," and this was accordingly done. An act was also passed making the conventions triennial, but it has ever since remained a dead letter. The next convention was ordered to be held at Detroit, September 3, 1877·

The administration of Delta opened with the re-establishment of Lambda chapter at the University of Michigan, through the active assistance of Grant, of

Delta, Yerkes, of Epsilon, Taggart and Carpenter, of Alpha Lambda, and others. In January, r876, a petition was received from]. C. Hobson, of Alpha Kappa, and C. H. Harri s on, of Alpha Theta, for the establi shment of a chapter at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va . This venerable institution then seemed to have taken a new lease of life after remaining almost dormant for many years; the number of students suddenly increased to nearly one hundred, and among them were repre s entatives of some of the best families in the South . Brothers Hobson and Harrison secured the cooperation of some of the be s t of these students and applied for a charter. It was granted, and the chapter was instituted March 17th, r876, a s Alpha Tau. It may not be out of place here to state that the chapter did not long continue active, but gracefully became defunct after sending to the University of Virginia some of the best students and fraternity men ever seen at that institution. During the month of January the fraternity became a subject of newspaper correspondence. An account of the reason we clip from the BETA THETA Pr for February, 1876: ·

Monday evening, the 17th of January, the Hon. Schuyler Colfax, who is a whole-souled Beta, lectured in Evanston, III., and after the lecture he was invited by the members of Alpha Rho chapter to attend a chapter meeting and partake of the "canine" with them. Schuyler never refuses an invitation of this kind, and he acco rdingl y met with the boys. Immediately upon his arrival at the chapter room a mob, consisting of members of the Sigma Chi and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities, assembled in the outer halls, bowling, singing and conducting themselves more like fiends ·than like students "having a sense of honor" (see the Sigma Chi constitutiOn). This was kept up throughout the meeting, and when, at its close, Mr. Colfax, atte nd ed by the members of Alpha Rho. started for his place, the front door of the building was found to be tied. The party, however, made their exit by the back door. Arriv ed at the outside, brother Colfax delivered an extemporaneous lecture to the mob, which, for point and pungency, excelled even his brilliant platform efforts. The rioters disclaimed any intent to insult brother Colfax, but said they meant to" go for the Beta chapter."

The Chicago papers took the matter up and the offending students were compelled to make a public apology by the college authorities.

In March, owing to the expressed wish of a majority of the chapters, the presiding chapter ordered the place of the convention to be changed to Phila-

delphia, and the time to July sth, IS76. In the spring of this year th e Harvard chapter came very near to a re-establish. ment, seven enthusiastic Betas havin g found themselves to be students there , but they were ignorant of their con s titutional rights and the matter was not pushed. The Betas at Princeton, thou gh maintaining no formal organization, ha d the audacity to carve a tlopr under the very nose of the faculty. Boston U niversity, the new Methodist college, with a large endowment, had attracted the attention of the Betas there attending the professional schoo l s, a nd a petition for a chapter was sen t in in May. During this month Delta met with a great loss. Her records and archives, consisting of a long series of interesting letters , contain· ing personal and historical data of value, were stolen by some of her rivals. Though every effort was made to c a tch the thieves, they eluded pursuit.

The convention met at Philadelphia, July 5th. The attendance was good, though not very large, and the business of the sessio n was promptly dispatched. The chapters were reported to be in a fairly prosperous condition. U nsuccess-

ful efforts had been made to revive the chapters at the Universities of Chicago and Iowa and at Knox College. Petitions for charters from Vanderbilt U niversity, University of California , and McKendree College, Ill., had been rejected. A chapter had been established at William and Mary College and a proposition from Boston University favorably considered. The name of the chapter at Washington and Jefferson College was changed from Gamma N u to Gamma. The provision making the conventions triennial was repealed. Lambda, at Michigan University, was made the presiding chapter, Geo. C. Rankin, of Monmouth, was elected general secretary, G. M. Halm, of Ohio Wesleyan, general trea s urer, and Rev. E. J. Gantz, of Bethany, was made editor of the BET A THETA PI. A plan for forming an endowment fund for the support of the fraternity was con.sidered, but was not adopted. The catalogues were ordered to be printed and the matter of a fraternity jeweler was placed in the hands of a committee for action. Detroit was named as the next place for holding a convention.

RELIGION AND SECRET SOCIETIES.

The proper attitude of secret societies toward religion is a subject of the utmost importance to the entire fraternity world. Every society worthy of existence in the nineteenth century should, in its choice of candidates, exercise a strict regard for pure morality, while making no demands inconsistent with that mental freeClom which permits every man to entertain the convictions of his own reason, and live in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. None will deny that a candidate's religious views should be made one critedon of his desirability ; ye t, a ll will admit that the use of this criterion must not be extended beyond a reasonable limit. To what extent shall a man's religious beliefs be questioned by the society he desires to enter? What degree of freedom in religious belief may be conceded to a would-be member cons istently with the welfare of the chapter

or the fraternity in general ? To answer these questions satisfactorily demands serious thought, and a strict regard for those moral principles upon which a worthy society must be founded.

First let us ask, in what does religion consist? Probabiy, out of a hundred persons no two would return .the same answer. All would doubtless agree that morality constitutes one part of religion ; but, as to what completes the definition, there would be as many opinions as persons. Butler says, in his "Analogy," part ii., chapter 1, par. 5, that christianity should be considered, first: "As a re-publication and external institution of natural or essential religion, adapted to the present circumstances of mankind, and intended to promote natural piety and virtue/ and, secondly, as containing an account of a dispensation of things not discoverable by reason." He says that "natural reli-

gion is the foundation and principal part of christianity," but "not in any sense the whole of it."

Now, it is evident that the moral welfare of a society is dependent, not upon the faith, but the works of its members; for good conduct may arise from various motives. While a society has · the undisputed right to regulate for its own good the actions of its members, it has no just claim to a surveillance of their private faith. It is sufficient evidence that a man entertains the necessary religious beliefs if he evinces, by his conduct, a moral character. As to what constitutes moral character there can be little or no dispute . Morality is the science of social life, teaching the relation of man to his fellows ; and we have the whole sum of the experience of past ages from which to draw our conclusions. All religions, all philosophies of the past have labored for the promotion of this science ; and, although they were unable to remove it wholly from the domain of superstition, the light of the present age enables us to separate the wheat of truth from the chaff of error. Natural religion, or pure morality, which Butler, a highly -accredited exponent of christianity, claims to be the "foundation and principal part" of that system, is based upon universal experience, and its doctrines are demonstrable by reason. Hence we see that the moral phase of religion is an entirely practicable- and all admit that it is an eminently necessarycriterion of a candidate's desirability and worth.

As to the extra-rational side of religion, belief in its doctrines can never be made of universal application as a criterion of personal worth. Since its doctrines are, as Butler says, "not discoverable by reason," belief in them must necessarily partake of the character of faith, and be altogether too intangible for any practical test. Genuine belief is a matter of conviction, conviction is a matter of evidence; and the evidence for the · extra -rational element in religion is of such a nature that the absence of a saving grace precludes its complete acceptance by many minds. The fallible character of all human testimony must forever preclude the hope of obtaining absolutely correct knowledge of truths which lie without the pale of reason. In the realm of the undiscoverable all evidence is of merely relative value. Among the numerous

tenets of the various churches we find some generally accepted, others generally disputed; while from the Roman Catholic to the Unitarian no doctrine rests upon authority of such force as to render it credible to them all. The best of evidence for any one of these various doctrines is not more than what Butler terms "probable ; " and while such evidence is fully adequate to all purposes of faith, it is not of that definite nature which alone can render a doctrine universally credible, and give a widely-extended society the right to demand its acceptance by either candidate or member

To illu s trate the difference between the requirements of natural and those of revealed religion, let us examine some of the moral precepts of Jesus, as found in the New Testament. To the young man who inquired in regard to necessary religious duties (Matthew xix, 16-21) the teacher of Nazareth replied : "Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother , and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;" and added, that to attain perfection he needed only to sell his goods and give to the poor. Every one of these precepts is universally accepted as necessary to the highest state of morality, for they are all in accord a nce with the universal experience of mankind, and their practical application to every-day life can be demonstrated bv reason.

On the other ha;_d, the doctrines of the Immaculate Conception, the Incarnation, and the consequent Divinity of Christ, the Fall, the Vicarious Atonement, and Salvation by Faith, are wholly beyond the scope of human reason; and, however praiseworthy that faith which renders them tenable, it is evident that belief in them must not be demanded of its members by any society not specially organized for their promulgation ; for that belief has no necessary relation to the acceptance and practice of the simply moral element of religion, which alone concerns the welfare of the secular society. Belief in the doctrines just mentioned is urged as necessary not to present, but to future welfare. Pure morals and honest living are consistent even with infidelity, for experience has taught man that to be good is to be happy ; that sin brings its own punishment, virtue its own reward As far as present welfare is concerned, natural

religion and christianity are identical; hence it is plain that the purely moral phase of christianity must be embraced by every socie ty worthy of existence; while it is equally evident that more than this cannot be demanded from candidate or member, without requiring a surrender of the right of private judgment and personal freedom.

It is well known that many churches and many Christians are bitterly opposed to secret societies, some good people even going so far as to assert that they are allied with the powers •of darkness, and that satan is their patron saint. The chief cause of su picion and ground for complaint appears to be that nearly all of these societies do not formally declare their acceptance of Christian doctrines, nor specifically ally themselves with the Christian church. In December last there was held in Baltimore a convention of the "Christian Anti-Secret Society League." President Blanchard, of an Illinois college, delivered an address, and res oluti o n s were adopted denouncing all secret societies ; declaring in particular that the masonic lodge teaches a corruptive morality subversive of both the Christian religion and free institutions, and that the Grand Army of the Republic is a dangerous and insiduous form of secret organization. Tho se who know the nature of the organizations mentioned can appre ciate the injustice of these charges. The misconception (for it is but charitable to call it that) on the part of these good people evidently arises from lack of appreciation of the fact we have been s triv ing to

demonstrate : i. e., that there are two distinct phases of religion - the natural and the super-natural ; and that the acceptance of only the one does not at all imply a rejection of the otlze1'. If the purpose of a secret society is fully subserved by embracing the one and maintaining a strict neutrality toward the other the .church has certainly no cause for complaint. The one is accepted as nece ssa ry to the very existence of a society, while the other, especially in the case of college fraternities, must be productive of not only no temporal good, but much embarrassment a nd confusion. A college fraternity, drawing its material chiefly from sectarian colleges, whose students differ widely in their attitude toward the super -natural elements of religion, must abandon all attempt at harmony of belief in any doctrines save those discoverab l e and demonstrable by reason and experience ; especially when it is universally admitted that only those doctrines so demonstrable are necessary to the moral welfare and stability of a secular society. Hence it is evident that a worthy secret society mu s t embrace, as essential to its well being, the purely moral or natural phase of religion, resting upon univers a lly accepted truths; w bile it should maintain a strict neutrality toward the super-natural or extra-rational element, both for the reason that the latter is unnecessary to its purpose, and because the great diver sity of opinion in regard to its various doctriries renders utterly impossible its universal a pplication . ·

Solon Louer.

VOYAGING.

Silently, over the moonlit sea, My bark glides on toward an unknown shore, Whose shadowy outlines I cannot discern, 'fhough I hear on its reefs the breakers roar .

Behind me the sea swells dark and cold ; And I think of its depths with unbidden tears, For, lost in its unknown caves, there lie All tl:)e hopes and joys of the vanished years.

And just 'neath the stern of my gliding bar!G, I gaze, as the circles wider grow Round the spot where my last fond hope went down, Forever lost in the deptt.s below.

Before me the silver moon bangs low, And marks o'er the waves a pathway bright; And my boat, though the waves behind lie dark, Seems gliding on in a sea of light.

So I gaze ahead, o'er the glimmering sea, And wait and watch for the unseen shore, Where my bark at last shall anchor safe, Her voyaging done, forevermore.

Bravely, then, will I steer my course Along that pathway of silver light, And look not back on the dreary past, Till the welcome headlands shall greet my sight. Will Winsor.

LITERARY SPIRIT OF THE GREEK PRESS.

Revival of Phi Beta Kappa- (Abridged).

[The Delta Kappa Epsilon Quarterly tor January.]

Oldest among the collegiate fraternities of our land is Phi Beta Kappa. Most of us can recall the respect with which, as freshmen, we looked at the square gold keys, with their stars and index fingers and mystic letters, which the spectacled professors wore, and which in turn honor men of the senior class put on just before their graduation.

Little is known of the exact details as to how and in what form Phi Beta Kappa was organized. Beyond this, that the society was founded in William and Mary College, Virginia; by Thomas Jefferson, in 1776, almost nothing is certain.

The society was early established in Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth. It thence extended to many other institutions. But as it only accepted members late in their college · course, and its membership soon came to be regarded as a mark of scholarship and high class rank, it suggested rather than fulfilled the needs of student comradeship. From the fact that 1/J B f( had been organized with a Greek-letter name and under forms of secrecy, came the influence that shaped college clubs and student associations in this country. Following 1/J B K, they have taken Greek-letter names and adopted some form of secrecy. This is curiously shown by the fact that the earliest among them, the f( A, which was organized at Union, in 1825, adopted a key for its badge, and thus followed 1/J B f( in the· form or fashion of its emblem.

Thus were born the younger and now widely-spread Greek-letter fraternities. Their influence on our American college life has been curiously great. Their growth

has been very The of their ties is to-day recognized by old grayhea?cd JUSt as cordially as by those eager young freshmen, to whom their qu a mt pms and are a perpetual but enticing mystery. "Te mp01·a mutantur .et nos mutamur zn zllzs I" well may the Greek fraternities say. Their chapters, of fifty y e a rs ago, were mere student clubs, working within the lines of faculty decrees Their field was then so narrow that their influence was scarcely felt. Later on, as one petty prerogative after another was given up by the college officers , the frat e rn ities extended sc?pe of their influence. Thus the second stage of their deve lo pment b ega n , m which all that concerned the student outside of the curriculum wa s affe cted by their influence. These fraternities concluded that voluntary and pri v ate literary exercises were productive of more real culture than forced efforts e ncouraged b y the faculty-and the old "open debating societies" were no more. In thi s re g ard I think their influence unfortunate. The large debating society has alw a y s se em e d to me a very valuable addition to collegiate training.

Such was the s tatus at the time of the first general attack upon the fraternity s y s t e m. It wa s claimed that the fraternities had established their rule in place of the parental function of the professors, and from one end of the lal)d to the other the di s cu ss ion was maintained. For a score of years it has been practically admitted that the s ocieties have finally succeeded. Looking back now we can see that the burd e n of th e charge against them was true, and, though their defenders sincerely disavowed it, that the dissolution of the "parental system" must be laid in great part a t their door. But they builded better than they knew, and, though unwittingly, were the prophets of the new dispensation. To no one cause more than to the fraternity mo v ement has been due the altered condition of college culture. If these conditions have changed for the worse, the fraternities must bear much of the responsibility ; if, as I belive , they have changed for the better, then to them is a large share of the credit due.

This naturally resulted in a third stage of development now attracting the notice of college officers. In matters of study and discipline each student is now largely guided by his personal predilections, by the advice of those he sees fit to consult, by the moral force of his chosen associations. This association is now largely determined in many colleges by the Greek-letter societies or fraternities. The transformation is thus completed, and the" enlightened autocracy" which the old college was is becoming-in great part has become-an aggregate of student republics which constitute the university of to-day. Being the exponents of the movement which has thus prevailed, the fraternities have met the requirements of circumstances they have thus so largely brought about. At each loosening of the "parental" care of the college there has been created for them a new opportunity which they have promptly accepted. The consequences have been a development undreamed of by their founders, but in every way legitimate and su.bstantial. The members of the "little clubs" of the past shared responsibility for a small rental, and were common owners of a limited stock of furniture, whereas the Greek-letter chapter of to-day is frequently a chartered corporation, with club house, dormitories and libraries, maintaining complicate and important relations with its college, its sister chapters, its alumni and the central executive of its fraternity.

To-day, when differences between students and faculty are discussed by the press and public with equal deference to the views of each side, the authorities of more than one noted college are urging leading fraternities to give them the influence of their ch a pter s Very different views are held by very thoughtful men. Ex-President White, of Purdue, still believes they should be put down, and argues that the dassical and literary tendencies of the "Greek societies" are so strong that a scientific college must combat them; while President White, of Cornell, finds them useful factors in university government. The faculty of Amherst, abdicating its old position as sole guardian of college order, has called to its aid a committee of students whose s election is practically made by the fraternities. Bowdoin has placed the' discipline of the college in the hands of students, a majority of whom are chosen as direct representatives of these chapters. On every hand college corporations are disavowing much of the old responsibility for the personal conduct and moral guidance of students, and the fraternities are left as the sole efficient and stable centers of student organiza-

tion . It is thus seen that we have to consider a new status of things. The time is apparently at hand when "college government" is to be very largely changed into "student government," and it is in meeting this, their new responsibility, that the fraternities have taken upon themselves the intense activity which has marked the past five years .

The most venerable of them all, Phi Beta Kappa, was a factor in liberal education in this country from the beginning. Without the opportunity which later times afforded its successors, it filled so well its early and modest place that it suffered the misfortune of patronage, and if! B J(, an association of kindred spirits devoted to liberal learning, was so carefully watched over by professorg, and so swathed with tokens of re s pect by faculties, that it h a s been in danger of dying from excessive attention-of being treated as a roya.l. mummy and entombed with monumental honors.

if! B K had been dormant for many years- existing in silence-an honorary society merely, a name, a watch charm, a red ribbon. But three years ago a committee was appointed at Harvard, whose chapter is now the oldest in the fraternity, to arrange for a convention of all the chapters at Cambridge, in r88r , to commemorate the centennial of the Harvard Alpha. At this convention, which was the first general assembly of the fraternity, twenty-nine delegates were present, repre s enting twelve chapters. ·

A meeting was held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., on the 6th and 7th of September, r88z, and the new constitution was submitted , discussed, amended, and finally adopted by the unanimous vote of the convention. It was ratified by some delegations and by others recommended to their chapters for ratification. The constitution was to take effect when ratified by fourteen chapters. It was ratified by seven on the above date. It has now , as I am informed by the secretary, been ratified by sixteen, and thus stands as the organic law of this fraternity.

