fort of refreshments. Patterned to some extent after the Privatissima are the meetings held in turn at the rooms of the several members of a special branch of study. Here is no professor to bless or restrain. Here the young gods, no longer over-modest, work their will, and discuss grievances to vary the quiet of the steady search for truth. These gatherings are Bohemian, sometimes even Philistine; proper always, but by no means staid. At these times there is no lack of panaceas to drive dull care away. The Kentuckian passes around his "vinaigrette," and all examine the curious device; the young American born in China brings out his jar of tea that he has brought straight from the heart of the Celestial Empire, and we make a simon-pure amber brew; the master of the evening then presents "substantiate," with cakes and confections manifold; and finally the member from North Carolina bountifully furnishes us with his native country's golden tobacco, wherewith we proceed to make ourselves happy. These are our veritable Noctes Ambrosianœ.
In the course of the year our hearts are made glad by an invitation to a reception given by some warm-hearted considerate citizen of Baltimore. Here we find, besides professors and students, ladies and gentlemen of this city, and distinguished visitors. Surely we are blest in having friends so full of encouragement and hearty cheer for our progress as we have found the people of Baltimore to be. We are welcomed kindly at their homes, are introduced to their guests, and warned of the futility of very hard study, to such good purpose that we often lose the distinguishing mark of the pale cast of thought upon our faces. Then there is another power which exerts a wonderful influence against a suicidal application to books. For the flower of an ideal social environment for a university, commend us to the young ladies of Baltimore. What is your taste? Transcendentalism? Literature? Special theology? Palmistry? You need not be surprised to find some wise Minerva to accommodate you. Will you discourse on yachting? driving? base-ball? or a military parade? Every girl may be a ready authority. Is not this as it should be? "The wheel is come full circle." Such light is quite approachable. It is no more difficult for a student of Johns Hopkins to become acquainted with any young lady than it would be for any other young gentleman residing in Baltimore to do so. In fact, the students are supposed to act in general as if this were their home city; and we think the idea well carried out. For we have never known a case of viciously obstinate homesickness in our midst; and in the high tide of the year all traces of regret are put away into cosey oblivion. To those who have ever had little twinges of homesickness, this should speak volumes.
The public lectures given during the fall in Hopkins Hall are of much interest to members of the university and their friends. The lectures treat of literature, science, and art, more or less exhaustively. They are delivered by both resident and non-resident lecturers on stated days during the week, and usually at live o'clock in the afternoon, when the regular lectures for the day are concluded. In the audience may be observed many a fair listener, intent on the matter under consideration, and expecting to be equal to discussion on the subject at the close,
