is a noticeable fact that during the earlier years of the college it had more Southern students in proportion to its numbers than any other institution of a similar character in the North; and up to the time of the late war Trinity College was a most popular educational resort for Southerners, while before it was scarcely over there were indications that the liberal patronage extended to it in former years was to be continued, if not increased, in the years to

come.

In tracing out a history like that before us, and following it step by step, marking the growth of the institution, noting its principles of government, gaining an insight into the aims and motives which actuate its being and enter into its every-day life, a contrast in the thoughts and feelings of fifty years ago as compared with those of the present time, is natural, and by no means devoid of interest. In the olden times young men entering college were but transferred temporarily to the care and guidance of second parents, and the protecting hand of Alma Mater stretched out in their behalf was, if we may judge from the "Laws," large and powerful. One of the prime considerations in these old laws seems to have been great care for the monetary interests of every student, and not only was the time-honored prevention against "extra or improper expenditure by the students" carried into operation, by placing all available funds. in the hands of the Bursar; but in order to make a purchase of any kind the student was obliged to obtain from that functionary a "permit" for the purpose.

While keeping an eye on the funds intrusted, Alma Mater, with a disinterestedness pleasing to note, also remembered herself; and if she was weary with night-watching for the return of the loitering student at the beginning of the term, she solaced herself with the reflection that "he shall pay fifty cents for each night's absence." In the matter of government, the Tutors were placed on a level with the Professors, and were vested with authority to punish students by private admonition and by "a fine not exceeding one dollar;" and the last drain. upon the undergraduate purse was made at graduation, when, in the term bill, he was charged "one dollar and fifty cents for the expenses of Commencement dinner," about the sum now required to fee the waiter at that annual banquet. The fact of a student not being permitted to "sleep in his room or lie down on his bed during study hours"

must have seemed a trifle severe, when we reflect that during the summer term the first recitation was at five o'clock in the morning. In winter, however, the rigidity of the law was relaxed, and the bell called forth students at six o'clock, the recitation being conducted by aid of candle-light, which was a necessity to the successful deciphering of Greek text. Probably as a compensation for this unseemly early rising, "bed-time" was put down in the "Laws" at ten o'clock, and after half-past ten in the evening no student was allowed to leave his room. This, of course, antedates the existence of "germans," fashionable frivolity being then in its infancy. Had Booth, Miss. Morris, Colonel Sellers, the "Two Orphans," or Theodore Thomas made their appeals for public favor at that time, we fear great temptation would have been offered the student to break that law which placed the theater or any similar amusement without the pale of recognition, and forbade attendance at "any festive entertainment in the city of Hartford or its vicinity."

This last prohibition must gradually have declined in popular favor, until at length it grew to be a mere letter, for not only was the college represented at the theater and at concerts in the city, but there are records of entertainments given by the students themselves, and in which they took an active interest.

To give a sketch of the social life of the

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and holding its meetings every Saturday morning. The establishment of a second literary society, with similar aims, known as the Parthenon," served to create a wholesome rivalry between the two, and in time led to public exhibitions, the first being given by the former organization in 1827, and consisting of poems, orations, debates, and the production of an original play. These exhibitions, given alternately each year by the literary societies, were well sustained, and well attended, and were regarded as one of the events of the college year. Another source of recreation was Junior Exhibition, to which considerable attention was turned, it being popular for many years. During its latter days, however, the solemnity of the occasion was somewhat marred by the circulation among the audience of "mock programmes;" but as the publication of these frequently witty bills-was a penal offense, a keen zest was imparted to the undertaking, which was greatly enjoyed by the Sophomores, at whose hands the scheme was carried out. As a general thing, the interest in literary societies, established in our colleges, is at the present time in strong contrast to that of twenty or thirty years ago; then they were in their prime, now they are on the decline, if not already passed into memory. One theory for this lack of interest is, that the literary inclinations of the undergraduates of to-day are more toward theme-writing and composition than debate and declamation; and opportunities for culture and improvement in both these branches are now frequently afforded in the curriculum, where, years ago, they failed to gain strong recognition as important features of a complete education. The publication of college papers and periodicals has also had an effect upon the literary associations, and has, to a great extent, attracted the pen of the student in another direction, and given him a more pleasing, if not a wider, field for his efforts.