The "Constitution of the United chapters of the Phi Beta Kappa Society" consists of fourteen articles. The first provides for the composition of the national council, consisting of certain senators and dele g ates, each chapter being entitled to three delegates, who must be graduates of at least five years' standing. Article 2 provides for the senate, "consisting of twenty senators, chosen by the delegates of the first session of the national council from the society at large, " and thereafter to consist of thirty senators, perpetuated by alternate elections. The senate is divided into two classes, whose terms expire respectively at the adjournment of alternate regular sessions 0f the national council. This national council is synonymous with the "convention" or "congress" of other fraternities . It is officered as they are. There is a provision, however, that the president shall be chosen from among the senators. A provision is . also made that the national council shall meet on the first Vvednesday of September in every third year.

Article 7 provides for granting new charters, and requires that all applications be made to the senate at least six months before the regular session of the national council. .

The first meeting of the national council (which may be considered the fourth meeting under the new movement) was held at Saratoga on the 5th of September, 1883. Thirteen chapters were represented. U ncler the new constitution of the fraternity it was necessary to elect the senators. The following gentlemen were chosen: The Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale, Prof. Adolph vVerner, 0. B. Frothingham, George William Curtis, Justin Winsor, Oliver W. Holmes, Jr., President Eliot, of Harvard; Prof. Theodore W. Dwight, Jo s eph H. Choate, Prof. John H. Wright, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Walbridge A. Field, Rev. Dr Richard S Storrs, President Angell, of Michigan University; President Francis A. Walker, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the compiler .of this article.

Among the important enactments of this first council stand the following : The secretary was directed to obtain from every chapter a complete l ist of its membership. Probably if! B K stands next to Ll K E in point of numbers, it being now estimated that it has. over seven thousand members, although no general catalogue has ever been pubhshed. As to finance, arrangements were made for levying the first assessment on the chapters, and the administration of the fraternity - thus speedily and

succes_sfully awakened from its long lethargy-was placed in the hands of its central committee.

Such are the methods which have been adopted by rJ.) B K. To what do they tend? It might be presumptuous to propose an end to which rJ.) B /{should be guided. But some of the tendencies of our venerable and honored fraternity are already well <lefined.

To-day younger Greek-letter societies give tone to the student life of many of our colleges, and these colleges are rapidly becoming student democracies. In this office (/) B ft' has little share. It is late in the course that her elections are made, and then from those who have dedicated themselves most unreservedly to liberal culture. Is her mission, outside of cottage walls, and after graduation, to systematize and make effective the force of American educated thought ? In short, shall she attempt for society at large what is done by the student chapters of each college for their own under-graduate world ? Is this dream chimerical-or is there in it some suggestion of possibility ? To those who have mOTe fortunate opportunities for literary work and collegiate effort the answer must be left. Should it be realized we should surely advance those ''humanities" whereby all educated men are of common kin.

Stewart L. Woodford.

A Plea. for College Fra.ternities-(Abridged).

I[The Chi Psi Pw-ple and Gold for November.] · College life has ceased in this country to be regarded as a mere episode in a youn man's existence. Severed for four years from the ties of home, from the restraints of parental influence, and from the advantages of the social relations of the household, it is universally conceded that these years have more to do with developing the character than those spent in either previous or subsequent education. Friendships formed in college and the influences to which young men are there subjected shape their future lives for good or evil. It is there that the character is moulded, the education is practically completed, and the future usefulness of the man when he graduates from the institution is determined. The result does not depend on the mere educational part of the course. Proficiency in study is but a slight factor in the insuring of future success in life. It is worthy of note that comparatively few who graduate at the head of their class attain in after life to the prominence of those who took even a secondary part in the ranks at the time of graduation. Many students who exhibit great literary merit, unusual perseverance, and often marked ability during their college course, fail utterly when brought in contact with the world at large, and often are never heard of after receiving the first academic honors in the power of the institution to bestow. This is a matter which concerns every parent having the welfare of his son at heart. ;Men are naturally proud of the proficiency exhibited by their children during their college life; but they are still more interested in having them succeed in the life which lies beyond commencement-day-a term aptly used to indicate that the work in college is intended only as a foundation of the structure to be built by the subsequent career of the graduating student.

It is hardly necessary to say that time has demonstrated that friendships formed in college continue during after life. On the selection of these friends and the character of the friendships, then, depends in no small degree the character of the student who forms them. "A man," says the old proverb, "is known by the company he keeps," and it is lamentably true that "evil communications corrupt good manners." No parent of judgment will recommend his son entering a college to select his friends indiscriminately. Only those whose habits, social relations, intellect and judgment comport with the young man's own position and tend to his future welfare are desirable. And then the question arises, "How is he to select these?" What course shall he adopt in making that selection ? What guaranty is there of the stability of the friendships thus created ?

There have sprung up within the past century in this country, comparatively one of the new nations of the earth, a series of fraternities, or secret organizations, among college students, whereby some are chosen out of the many from their peculiar characteristics or qualities, as the tried friends of each other, and those on whom each member can rely as disinterested in his friendship, judicious in his counsel,

discreet in his advice, and benefici al in his influence and depbrtment . The olde s t of these fraternities was originated with the element of literary merit as its characteri s tic and essential part, but it was not long before it was discovered that something more was required than mere intellectuality to constitute an intimacy between young men . While there is much to admire in the development of the br a in and in the preeminence which intellect in this country gives to its possessor , yet it i!\, not always those who are the most erudite scholars, or the mo s t zealous students, who are the most agreeable companions or the most desirable friends. There is, to a certain degree, , a sort of crystallization of the social powers a s the sequence of intellectual development, and those whose time is consecrated to arduous works of the brain too often become crystallized , as it were, in the discharge of their duties, are absorbed in their literary pursuits, and care for nothing and value nothing unless it is in some way connected with the life which they lead . Hence it was not long before other fraternities were founded, having for their object the creation of a more intimate relation than one founded on literary merit alone ; and prominent among these stands the Chi Psi fraternity, which owed its creation to a number of young men in Union College , in the year 1842 Many of the se have passed away, but the fraternity which they founded shows to-day by its coherence that they did their work well, and that the principles which were moulded by them, embodying the requirements of admission to the rights of brotherhood, were correct, steadfast and enduring. Since then numberless other fraternities have sprung up and exist to-day in almost every college of the Union. Some of them are characterized by the nu·mber of students they receive; others by the prdficiency of their members in their studies; and others, again, by the prominence of their social relations and propularity on the score of intellectual ability or personal talent. There are a few whose sole purpose and object is frivolous dissipation. Of course, the student who enters college is often beset with difficulty in the way of selecting his associates. Too often an effort is made to secure his entrance into a fraternity by its members simply for the purpose of swelling its numbers by adding his name to its roll. And hence it behooves the student to ascertain for himself whether those who constitute the chapter are those whom he desires to number for life among his personal friends Properly used and judiciously exerted, the power of the fraternal bond soon becomes apparent. Its members stand ready to assist each other when in doubt or trouble, and the academic success of one reflects credit on the whole chapter. As the latter comprises members of all the college classes , the youngest member profits by the wisdom and experience of the elder; and thus the intimacy pervades the entire college community, differing in this respect from the friendships of mere classmates, f.ew of whom excel the other either in age or experience. The faculty and trustees of the college often, through ignorance or prejudice, endeavor injudiciously to interfere with the existence of these u s eful societies. Whenever this is successfully done, as unhappily has been the case in some of our most prominent colleges, the results show that after the student graduates, apart from a vague general sense of gratitude for the benefit which he is supposed to have derived from his college course, there is little to unite him to his earlier acquaintances, still less to remind him of his college days gone by, as he grows older , and nothing to keep alive his interest in an institution which, while it may be perfect as a seminary of learning, h a s deprived him for four years of the advantages of his home without presenting anything but a dry education in retl1rn.

So, too, parents ought to examine this subject seriously , before permitting their sons to enter colleges, and, again, before encouraging them either to pledge themselves. or to become members of college fraternities. They should first carefully examine the printed catalogues and records of the latter, and see for themselves who the men are that in their day and generation founded and adorned the fraternity, and who are the ·present members with whom, were they still in the college, they would prefer to associate, or to have their sons associate, as close and intimate friends . It is idle to suppose that the professors or trustees of a college will attend to these matters As a general rule, they care n·othing about them. Possibly they may recommend or encourage some mere literary society as a sort of mental relaxation for students, but too. often they prefer to have the students severed, as it were, from every possible tie, in order that they may be under the eye of the faculty, like mere school boys kept in

terror by the threat of the rod. Bear·in mind that school and college are totally different institutions. In school study is a matter of routine; in college life is the subject of the education. Turn a collegian into a school boy and you have as a result an intellectual automaton; transform a school boy into a collegian and you begin his development as a man. With the school boy there is no responsibility; with the college student he must think and act for himself. The wise will do well to consider this matter, and those who have yet to learn the advantages of the fraternal tie will find in the education of their own offspring a practical illustration of the necessity of its creation, propriety of its encouragement, and the advantages which are its results when that tie is properly formed and judiciously cemented.

Hon. Elbridge T. Gerry, President of Chi Psi.

A Commemoration Da.y a.t Oxford (1882). [The Alpha Delta. Phi Star and Ore&cent for November.]

I went down to Oxford Wednesday morning, June 14th, for the special purpose of seeing what an English university was like. It was so very unlike any performance at home that I was very glad I did go. I found my way, ju·st after eleven, to Prof. Price's house (dating from 1400, and the oldest house in Oxford), where I obtained the promised card of admission at the hands of the daughter, who played one of the violins at the commemoration concert on Monday. The ticket was particularly labeled "not good for undergraduates "-the reason for which will presently appear.

I reat:hed the Sheldoriian Theatre about half an hour before the exercises, which were to begin at noon, but even then found only the last seat in the house at the top of the upper gallery alongside the organ. However, the seat was near the window, so that, by and by, I could see the procession of the dons as it came through the quadrangle as well as afterward when it entered the hall. The "theatre" is an oval building of considerable size, the floor without seats, but surrounded on all sides by two great galleries. Now that the building was filled these seemed one bank of faces and clothes. The floor space was occupied exclusively by M. A.s, in their black gowns, standing ; the chair of the vice-chancellor and the seats reserved on either side of him for the heads of colleges and the distinguished people of the day, were almost the only places vacant. Years ago the university authorities attempted to quell the annual riots for which this gathering is the occasion, by banishing the students first from one part of the house to the other, and finally by giving away most of the seats to ladies and outsiders-which accounted for the prohibition on my ticket. The two or three hundred undergraduates who still found places were enough, however, to make a din which, one would think, could hardly have been surpassed under the old regime, for any idiosyncrasy of dress or anything else in the audience was in turn made the object of their kind attentions. A man who had the misfortune to wear a yellow tie was the point of attack through most of the preliminary half-hour. "Take off that tie, sir!" called out an expostulatory voice from the top gallery; "It isn't pretty," mildly observed another; "The ladies don't like it, sir" ; "It's not a nice color, sir," etc., and so on until the organist drowned the din for awhile with Gounod's Wedding March. But this was no sooner finished than they began again : " You haven't taken that yellow tie off yet, sir," and again and again and until the obstinacy of the unfortunate individual with the yellow tie quite tired them out.

Then they sought other objects for attack. " I see another white waistcoat," annqunced one observant gentleman. "Where?" shouted the whole crowd. "The man in the organ loft," said the voice. "Take it off, sir," chorused the crowd-but as this was rather impossible the advice was changed to "Turn it inside out," and this not being done, he was asked how much it cost, and when he got it out of pawn, and other more personal questions. A gentleman with a yellow overcoat surrendered instantly at the , first attack.

The ladies then came in for their share, and three cheers were given successively for the "ladies in pink," for the "lady with the yellow fan" (which was rather more individual), and finally for the "natives" as three ladies entered in Hindoo costume, I

and were shown seats of distinction. I found reason to be grateful to the polite undergraduate near me who had touched me on the shoulder as I came in, and kindly si1ggested that if I did not t ake off my hat at once it might " cau se attention."

I quite thought that the riot would end as the dons appeared, but when the vice-chancellor in his academic robes, the masters of college s in their doctor's robes of red, the proctors with white hoods, and the rest of the procession came in, filing through the quadrangle, and by a little lane which was opened through the standing M. A.s, the unnecess a rily deafening applause was hushed only to allow of still more insinuating remarks as the vice -chancellor got f a irly started in his long harangue in Latin. "Now translate," called out one undergraduate , who thought the "vi ce ." had been given as much time as he gave other people. When he said "universitate," "ta tem, sir, tatem, " cried out another ; and then at every pause to take breath came a general shout of the catch word that some of them had picked up, "honoris causa."

The next martyr was the professor of poetry, Shairp, who ascended one of the two pulpits at the sides to deliver the Latin address in commemoration of the founders. " Don' t look in s ide your hat, sir," was the first admonition addressed to him. " Oh ! that won't do at all," and, "Really, sir, we can't pass yo u," were also bits of revenge now that the mouse had the cat in play.· " How man y p ages more, sir?" and " Oh ! turn over two leaves, sir," were further bits of kindly-meant advice, but his persecution was interrupted by the startling discovery, announced in a loud voice, " Dr. Robinson's asleep ! " " Wake up , !" came a stentorian cry from all over the houseand he did wake up, and evidently felt very queer.

Then came the recitation of the prize essays, etc., from the undergraduates, whose pride had constant falls in the unsympathizing remarks of their less f or tunate (ellows There was a good deal of Greek and Latin , in the cour se of which the orators were · well baited. Then came some English : " What language is that ? " cried one voice. " Why, it's English ! " answered a second, in mock surprise. "No, it isn' t ," remonstrated the other. The orator then h ap pened to advert to an event of some centuries back , which caused the interpolation of" How do you know that, sir ? " and finally one poor fellow was so badgered that his hand began to tremble suspiciously. "Your hand is shaking, sir," called out a too acute observer; "Bad sign, sir, this time in the morning." Another followed up the cue and suggested, "Better take some brandy and soda, sir." Presently , however, there came an exception, for when the N ewdigate prize poem was read, the men became interested, and were absolutely quiet-the only lull in the entire performance.

The great excitement of the day, however, was during the conferrin g of the honorary degrees upon the half-dozen distinguished men, who appeared in propria persona, introduced by Prof. Bryce in brief Latin speeches, lauding the achievements of each individual as he was presented. Browning was evidently the man in whom interest concentrated, and accordingly the most particular attentions were given to him. As he appeared an enormous cartoon, caricaturing himself and his poetry, was let down from the gallery right in front of him, and as the address of eulogy was concluded an enormous red cotton nightcap, suggested hy his title of "The Red Cotton Nightcap Country," appeared at the top of the building over his head, gradually came down, was suspended over him like a halo as the vice-chancellor shook hands and congratulated him, and thence wavered over him, passing from hand to hand above, as he passed along part of the semi-circle to take his doctor's seat. As he seated himself, down it came, aimed most accurately. Browning, much amused,, put up his. hand to make a grab at it, but the fellow above was too sharp, and up 1t went agam to the top. The proctors, meanwhile , had been deploying for the capture of the obnoxious article, and so there began a O'ame of" hide and seek," to the intense edification of the crowd. At ·last one of the"'m got hold of the string, hauled it in, and made off with it, amidst the hoots and jeers of the students.

This was the climax of the proceedings. The whole affair lasted only about an hour and a half. As I came out I met Browning, at the moment left in solitude, and was minded to congratulate him on having had a cardinal's hat as well as a doctor's degree conferred upon him.

R. R. Bowker.

A Rural Reverie.

[The Zeta Psi Monthly for December.]

Every gentleman should have a piazza attached to his country house. More especially should this be the case if he has a spl end id view to delight his eyes. Proceeding upon that general principle I h ad one erected arounu my house, where I could see a picture whose market value would be, if painted by a first-cla ss artist, $zoo,ooo. Mine, of course, was traced and colored by the skillful hand of Nature, and could be seen four times in each ye:tr with entirely new coloring. And I am unable to determine which picture is the best in execution, so infallible is the hand of Nature. Some men love hor ses, some a fine house with a well-appointed ' table, some an immense library, some rich furniture, and some a beautiful garden or other parts of a house, but give me my piazza on such a day as the present in June, when all nature seems half awake and half asleep, when a thousand sweet and soul-like sounds float upon the air, when insect life and bird life has reached its highest point of development, when every blade of grass silently growing is the exponent of a force greater than that which impels the volume of water over the rocky steep of Niagara. These are my quiet thoughts, as, seated in my easy chair on a calmJune afternoon on my piazza, I smile at poor struggling, fuming, fretting humanity in Wall streetthey are after gold and I have it in the sunshine ; they are worried about the stock market ; my stock is quietly browsing upon the hills, ready to give me a rich dividend of milk and cream; the stock is watered, not the dividend, as in the city. Music, too , lends a charm to the scene, and from the adjacent parlor sounds float out upon the air and travel on in continuous waves over the meadow to the wood, and the sighing trees listen and whisper to each other their criticism. I know whose master hand flies over the magic chords ; it seems to me like the indistinct music of the brook now quietly floating through the meadow in the shadow of the tall grass, then rushing in the deep shade of the wood, then over the rough stones which only for a moment stay its gentle course, and, finally joining some large stream, its identity is lo st. Some such thoughts as these float through my mind as the rippling wave of music comes from the parlor within, rising and falling, ebbing and flowing, until it ceases altogether, and naught is heard but the still small voice of nature from the thousand insects who throng the air, the wood and the grass. How pleasant to watch the approaching train with its load of men of business on their way to Albany and theW est. Perhaps in some seat by himself is the lawyer with his appeal papers in his pocket, all primed and full of modern instances. When I think of him I smile, for I know there will be a number rushing in and out inquiring for me at my place of business, while here I am, heavily entrenched with a strong, deep, flowing river between me and the grimy city . . For a while I am safe, my brain is out on the pasture and there it is going to stay for a while-business or no business. I am one of those who believe in now and then taking a spree on nature 's champagne which does not intoxicate but only exhilarates.

