A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 56

Mr. Mather _moderated_ at the Masters'

disputations.--_Hutchinson's Hist. of Ma.s.s._, Vol. I. p. 175, note.

Mr. Andrew _moderated_ at the Commencements.--_Clap's Hist. of Yale Coll._, p. 15.

President Holyoke was of a n.o.ble, commanding presence. He was perfectly acquainted with academic matters, and _moderated_ at Commencements with great dignity.--_Holmes's Life of Ezra Stiles_, p. 26.

Mr. Woodbridge _moderated_ at Commencement, 1723.--_Woolsey's Hist. Disc._, p. 103.

MODERATOR. In the English universities, one who superintends the exercises and disputations in philosophy, and the examination for the degree of B.A.--_Cam. Cal._

The disputations at which the _Moderators_ presided in the English universities "are now reduced," says Brande, "to little more than matters of form."

The word was formerly in use in American colleges.

Five scholars performed public exercises; the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge acted as _Moderator_.--_Clap's Hist. of Yale Coll._, p. 27.

He [the President] was occasionally present at the weekly declamations and public disputations, and then acted as _Moderator_; an office which, in his absence, was filled by one of the Tutors.--_Quincy's Hist. of Harv. Univ._, Vol. I. p. 440.

MONITOR. In schools or universities, a pupil selected to look to the scholars in the absence of the instructor, or to notice the absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or cla.s.s.--_Webster_.

In American colleges, the monitors are usually appointed by the President, their duty being to keep bills of absence from, and tardiness at, devotional and other exercises. See _Laws of Harv.

and Yale Colls._, &c.

Let _monitors_ scratch as they please, We'll lie in bed and take our ease.

_Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 123.

MOONLIGHT. At Williams College, the prize rhetorical exercise is called by this name; the reason is not given. The students speak of "making a rush for _moonlight_," i.e. of attempting to gain the prize for elocution.

In the evening comes _Moonlight_ Exhibition, when three men from each of the three lower cla.s.ses exhibit their oratorical powers, and are followed by an oration before the Adelphic Union, by Ralph Waldo Emerson.--_Boston Daily Evening Traveller_, July 12, 1854.

MOONLIGHT RANGERS. At Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania, a t.i.tle applied to a band composed of the most noisy and turbulent students, commanded by a captain and sub-officer, who, in the most fantastic disguises, or in any dress to which the moonlight will give most effect, appear on certain nights designated, prepared to obey any command in the way of engaging in any sport of a pleasant nature. They are all required to have instruments which will make the loudest noise and create the greatest excitement.

MOSS-COVERED HEAD. In the German universities, students during the sixth and last term, or _semester_, are called _Moss-covered Heads_, or, in an abbreviated form, _Mossy Heads_.

MOUNTAIN DAY. The manner in which this day is observed at Williams College is described in the accompanying extracts.

"Greylock is to the student in his rambles, what Mecca is to the Mahometan; and a pilgrimage to the summit is considered necessary, at least once during the collegiate course. There is an ancient and time-honored custom, which has existed from the establishment of the College, of granting to the students, once a year, a certain day of relaxation and amus.e.m.e.nt, known by the name of '_Mountain Day_.' It usually occurs about the middle of June, when the weather is most favorable for excursions to the mountains and other places of interest in the vicinity. It is customary, on this and other occasions during the summer, for parties to pa.s.s the night upon the summit, both for the novelty of the thing, and also to enjoy the unrivalled prospect at sunrise next morning."--_Sketches of Will. Coll._, 1847, pp. 85-89.

"It so happens that Greylock, in our immediate vicinity, is the highest mountain in the Commonwealth, and gives a view from its summit 'that for vastness and sublimity is equalled by nothing in New England except the White Hills.' And it is an ancient observance to go up from this valley once in the year to 'see the world.' We were not of the number who availed themselves of this _lex non scripta_, forasmuch as more than one visit in time past hath somewhat worn off the novelty of the thing. But a goodly number 'went aloft,' some in wagons, some on horseback, and some, of a st.u.r.dier make, on foot. Some, not content with a mountain _day_, carried their knapsacks and blankets to encamp till morning on the summit and see the sun rise. Not in the open air, however, for a magnificent timber observatory has been set up,--a rough-hewn, sober, substantial 'light-house in the skies,' under whose roof is a limited portion of infinite s.p.a.ce shielded from the winds."--_Williams Monthly Miscellany_, 1845, Vol. I. p. 555.