As an offset to the severe mental strain induced by the duties of the literary societies, and to guard against a too great cultivation of the brain to the exclusion of the body, the organization among the students of the "Washington College Archers" undoubtedly owed its existence, a company which indulged in parades during the summer term, and exercised their skill with the bow and arrow. The "Archers" flourished as early as 1834, and during that year the late Gov. T. H. Seymour, then a resident of Hartford, instructed them occasionally

in fancy movements. The monotony of parades upon the Campus was varied by excursions to neighboring towns, Springfield, then reached by means of the "half pony power" boats (immortalized by Dickens), which ran back and forth on the Connecticut River, being a favorite resort, where the company marched to the U. S. Armory, and were hospitably entertained by the commander of the post. The chief object of the "Archers," besides the attainment of military glory in general, was to attract the attention of the fair sex in particular, and as there are no records extant to prove the contrary, we may infer, with a very tolerable degree of accuracy, that they succeeded admirably, when we consider the striking effect which must have been produced by the uniform, which consisted of green frocks and white trousers, green turbans with black plumes, black belts, long bows of lance-wood, and black quivers filled with arrows, the officers of the company carrying swords in place of the bow and arrow, and having their turbans decorated with white plumes.

Among the customs at Trinity College, and, if space would permit, a chapter might be written on this theme, may be mentioned the "Burning of Conic Sections," a midnight ceremony by the Sophomore class, which, like Junior Exhibition, and many of those entertainments dating back to the pristine days of the institution, has been gently pushed into the background by affairs of recent popularity. The celebration of Washington's Birthday claims the attention of the students, and the occasion is marked by appropriate exercises in the cabinet, and by an illumination of the buildings, the custom having been in vogue for twenty years or more; but the gala day of the term is Class Day, a day particularly enjoyed by the undergraduates, and of as much importance in the estimation of the student as Commencement is to alumni. The attractions

are as varied as they are pleasant, and at the usual exercises on the Campus none are more worthy of note than the "Presentation of the Lemon-Squeezer," and the " Presentation to Professor Jim," both being ceremonies peculiar to the college, and as novel as they are distinctive. The subject of the first presentation is familiar to the average person, that is in its ordinary form; but as the "Lemon-Squeezer" of Class Day fame is something not met with in every-day life, a word of description is pertinent. It is a plain piece of mechanism, devoid of much

dates of presentations, together with the mottoes of the classes who have been its fortunate recipients; upon its reverse side TRINITY is lettered in green and white, the college colors, with '57 below, this being the date of the establishment of the custom. The popularity of a class in college became the sine qua non to obtain the "LemonSqueezer," and, as a general thing, fitness depended upon a long list of "adventures." However that may be, the receiving class was compelled to keep watch and ward over the relic, to immure it within bank vaults, and take the utmost precaution lest it should be wrested from them. It is customary for each class to append a lemon to the "Squeezer," and also to add their "color" to the bunch of ribbons which flaunt themselves at its further extremity. Previous to its appearance on Class Day, the "Squeezer" is exhibited to the class for whom it is intended, and the exhibition is one in which the old relic is made to perform a part, one of the lemons flavoring the punch drunk upon the occasion being squeezed over it by every member of the receiving class.

Without the "Presentation to Professor Jim," Class Day would be dull indeed. The ceremony generally consists of a purse of money, given by the Senior class to the old

fessor Jim," his departments being principally "dust and ashes," and the care of the college bell. Although age has crept upon him, and he has been exempted from active duties by the authorities, still he never fails to appear on Class Day, and is on hand at Commencement, and invariably flies round at turkey time with a Thanksgiving subscription paper. The life of "Professor Jim" has been written by a recent graduate and published in book form, and is to be found in the public libraries at Boston and New York, in company with the biographies. of other distinguished men. The precise date of his birth is obscured in a slight maze of doubt; but, as he remembers to have heard the bell-tolling and the cannon-firing when the news of Washington's death spread through the land, it is conjectured that he was born somewhere about 1790; his father was a freedman and his mother a slave belonging to a retired Revolutionary officer, Colonel Robert by name, who lived at Yonkers, New York, and Jim's early years were spent there and in New York city, when Pearl street, Broadway, and Greenwich street were the principal thoroughfares. Aaron Burr was an intimate friend of Jim's master, and, after his duel with Hamilton, Burr repaired to Colonel Robert's house, where a room was always in readiness against his arrival; this

statement, verified as it is by the greatgrandson of Colonel Robert, clears up an historical doubt as to the whereabouts of Burr after the duel, historians contenting themselves with the announcement that he remained for eleven days in New York city at his home called Richmond Hill. "Professor Jim," or, to give his own name, James Williams, in course of time followed the sea, and, after a number of voyages to foreign lands with attendant dangers, we find him figuring in the war of 1812, as a gunner on board the "Hornet" during her famous engagement with the "Peacock." This

experience is, to the mind of the venerable old man, an ever-pleasant theme to dwell upon, and he recounts the story of his adventures with much gusto. Later he experienced hardships on board a pirate vessel, and, finally leaving maritime life, he took up his abode in Hartford, Connecticut. When, in 1821, Bishop Brownell (afterward first President of Trinity College) came with his family to this city, Jim was installed as

"PROFESSOR JIM," FOR HALF A CENTURY JANITOR OF

TRINITY COLLEGE.

a servant in the household, and two years later, upon the establishment of the college, he became its first janitor. Until within a short time, he has remained at his post, and when, by reason of his old age, the duties became too burdensome, he was pensioned

| bell, which, rung by his faithful hands, has tolled alike the parting death-knell and sounded the summons to prayers and recitation.