'Jacob Shrady.

Dawn.

[The Golden Key for January.]

The dusk earth glooms in folds of velvet shadow, That lies so deep on forest, hill and down, No black line marks the ridge above the meadow, No gleamiug spire betrays the hidd en town.

Meseems the world is wholly new since even; The land that yesternight was fair to me Has slipped through some deep cl eft by earthquake rive!l, And left the rugged bed of one great seaThe great sky-sea; that lying without motion, Is sapphire-blue about the reefs of stars, Or pours the clear, pale gree n of shallow ocean, Above the day-dawn's yellow, sandy bars. How deep and still the midmost zenith's cincture! So deep no diver ever may pierce through ; Nor hope of gain make any tempt to venture, To bring the red moon's sunken gold to view.

But there where points of stars are seaward gleaming, Methinks that unseen angels tread the way ; And look far off if they may see the beaming Of that first radiance of millennial day.

Not yet, not yet; horizon clouds are breaking, In lapping waves that glimmer and are gone; The pale, brown shore they touch is all awakingNot yet, not yet; but is it not the dawn?

Minnetta T. Taylor.

Run Down.

[The Phi Kappa Psi Shield for December.]

I suppose that the red-browed, gypsy moon Will never peer out of her tent, Nor glide down the dusk of this dim-lighted June On missions of witchery bent; Nor pause beside my casement-square To peep through the shivering vine, And rustle her cards of fortune there To hint what a fortune is mine. She lies, poor moon, in a deathly swoon, Away in the dark somewhere, And turn of tide nor ray of moon Can ever wake her there ; For time, you must know, became so slow, And carried so heavy a weight, That the clock at last refused to go, And stopped at five minutes of eight.

I suppose that the handsome, harlequin sun Will never leap out of the dawn, To dance in a frolic of dazzle and fun Down stretches of woodland and lawn; Nor scatter the dews in a sparkling rain, As he bursts through blossom and thorn, To bid me at my window pane A wake to his carnival morn. Alas! poor sun ! he lies undone Away in some region dim, Where a wedding-bell, the merriest one, Could scarcely awaken him ; For time became so weary and slow, And went at so laggard a gait, That thP. clock at last' forgot to go, And stopped at fi.ve minutes of eight.

And I, ah ! I shall wait in the gloom

For ages and ages to come, Like one in the core of a pyramid-tomb, Enswathed in darkness, and dumb. But yet I shall keep one cool, sane thought In a brain not utterly mad, And one warm joy, not all distraught, In a bosom not utterly sad. If the sun should start in a dream of his noon, Or the moon wake out of her sleep, For an oath that was sworn by the sun and the moon I then might have cause to weep. So die , red moon! and thou , gay sun, Let darkness be thy crown, Lest I come to learn that life is undone Because Love, and not Time, has run down!

0. E. Watson.

POTPOURRI.

A peaceful calm seems now tq pervade the fraternity press, from which it may be imagined that the fraternities themselves are at peace. The rivalries incident to the opening of the year being passed, the chapters have settled down to the routine work of the year, and now, · turning their atten tion in upon themselves, have se t abo ut to oil and improve thei r internal machinery and lay plans for the coming commencement season, and even for the next succeeding year. The general good-will of rival chapters is manifested in many places throughout t,he college world. At Delaware, recently, some seventy fraternity men sat down to a pan-hellenic feast, and made the occasion liv ely by toasts and songs. The rude implements of warfare used years ago have been l a id aside in many of our institutions, and the bitter hostilities of the past have so ftened into generous emulations. A higher sense of the duties and responsibilities of fraternities has been created, largely through the fraternity press, and having vied with each other for months in self-adulation, the leaders of the leading fraternities have discovered, each fraternity for itself, that there are merits even in rival organizations; and the suspicion has grown into a belief th at, after all, there are certain common aims, and that there should, therefore, be common sympathies among the different fraternities. They are members of one great family, without a doubt, and as members of the sa me family have their indi vid ual traits and situations in life, so have the several fraternitie s. This one i s older and richer and possibly better lookin g, with a more numerous progeny and a larger circle of friends ; another has grea ter intellectual pow ers and more cultivated tastes ; one is inclined towards politics ; another towards religion : a fifth is an erring son and brings disgrace up o n the family ; one has popular and pleasing airs ; another is morose and uncongenial. But they are college fraternities for all that, and must recognize a common parentage and a common· brotherhood.

Some of the feature s of Beta Theta Pi are · so characteristic as t o ha ve become objects of common acqu a intance among other fraternities. To some they are matters of curious interest , to others of endless solicitude . There are those who as familiarly as ourselves speak of our peculiar institutions, and with the utmost respect and kindly spirit, while others, even like our fair friends of the Golden Key, affect to grow weary of the family affairs of Beta Theta Pi, and express an occasional desire that we would keep these things to ourselves. But it delights us to speak in riddles. The true meaning of the names and terms so f a miliar to the general fraternity world being known only to ourselves, we feel like prattling foreigners, who boldly use their native tongue to plot against the unsuspecting occupant of the adjoining seat. Only we don't plot. We have an intense goodwill for all who wear the badges of the Grecian tribes- diamond,cross or crescent, or even the golden key, of which, however, we are very shy. The smiles of all fair, and the friendship of all stalwart Greeks, are objects which we deem worthy of the most industrious endeavors. But it is impossible to speak among ourselves in meaning terms without a use of the vernacular; and if other fraternities and the outside world pick up our language what odds is it? The divinity whose praises we chant within the sacred temples appears in shining form to those alone who truly love and worship a t his s hrine. What, then, though known by name throughout all Hellas ? What though Athens' names and the customs of her people are blown among the Peloponnesians ? Her mysteries rest within the penetralia of her temples , and her incense rises only from her inmost altars.

Social distinction in Cincinnati during the week has depended solely upon the possession of a specimen of that carnivorous mammal belonging to the genus canis and the family canidre, commonly called the" dorg." Cuvifl r says the dog was necessary for the establishment of human society, and one is tempted to believe the dog (thoroughbred and no flaws in his

pedigree) is necessary to the continuance of human happiness.-Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, March 9.

The late dog-show at Cincinnati, through the inadvertence of the editor, passed without comment in these columns, much to the disappointment of many readers, who, we find, anticipated a full account of that interesting national affair. The great importance that has been attached in America to all matters pertaining to the dog, since the animal became renowned as a part of the sacred mysteries of Beta Theta Pi, is but a modern instance of that apotheosis so common to ancient times, whereby the intellectual creations of the enlightened few became embodied in material objects for the understanding and edification of the masses. The symbolism peculiar to Beta Theta Pi, while at times assailed by those who have but sipped the Pierian waters, has grown to a place in the popular superstitions of this country with all the subtleness common to the growth of great mysteries among the people. Not understood, such mysteries are received because they are supported by a class of men who stand high in the popular esteem, and because they are not understood few are fearless enough to attack even the forms in which the vulgar conceptions are embodied, lest they bring reproach upon themselves and the charge of interference with well-established creeds and doctrines; though indeed the active promoter of these same creeds and doctrines could ill make clear their origin and meaning. Now we are bound to state, from an inside knowledge of affairs, that it was not the purpose of our Greek fathers to foist upon the American public the dog as it is now popularly understood. Dog-shows were not within the contemplation of the fathers, and the delicacy manifested upon the part of iconoclasts generally towards attacking the dog, in all .his multiformity, while it accords with our own ideas of propriety and discretion, need in nowise be exercised through fear of offending the inmates of this sanctum or any other sanctum of which we are part or parcel. There are dogs and dogs. Illustrations of the fact are constantly recurring, and, as in every other theology or mythology, an interesting though oft-times amusing study is afforded in the exercises of zealots for bringing into prominence the respective dogmas which they represent.

We pass by the dog-show, and while admitting that the fraternity may in a measure be responsible for the popular enthusiasm which gives rise to such demonstrations, we disavow any direct complicity in the affair. These dog-shows are no more fairly attributable to us, on account of our traditions, than are babyshows, with which we have nothing in common.

The promise is out for the opening of the Chautauqua Lake Club grounds by the ·r st of July. The first call has been made, and brother Seaman, with his usual vim, is pushing the scheme towards consummation. Perhaps the coming season at W ooglin will be in the nature of an out-door exercise-a picnic, after a fashion-as the club-house plans, which are to be finally perfected, will probably be laid over for a season in order that the designs may be more deliberately carried out and in no way bungled. Cottages, and such temporary equipments as will serve the purposes of the season and make life comfortable as well as spicy, are in the minds of the projectors of the club-house scheme, for the coming summer. A number have already signified their intention to make W ooglin their family resort this summer, and the flow of transient visitors, college boys as well as alumni, will make a very continuous season of enjoyment.

If we are to believe the reports of those who have been there, the new summer rest of the fraternity affords an endless variety of attractions for fraternity men, who, beyond the pleasures always incident to such meetings, will find wanting but few of the sources of a buoyant recreation. Mayville, we are told, is a charming little town, a mile across the lake, with all the enticements of good living and good society; a somewhat fashionable resort, they say ; none too pious in its airs, but by no means totally depraved. The Chautauqua Assembly grounds are a mile or more further off in another direction, affording a happy retreat for those who seek the solitude of a crowd or the divertisements of religious, scientific and literary entertainments. The scene from W ooglin, they tell us, will comprehend a wide sweep of a beautiful portion of the lake, placid and engaging in the sunlight and brilliant with illuminations and pyrotechnics at

night. W ooglin proffers its own attractions, and when in full sway will not permit its frequenters to long for the fle s h-pots of those other places ; but the whole atmosphere of the lake breathes of recreation and summer holiday, so that he who does not care to stay a lw ays at home may stroll away and still not be without the pale of Chautauqua's attraction s.

The alumni chapter idea has taken a

new form at Cincinnati, in the organization of the Dio genes Club , a strict ly informal association, which meets every Saturday night. It is well attended and constantly grow in g. There are some unique features in the plan of its organiz ation which seem to have a dded to its success. The room of the club is editorial headquarters, and the store of fraternity and college literature c onstantly on hand adds not only to the interest but to the general information of the members.

EDITORIAL.

WHAT s hall be the policy of a fraternity is a question that is particularly pertinent to the present age. A new era in fraternity life and prospects has just dawned; the old conditions of things are being ruthlessly inv es tigated and disturbed, and in a number of the societies there has come to pass a powerful revulsion against former methods arid management. It is a real awakening, th e reason of which may be ascribed to two causes; the better appreciation in the college world in general of fraternity aims and benefits, and the stimu lu s to efrorts for betterm en t and advancement that this improv ed stat u s of affairs has given the fraternitie s themselves. It is not easy to account for the direct origin of thes mov ements. They have been gradual and are of s low growth, until they have attained s uch a pitch of strength that their importance is not full y realized, because so commendable to all. We may, in general, ascribe the r es ult to the widespread progress of educational interests in our country. With the increa sing interest in colle g iate affairs, stricter attention has been given to an inquiry into the best methods of college government, into the details of student life, with a consideration of the best means of regu · lating the same. Among other matters involved in this review of affairs, the claims of fraternities have presented themselves. They have been given a hearing -which is more than a usual privilege in many instances_:_and their objects and influence, when properly deserving and

consistent of record , have been, in most cases, adjudged meritorious. This is a great advance Truth h as no bitterer fo es than ignorance and prejudice, which have so often combated the Greek-letter societies with inveterate obstinacy and regretahle success. But n ow the former generation of intolerancy is passing away; the ear ly members of fraternities, initiated as college students, have now become men of mature age and judgment, and have, many of them , taken important positions in society, education and politics. They a! ways knew th a t the evils so frequently and r elentlessly descanted up o n by their erstwhile superiors but present associates in the world were, in the main, chiefly imaginary and always highly exaggerated, and now the !r opinion and influence on this subject have com e to have weight in accordance with their in worldly affairs.

vVHAT shall b e the outcome? Shall fraternities remain inactive and cling- to more or less narrow and imperfect methods , or shall not e ac h revivity it se lf and spring forward t o se ize up o n that fair portion which it may d ese rve hy its energy and its inherent good ? V'v' e think the latter course the manlier and braver, and of more certain advantage in the long run under such a changeJ and varying condition of affairs as will now be encountered in the educational world during its present progres s Every fraternity h as its peculiar reputation, of course, and peculiar sty le s of manage-

ment and morale. But even in the past these characteristics have been subject to chan ge for the better or worse, and no one would pretend to rate the societies in the same order as they would have reckoned even a decade ago. This revision of opinion is not due to the action of circumstances merely, nor to a helpless inertia on their part to depart from their determined orbits. The mutation is due, in mo s t cases, to an in s pirational influence and activity from within the body of the society itself. Other agencies, of course, have their effect. Colleges have waxed and waned, and with them the · status of the fraternities depending upon them. But mainly the moving agency has been internal. Where there has been an improvement it is mainly because the control of affairs has pa sse d into the hands of men of fore s ight, energy and good judgment, who have persistently and successfully outlined a policy of management that is in k eep ing with the objects to be attained, and is not hampered by ancient traditions th a t were never perfectly efficient in effect and are now manife s tly unsuit ed to the present age. Such a result, thus attained, s hows plainly enough that "honor and fame from no condition rise"-fraternities not excepted; that reform in methods and action will work an advance in profit and esteem ; and that every society possesses the possibility of evolving it se lf into a condition of vantage and honor, even from comparative insignificance or disadv a ntageous record and belongings.

INTO what channel shall a fraternity's efrorts be turned? An answer to this question involves a consideration of fraternity obligations and characteristics, but may be, perh a ps, roughly outlined as follows : The primary object in viewthe chief one, on which all details should be based-is the furtherance of the best ideas and priilcipres ot life among college s u ents. THey come away from home, m ny of theii.1 for the first time, open to a ll the impressions and impulses of early manhood. They can and should no longer be governed by the principles of p rental restraint, but should be treated as their natures guided and ?eveloped into maturity of judgment and intellect. The means by which these results may be attained should be the

?actuating motives of a fraternity. Manliness, morals, the manners of the world and society, a taste for literature, science and politics, and the companionship of cultured people-these are what we hold to be the chief de s iderata oflife in general, and, therefore, of those just entering into mature life. We do not believe in a too strict devotion to any one aim, evenl of that which a man adopts as his profession, to the exclusion of all other interests entirely. "Everything of something and something of everything," as we have heard it neatly put, is an admirable motto, and will apply pretty well to every man who wishes to become genuinely successful-meaning by this la s t expression to take exception to such as make themse lves unreasonable and intolerant specialists in any depa1·tment. Now, as we have observed, every fraternity is usually distingui s hed by som e characteristic. It may be, in a good or bad sense, as the term ma y go, for scholastic standing, literary abilities, social standing, family pride, or even for snobbishness, dissoluteness, and general malodor, or for a combination of any of the se descriptions. To render a beneficial in its influence a reasonable choice should be made of the better elements here presented-of no one to the exclusion of the others, but a judicious mingling of them all, or rather, perhaps, a grouping of several objects about one central standard. The mem-ber s hip should be confined to men of intelligence and strength of character, in addition to a man's us.ual peculiar attractions, and the aim should be to train carefully those who are capal;>le of being made good citizens. Every encouragement should be given new members by the older, and in college especially, the upper classmen should feel a responsibility to look after their junior brethren in the chapters. Every man should be made to feel with personal force that he owes a duty to the order of which he is now a member to. conduct himself with prudent behavior and worthy ambitions. It is the effect of the personal conduct of its members that distinguishes a fraternity and gives it a characteristic. Unless its aims are broad and high . and appeal to the sympathy of the better nature of its members, their actions cannot redound to its credit. Thus we realize that the general tendency of a fraternity largely determines the actual morale of

its membership, and that without a meritorious standard of conduct set it is useless to expect personal excellence .

ONE very important feature of fraternity life should never be lost sight of. We refer to the relations existing between chapters and the g overning bodies of the colleges in which they are situated. In no better way can a frate.rnity commend itself than by co-operating cheerfully and intelligently with college faculties in the preservation of order and reasonable discipline. Many s tudents are prone to do things that a re childish and disgraceful, and to resent the enforcement of due restrictions and penalties. We do not mean to pretend that all college rules are judicious or that all college officials act with moderation, but we do insist that, in most cases of trouble, the students have provoked the severity which they chafe under, and could have escaped it by reasonable, cautious conduct. Moreover, the old days of ironclad "rules and regulations of government" are fast passing away, and in most institutions there are now found fewer annoying hindrances to such personal liberty of conduct as the usages of good society allow to a man. At some colleges, as at Amherst and Williams, for example, the students have a direct voice in the government, while the growing tolerance of college officials to student public opinion is shown by recent: events at Harvard and Princeton. In instances like these, especially in smaller, western institutions, where fraternities are a stronger force in the student world, it is easy to recognize the positive extent of their influence for good. The drift of affairs is now steadily toward allowing students to regulate their own private affairs, and thus they realize that the responsibility of their own behavior is cast themselves. This affords a golden opportunity to the fraternity system to show its worth and benefits. A few chapters of good fraternities acting in consort-not in mere political co!'nbinations-can establish a code of conduct that any rash young man will disgrace himself socially among his fellows by failing to hold in regard. By such dignified, intelligent methods of influence -no more suasion is more effectual with young men than that of " the proper thing '!-a tendency and control can be given to the common events of college

and fraternity life that will prove of earnest good for the time being, and fraught with advantage to all concerned for a lasting time thereafter.

