heated atmosphere of a southern city in the summer months, can adequately appreciate the boon which this decision conferred upon the inmates of the College. It speaks well for the sturdy self-denying spirit of those generations of students, who during all the years of their course were contented to live within the narrow precincts of the College grounds with no other break in the monotony of their surroundings save what was afforded by an occasional walk in the city or its suburbs, and the recreation so keenly prized of "the fortnight at Pera."
But the pleasures and benefits of Palma were not confined to the summer months; it offered facilities for a "day in the country" on the Thursdays of each week which by rule is always a free day. On such occasions, with a liberty not conceded as far as the writer is aware to the inmates of any other ecclesiastical college, yet justified by the absence of abuse, the students sallied forth not formed in line two abreast like a young ladies school out for a walk, but in parties of two or three, with no rule limiting their rambles either in city or country, except that of meeting at the stated hour for dinner. The frequent visits made in the season to the orange groves where visions of the golden fruit either still hanging on the branches or strewn in profusion on the ground whetted the young appetite, which, at the cost of a few pence only, might be indulged to satiety; the free entrance kindly conceded by the proprietors and often availed of, to the grounds of the various villas in the neighbourhood, afforded additional change and amusement, and all returned home in the evening refreshed and invigorated for the close application of the ensuing week.
Nor would the pleasant reminiscences of Palma be complete if mention were omitted of those occasional afternoon teas with the accompaniment of sweet cake and marmalade, not the modern concoction known under that name, with which the different parties provided themselves en route. These were the more enjoyable because, if the truth must be told, surreptitiously indulged in, and flavoured with the risk sometimes
