College Life.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 July 1911, Page 2

College Life.

FROM THE INSIDE.

AYR ITTEN FOR THE CHRONICLE. '

Ry J'uvenis

AX OFF DAY

A holiday comes as a welcome break in tiio ordinary routine. To it the student looks forward with as much expectation as a hoy in the third standard of a primary school. Not, indeed, that he puts it to the same idle use, for, more often than not, part at least of every odd holiday sees strenuous efforts made to overtake arrears of work. Of that there is no doubt. And yet on holidays the old adage: ''Liang sorrow, care will kill a cat; and therefore, let's he merry," runs with merry cadence through the student mind.

It was small wonder then that Coronation Day should lie a day ol note. Outside it was a day ol gloom. The vain lashed itself iinpotently against the window panes. With aimless fury the squalls chased each other round tho chimney pets. Across the valley the tough and gnarled trees bowed their stately heads with dignity before the blast. Everywhere tho drip, drip, dripping of the rain echoed mournfully in tho ears. It was a cheerless and a beastly day.

Little wonder then that the opportunity of a late sleep in should be snatched -by many a student. Such luxury is not ol'ten his. His usually is not the lot to sleep, to doze, t'o dimly dream throughout the morning's later hours. I often think the pleasantcst time of sleep is in the later morning hours when you are half asleep and half awake. That delightful semi-comatose condition when you wander in the land of dreams, knowing that you wander. Strange it is, and yet its true. Lovingly and lingcringly your soul dallies with the visions that come within her ken. But the echoes of this bourne of time and space still linger in ner ears.' She knows she wanders; but she knows not how, she knows not where.

But 1 do not intend to venture into the real in of .speculative mysticism. No! I have to deal with facts, with hard and concrete facts.

I was one of. those who, in common language, kept my hed on Coronation morning. Till fairly lato I dozed and dozed, and at last by asupreme effort of will 1 arose and performed my ablutions. Whilst thus engaged I heard the bathroom door open, and looking round I perceived that a student or two had entered the room. This, however, caused me no surprise, although the hour was late, so 1 continued my a.blutionary process.

But suddenly 1 found the room was full of men. Moreover, flags we're waving, and a cushion was borno forward by students whoso jaws ache;!: to repress J:.ho grins which overspread their faces. A muck then appeared; by lusty willing hands I was forced up-

: ii my knees; with stately dignitv the cushion was brought forward and uncovered, when hi! an old pot appeared, handileless, a;ul wnr.se of wear. The prelate then exhorted me to uph::ld always the honour of the throne, to wear my crown with dignity, and when tired to hold it by the handle. My "pot was then put on," whilst the archbishop "In tones solemn, full and round Declared me fitly, duly crowned." Flags waved, cheers rent the air, and above all the National Anthem nealcd out with vehemence and volume : "God sive our gracious King, T.'.-ng live our noble King, God save the King." The saying runs. "I ncasy lies the head that wears a crown." Yes! on the whole it's true. There are crowns and crowns. Hut the most ludicrous cruVn with which man could l>e crownedi was this. . Hut he who would take offence thereat reveals weakness in his character which the college atmosphere soon rectifies. It's all in the day's work, or the day's play, as the case may lie. Willy nillv, you must take it as it conies.

If you are a wise man, this vou do. For when .the next Coronation takes place it is your turn to enjoy the scene. Tlk'So who have been, crowned "an assist with great joy at the Coronation ceremony of the next Into riser.

And so it was all the morning thrwisili. One by one the lute risers were snapped up, awd each submitted with, the best grace possible, ..to the "dignity" conferred upon him.

"Changes are like,some," t'lioy say, "and fools arc fund of tliem." Wo were* fond of changes nn this particular flav, and, were wo also fools? 1 fiiipp.".so wo wore. Wo admit the somo impeachment. At any rate, u'e proved the truth of the saying that "familiarity breeds contempt." The coronations soon lost their interest, so fresh fields of 'interest were .sought for exuberant spirits. For some time peace reigned, and rhen the buildim; reechoed to the shouts of marauding aii'l fwrafiing parties. The first flo'ir attacked the second floor. The ground floor willed guerilla warfare on them back. All day loner the battle rr»l----?1 no and'down the. corridors. All day lonir the dust and fluff I'rain pillow swirled around. Plots were hatched and ambuscades were laid. "In deadly lock and battle shock" the combatants fought on. No ouairter was asked and none wa.s Tiven until the day drew towards its c J o!-'e. Hut even the healthy virile student ran have his fill.' ICnoirah is as good as a feast at any time, and ho knows that well. 'Hie re,fa re wad, trail v th" din less fre'ment screw the yells, the stamps of feet no mare awoke the rehoes.

Pr-ace w*s .rV;'.inrc-:!. -and half an horn* later those who had the keenest onnrwsents in th«. fray wer« ioyfnllv di'sr-ussing the fortunes of war over the evening meal.