IN ALL the discussions of pan-hellenism that so largely occupy the attention of the fraternity press, one fact is becoming more and more evident. And that is, that very much of all the good that has ever been hoped for from a pan-hellenic conference by its most earnest advocates has already been secured by the very agitation of the project We look forward with satisfaction to the day when the conference itself shall have become an accomplished fact, and there can be no q_uestion that every effort ought still to be made for its success Nevertheless, it is now clear that all that such a conference could bring about will sooner or later be brought about anyhow, conference or no conference. It has reduced itself to a mere question of time A conference can now only focalize and consolidate certain. forces, which, without that aid, are still sure of doing their work, one day or another:

Two objects, and two only, may be said to have been comprised in the scope of the plan for a conference. The first was the development and maintenance of a fuller and stronger spirit of good-will among the several fraternities than had ever yet prevailed. The second was the securing of such a friendly co-operation among them as would materially promote, in all possible ways, the common interests of the fraternity world. With respect to the first of these objects, the past two years would seem to have left very little to be desired. The change that, in that short time, has come about is simply immense. It is a change which has been manifest, not only in the altered tone of the several fraternity organs, but even in the bearing of rival chapters towards each other. In more than one college miniature pan-hellenic conferences and banquets have already been held, anrl a steady improvement in this direction is clearly going on. That this good result is in large measure due to the pan -hellenic agitation no one doubts. And so it has come to pass that the era of inter-fraternity good-will has dawned, even while we have been talking of the means of hastening its appearance.

IN A soMEWHAT different way the same is true of the other object of the proposed conference-the co-operation of the fraternities in the advancement of their c om mon cause; for this, t oo, is a lr eady on the high road to attainment. No one expected, we suppose, that the tion would take the form of any du·ect and positive legislation ; it could only consist, for the mo st part, in the establishment of so wide and strong Zt common sentiment upon the chief questions that confront the fraternities, th a t a practical uniformity of treatment would be secured as to those questions. Now, the fact is, the fraternities are every year doing more and more toward s the establishment and enforcement of just such a common se ntiment as is here contemplated. Their journals contain full discu sf:'. ion s of precisely the same topics, and each journal notes and comments up on the decisions reached by other fraternities as to the problem in hand. Fro m a ll this interchange of opinion and te sti m ony there cannot but result a considerable h ar m ony of action . Every one must h ave obse1'ved, for example, that the clian ges made by arious fraternities within the p as t five years, in the details of their admi ni s trative and gove rnmenta l machinery, have been so ne a rly of the same sort in each case as to leave no doubt that they were suggested by the experience of other orders. And upon almost every topic suggested for the consideration of the conferenc e by the Philadelphia committee a growing consensus of opinion is a lready more or less manifest thro ughout the fraternity world.

IT APPEARS, therefore, th a t very much of the work of the pan -hellenic conference is already being done by the quiet and unnoticed forc es of natural grow th and tendency. And a point to which we would especially invite attention is, that the work begun cannot but go on, whatever be the outcome of the c o nfe rence itse lf. There is no going back now. It would be as impossible for the fraternities again to assume their old hostile, "offish," or even indifferent attitudes towards each other, as for the dawn to turn about in its course and be swallowed up again in the night. Things are in motion in fraternity life, and they are bound to go somewhere; nor can there be any great doubt as to the direction they will take.

We fully believe the proposed conference would very greatly aid the development thus so auspiciously begun. At least, it would insure a great saving in the matter of time. But the point we make is that the purpose ot its projectors will be accomplished with or without a confe rence. The stars in their cour ses fight for them. And if they never live to see a p a n-hellenic conference at all, they will surely live to reap, and see their neighbors reap, all the benefits it could ever have brought them; as Sir Launfal, returning, weary and broken, from hi s long and fruitless search for the H oly Gra il , found, when he reached his own hall ga te , that the sacred cup . had been with him all the time.

TH E recent agitation concerning the propo sed "sifting process" has brought about one result, that is, indeed, very a musing. The project of smothering certain weak members of our family has been received with singular unanimity, and almost every other letter we receive suggests some fit objects for our gentle ministrations in this line. But the fun come s in when we begin to t abu late the ch apters that some brother or another think s ought to be asphyxiated. We s hould be sorry to exhibit any of our family weaknesses as a fraternity, but it is an as tounding fact that did we suppress every chapte r that has been proposed our roll would be diminished over one half! Such is the startling effect of our measures. Of cour se, when a man goes to work considering what chapters we had better do without, there are about a half dozen that are almost sure to be discriminated 'against at once as notoriously weak and unpromising . But after these few the . range of opinion runs wide. Many are in ignorance of the real circumstances in regard to certain · chapters, and others proceed upon all sorts of ideas and theories ; but the fact remains patent that some of our best chapters have been denounced in unmeasured terms and all kinds of surprising innuendoes advanced against this one and that one which we never dreamed of as likely subjects for the executioner. Again, it is extremely entertaining to see the blissful unconsciousness with which a man will speak of certain chapters he thinks are very poor, and cite the opinion of his fellows. when at the same time some one else has

JUSt marked the other fellow's chapter for speedy dissolution. Hardly any one seems to enter tain the idea that his own chapter is in danger of the reformer's unkind care. Such a man would be considerably astonished and displeased were such a thing mentioned. "What! you really don't mean us? Why, impossible ! " he would say, while all the time some other man is clamoring for just this very thing. Often a correspond e nt privately has suggested that such and such a chapter s hould be suppressed, while in turn the proposed victims innocently reciprocate by mentioning the chapter of the first named in the same category. In all it is indeed a curious jumble of judgments, a wondrous diversity of opinions , and we conceive that the discussion of this question in the next convention will rouse some eager arguments and ready antagonisms. So all ye presumable make out,rour lists of victim s , and prepare to hear some very plain statements about your own chapters, too. Something is certain to drop n ext summer by the lakeside when the Betas there assemb le. In th e meanwhile let every chapter strive to put its house in order, and by successful zeal and work ward off the evil day f or itself.

IT rs a great pleasure to record the formal establishment of so promi sing a protege as the new Vanderbilt chapter of Beta Theta Pi. In these later days of our prosperity our fraternity is loth to make any new move that dues not commend itself to the most careful, deliberate judgment, and does not carry with it a material advantage. New chapters will be placed only in institutions that are of good repute, both from a scho la rly and financial standpoint, and under circumstances as to the personnel of the applicants that are wholly unexceptionable. All these conditions, we are happy to be assured, have been fulfilled in the present instance, and in every respect it seems our chapter roll has received an acquisition that will undoubtedly add to its honor and strength.

The details of the public ceremonies of establishment are in themsel.ves peculiarly interesting, for two things : the presence at the banquet of a number of members of the university faculty, and of delegates from other, rival fraternities. This fact marks very pleasantly the advance made, both within and without, during the last

few years by the fraternity system. The pervading, softening influence of the spread of pan-hellenism is chiefly accountable for the inter-fraternal kindly spirit shown, and is, indeed, a gratifying instance of this ameliorating doctrine. But the presence of the universit y officials mark s more distinctly the new departure of tolerance and sympathy for fraternities among them. This chan ge of spi rit is all the more suggestive in the pre se nt case, as Vanderbilt has been until la tely numbered among anti-fraternity institutions. The transaction has been a peaceful and pleasant one, not induced by any violent measures, as in the Purdue instance, but resulting from a deliberate cogniz ance on the part of the governing bodies that the fraternity system is neither harmful in methods nor evil in influences and associations. The present condition of affairs at Vanderbilt is peculiarly favorable to its best development, and upon each fraternity and each chapter there represented will devolve the personal responsibility of proving itself worthy of the cause and of the confidence recently imposed in it. We trust that the members of Beta Lambda will realize th is fact very fully, and will steadily conduct them se l ves under principles of hi g h honor and consistent merit.

THE echo of our cries against delinquent chapter semi-annuals has h a rdly subsided until we are again on the verge of a new instalment. In May the young man 's fancy must not only. turn to love and examinations, but with those of the Beta persuasion who are in authority in their chapter it mu s t also be turned to the se cond chapter circular of the year. This time no excuse will be admitted. Fair warning ha·s been given all, and only the maliciously careless and th e wilfully incapable will advertise their inefficiency by neglecting their duties in this respect. We hope better things from some than . continual disappointment, and wish to continue the improvement so well begun. The first report of the year was reasonably well attended to, and not more than half a dozen in all failed utterly, though the delay on the part of some was very exasperating and inexcusable.

We would seriously advise all corresponding secretaries to begin very soon to gather together the material for their May report, so that it may be ready on

time. As the end of the year draws nigh, examinations and commencement exercises will -interfere with the reg-ular fraternity work of the term, and will be likely to cause trouble and delay if it is postponed until too late. But just now the archives and hi s tory of the chapter may be examined at leisure and facts gathered and tabulated ready for being made up into a formal report. Then, besides, it always takes time to have these circul a rs printed and prepared for mailing. The addresses of intended recipients should be Jooked up early and envelopes directed accordingly. The se may be thought little matters, to be sure, but they are often of much importa nce, and every corresponding secretary should feel it his duty to attend to this work in a businesslike style.

In our December issue, in speaking of this same matter of the semi -annuals, we attempted to set a standard of size and appearance th a t would prove most convenient in s h ape for filing them away in the chapter and fraternity record s The general secretary, a man pleasantly de' voted to statistics and archives, . advises that the reports be printed plainly on white or slightly tinted paper, that shall, when folded like note-paper, be of a size as near five-and -a-half by eight-and -a-half inches as possible, that being most convenient for use. We sincerely request that some regard be given to the style of the contents of the circulars. They should be comprehensive and exact in statement, and sens ible in language, and not devoted mainly to complaints and self-laudation. But, above all, we want promptness and dispatch, and shall expect the same from our good brethren.

WE CALL the attention of the business men of our fraternity to the letter from W. C. Sprague, of St. Paul, published in "Miscellany," who proposes to publish a . Beta business directory for use of our law yers, bankers and business men generally. The value of such a work can not be questi9ned. It has no doubt often occurred to Beta business men, who send claims for collection and matter of various kinds for settlement to distant cities, that they would rather send to a Beta than to an entire stranger. Our legal directory was a , step in this direction, but it is very incomplete. Our catalogue is too bulky for business use and it is not edited with

reference to supplying this need, and so there seems to be a clear demand for such a handbook as is now designed. A full description of the proposed work will be sent out by the editor in a circular, but here we may enumerate a few points: Rates of collection and the like will be furnished for attorneys, and a cipher code for use in the confidential business, as, for example, inquiries into the standing of certain individuals, after the plan of collection agencies. The business men will be properly classified, and every one who s e name and business are given in the lists must furnish references, so that the book will be reliable. Other things might be mentioned, but these are sufficient to show that the proposed work will be a useful, practical and reliable handbook for Beta Theta Pi business men. Brother Sprague is a young lawyer of energy, and will carry this scheme through to a successful issue, if his efforts meet with that hearty co-operation of our business men which they surely deserve.

ON THE evening we were initiated into the mysteries of the Beta Theta Pi, and for the first time were welcomed into a Beta chapter hall, we were greatly impressed with the " endowment fund," which, they tell us, was to be used some day in building at Cincinnati a grand Beta temple, whose walls should yearly re-echo to convention songs, and in which the fraternity headquarters and BETA THETA PI offices were to be permanently located. We are older now , and still only in our dreams do we see a magnificent structure of Persian marble, with spacious porticoes and friezes, and columns of Oriental grandeur. The dream of the young Beta may pass away as a cloud-but coming back to possibilities, would it not be a project to use the endowment fund in purchasing a few lots in W ooglin on Chautauqua, where Beta Theta Pi could build a true temple, which would be a shrine to which Beta pilgrims would turn each summer; in which all .conventions could be held, and which could also serve for a grand reception room for the Beta colonists at' Wooglin ? Every year the college members pay into the treasury their shekels with a very uncertain idea of the wherefore and whither.

TO CONTRIBUTORS: Write on only oae side of the paper.

The Bongs of Beta. Let the sigh or the tempest blow, Let the tossmg waves roll high or low, Let the world go fast or the world go slow · Good Betas sing forever : ' In the hopeful ray of the morning light, In the twtlight gloom of the gathering night, When the st,ars are bid or the he"'.vens are bright, Good Betas sing forever.

CHORUS.

Then we the song. of the young and the strong, Of the fnends of the nght and the foes o.f the wrong; For our hopes are bright and ont· hearts are light, And the songs of joy are our songs to -night.

We are bold and free as the birds that fly In the azure steeps of the boundless sky, And we sing like them as the days go by; Good Betas sing forever : We heed not the flight of the rolling years, And the yearly ronnd of the circling spheres, For our joys are full and we know no fears; Good Betas sing forever.

CHORUS-

For our hopes are bright and the world is wide, And we launch our skiff' on the outward tide, And we sing as we sail, whatever betide; Good Betas sing forever: We sing as we sail from our sheltered lea To the summer isles or the wintry sea, Wherever our course or our port may be; Good Betas sing forever.

CHORUS-

Here's a song for joys of the days gone by, And a song for the JOYS that before uR lie, And a for both, with never a sigh; Good Betas sing forever : Let the zephyr sigh or the tempest blow, Let the tossing waves roll high or low, Let the \\'Orld go fast or the world go slow; Good Betas sing forever.

S. W. Foss, Kappa, '82.

Another Herod.

Every chapter of a fraternity must add to or detract from the sb-engtlz of the fraternity. If the chapter is strong, if the institution is growing and influential, a member of strength has been secured. If the college is weak, debilitated and Bying, instead of supporting the fraternity,

it sucks its strength away in vain hopes of once more reviving the withered branch. The college has lost prestige, and the class of students attracted to its halls has fallen far below the standard to which every Delta should attain. The chapter must either dwindle to one or two men, or, forgetful of the duty they owe to the order

of which they are but a factor, initiate men who are not worthy the honor which is offered to them. On the other hand, colleges which have no strength, grammar school universities and third-rate colleges, have long been left in the rear in the rapid march of progress which has marked the last ten years of the fraternity, and, incapable of catching up, are· content to lie down and be dra gg ed along by their stronger sisters. To all such chapters there can be only one decree-go! But I hear some one say, "Is there not a duty the fraternity owes to the chapter, as well as the chapter to the fraternity?" Certainly there is, and we can only account for the mistaken policy of mercy that has been pursued for some years on this theory.

Small and insignificant institutions, wlziclz have either lost tluir j?'estige or never lzad any, should be r emoved from our clzapter roll. Using this conclusion as our first premise in a second couplet, we will take as a second : SoME OF THE INSTITUTIONS, IN WHICH WE ARE REPRESENTED HAVE LOST OR NEVER HAD ANY PRESTIGE OR STRENGTH IN THE COLLEGE WORLD. The per s istency with which these colleges, and one s of similar strength, have been withdrawn from by other fraternities all prove the truth of this statement. The experience of our extension committee is ample proof of the same fact. The action of the last convention proves that the matter has been passed over too long, and is now vividly before the executive head of the fraternity. The catalogues that these institutions put forth, varnished as they usually are for public gaze, bear on their title page the word "decay." The dwindling number of students in attendance, and the reduced number of instructors, all a ppear upon the witness stand again s t them.

Therefore, without further comment, we will draw our last conclusion : SoME INSTITUTIONS IN WHICH WE ARE REPRESENTED SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OUR CHAPTER ROLL. We have endeavored to present this questipn in logical form, hoping that by that means we might avoid any undue expression of feeling on the subject. The general proposition is before us. It is with difficulty we refrain from expressions of personal experience upon this subject. Suffice it to say , that for years we have seen our fraternity impeded at every step ;· dragged back from every

undertaking ; doomed to defeat at themoment of success, by the inopportune appearance of some grammar school university or academic college. Forbearance has been our policy too long. We must free ourselves from these unhealthy l}nd withered branches, or · the decay that has seized upon them will be conveyed to the parent tree.-Delta Tau Delta Crescent.

Beta Theta Pi Business Directory.

To the BETA THETA PI:

The undersigned proposes to publish a business directory, for the use of the fraternity, containing names and addresses of Beta lawyer s , bankers and business men. The plan of the work will be made known by printed circular, and each member of the fraternity is requested to lend assistance to the project, which, when carried out, will tend greatly to the establishment of business intercourse among Betas, and increase the efficiency of the fraternity. What is now desired is that every Beta lawyer, banker and business man send his address (business card preferred) to the undersigned, that circulars setting forth the plan of the work may reach all concerned. It will much facilitate the work if each will accompany hi s own address with the addresses of Betas of his acquaintance who are engaged in business. It is desired that the directory be as complete as pos sible.

With regards to the Beta world, in--xai--

W. C. Sprague. 30 Gilfillan Block, St. Paul, Minn.

Articles of Incorporation of the Beta Theia Pi Alumni Club.

The und e rsigned, desiring to become incorporated pursuant to the statutes of the state of Ohio, certify and state:

First-That the name of the corporation sought to be form e rl by them is the "Beta Theta Pi Alnmni Club."

Second-That it is to be located and its principal business is to be transacted at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga, Ohio.

'l'hir·d-That the said corporation is formed for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a club house and appurtenances upon Lake Chautauqua, in the county of Chautauqua, in the state of New York, for the entertainment and recreation of its members and their families, and for such purposes connected therewith as the Club may from time to time determine.

