the monument, and, led by their "choragus," furnish an impromptu concert. In fine weather these sings usually take place about twice a week, though of late a novelty has been introduced in the shape of a sing by the whole college, which of course comes less frequently. On these occasions there is no lack of auditors, as the first strains are sure to summon forth a considerable number of the villagers, who find these moonlight concerts very agreeable occasions for promenading the college walks.
Commencement week is the Seniors' festival, though the under-classes do not lack means of enjoyment. During this week come the prize declamations, Class-day, Commencement proper, society receptions, the Senior promenade, the Glee Club concert, and a repetition of the Junior Dramatics as presented in the winter term. Then, too, each class holds its yearly class-supper at the close of the usual semi-annual examinations. Albany and Saratoga are the favorite resorts for these suppers, and you will find no jollier assembly anywhere than the crowd of undergraduates that annually boards the train bound for these points. With this one night of revelry, usually quite innocent, the whole score of a year's constant work is to be paid, and no one fails to do justice to the occasion. As to Commencement, Class-day, and the other anniversary exercises, they differ little from the usual observances in all the well-known colleges, rendered so familiar to us through the medium of the press.
In these few pages much has been said of the student's manner of enjoying himself, and little of the unceasing work that makes up the great part of his daily life. Nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that the former is the exception and the latter the rule. It has for years been the fashion to repeat the old sneer, that a college is a place where men go to play ball,—ignoring the fact that to the collegian athletic sports are virtually the only means of recreation within reach, and that, considering his nightly hours of study, he devotes far less time to them than is spent by his city brother in more questionable forms of amusement. It is gratifying, then, to know that, in the light of facts, this cry is gradually losing its supporters, and now, as never before, is found a due appreciation of a sound body as the receptacle of a sound mind. That Williams has been among the foremost in taking this forward step, is the pride of her loyal sons, and one of the prime causes of her prosperity.
It will be seen from this outline that life at Williams College is neither fast nor furious. This state of things is deplored by some, but it nevertheless subserves the first interests of the college, in that it produces the most favorable conditions for mental growth by reducing to a minimum the usual distractions of early manhood. At the same time, vacation joys have a heightened zest, and at the end of the four years' course Williams men have seldom found time to become weary of the world or habitually bored. The very air seems to have a flavor of earnestness, and experience has taught that those who go forth yearly seldom prove false to the traditions and influence of their alma mater.