Perhaps there is no object about college so much despised, and scorned, and maltreated as the bell, and yet this was Professor Jim's particular pet. He cared for it and tended it day after day, and the students had an eye and a hand on it night after night, but the old "Professor" was equal to any emergency. The coils of ropes and the reserve of hand-bells bore witness to his determination to do his duty in spite of adverse, and, at times, disastrous circum

stances.

To illustrate some of the peculiarities of Jim's Class Day eloquence, we append a few quotations from speeches which have been preserved: "Gentlemen, you has been very kind to me, an' our communion has been sweet together, but we've got to take our departur'! What will become of you, de Lord knows. Some may go to de sandy shores of Arabia, some on you to de tropical wilds of Africa-it's your own fault if you ain't fitted to travel to any part o' de State!"

Upon one occasion, referring to a son of one of the Professors, Jim delivered the following eulogy: "There sits a young man whose father entered college and graduated with honor and dignity to his parents, and allers instructed him in his duty."

Jim was a founder of the African Zion Methodist Church in Hartford, and his Methodist fervor of exhortation would frequently tinge his Class Day speeches, as can be imagined from the quotation subjoined: "Where'er you go, may de Lord bless yer.

You know I always had an interest in your salvation. Remember, gentlemen, you are now in de flower of your youth. You are advancing, but I am devancing! You're soon going to leave dis college, dis splendid canvas; don't neglect to make acquaintance wid de Supreme Being. O, my beloved friends, who has been instructed in de class in de canopy of Heaven, or on de shores of Trinity College!"

The poor old janitor is in reality "devancing," but his genial manners have not left him, and he still has a kindly word for everybody.

The first Commencement of the college was held on the 2d of August, 1827, the seeming disparity of years in the course being accounted for by the fact that the members of the graduating class entered at advanced standing.

After the erection of Christ Church by the oldest Episcopal society in Hartford, the Commencement exercises were held there down to a comparatively recent date, a large stage being built about the pulpit and above the altar, for the accommodation of the Faculty, college dignitaries, and the speakers; the galleries of the church, being the best position from which to see and to be seen, were crowded to their utmost capacity, and

"The round, laughing face of the beautiful girl"

lighted up the dim old cloisters, and doubtless spoke approval of the efforts of the aspirants for academic honors. Among the men who received their Bachelor's degree in Christ Church were two who, during their collegiate life, were closely associated, both as room-mates and class-mates, and in after years, separated by the tenets of their respective faiths, attained great eminence in the Episcopal and in the Roman Catholic Churches. We refer to Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D., present Bishop of Connecticut, and Archbishop J. R. Bayley, of New Jersey. In connection with the subject of Commencement, we have to recall a custom which, pleasing and thoughtful in its nature, had also about it a touch of pathos. After the retirement of the first President, Bishop Brownell, from his duties as head of the college, and when the infirmities of age prevented him from leaving his home, the Commencement procession, on its way to the church, marched through the street on which he lived, and, pausing in front of his residence, tarried while the

more important duties which awaited them. Another custom of the day is not uninteresting, and is deserving of note-the occupation by the President, during the exercises, of a quaint old chair, primitive in design, dark with age, and, we might add, somewhat uncomfortable to sit in. The chair was originally the property of the famous Bishop Berkeley, who nearly one hundred and fifty years ago lived at Newport, R. I., and, upon changing his place of residence, left his farm and also his books to Yale College, many of his personal effects being given to particular friends; by which distribution the chair passed into the hands of Joseph Wanton, Governor of Rhode Island, whose daughter married a grandson of Governor Saltonstall, of Connecticut, a Whig, who in 1781 was burned out by Benedict Arnold. In this extremity, having applied to Governor Wanton for aid, he was the recipient, among other things, of this chair, which through a successive generation was presented to Trinity. It is becoming more and more historical, and the fact that it was the study chair in which Bishop Berkeley composed, while at Newport, the celebrated "Minute Philosopher," adds to its value as a relic.

The war record of Trinity College is a