Fourth-That it is not organized for profit and has and is to have no capital stock.

.Fifth-That the organization of the company and the rights and duties of its members and

the terms of becoming and ceasing to be members thereof, except so far as they are prescribed by law, are to be defined and regulated by the .articles, rules and by-laws to be adopted by the Club.

JoHN I. CoVINGTON, Cincinnati, 0.

SYLVESTER G. WILLIAMS, Cincinnati, 0.

JAMES D. CLEVELAND, Cleveland, 0.

CrrARLES J . SEAMAN, Cleveland, 0.

IsAAC N. HIMES, Cleveland, 0 .

CHARLES D. O'CoNNOR, Cleveland, 0.

Cincinnati signatures certified to by Eugene Wambaugh, notary public, February 23, 1884.

Cleveland signatures certified to by A. T Hills, notary public, March 3, 1884.

Filed in the office of the Secretary of State o0f Ohio on the 5th day of March, 1884, and recorded in Vol. 29, pages 352- 3 of the Records of Incorforation.

o the office affixed 12th day of March, 1884.

JAMES W. NEWMAN, Secretary of State

The constitution and by-laws of the Club were adopted and trustees and officers elected at meeting of incorporators, held at office of Dr. Isaac N. Himes, Cleveland, March 3, 1884

TRUSTEEs-John Reily Knox, Alpha, '39, Greenville, 0.; John I. Covington, Al pha, ' 70, Cincinnati, 0.; Edwin H. Terrell, Delta, '71, San Antonio, Texas; Charles J. Seaman, Alpha Eta, '71, Cleveland, 0.; Charles D. O'Connor, -Alpha Lambda, '77, Cleveland, 0.; Warrington

K. L. W rwick, Beta Alpha, '84, Massillon, 0.

SECRETARY-Charles D. O'Connor. ·

TREASURER-Charles J. ' Seaman

At the above meeting the trustees were authorized to purchase the- land now under contract, and to make all arrangements necessary to put the property in condition for the entertainment of the members during the present season. .

The list of shareholders on March 17, 1884 (the number of shares held by each member varying from one to ten shares), was as follows:

Hon. Jas. D. Cleveland, Cleveland, 0.

Dr. Isaac N. Himes, CleYeland, 0.

Charles D. O'Connor, Cleveland, 0.

Charles J. Seaman, Cleveland, 0.

W. C. Ransom, Lansing, Mich

S. G. Williams, Cincinnati, 0.

John Reily Knox, Greenville, 0.

W. 0. Rohb, Marysville, 0.

W. K. L. Warwick, Massillon, 0.

w·orth Merritt, Indianapolis, Ind.

Eugene Wambaugh, Cincinnati, 0

R. Harvey Young, Cincinnati, 0.

John I. Covington, Cincinnati, 0.

Frank M. Joyce, Cincinnati, 0 .

Rev. Dr. Joyce, Cincinnati, 0.

W. B. Burnett, Cincinnati, 0.

E. W. Runyan, Cincinnati, 0.

Chambers Baird, Jr ., Cincinnati, 0 .

Hon. John Pattison, Cincinnati, 0 .

Jas. E. Heath , Richmond, Va.

Geo. Beebe, Jr., Syracuse, N.Y .

Ed. F. Lewis, New York, N.Y.

A P. Hoyt, Providence, R. I.

Hon. Levi T. Griffin, Detroit, Mich.

W. C. Sprague, St. Paul, Minn.

H. H. Miller, St. Paul, Minn.

Thos. D Wood, McKeesport, Pa.

E. H. Terrell, San Antonio, Texas .

Wm. Iglehart, Evansville, Ind.

H. G. Coughlin, Indianapolis, Ind.

J I. Hazzard, Indianapolis, Ind.

Gen . John Coburn, Indianapolis, Ind.

Hon. J. W. Sutherland, St Louis, Mo.

'

Rev. L. G. Hay, D .D., Indianapolis, Ind.

W. H. January, Maysville, Ky.

Geo. B Fox, Cincinnati, 0

R. E. Smith, Indianapolis, Ind.

Rev. I. M. Hughes, D.O . , Richmond, Ind.

W. S. Brown, Kansas City, Mo.

Ellis B. Noyes, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Gates Strawn, Jacksonville, Ill.

J. R. Lamar, Augusta, Ga.

J. H. Van Reyper, .Jersey City, N.J.

B. St. James Fry, D.D ., St. Louis, Mo.

Capt. C W Hotsenpiller, U.S A., (retired list).

Dr. F. H . Stuart, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Hon Jas. E Galloway, Xenia, 0

Dr J. A. Hami lton, Georgetown, Ky.

Committees now canvassing at Cincinnati, Chicago, Indianapolis, and other points will soon lengthen this list

"Wooglin on Chautauqua" will be ready for the reception of the members July 1st, sharp, In case the club house proper should not be built this season, the trustees will probably erect a number of cottages and appurtenances, including bowling a lley, etc , building club house later. Several members have applied for purchase of cottages, and any one desiring to buy a cottage-applying their mem.bership shares thereon, the balance payable m easy installments- will report at once and landscape plans will be sent for selection of lots.

Address communications and recommendations for membership to C. J. SEAMAN, Treasurer

174 Superior street, Cleveland, 0.

The following we take from the Nashville American: of February 23rd:

BETA THETA Pl.-THE FORMATION OF BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER AT VANDERBILT,

The ina ugural banquet of the Beta Lambda chapter of the Beta Theta Pi, given in honor of its establishment at Vanderbilt, took place, last night, at Mooney's . Covers were laid for forty, and at 9 P M. the banquet was opened.

The menu was painted on pink satin, cut in the shape of a Grecian shield and beautifully trimmed with blue plush, thus setting forth both the badge and the colors of the fraternity. The table was cross-shaped, with a large china dog in the center, pink and blue ribbon around his neck . A notable feature was the carving of the chocolate" dorg," which was brought in by the four bearers, Messrs Pusey, Ruhm, Slaughter and Green

The feast was opened with prayer by Dr J. Wm Dodd. This was followed by an appropriate address by the toast -master, Gen. G. P. Thruston, formerly of the Alpha chapter. After the inner man bad been satisfied the feast of reason began.

Telegrams of congratulation were read from

the general secretary, president, editors, and directors of the fraternity, and letters of regret frgm Drs. Garland and Lupton and from Messrs. Andrew Allison and Geo. B. Guild.

Mr. H. M. Meriwether, of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, offered the congratulations of his chapter to the new chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Messrs. Millington, of W. vV. W.; Dean, of Sigma Alpha Epsilon; Heflin, of Chi Phi, and Smith, of Kappa Alpha, also followed with appropriate remarks.

Mr. C. L. Jungerman, Chief of the Fifth District of Beta Theta Pi, eloquently responded to the toast,'' Beta Lambda."

Mr. G. T. Fitzhugh, whose fraternal spirit prompted him to come from Oxford, Miss., as the representative of Beta Beta chapter at the University of Mississippi, responded to the toast "Beta Theta Pi" in eloquent and feeling language.

Dr. J. W. Safford, an old member of Beta chapter of the University of Ohio, and called by the toast-master the grandfather of Beta Lambda, having become a member of the fraternity in 1842, said this occasion brought back his old college days and recalled a troop of memories of old companions gone, who had of yore sat with him around the festal board of Beta Theta Pi.

Dr. J. W. Dodd followed with pithy and witty remarks, in response to the call for a sermon.

Lem. C. Williams responded to the toast "The Heroes of Beta Theta Pi," naming many illustrious in song and story who were numbered among the votaries of Beta Theta Pi.

Dr. Baskerville thought he would give his address in German, to the consternation of the

bovs, but kindly consented to confine himself to pure English.

Prof. 0. H. Landreth, of the engineering department, followed. He said that the success of the chapter was assured, as he found so many engineering students among its members.

Dr. McClain, of Lebanon, and one of the founders of the new chapter at Cumberland University, said be was here in body and here in heart. He spoke feelingly of the Beta boys from Mu, who now sleep beneath the sod, and who lost their lives for the Southern cause.

Mr. Claib. Maury, of Mu, said he had attended many such occasions and hoped to attend many more.

Robert Morris, another of the old members, said he bad been a member of Beta Theta Pi for fifteen years. He never regretted having joined, and was proud of them now. Mu was the p:uent of Beta Lambda, and the granite base upon which it had been erected.

Gen. Thruston said, in closing, they had met without artificial stimulants, and had enjoyed themselves as rational human beings, and could now go home benefited by the mutual interchange of ideas and sentiments.

The members of Beta Lambda chapter are: President, Prof. C. L. Thornburg; corresponding secretary, J o. B. Ellis; and Messrs. Bonham, W. T. Guild, Green, Caldwell, Hibbit, White, Williams, Slaughter, Davis, Pusey, Ferri], Taylor, Branch, and Cruce. The alumni of that chapter present were: E. W. Thompson, C. W. Beale, J. C. Guild, John Kelly and C. L. Jungerman.

CHAPTER LETTERS.

Beta Alpha.

KENYON CoLLEGE, }

GAMBIER, Oaro, March 20, 1884. ce more the call is made for a letter Beta Alpha, and once more Beta pha responds to a duty which should e a pleasant one to every chapter . Thi s erm, on the whole, has been a pleasant one, but has marked some important changes in our chapter. H. N. Hill, '87, failed to return, having accepted a position in the office of the auditor of the "Nickle-Plate" R. R., at Cleveland, his home. Durin g the first part of the term Irving Todd, '84, was initiated, and we now number five men in the senior class. Early in the term Robert Greer, '87, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was dismissed from the fraternity. Quite recently he has espoused the cause of Ll K E, and now finds shelter under her colors. We don't

think that it is generally true ; but . here, at lea st, . Ll K E discriminates loosely in the choice of members, there are severa l instances, of late, where she has taken men expelled from other fraternities.

Among our "barbs," Cecil, '88, of Wheeling, West Virginia, failed to return. Our chapter roll is thus about the same as in our last letter, our total num her being twenty-four .

Among the recent appointments and elections we have two out of five of the "Kenyon-Day" committee, editor-in-chief of our annual, The Reveille, and the president of the base ball association. In the literary societies and in the classes we hold our share of offices We meet regularly every week, and it is the exception if any brother is absent. Some of our rivals are strong, and fraternity work is thus kept at the boiling point most of the

time. The rush for good men is always spirited, and our success is shown by the men we number. .

Among the pleasant schemes on foot is the one for a banquet and union meeting of the Ohio chapters at Columbus, April 25th Something of this kind i! neces sary to bring the chapters into closer 'communion, and we only regret that with us college Ia ws are so strict that our representation cannot be what we should like to have it. Nevertheless, the move is a good one , and some of us will try to be there to uphold the reputation of our chapter in the anatomic st!rvey of the JoPr.

Our position in regard to the establishment of a chapter at Columbus is, as yet, unchanged. Although some of the chapters in this vicinity strongly advocate or favor the move, we, with the best interests of the fraternity at heart, are not yet ready to establish a chapter there. Some of our men are in favor of it ; others are undecided; while a larger number oppose it strongly. It is true that the chapter at Athens is very weak, but as that institution must either improve or eventually be united with Columbus, we are not ready to consent to a removal of the chapter from Athens. We know that some of the alumni of Athens are bitterly opposed ' to such a scheme, and on their authority and that of certain articles published in the city papers we state that Athens must flourish or be united with Columbus. If the college goes down our chapter there will have an honorable death. Otherwise it will flourish or be removed to Columbus with the college. Our fraternity is now very large and great care should be taken not to enter colleges except of the firstclass, a nd then only where the prospects of success are bright. What we need most at the present time is not extension, but a clo ser supervision of what we have in charge. The few weak chapters that we have should be looked after more closely and be made to improve or be counted as "unprofitable servants." We would not intimate that our general management is inferior to that of any other fraternity in the country, for we do not believe that such is the case. At the same time there is room for improvement, and let us strengthen our foundation while it is yet strong and not make the superstructure greater than we can bear. Let us be more careful that none but

Betas have access to our conventions. We are glad to say that this was well guarded at Saratoga. Let us keep our internal workings more secret if we are to be a secret society. Let us be slow to grant special dispensations and success is ours. Our publication is one of the very best in the land and should be read by every Beta. Let the whole working of our fraternity be put upon as sure a foundation, and we have nothing to fear from the barbarian horde.

The suggestion of Beta Delta, in the ] anuary number, in regard to a portrait album to contain the pictures of the alumni, is indeed a good one. If the pictures of all the old members cannot be obtained it would still be a good plan for members when they leave to leave their photographs behind them, and we mean to try it.

Last year we tried the plan of dividing the chapter correspondence among the members- that is, to give to each member a certain district to correspond with, leaving the general correspondence to the corresponding secretary. Although this did not work as well as it might have done, we still think it a good plan. In this way chapter correspondence might be made more spirited, as the work would not all fall on one man, and at the same time all the members would become better acquainted with fraternity work and would have more interest infused into them for that work.

We are always pleased to hear from sister chapters and their letters are read with interest.

R. B. BZoodgood, Cor. Ed.

Beta Theta.

MADISON UNIVERSITY, "'} HAMILTON, N. Y , March 10, 1884.

In my last letter I intimated that we expected to make the present term one of good, solid work. I think it may safely be said that the expectation has been fully realized. Our meetings have been very fully and regularly attended, not only by our active members, but by some of our resident alumni. Our work has been done with earnestness and enthusiasm Our chapter life has been pleasant and harmonious We have suffered in the loss of one of our most active and efficient men, brother A . H. Cole, '84. While we are sorry to lose him, however, we realize

that what is loss to us may be gain to him. He has left college to accept a position as professor of natural sciences at Peddie Institute, Heightstown, N. Y., the same institution to which brother H. E. Slaught, '83, went last fall as professor of mathematics. So, although separated from us, they may still keep warm, by fellowship with each other, the love and brotherhood which they have learned at Wooglin's shrine. Knowing them both as true devot.ees of our patron saint and strong lovers of the /Jopr, I opine that the Jersey canines had better keep their kennels if they would escape immolation, and do not doubt that Greek jollifications over many a lusty "purp" will amaze the benighted "barbs." of that desert land. We hear from them both, occasionally, and· they have by no means lost their old love for the old scenes and associations. Brother Cole will probably return in the spring to take his degree. We also lost, at the beginning of the present term, brother F. A. Gallup, '87, who left college on account of his father's ill-health. He is at present at Sparta, Tennessee, a town which is at least Greek in name. His return to college is somewhat uncertain, though we still hope to see him among us again

In consequence of these losses, our membership is reduced to nine-the lucky Beta number, by the way. Still, we have no chaff among our wheat, in which statement, it will be understood, the writer speaks for eight-ninths of the nine. I will not say that we have all the good. men in college, for that would be unjust to our worthy rivals. Some of them have probably as many good men as we; but, without any invidious comparisons, I doubt if, even with their superiority of numbers, any of them have more. Our Greek rivals have the advantage of us in the prestige gained from longer residence here; but, in all that goes to make an ideal fraternity chapter, we yield precedence to none. So please rest assured that we are holding our own in honor, in reputation, and in the quality of our men, the sugar-coated reports of our rivals to the contrary notwithstanding.

We have noticed in the BET A THETA Pr a statement, made on the authority of a Madison" Deke," that we were intending to purchase the D. K. E. " smokehouse." As to the truth of the report, suffice it to say that this is the first that we

had heard of the matter. Perhaps the wish ·was father to the thought in the brain of our D. K. E. friends. When we make up our minds to go into the ham-curing business we may think of such a purchase; but, although the town of I:lam-ilton might seem a favorable place for the establishment of such an industry, we have not as yet begun to contemplate it. We should as soon have thought of purchasing the Ham. Fern. Sem .-an abbreviation which will doubtless be understood by all college men who are deeply read in the classics.

Our prospects for next year are substantially the same as reported in your January number. In that respect ground has been neither gained nor lost. We hope, however, to be able to secure a good representation in the next year's class. We shall lose, by graduation next spring, three men beside brother Cole. This will leave us six men for next year; and we shall doubtless be able to make at least the present mystic number, if no more.

We are at present united, and working well together; and our chapter life is, as I have said, pleasant and agreeable. We have convenient and well-furnished rooms in one of the best locations in town. They are four in number, and all connected with each other, a library, a sitting-room, a meeting-room, and an ante-room for " barbs." the last two being connected by a short passage' through which the unsophisticated candidate for the mysteries of W ooglin and the pleasure of the tJorp are ushered to their fate. Here, of an evening, while "waiting for the mails," or the arrival of the hour for seeking the side of the favored "female," we may enjoy, stowed away in our comfortable "sleepy-hollows," the pleasures of social chat or of a favorite author from the library shelves, as the mood takes us. Our nights of regular meeting I need not describe. As to the "barb." it is " none of his business ;" and all true Greeks can readily picture it for themselves. W ooglin is there, and sometimes brings his canine with him; and what jolly Greek needs to be to told of the pleasures of such a conjunction?

Perhaps a word or two in regard to the university may not be without interest to some. I do not, of course, propose to tell what our college has been, what she has done, what she is, or what she hopes to be and do. Every college man knows that his own institution is the greatest,

has turned out the best men, and has the best record of any in the land ; so it is needles for me to discourse in such a strain. But we are about to make some improvements here which will undoubt· edly have their influence on the prosperity of the college, and thus on the prospenty of our chapter. Preparations are now being made for putting up, at a cost of some $3o,ooo, a new laboratory building, which is to be ready by next fall. We are also to have, next year, a new professor of natural sciences. In addition to this, a new library building is to be erected at a cost of $75,ooo, and with a capacity for so,ooo volumes.