"'_Mountain day_,' the date to which most of the imaginary _rows_ have been a.s.signed, comes at the beginning of the summer term, and the various cla.s.ses then ascend Greylock, the highest peak in the State, from which may be had a very fine view. Frequently they pa.s.s the night there, and beds are made of leaves in the old tower, bonfires are built, and they get through it quite comfortable."--_Boston Daily Evening Traveller_, July 12, 1854.

MOUTH. To recite in an affected manner, as if one knew the lesson, when in reality he does not.

Never shall you allow yourself to think of going into the recitation-room, and there trust to "skinning," as it is called in some colleges, or "phrasing," as in others, or "_mouthing_ it," as in others.--_Todd's Student's Manual_, p. 115.

MRS. GOFF. Formerly a cant phrase for any woman.

But cease the touching chords to sweep, For _Mrs. Goff_ has deigned to weep.

_Rebelliad_, p. 21.

m.u.f.f. A foolish fellow.

Many affected to sneer at him, as a "_m.u.f.f_" who would have been exceedingly flattered by his personal acquaintance.--_Blackwood's Mag._, Eng. ed., Vol. LX. p. 147.

MULE. In Germany, a student during the vacation between the time of his quitting the gymnasium and entering the university, is known as a mule.

MUS.B. An abbreviation for _Musicae Baccalaureus_, Bachelor of Music. In the English universities, a Bachelor of Music must enter his name at some college, and compose and perform a solemn piece of music, as an exercise before the University.

MUS.D. An abbreviation for _Musicae Doctor_, Doctor of Music. A Mus.D. is generally a Mus.B., and his exercise is the same.

MUSES. A college or university is often designated the _Temple, Retreat, Seat_, &c. _of the Muses_.

Having pa.s.sed this outer court of the _Temple of the Muses_, you are ushered into the Sanctum Sanctorum itself.--_Alma Mater_, Vol.

I. p. 87.

Inviting ... such distinguished visitors as happen then to be on a tour to this attractive _retreat of the Muses_.--_Ibid._, Vol. I, p. 156.

My instructor ventured to offer me as a candidate for admission into that renowned _seat of the Muses_, Harvard College.--_New England Mag._, Vol. III. p. 237.

A student at a college or university is sometimes called a _Son of the Muses_.

It might perhaps suit some inveterate idlers, smokers, and drinkers, but no true _son of the Muses_.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol.

XV. p. 3.

While it was his earnest desire that the beloved _sons of the Muses_ might leave the inst.i.tutions enriched with the erudition, &c.--_Judge Kent's Address before [Greek: Phi Beta Kappa] of Yale Coll._, p. 39, 1831.

_N_.

NAVY CLUB. The Navy Club, or the Navy, as it was formerly called, originated among the students of Harvard College about the year 1796, but did not reach its full perfection until several years after. What the primary design of the a.s.sociation was is not known, nor can the causes be ascertained which led to its formation. At a later period its object seems to have been to imitate, as far as possible, the customs and discipline peculiar to the flag-ship of a navy, and to afford some consolation to those who received no appointments at Commencement, as such were always chosen its officers. The _Lord High Admiral_ was appointed by the admiral of the preceding cla.s.s, but his election was not known to any of the members of his cla.s.s until within six weeks of Commencement, when the parts for that occasion were a.s.signed. It was generally understood that this officer was to be one of the poorest in point of scholarship, yet the jolliest of all the "Jolly Blades." At the time designated, he broke the seal of a package which had been given him by his predecessor in office, the contents of which were known only to himself; but these were supposed to be the insignia of his office, and the instructions pertaining to the admiralty. He then appointed his a.s.sistant officers, a vice-admiral, rear-admiral, captain, sailing-master, boatswain, &c. To the boatswain a whistle was given, transmitted, like the admiral's package, from cla.s.s to cla.s.s.

The Flag-ship for the year 1815 was a large marquee, called "The Good Ship Harvard," which was moored in the woods, near the place where the residence of the Hon. John G. Palfrey now stands. The floor was arranged like the deck of a man-of-war, being divided into the main and quarter decks. The latter was occupied by the admiral, and no one was allowed to be there with him without special order or permission. In his sway he was very despotic, and on board ship might often have been seen reclining on his couch, attended by two of his subordinates (cla.s.smates), who made his slumbers pleasant by guarding his sacred person from the visits of any stray mosquito, and kept him cool by the vibrations of a fan.

The marquee stood for several weeks, during which time meetings were frequently held in it. At the command of the admiral, the boatswain would sound his whistle in front of Holworthy Hall, the building where the Seniors then, as now, resided, and the student sailors, issuing forth, would form in procession, and march to the place of meeting, there to await further orders. If the members of the Navy remained on board ship over night, those who had received appointments at Commencement, then called the "Marines," were obliged to keep guard while the members slept or caroused.