THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
5
Last Friday evening the I. C.'s gave a reception to the Beta's, at the residence of Miss Clara Morris, on Louisiana street. Music and dancing were the features of the evening. A sumptuous feast was served, such as none but I. C.'s know how to serve. All present enjoyed themselves "hugely," and the boys are enthusiastic in their praises of the I. C. Sorosis.
The winter's supply of coal has been hauled to the University, and what could not be put in the coal room is piled up beneath a shed erected for the purpose in the rear of the building. This providence speaks well for those who have the matter in charge, but the poor student will lose the pleasure of watching the overloaded teams stick in the mud.
We have received the first two numbers of The University Pastime, published by Meservey and Thacher, of the University. It is a live, neat and spicy little sheet. In the first number, the object of the paper is clearly defined to be "to create a greater interest in the various amusements and recreations which tend to rest the brains and invigorate the bodies of the University students." We predict for the Pastime abundant success.
A large and valuable addition has recently been made to the University Library. The new books consist chiefly of choice works in English and American literature.Notably among the list may be found a full set of Waverly Novels, works of Hawthorne, DeQuincy, Webster, Irving, Lowell, and many single volumes of various authors, prominent among which we noticed a beautiful volume of Bryant's Poems.
During last year, our friend Mr. W. E. Foster, with the able assistance of his brothers Festus and Dick, organized a Sunday School in the old University building. At first it was but slimly attended, but the Fosters, with their characteristic zeal and energy, were not to be baffled by adverse circumstances. They went to work, and now, as the result of their pluck, they can each Sunday point to about fifty diligent pupils, each eager to listen to the expounding of the Scriptures. This work of the Foster brothers is certainly commendable, and they should receive encouragement from their fellow-students.
To those who wish to study the history of the ages which have preceded us in the formation of our planet, we earnestly advise a visit to Prof. Snow's lecture room. There the Professor may be found busily engaged in extracting from the rock the remains of a Saurian. The fossils are in a perfect state of preservation, being firmly imbedded in a species of soft, light-colored sandstone. Considering the "shaking up" which the bones must have undergone in past ages, they exhibit a wonderful regularity of arrangement. There may be found the spinal vertebrae, the ribs, and the immense claws, all in a wonderful degree of perfection. On one piece of the stone may actually be seen in unmistakable outline a portion of the hide of the animal. This is something entirely new to science, for in all the previous discoveries of fossils, none has ever been found containing any portion of the hide. The discovery of these valuable specimens was made in June last, by Prof. F. H. Snow. They were found in Gove county, along the line of the K. P. road, in Western Kansas. We are informed that Yale College is anxious to obtain the specimens, and has written to the officers of our institution with a view of purchasing; but the Regents are fully aware of the great scientific value of the specimens, and will undoubtedly keep them for the great Western University.
UNIVERSITY LOCALS.
Why don't the military company have some rifle shooting? Silk handkerchiefs are extremely popular. Ask Peters and Tuttle.
There is one thing we do admire in H—s; he don't keep feeling his moustache to see if it is still there.
What kind of lectures are we to have this session? A course in United States history would be agreeable.
The return of such a large number of old students, as well as the presence of new ones, is a fair indication of the increasing popularity of our University.
One good looking Senior has a nose like a pump handle, another like a spout, but Bird knows there is no nose like the nose surrounded by a Platonian beard.
Poet (?) to his lady love : "Don't you think side whiskers become me?" Miss E.: "Yes, indeed, the more your face is covered, the better you look."
As the season for foot-ball approaches, something should be done towards organizing class "elevens." Too much cannot be said in this respect, and the sooner something is done the better.
We have it from reliable authority that if a certain reckless society Sophomore gets through Trigonometry, he will immediately telegraph to his fond and doting parent: "Kill the prodigal son, the fatted calf is through Trigonometry."
The rhetorical exercises of the Freshman class show very plainly that they have talent that needs development. If more interest was taken by all students in making good selections, and in thorough preparation, this part of chapel exercises would be far more pleasant and instructive.
R—e keeps bachelor's hall, and it is rumored has no equal in the culinary department. One day last week he met with quite an accident. While coming home from down town, he stepped upon a piece of orange peel, and promptly sat down upon a pint of yeast in his coat pocket. He rose immediately.
A gallant Soph. on inquiring of a certain professor how marks were to be made up in a certain study, was made happy by the following answer: "I shall not enter upon a mathematical and mechanical analysis of your absences, but I will take into consideration the general content of your ability." Perhaps the Professor was speaking figuratively.
The great rope pull between the Freshman and Sophs. came off on the 4th inst. This contest was undoubtedly one of brains vs. muscle. The Freshmen, this year, are exceedingly large and strong, especially in their feet, which accounts mainly for their success. They are a bright set of infants, and with the aid of a few more outsiders, we think they might possibly outpull a five hundred mule power.
A certain Freshman who stands unusually high in his classes, was very anxious to be promoted in the military company. Under these circumstances he thought he had better practice a little, so as to be able to command when called upon. Some of his many friends happened to visit him one Thursday afternoon, and found him standing in front of a company of pots, pitchers, shoes, blacking brushes, &c., giving the command, "Right forward, fours right, march."