There is one item of intere s t that I had almost forgotten to mention Brother Douglass, our sole representative in the junior class, and usually one of the most sedate and sober fellows imaginable, has of lat e shown strong symptoms of mental aberration. The most marked evidence of this fact is that he appeared among us the other night with hair parted in the middle and banged in the approved dudish style I can imagine the surprise-nay, almost incredulity-with which those of our distant brothers who know him will read thi s statement; but it is even so; aye, "'tis true 'tis pity, but pity 'tis, 'tis true " We have conferred upon him the honorary ( ?) title of D.D., which, being interpreted, meaneth " Douglass the Dude." For the consolation of his sorrowing friends, allow me to say that we have hopes, by judicious treatment, of restoring him to his wanted sa nity.

And so once more hail and farewell. The editor has doubtless begun to ask himself: "W h en will this babbler cease;" and as we realize that the whole of the journal is not appro priated to our especial use, we make a n end of our diffuse and rambling epistl e .

W. H. Crawslzaw, Cor. Sec.

Alpha Gamma.

WITTENBERG CoLLEGE, }

SPRINGFIELD, 0., March 21, 1884

The months which ha ve elapsed since bur las.t chapter letter have been full of 'progress and prosperity to Alpha Gamma. Our number has been enlarged by addi-tions from the cl ass of '88 , and it is our mtention to pledge some mor e desirable -men in the cl ass, shortly. Brothers Greenawalt and Knerr are editors of the Wittenberge1', and not a little of the

acknowledged excellence of that journal is due to their efl'orts; and elsewhere, both in the class-room and society -hall, we are maintaining our pristine superiority.

On the zznd of February the two leading literary societies of this college held an inter-society contest. The outcome was a g lorious victory for W ooglin. Four of the six performers were Betas, and the superiority of their producti o ns was unquestioned. In the debate, around which the main interest of the evening centered,brother Green awalt completely demoralized his Phi Kap. antagonist. We would direct all our br o thers who wish a plain, unvarn i shed account of the proceedings to read the "College Notes ·" in the issue of the Cincinnati Commerical Gazette for the follow ing M 'o nday, which were written by a correspondent wholly unknown to either fraternity, although the Phi Kaps, with a ready zeal, persist in declaring the Betas the authors of the effusion .

Our rivals are about in statu quo . Alpha Tau Omega, who was a te11der, suckling babe when last I wrote, h as become more accustomed to fraternity ways and requirements, although she still has that air · of newness, and feels somewhat cramped' in her new garb. Her members are energet ic, however, and all things betoken, a hea lthy existence. In addition to those! have indicated, a local organization has been recently established here, whosemembers confidently expect to be enrolled! ere long among the followers of Gamma Delta. We wish them God speed.

As to Wittenberg, our chapter home, affairs were never more prosperous. Our new building is under roof and the interior will be finished as rapid ly as the weather will permit. Measures have been consummated for the erection of a ladies' hall (Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta will please note), and there is talk of the erection of a gymnasium. Six thousand doll ars have been appropriated for the enlargement of the scientific apparatus, and Wittenberg see ms on the tidal wave to pro spe rity.

Brother S. S Kauffman, of the Queen City, spent a few days with us , not long since, and gave u s the la test news of the Porkopolis and the great flood. We extend to him and a ll our other brothers a cordial invitation to come again. The only fault we have to find with Betas in th is regard is that their visits are too " few and far between."

Columbus is, of course, th.e great Mecca toward which all Ohio Betas are making their pilgrimages. Alpha Gamma hopes to send a rousing delegation.

We are awaiting the new song-book with a patience worthy of a more immediate reward, and we feel there has been a very disappointing delay in the igsue of a work so eagerly expected by the fraternity at large. We tenderly cherish the hope, however, that the future will veil the sorrows of the present.

Henry A. Williams , Cor . Sec.

Epsilon

CENTRE CoLLEGE, } DANVILLE, KY., March 20, 1884.

The only original Epsilon still lives; yet she presents this letter in humble mien, with her head bowed to receive the imprecations of provoked editors. \''l e thank you for your care over us; for yol!a· warnings; for your admirable patience with a negligent cor. sec., and beg leave to contribut<:> to your columns this our second letter, for the present year. The history of the chapter has not been one of extraordinary events ; yet one of pleasant experiences, sweet chapter harmony and great success in college. Situated here in the central portion of the state, we, perhaps, too readily adopt the ways of the native Kentuckians, who, though magnanimous and kind-hearted, are strangely indifferent to themselves and to the old comm onwealth in which they dwell. They cim b0ast of "verdant fields, everflowing rivers, stately g-roves," and o( noble sires, (but more willingly of fine trotters), yet see with utmost unconcern their fair state eclipsed by those which a're far less favored. However, our members are not all Kentuckians, nor shall our relation to Beta Theta Pi be marked with such indifference.

Indications at present are that we shall greet our sister chapters by the time of the April issue as the mystic twelve. We meet weekly in the handsomest fraternity hall south of the Ohio. Its appearance has been lately improved by an elegant chandelier, the gift of our alumni, Veech and Edwards.

Brother J ungerman, chief of our district visited us jn January. He seems to been spending a short vacation in travel over the fairest portion of our state. As he happened on us in partridge season, we greeted his arrival and, perhaps, good

appetite with a bird supper. His expressed compliments on om· entertainment and enthusiasm convinced us that a true Beta spirit still lingers in the breasts of Epsilon's men, howevet infrequently it is manifested in a chapter letter. The annual February election of speakers in our literary societies re s ulted quite honora bly to us ; one Beta was chosen farewell orator in June, one first and another third 22nd . orator of '85.

There have been no material changes in the condition of our rivals, except that the Kappa Alphas are rapidly reaping the harvest of the non-frats., enrolling, at present, about 17 men. It is apparent that their short career of four months is not entirely devoid of success; indeed, if members can be regarded as a criterion, it has been a most remarkable one.

On Tuesday evening, March 4th, the chapter quietly assembled in their cozy little hall on Main street, where, after due initiation, brother Eugene T. Vest, of Cloverport, Ky., was admitted into the light of the Beta world. Mr. Vest is a promising member, his record thus far proving him worthy to bear the name of his fraternity as well as that of his illustri0us relative, the senator from Missouri. It may be of interest to some to know that Senator Vest is a graduate of Centre Colle.ge. As to his fraternity we are not informed, but think that he did · not become a member of any while in Danville.

Since Epsilon has always felt interested in the extension of the fraternity into Val'l.derbilt University, we are moved to speak of the chapter recently established at that school. Lt marks an important e1·a in our history ; a stride in the right direction. The stability of Vanderbilt as a tmiversity cannot be questioned. The South is her field of work ; and with such an expanse of territory Vanderbilt will surely be a magnificent school.

In a letter recently received from one of our prominent alumni, a general fraternity banquet, to be held in June, was suggested. Possibly every chapter of the fraternity has such a thing under consideration. If the proposed fraternity banquet of Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha and Beta Theta Pi materialas it possibly may, we shall certainly mclude our worthy editors among the invited.

W. B. Mathews, Cor. Sec.

Eta.

HARVARD CoLLEGE, } CAMBRIDGE, MAss., March 24, 1884.

My last letter did not give a very bright picfure of Eta, as I then wrote of the great difficulty we had in getting new men Since then we have renewed our efforts and have met with success. In February we initiated, with all ceremony, E. E. Blodgett, '87, and G. N. Jones, '84. This increased our actual membership to eleven men; besides, there are several past members who drop in to our meetings occasionally. vVe have in view another grand 11opr. The only reason why we have not had it already is that the freshmen examinations have prevented the new men from giving the time necessary for initiation. Contrary to our custom of holding our 11oprr; in a hotel near by, we intend to have the next one at Lexington, eleven miles away. We shall thus not only have greater freedom during the ceremony, but shall also confuse the candidates more and impress them to better advantage . . This 11on will take place on April nth, and we should like to have any brother with us who wishes to come.

One of our babes, Blodgett, '87, has shown up well in sparring at the winter meetings, and promises to take the lightweight prize. He is, if I except one of our pledged men, the only one in Eta who takes an active interest in athletics. The others content themseh·es with tennis and such mild sports when they need exercise. I shall not speak here of Harvard ' s achievements in inter-collegiate athletics, since Eta takes no part in them, and besides they are too well known to need mention in a chapter letter.

I think we may congratulate ourselves on the general harmony which pervades our chapter. We need not complain of squabbles and divisions which annoy, I am sorry to say, some of our sister chapters. Still, I might find cause for complaint in that subtle something, generally called Harvard indifference, which is the blight of all societies here, and has even reached our little chapter. I suppose, though, that the great number of attractions would easily explain the lessened interest taken in any one in particular.

We are anxious to increase our number. The reason is that of eleven members, now active, six will leave in June. We do not think wise to leave the chapter

in that condition, and we shall therefore try to in several more good men from the freshman class, if possible.

On the r8th of April we shall have our reunion 11on in Boston,"in which Eta Kappa, Upsilon and Beta" Iota will ticipate. We expect to have the usual good time, and look forward to seeing the new brothers who have come in since our last annual 11opr. This is, of course the first time that Beta. Iota takes part: and we hope that she will send us a <TOod delegation from her fine chapter. 0

I suppose that tnany of the other corresponding secretaries accuse me of indolence, because I have not answered their The cause is not to wnte, but want of matter. In my semiannual reports and my letters so the BETA THETA Pr I give all the news I can think of; I would not weary my cor. sees. by giving them a rehash of my letters and reports. However, I promise in the future to be on the lookout for news to send to the sister chapters I can assure my brother cor. sees. of my hearty good will, and of my Teadiness to answer any letters calling for special information.

Spring has at last come to our em brace, and life seems to be again stirrin<T in Harvard. The bicycle, which had rusting in the cellar, has been dragged forth into the sunshine; stray knickerbockers are seen about the yard; and Holmes field offers an agreeable change to the base ball men who are weary of the {Tym- . "' nasmm wmter-trammg cage.

We congratulate Vanderbilt on receiving her well-deserved charter, and trust that in future she will sustain the merit / which called forth our unanimous praise.

Our chapter hall is still seen in prospective only. We have so many obstacles to surmount that we can not expect to enjoy the hall ourselves, but we shall feel happy if we make it possible to future members of Eta to enjoy the comfort which we long for.

M W. Fredrick, Cor. Sec.

Chi.

BELOIT CoLLEGE, } BELOIT, Wrs., March 15, 1884

Although nothing startling has occurred in our little fraternity world since our last letter, yet I believe we can report that Chi has made good progress. There certainly exists between our members a

stronger and deeper affection than at the becrinning of the year, and our love for grand old fraternity that brought down this union of sympathizing brothers has become more reverent. Our regular meetings occur on alternate Friday evenings ; but most of us meet every week, to become better acquainted with one another, and to cultivate that friendship which is so essential to harmonious chapter life. But we do not think of ourselves alone. The war fur men still goes on, and we are s till endeavoring to rescue men from barbarism and our rivals . In our next report we feel confident that we shall number eleven, that is to say, we shall have another '87 man and at least one in '88. Indeed, we are not without hope s of securing a man from '85, where we are not now represented.

The Phi Kappa Psis and Sigma Chis are rejoicing over new quarters, which the y occupied for the first time last night. Their rooms are situated on State street, a nd are very comfortably furnished. The most friendly rivalry exists between them and us.

We consider"Wooglin on Chautauqua" a grand idea and are greatly interested in the result of the project. We trust that Chi's alumni will not be behind in contributing their share of the necessary finan·cial aiel for the success of the scheme.

Brother Shedd has not been with us since last December. He went away with the intention of going to Ann Arbor, hut is as yet at his home in Whitewater. His departure has crippled us somewhat in '86, although we still have a goodly number in that cl ass. Could you but see and know our "babe" (Vroom an), there would be no ne e d of my telling how much of the Grecian spirit he has imbibe d. In fact, he is one of the most •e nth u s ias tic Betas to be found anywhere. S urely praise is due to W ooglin for giving u s the victory in such a spirited co nte st .

It gives us pleasure to announce that not all of our alumni have forgotten us. Vv e have received interes ting and encour:lg in g letters fr om brothers Rice, '6z, Keep, '73, Lyman, '73, Merrill, '76, and Leavitt, 82. We here return our thanks for these kind r eme mbrance s, and ask all o f our alumni to write to us. Of some of them I have been unable to learn the present address, so that I do not know where to send documents of interest to

all former members of the chapter. Please let us hear from all. Again would we cordially invite all Betas who may be in the city to make their presence known, and we will gladly entertain them to the best of our ability.

I am reserving some interesting items of news for a future letter, when I trust to be able to develop them more fully.

W A. Russell, Cor. Sec.

Upsilon.

BosToN UNIVERSITY, } BosToN, MAss., March 20, 1884.

Unfortunate it seems to us that a letter should be demanded from Upsilon just at this particular time when we are all training and making our preparations great strucrgle. It will be a prize contest held here"'in Boston, on the I 8 th of April. The Betas of Harvard, Brown and Boston Universi ties, with guests from Amherst, Columbia and elsewhere, will compete. The fir s t prize-and the struggle for it will be long and intense-will be the stump of a tremendous bull pup's appendagethe end, in fa ct, which W ooglin spared on that memorable occasion when he replenished himself on the other end. We are _further told in the legend that as often as the wagging member was cut off within a few inches of the main hinge it would sprout out again with a fresh and vigorous growth .' Thus it has been with our pup, kept securely housed and fattening for some time for this occasion.

This is the fir s t prize, and who would not earnestly and eagerly strive for it? There are many more; in fact, more than a prize to each Beta expected present. The arena for this mighty gladiatorial contest will be the dining-rooms of Hotel Vencl o me , Boston, and if any Beta, of whatever tribe , will only happen in at that time, he will find the ears and feet carefully laid away for him, as they are to be nicely prepared , se t one side and placarded with "Reserved for friends until 12:01 A. M.," after which time, if no friend appears, they will be presented to the man with th e lar ges t waist measure. We do sincerely hope, however, that many friends will be with us, and any doubts they may have as to the cordiality of their reception will be reverently laid aside.

Last week another barbarian, Walter E. H. Massey, of '87, renounced his barbarism and became our latest and cher-

ished babe. He promises well and in all respects the chapter is more than satisfied with her last choice. The active members of the chapter at present number twelve and we still continue to hold important offices connected with the college.

Walter S. Little, Cor. Sec.

Beta. Lambda. VANDERBILT UNIVEHSITY, } NASHVILLE, TENN., March 20, 1884. ·

In the December number of our magazine appeared a communication from this place entitled "The Vanderbilt Petitioners." We are happy to ,' Inform the Greek world that our petition has been heard, the object of our desires has been granted, and we are glad to have the pleasure of chronicling in the columns of the BETA THETA PI a few items concerning the founding of Beta LambdaThe youngest child, of royal birth, From the fairest dame on the face of the earth .

I beg however, to preface my remarks w1th a few general statements concerning Vanderbilt. This institution was founded ten years ago, with an endowment of a million dollars . That sum has been increased till it now amounts to a million and a half. The grounds and buildings, costing $4oo,ooo and embracing acres of land, are unsurpassed m ornament and beauty of Jlrchitectural design. There are six departments, with forty-two professors and instructors. There are generally about six hundred students, representing from twenty to twenty-five states. But, notwithstanding all these advantages, there has always been one objectionable feature about the university, and that was its anti-fraternity laws. Vanderbilt has been, from its very organization up to last October, rigidly opposed to Greek-letter fraternities. I do not mean to say that the faculty has objected to these sacred brotherhoods, for such has not been the case; and it is but due to the intelligence of this learned body that I state that it has never felt otherwise than kind towards these or&'anizations. I refer, however, to the Board of Trust, which, in its wisdom and experience in such matters, has seen fit to exclude fraternities from the university. Every effort has been made, and every measure has been taken, to fortify Vanderbilt successfully against the approach of "those perverted imitations, which have of late years crept into American colleges

under the title of secret societies." Natwithstanding all this, two fraternities established sub rosa chapters here. These chapters lived in spite of opposition-they flourished, and to -day there may be found among their number men who would do honor to any institution of learning. It is not the intention of this letter to discuss the matter of establishing a chapter here when the laws were opposed to it; but I can say that these chapters have been a decided benefit to this institution. As to , Beta Theta Pi, it is needless to state that she would never establish a chapter here till the laws were repealed, for she has assumed such majestic proportions that she can afford to be select in the institutions that she enters . Of course, there have been Betas here for several years; but they were merely Mus, and had no activity at Vanderbilt. These antifraternity laws, however, were repealed last October, and we at once petitioned for a chapter of Beta Theta Pi. It was granted, having the title of Beta Lambda, and on the zy·d of last February Gen. G. P. Thruston, with his board of commissioners, unfurled that banner, bearing on its ample folds the "diamond and stars," and securing to Vanderbilt the honor of a chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

The banquet given in honor of the founding · of Beta Lambda was held at Mooney's, in this city, on the evening of February 21st. About forty persons were present, including members of the faculty, alumni Betas, representatives from sister chapters, and a representative from each fraternity having a chapter at Vand.erbilt. Bishop McTyeire and Chancellor Garland sent their regrets that they could not be with us; but there were present from the faculty Professors Dodd, Baskerville, Landreth and Safford. The following alumni Betas attended: Prof. I. M. Safford, Beta, '45; Gen G. P. Thruston, Alpha, '55; F. C. Maury, Mu, '67; Andrew Allison, Mu, '6o; A. B. Hoge, Gamma, '57; R. P. McClain, Mu, '67; C. L.Jungerman, Chief of District V., Mu, '83; C. W. Beale, Mu, '83; J. C. Guild, Jr., Mu, '83, and E. W. Thompson, Mu, Brother G. T. Fitzhugh, cor. sec. of Beta Beta, was with us. Phi Delta Theta was represented by Mr. H. M. Meriwether; W. W. W., by Mr. Seth Millington; Chi Phi, by Mr. H. P. Heflin; Kappa Alpha, by Mr. Edgar Smith; Sigma Alpha Epsilon, by Mr. Dean.

The following is a list of the members of Beta Lambda, all of whom were present:

T. P. Branch, B. E., '86.

Lee Cruce, B. S., '86.

E. B. Davis, Ph. B., '87.

H. L. Brannon, M. D., '85.

C. A. Green, Ph. G., '85.

U. A. Ualdwell, B. E., '87.

R. F. Hibbitt, B. S., '87. ·

W. T. Guild, B. E., '87

S. C. Williams, B. L., '84.

Linn White, B. E., 'S3; U. E., '84.

W . A. Pusey, B. A., '85.

J. J. G Ruhm, B. A., '85.

C. C. Slaughter, B. A., '85

J. B Ellis, B. A., '85. ·

C. C. Ferrell, B. A., '85.

B. F. Taylor, B. E., '87.

N. W. Bonham, Ph. G ., '85.

U. L. ThornbuJ"y, B.S., '81; B. E., '82; C. E., '83; Ph. D., '84.

The menu comprised an inviting list of dainties, and was p1 in ted on beautiful pink and blue satin cards. The banqueting began at half-past eight o'clock. The hall was beautifully decorated, and the table was set in tl1e form of a cross, in the middle of which, facing the entrance to the hall, was a huge china dog on a mounted dais. His canine majesty looked arcund on the scene as if he was aware that the occasion was in his honor, and he was lord of all he surveyed A large transparency of the letters Be fl hung over the street in front of the banqueting hall. Gen. Thruston presided with his usual grace and address. As the eye passed over the gay assembly, one would think that he had rarely seen a finer-looking lot of men, for there were the "silver grays" of Alpha commingling with the beardless youth of Beta Lambda. Here a grayhaired professor engaged in conversation with one of the boys; there two old Betas examining the catalogues, talking of their happy fraternity associat ion s, and wondering at the rapid growth of the brotherhood. Chatting about old college days, the history of the fraternity, the flattering prospects of Beta Lambda, and joketelling were the circler till the feasting was through', at which time speeches were called for. After short talks by the several members of the faculty, Prof. Safford, Beta, '45, was called on and responded at some length. He spoke of the founders and early history of the fraternity at Miami University, and related some interesting events concerning his fraternity life at the Ohio University. It had been years since he attended a Beta meeting,

not living where there. was a but the sweet recollecbon of fratermty associations was green in his soul. It did him good to think of those, who used to meet him in the little club-room at 0. U. forty years ago. These all gone, "ea-ch one to take his place in the silent halls of Death;" but he could come to Beta Lambda's shrine and Stretch the hands of memory forth, And warm them at our hearth-fire's blaze.

Succeeding- him, there were speeches by brothers 'Maury .McClain, .of ¥u, '67. The Chief of D1stnct V., havmg JUSt returned from a visit to the several chapters in his circuit, gave a report of their condition. Then brother G. T. Fitzhugh, corresponding secretary of Beta Beta, was calle 'd on, and responded in behalf of his chapter. He is a royal Greek, and represented a royal chapt-er. We were glad !o have him with us, and Beta Lambda Will always have the kindest regard for Beta Beta for her recollection of us in our infancy. Speeches were also made by the gentlemen representing the other fraternities, and the banquet was brought to a close by carving up a large candy dog, a piece of which was eaten by all present, while the Beta Lambda quartette sang, "Carve that canine, carve him through the heart." The head was preserved and sent to the brethren at Beta Beta. During the evening telegrams were received from the General Secretary, the Board of Directors, and the editors of BETA THETA Px, congratulating us on our entrance into Betadom. It was long after midnight, when the banqueters separated and went to their several homes, each one feeling that it had been one of the happiest events in his life, and there was one who could not help uttering: Brothers, through all life's shade and sunshine fleeting,.

Where'er your paths may lie, God speed your onward steps! Brothers, my greeting

In Beta Theta Pi. And may the eternal sunshine find us banding, As we have done t.o·night, Crowned with "the peace that passeth understanding

Upon God's bills of Light!"

It had been the intention of this letter to say something in regard to the other fraternities here, as well as our own outlook; but the extent to which these remarks have already been protracted, will prevent a lengthy comment at present.

I must, however, add a few items to what has already been said on this subject.

There are now chapters of seven fraternities at Vanderbilt, with the following membership: r/! A 8, zr; W. W. W., r8; KA,r6; Xr/!,rr; J:AE,9; K1:,6;BI:Jll, r5. It gives me grea t pleasure to state that B fJ 17 is on the best of terms with all of these fraternities, and she has never had any party feeling towards any of them. r/! A 8 has long been established here, and for some time she had no opposition, and, of cour se, had things her own way. Many of the best men who have gone from the halls of this university have been members of this fraternity, and if all of its chapters were equal to Tenn. Alpha it would h ave a higher general standing than it has. W. W. W. came here about three years ago, and has been growing ever since, and has a fine chapter here now. Thi s fraternity has played an important part in the literary societ ie s, a nd has been characterized by its success in elections. As to the other fraternities, X w, J( A, 5: A E and A 5:, I am hardly prepared to speak, as they have just come here this year. I will be safe, I suppose, in sayi ng that their chapters here are a fair exponent of the ge neral standi ng of those fraternities. They have good men, and I think, as a rule, that the fraternity men here are better than their fraternities. I mean there are men here c onnected with comparatively insignificant fraternities, who are worthy to be members of more reputable organizations. It is my opinion that the worst thing Beta Thet a Pi has to contend with here is the fact that we have no rivals of a broad, national standing. · Vanderbilt, with its munificent endowment, its able faculty, its fine physical and chemical apparatus, and its salubrious climate, is bound to be a great institution of learning. The field is fertile and the harvest will be rich, and we do invite the best fraternities to join with us in the noble work, and we shall be glad at any time to welcome A K E, IJF Y, and A A W. Our own outlook here could hardly be· more flattering. We have fifteen active members here now, since the department of pharmacy has closed. We meet twice a month in one of the most elegant hotels in this city. Vve have a strong band of alumni here, a nd they t a ke a deep interest in·the brotherhood.

Joe. B. Ellis, Cor. Sec.

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, } LAWRENCE, KAN., March 23, 1884.

Since last report we have added two more Aopr-devourers to our roll, Chas. T. Foley, '84, law department, and Robt. Rankin, ·'88, literary department. Both are worthy p1embers, and probably complete the list' of Alpha N u's initiate s for this year.

A short time ago we received a very agreeable surprise in the way of an invitation from the S. C. Sorosis to an entertainment at the residence of Miss Clara Poehler. Of course, we accepted without delay, and what a time we had! Every Beta of us went away feeling th at the S. C.'s had lost none of their prestige as entertainers.

Petitioners to Sigma Chi are making a spasmodic but futile effort to establish a chapter in our mid st, but owing to the fact that two parties have fn ade app lication for a ch arter, the action of the fraternity will of necessity be delayed.

In the l ate oratorical contest brother Leach carried off the honors, and will represent the university at the sta te oratorical contest at Lawrence, April r 8 th, Fred. A. Stocks, of Phi Kappa Psi, being second, and alternate.

Preparations are being made by the secret societies for the publication of the annual called the Cicala. The work is well under way, and it will doubtless be the finest magazine ever published at this in st itution. A short tim e ago three members of the faculty made an attempt to squelch the secret societies here, hut they soon witnessed the overthrow of their pet scheme. In an instituti on where secret societies are as peaceable as th ey are here such action will never be countenanced.

Albert S. Riffie, Cor. Ed.

Phi.

OF PENNSYLVANIA, } PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 188!.

Since a letter from Phi last appeared in the maga z ine no import a nt eve_nts have occurred in our chapter exceptmg the change in location of our chapter house. We were unable to make satisfactory arrangements for retaining our former chapter home , and therefore deemed it advisable to remove to our present location. In many respects we are better suited than in our former

house, the chief disadvantage connected with our present location being the somewhat increased distance from college.

Our attacks on the barbarians during the year have yielded us fiv.e captives, four of whom have proved themselves most worthy Greeks since taking the oath of allegiance. The ways of the barbarian 'vvei·e too strongly 'engrafted in the fifth one, and, I regret to say, we found ourselves unable to make over into the semblance of a Greek, and s o, finding at last that we could not hold him to his obligation, we were forced to let him sink back among the unregenerate tribe. Our work among the cla s se s is about closed f o r the year, though we may still gain one or two new brothers before the close of college. Our work in the departments of arts and science is very much of an up-hill character. Our representation in those departments is not large. A part of the delegation, however, is composed of active workers, who have succeeded in pledging men but have been unfortunate in holding the men to their word. The other fraternities represented in those departments have, almost without exception, a large number of resident alumni, who are active in assisting their chapters, in some instances the greater part of the expenses of the chapter being borne by the alumni, while in our case we have been unable to elicit a particle of intere s t in our work from "the loyal alumni of Beta Theta Pi," save in one or two instances. Add to the s e disadvantages which we have to encounter the long establishment of our rivals at this institution. and the prestige given them by this fact, and likewise consider the large delegations they have in " arts" and " science," and it will readily be understood that our work in those departments is not light. Despite all this I think I can safely state that Phi chapter has never been in better condition than she is to-day. Her members are regular in attendance at the chapter meetings, with but one or two exceptions, and the interest manifested is such, I • think, as to justify any statement in regard to her prosperity.

In closing I should like to intimate that even the deep grief over the shortcomings of delinquent cor. sees., which, judging from the affecting couplet in the February number of the magazine, is gnawing at the vitals of "ye editor," has

failed to induce repentance in Phi's secretary. This may, possibly, be due to the fact that, having had the December semiannual ready for the printer since the first of the year, he thinks there is no occa s ion for repentance.

I neglected to state, I find, in the beginning of this letter , that Zeta Psi has establi s hed an alumni chapter in this city in connection with her university chapter, and is in other ways .strengthening her already well-organized chapter here, as are also Phi Kappa Psi and Alpha Tau Omega.

Frank H Edsali, Cor. Sec.

Alpha Pi.

UNIVERSITY OF \VISCONSIN, } i\lAnrsoN, Wrs., March 21, 1884.

Since last you heard from Alpha Pi, in November, there have been several changes in the list of her active members. Two new men have been drawn into her mystic circle, and through its charms have become the most enthusiastic Greeks -Chas. M. Morris, who was initiated on the z6th of January, and Geo. L. Thayer, the "babe" of the chapter, who made his appearance on the evening of March I sth. Brother Morris is a brother of Howard Morris, Esq., an old member of Alpha Pi, who graduated from the University with the class of '77, and is now assistant general solicitor of the Wisconsin Central R. R. Brother Thaver is the musician of the chapter, notwi'thstanding the claims of several of the older members to the same honor . We are sorry to chronicle the temporary absence of brother R. C. ·warne, who left us at the beginning of his term, to be absent the remainder of the college year. He expects to return next fall, and graduate with the class of '86. The chapter now has an active membership of six, with a prospect of seven at the beginning of next year, and possibly eight, as brother Henry L. Shedd, of Chi chapter, favored us with a visit some time since, and expressed his intention of entering the junior class of our university next fall. We have enjoyed visits from quite a number of Betas during the winter, among whom were J. C. Bannister, E. G. McGilton, B. G. Treat and H. P. Stoddart.

The great social event of the season in fraternity circles was the fourth annwal receptioi1, given by the Greek-letter so-

-cieties of the university, in Assembly Hall, on the evening of the zrst of February. It was a grand success in every particular, and the beneficial results of such a social gathering were felt hy all. It causes a better feeling among the members of the several fraternities here, and, bringing back the alumni, it keeps .alive their interest in fraternitv and university affairs. This Grecian- feast has been followed by an inter-fraternity war, an which the barbarian forces have also played a part, and which has caused much excitement and some ill - feeling, in university c'ircles. I will not attempt in this letter a full description of the trouble, that grew out of the claim of the rp Ll e chapter here to first place in the list of fraternities in the annual to be published this year by the junior class. The justice ·of this claim was denied by the chapters the other fraternities here, the B e ll, /( ip- and X 1ft. A hot fight ensued, which has resulted in the withdrawal from the board of editors of the annual of the represe,ntatives from the three last - mentioned fraternities. War still rages, and we shall let you have the particulars of the affair, if they prove of sufficient interest. The is much to be regretted, as it will probably destroy that unanimity of action and feeling which has hitherto existed among the several chapters here.

L. P. Conover, Cor. Sec.

/f) Alpha Eta.

DENISON

GRANVILL'E, Omo, March 20, 1884.

So many items of interest have come to my notice, since writing my last letter, that I feel justified in sending an account of them to the Beta word.

During the early part of the month we had a pleasant visit from V. R. Shepard, '76, who is now on the editorial staff of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. We discovered brother Shepard in ch\lrch one Sunday, and as he was to depart early the next day we assembled in onr hall in the afternoon and had a pleasant chat in regard to the halcyon days of yore, and the future prospects of the chapter. Brother Shepard was born into the Beta world when, at Denison, black clouds were in the sky, and severe antifraternity laws were enforced. So bitter was the opposition that facu l ty meetings each week were said to have been opened

with a hymn worded somewhat as follows:

"'Tis a sin to steal a pin, But a greater to be a Beta(r). And students homeward quick must hie Who sport the badge of Sigma Chi."

Now whether that is true or not, it was risky work to initiate a man, and most candidates were taken to the neighboring city of Newark for initiation. N otwithstanding this strict secrecy and the consequent inactivity of the chapter, brother Shepard has always been a loyal Greek, and proud to acknowledge his membership in our fraternity. The next night we had present with us Will Sheppard, formerly of '84, who shared with us the surprise and pleasure afforded us by an elegant present in the shape of a fine painting of a dog. This was the gift of Miss Minnie Jones, of Granville, who has long since been enrolled as one of the "sisters fair- the Beta girls so true."

Hardly had we hung this picture in a good place in our lodge when a mysterious express package was reported. This contained a framed group of Beta Alpha chapter, which makes a most welcome addition to our "art gallery." Ever since the founding of Beta Alpha the chapters have been on friendly terms, and we have ever found the Kenyon Greeks loyal Betas, true gentlemen and warm and enduring friends. This gift so inspired us that we rushed right up to the photographers and had a group our taken, and in this connectiOn we wrll say, that we are ready to exchange "8 by 10-inch" groups with any or all chapters of the fraternity. We have just added curtains to our new lodge, and expect to put in some luxurious window seats at an early day.

Saturday evening, the I sth, occurred the annual entertainment of the Franklin Literary Society. Our chapter was represented on the programme by W. C. Rank, '85, and C S Sprague, '86, each of whom did well. The presidency of the State Oratorical Association, which was given to Denison, has been assigned to F. R Morse, '85, who is a Sigma Chi. The local association elected its officers on the same day, and the students who are opposed to cliques cliqued and elected their own ticket, throwing a sop to the fraternity men to prevent any question as to the honesty of the election. The Sigma Chi correspondent from Denison

was made to say a crowd had petitioned Delta Psi twice, where Delta Upsilon was written. Rumors of new societies have been rife this year, but as yet nothing has appeared in the shape of new badges.

Will. B. Owens, of '87, has been chosen assistant corresponding secretary of our chapter, and as he is a ready writer he expects to maintain active correspondence with several chapters. I must tell you of a new scheme we have put into execution in our chapter meetings. We have been trying to add forms and mysteries to our chapter meetings, and our latest device is the "B e 17 processional march," with which we open our chapter meetings. .The boys form in single file in the ante room and to the tune of "There's a scene where brothers meet," or some other equally stirring song , march into the lodge room and describe on the floor in our line of march the mystic letters B e 17. As can be seen from the shape of the letters, the evolutions are very graceful, and when performed with spirit and soldierly bearing make a pretty sight. We advise the chapters to try it, as such things add interest and lend enthusiasm to the chapter meetings, and if the weekly meetings are rlelightful, and are anticipated with pleasure by the members, when they leave college, they will often turn back with fond recollections dear to the old hall, where thev found friends in closest ties · and drank "deep of the fountain of Beta life. A chapter is at fault if its alumni are luke-warm, and if Alpha Eta must suffer tribulations , may W ooglin deliver us from alumni who forget their vows of eternal fidelity on stepping outside of the chapter lodge.

Alpha Eta will be largely represented at the reunion of Ohio Betas, on April 7th, and will do all in its power to make a glorious success this first great "Ohio chapter meeting" in honor of "our peerless hero."

We notice many chapters discussing the we .eding of our fraternity garden. On this point our position is, that we favor prompt, thorough and decisive measures, and, though we are not under the ban now, yet when Denison runs down into · the ground and becomes, as brother Cov_so" eloquently says, "a forgotten suggestiOn of a sunflower age," we hope Be 17 will withdraw our charter at once; for, on the of the golden rule,

we want to do by others as we would, etc., and thei·efore favor the immediate withdrawal of four or five of our hopelessly languishing chapters.

F. W Shepardson, Cor. Sec.

Beta. Zeta..

ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, } CANTON, N.Y., March 17, 1884.

I need not repeat in detail what was said in our November letter, that we began the year with encouraging prospects, having a fair number of earnest worker s, making a valuable addition to our number of six promising men from the freshman class, and that, with the manife s t interest and devotion of our fratres in urbe, we stand a united and zealous band of workers, for such a state of prosperity may always be implied in connection with Beta Zeta. But, all tqings being subject to change as time rolls on, we rind we have been slightly subjected to thi s same law. At the begining of our second term one of our members, R. P. Barnes, '86, was unable to return, on account of ill health , but hopes to be with us next year. We were glad to welcome back brother Robinson, '86, who returns fully recuperated and ready for good work. R. E. Sykes, '83, will soon return from Vermont, where he is supplying the pulpit of Rev. Mr. Kimmel. Re'ports are lavish in their praise upon brother Sykes in his new field of labor, and a useful and promising future lies be. fore him. One of our men holds a position on the board of directors of the college reading-room association, and several are in training for the coming freshman contest in declamation; in which contest J?eta Zeta promises to hold first position, having carried off first honors for the past two years. She also flatters herself with the prospects of taking first prizes in the coming sophomore and junior contests in declamation and oration, having competent men ip both, who have taken prizes in former contests.

At present we are not so pleasantly situated for association as many of our sister chapters, having no chapter house, and meeting only once a week, at our regular sessions; yet we think this the better method for enthusiastic, thorough chapter work. We are in hopes, before long, to be situated in more pleasant quarters, our alumni association having pro-

mised to build for us a first-class chapter house, and already report a progress far more cheerful than we dared hope for at first. We are always glad to note the prosperity, zeal and fine taste of a sister chapter, and feel much flattered when compliments are publicly bestowed upon us. We have recently had occasion to feel very much puffed up at the compliment bestowed upon us by Alpha Alpha, of Columbia, in making what appears to be a complete copy of our cut, except the slight change of putting in the place of Alpha Sigma Chi the dog's head. We, of course, feel very much gratified, and think they show a very high order of taste in making so fine a selection, but regret very much we can not say as much of their originality. We would like to ask them if they understand the significance of the five lyres, and if they can translate, or give,- or ever heard the yell, o[ oupdvwc.

We were glad to give an affirmative vote for the chapter at Vanderbilt, and regretted that we could not send a representative to the initiation; but the time of · year and distance made it impossible.

We extend Beta Zeta's best wishes and a cordial invitation to all to visit us.

A. B. Clzurclz, Asst. Cor. Sec .

Omicron.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA,} March 23, 1884.

Omicron has remained silent more than half the collegiate year. To say rnore than that it has not been a stubborn disregard of the October call, and to explain why she has not spoken before, would perhaps touch farther upon the space allotted for a chapter letter than the importance of the matter would justify. Of the seven who composed the chapter last year but two returned . Brother D. T. Edwards came to us by transfer from Epsilon. Brother John B. Jenkins, M. A., of 'Sr-2, after a trip "across the pond," and a year at Harvard, returned to study law here. His eyes became so dangerously affected in November that he was compelled to quit the university. We have hopefully awaited his return; but it seems improbable now that the heart of Omicron will be made glad by his presence before next session.

We have rescued three from the barbarian horde, and two more now in that " large and numerous tribe " have good

prospects of being lifted to the heights of true Greek civilization. This shows a marked departure from Omicron's past policy. And right here I would remark, " and my language is plain," that had it not been for a lack of interest in our fraternity, on the part of two of last year's brothers, Omicron artd our splendid fraternity would now claim and be proud of some good men who do honor to the Greek world under a name not ours. Our chapter has always been slow to take in men. There are difficulties here that our college chapters do not have to face. But when we do find good men and true, wizen we are sure, why adhere to an old practice, when its only sanction is that of age? We think we have done wisely in shaking the shackles of the time-honored custom from us. The then new-made Greeks are worthy the name, in every sense, and, we predict, will add lustre and honor to the long list already enrolled.

Six of our number are in the law department. These are applicants for the degree of B. L. Brother J. W Keen is taking a post-graduate course in the academic department, and we argue, by no uncertain act of divination, that he will be the first to bear from this institution with honor the much-coveted and hardto-obtain degree of Ph. D.

In reply to one of the "possibly-humorous references," concerning the "lost prestige" of Beta Theta Pi at the U niversity of Virginia, we would say-we think not. Beta Theta Pi has always ranked amongst the first fraternities here. We are of the opinion that she maintains her ground . From what standpoint the lzumorist judged we are unable, of course, to say . Modesty forbids us to speak much of ourselves-n or shall we- only this, if we knew the fraternity to which the aforesaid facetious wag or jester was attached, we might take the trouble to institute a comparison-perhaps we would not.

The number of students in the university is not quite so large as last year. The birth and growth of the large seats of learning in the south as Vanderbilt and the University of Texas have had the effect of decreasing perceptibly the former large southern patronage to this mecca of learning.

We extend all an invitation to visit us, with the assurance of a generous welcome .

M Hirst Albin, Cor. Sec.

THE SONGS OF BETA THETA PI.

The announcement was made in the February number that the Song Book was ready. This statement, though offered in good faith and confidence, was somewhat premature on account of certain delays subsequently incurred at the printing office. A part of the music plates furnished were so poor that it was found necessary to replace them with others, and thus, although it had been thought that little remained to do but to print and issue the volume in good time, the work was again seriously delayed. With this prefa(ory apology for former disappointments, we are happy to say positively that the Song Book is now completed and published, and will be issued to subscribers at the price set, $1.50 per copy, by W. H. January, the agent, Maysville, Ky., to whom all orders and inquiries should be addressed.

A description of the work may be , interesting. The pages number over one hundred, large 16mo, almost the size of ithe magazine, and are bound handsomely sn cloth. The music is arranged for part ongs where so intended, otherwise the vir with piano accompaniment, the first 1· erse of the words. of the song usually 1 unning along with the notes, the rest ollowing ; an average of two pages being given to each song. The book is printed on heavy glazed, tinted paper, with wide margins, in handsome music · and letter plate, and presents an attractive appearance typographically. The songs number about sixty, comprising all the old stand-byes in Beta melodies, with a number of newly-written and newlyarranged lyrics. Much of the music is, of course, adopted or borrowed from

various sources, but there also appear some original compositions, while the words are, in every case, peculiarly for our own fraternity and written by its members. Most of them have long been familiar to us in the little manual of words only that has done service for many a day.

The musical accomplishments of the editor appear to great advantage in this compilation. He has not only verified and corrected the scores of the music, but has arranged the parts and the accompaniments with great skill. He has also introduced into service a number of happy examples of Beta songwriting by adapting to them various airs from operas and certain well -kn own melodies. There are songs for all occasions-for initiations, for the chapter ceremouies, for banquets and all manner of social gatherings, and good rollicking marching songs for the boys to sing when coming home from the chapter meetings, after an evening of fun and jollity, to wake up the slothful barbarians. There are even a few serenades, that will doubtless commend themselves to the sentimentally and amoi·ously inclined of the brethren It is, indeed, a well-arranged, handsomely printed collection of charming lyrics, that must find its ' way into every Beta sanctuary and into the hands of every enthusiastic votary of W ooglin and his canine. We heartily a.dvise all to hasten and secure a copy, so that the songs shall be the sooner learned, and may be sung with a true vim and ready proficiency when the clans gather in convention next summer by the shores of Lake Erie.

THE CHAPTERS.

THETA had two committee men and one orator at the zznd celebration in Delaware.

BET A ALPHA has had to ask the resignation of one man, who subsequently joined D. K. E.

PHI says it was a combination of unavoidable circumstances that prevented her semi-annual from reaching the public .

BETA KAPPA turned out a poet at Athens on G. W.'s birthday, H H. Humphrey delivering a poem entitled " Swept Away."

ALPHA LAMBDA has a "W ooglin Quartette" which is winning a great reputation at Wooster. They participated in the zznd eX'ercises.

BETA got a 'black mark in the late issue for not sending in a semi'-annual, when Beta Kappa was intended. It takes an ordinary man a lifetime to keep track of the successive names of the Athenian chapter.

THETA's experiences of last year have stirred up all the blood in her bull pup, and prosperity does not weaken her this year. In fact Theta is booming and no mistake. She has a baker's dozen in her ranks., and one rival less "since last we met."

ALPHA ETA boys are booming. The winter term examinations passed off creditably to the chapter, and showed that, notwithstanding the loss of her highest class men last September, the chapter still maintains its fine class -room standing George Cox, of Beta Alpha, spent a few hours in Granville during the examinations.

PHI complains of the indifference of her local alumni, whereby she has suffered in the rivalry with other strongly-established and strongly- backed fraternities. We a re indeed surprised at this luke-warmness, for it ha s ever been to the pride and advantage of Beta Theta Pi that her alumni so largely retain their enthusiasm and interest in their society:

THE state reunion of Ohio chapters and alumni, announced to occur at Columbus April 7th, has . been postponed until April 25th, in order to perfect arrangements and assure its wide success. It will doubtless prove a memorable affair, and will, we hope, materially increase the enthusiasm of the members of our fraternity. Let every chapter try to be fittingly represented, and let all make an earnest effort to be present.

BETA ETA men do not have much time to loaf. Here is their daily routine: Prayers at 7:30 (standard time, and they must take breakfast the night before); recitat ions from prayers till 3:30, with a short intermission for dinner ; military drill from 3=45 to 4=45· After going through all this the weary student must begin to dig for the next day, thus giving but little time for romance or for letter writing. Still, Beta Eta's corresponding secretary does well.

THE marriage of Leedom Sharp, Phi, '8r, to Miss Fannie A. C. Shepherd, of New York, occurred in that city on February 2 rst. Phi extends congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness to Mr. and Mrs. Sharp. This is the first occasion upon which the wedding bells have been heard ringing for a member of Phi. Why is it that their harmony still haunts the air ? Can it be that another-but no, that cannot be.

WHAT does Eta say to this quotation from the Princetonian, which the Harvard Herald - Crimson endorses?

To-day, thanks to the persistent enforcement of prohibitory measures by our faculty, and to the co-operation of the two "halls" and an intelligent, unbiased public opinion-without which the action of the faculty would have been ineffectual-organized chapters of the Greekletter fraternities are, so far at least as we know, wholly extinct Well may we congratulate ourselves that Princeton is free from the demoralizing influence of the division and discord which Greek-letter fraternities are certain to create. [Hear! Hear!]

In endorsing this, does the H H- C. mean to express ignorance of the existence of the fraternities at Harvard? What does Eta say? Is Harvard soil uncongenial?

CAPT. FRANK M. JoYCE, Delta, '82, of the Cincinnati Second Artillery, took a prominent part in the late civil war in this city, and gained a notable reputation for himself and hi s command in defending the murderers and s hooting down the · avenging mob. He received the personal commendation of Governor Hoadly for his efficient services.

STATE and local reunions of Beta Theta Pi are the order of the day , and are a good omen of increased interest and enthusiasm in fraternity work. Ohio Betas meet at the Park Hotel, Columbus , April 24th. The Indiana association banquets at Indianapolis April roth. The New England chapters celebrate at the Hotel Vendome, Boston, April r8th, and the Virginia chapters are discussing a suitable date for a state reunion. Let the good word spread abroad.

THE reports from Zeta are most encouraging. There are thirteen members, three of whom are to appear in public entertainments of the literary societies at Hampden-Sydney ere long. Zeta says it's not coldness that keeps her unrepresented at conventions, but hard luck; and Zeta will have a delegate at Cleveland, unless something goes wrong. Few outside Betas ever get to Zeta's halls, and to remedy this state of things a state reunion is being discussed. Good!

•

UPSILON took away one cause for compla i nt by sending in a semi-annual the other day, and it was d a ted February znd The long delay is inexcusable, but the date was sweet to the taste Eleven members are in the chapter and meetings are frequently a ttended by others. Hon. Alden Speare has given $4o,ooo to endow a professorship. That ought to have been inspiration enough for a circular in December. However, Upsilon's return to the fold of the righteous cor. sees. leaves us to sing the " Songs of Seven."

AL:'HA N\' has finally courage and, hke U ps1lon, has sent m a late semiThe chapter is doing well, Is on amicable terms with its worthiest . rivals and has a good share of college fun and f a vors. The positively delinquent list is thus diminished to but a half dozen or less, who will, we hope, take measures to make the May score a clean one. We kindly warn all chapters that in common prudence each wants to put its best foot

forward in view of the next annual convention, the "great sifter" will surely try to get in his work on the least promising victims.

W . C. RANK, ' 84 , president of Alpha Eta chapter, was brutally assaulted on the evening of March 1, by A. J. Kimmel, ' 86, of Denison Kimmel had been somewhat unsuccessful in some recent social e v ents in the coHege, and was sportively alluded to in The Collegian, of which brother Rank is an editor, and on a favorable opportunity took this method of avenging himself. He was at once arrested, and after spending part of the night in jail was released on bail to stand trial.

IN THIS issue we are fortunate enough to he able to present fourteen chapter letters, which number · is, however, one less than the quota we wish. This shows an admirable itl)provement in promptness and efficiency on the part of correspondin'g. secretaries, and we hope that tho.se upon whom calls have been made for the succeeding issue will feel inspirited to render ready satisfaction. We want the members of chapters themselves to feel that the,ir chapters should be well represented, and, therefore, to use their influence to insure this desideratum by holding t!heir respective corresponding secretaries down to their duties. It is an obligation to the fraternity and the journal to contribute that should be courteously and conscientiously respected.

SoME of the chapter correspond·ents , in their impatience to have their orders for copies of the song-book fulfilled , have been guilty of what we must even term discourtesy toward the compiler. The delay in its issue, after notice had been given that it was ready, was very disappointing, to be sure, but should not have been made the occasion of untoward complaint against an innocent party. Brother January, being deeply engaged in other business, has not had time to write incessant replies to every inquiry, but has been compelled to wait until the book was finished before doing anything more. One chapter even went so far as to write to the postmaster at Maysville, asking if he lived there-a genuinely humorous act. But let us now put away ill words and feelings, and attune our hearts and voices in common harmony.

ALPHA GAMMA celebrated Washington's Birthday in · style, and won lasting triumphs. Brothers Simon and Williams took part in a jo'int entertainment of the literary societies. The interest centered in the debate, the following account of which we eli p from the "College News" columns of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette :

The debate was intensely interesting, from the fact that the participants were representatives of the respective societies. Besides this, · each of them is the chief mogul of the fraternity to which he belongs, and these two fraternities are the oldest as well as the strongest in the college. Mr. Balser, of the Phi Kappa Psi, and Mr. Greenawalt, of the Beta Theta Pi fraternities, were, at this meeting, most carefully watched

and listened to. Good, logical argument was produced on both sides, and each man spoke thirty minutes. But Greenawalt actually carried the audience with him. He was applauded again and again, and it is conceded m college to-day that his victory was the grandest ever achieved by a Philo over an Excelsior, and also by a "Beta" over a "Phi Psi." in this institution.

Phi Kappa Psi has hard luck when it comes in contact with Beta Theta Pi, whether in state elections or on the college platform. Alpha Gamma deserves great credit. We learn that Phi Gamma Delta has entered Wittenberg with seven men, and still Alpha Gamma will try to hold up the banner at the front.

AFTERMATH.

The Wish-Star.

INSCRIBED TO MISS L. G. Star bright, star of light, llirst star seen to-night. I wish I may-O! would !mightGet the wish I wish to-night.

How white- is eve's first star, amid the glow Of the late-sunken sun! How its pure ray Falls glinting through the trees, to kiss the snow That, with his warmer glow, the amorous Day Yet could not melt to love-but died away In dim despair before yon hopeful star. Fair orb, of sweetly superstitious sway, To maiden fancy dear, whose wishes are Made nightly at thy shrine, and are thy care, 0! grant each girlish prayer, and bring it true, If so it be pure as the lips are fair Which tender it. And I am wishing, too, Yet seek not inspiration from the skies, But find a deeper source in her dark eyes.

Union College, N. Y., February 20, 1884.

Memorials

Alvin Bishop.

Why, what's this old box? Ah, yes- I remember, They're only some relics of past college days ; Some ringlets, notes, ribbonR, and dry crumbling flowersWhat ghosts of dim memories these poor old things raise! And with them are scattered the names of some girlsTheir faces have faded even more in my mind, Lost from sight, dead or married, or something or otherWell, but some of them once were quite charming arid kind.

Now, here's a. white rose; I wonder who gave it. Why," From Nellie!" Look here, dear sweet wifeAnd don't you remember your giving me this, That evening you made me so happy for life?

C. B., Jr.

Riches have Wings. "Riches have wings," alas! 'tis true, For they elude my eager band And take to flight, though I pursue By night and day, by sea or land. Like game-birds shy they sudden rise And beat the air with rapid wing; A sportsman, missing through surprise, An empty game-bag horne I bring. My dog starts from the underbrush The drumming partridge into flight; I hear the whirr, the sudden rush, And watch the bird till out of sight. While others shoot upon the wing, I wait the chance of better aim ; Empty I come, they homeward bring The plethoric bag of choicest gam fl. I learn too late that while I wait I lose the chance that fortune brings, And realize, while I debate, "Riches have wings."

H. S. Babcock_

The Fall of the Evening. ROUNDEL.

Shining by night gleamed her sweet dark eyes, With a brightness of lovingly beautiful light, Matched never by beams from the starry skies Shining by night.

As I stood on the doorstep's slippery height I stooped to her lips, 'mid the parting sighs, And kissed them right shyly and with affright-

When, suddenly, somehow I seemed to rise, Held fast by the grip of a father's .might, And I fell where the street lamp its light supplies, Shining by" night.

W. H. Bocock, Zeta, '84.

Epigrams from the Irish. ON CERTAIN CONTEMPORARIES. After reading the epigrams by J. J. Piatt I hardly dare write, lest I, too, should seem flat.

I take up her journal and in it I find A mingling of languages very inhuman, And instantly rises this thought in my mindOne tongue is enough for a woman.

Though to literature not inclined to, I could write-said be-quite easily As well as you, or Shakespeare, too, If only I had the mind to.

I'd not sift out-said he-those chapters weak That stand like spectres on my chapter roll. The reason wby you'll not go far to seek; In sifting out such he'd sift out the whole.

I mark. with silent wonder, why a literary society Should have a little journal of such dull and prim Of no literary excellence-and will not try to gain it; For "it's got the reputation and needs not to maintain it.