PATERNAL GOVERNMENT.

Few can realize what a careful supervision was exercised over the students of Harvard when the college was in its infancy. In those days of strict Puritanic customs, a student, and especially a freshman, could not do anything except in accordance with certain rules laid down by the watchful faculty. Each morning and evening they had to read the scriptures according to the provisions of this article:

"Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that they be ready to give an account of their proficiency therein, both in theoretical observations of language and logic, and in practical and spiritual truths, as their tutor shall require."

Thus a knowledge of the Bible was made the basis of much of their education. No student could obtain a degree until he knew it well, for it was further provided that:

"Every scholar, that on proof is found able to read the original of the Old and New Testament into the Latin tongue, and to resolve them logically, withal being of honest life and conversation, and at any public act hath the approbation of the overseers and master of the college, may be invested with his first degree."

This general and careful supervision is further explained by the following selected regulations:

"The scholars shall never use their mother tongue, except that in public exercise of oratory, or such like, they be called to make them in English."

"They shall honor as their parents, magistrates, elders, tutors, and aged persons, by being silent in their presence (except they be called on to answer)."

"None shall pragmatically intrude or intermeddle in other men's affairs."

"No scholar shall buy, sell, or exchange any thing, to the value of sixpence, without the allowance of his parents, guardians or tutors."

Cuts were only granted by special permission, and then only for cause. For the old rule said:

"No scholar whatever, without the froeacquaintance and leave of the president and his tutor, or, in the absence of either of them, two of the fellows, shall be present at or in any of the public civil meetings, or concourse of people, as courts of justice, elections, fairs, or at military exercise, in the time or hours of the college exercise, public or private. Neither shall any scholar exercise himself in any military band, unless of known gravity, and of approved sober and virtuous conversation, and that with the leave of the president and his tutor."

These applied to all the students. For the freshmen still harder rules were made. The lives of that class must have been made miserable by the exactions and duties which were required of them. Everyone from the president in his wig and gown down to the newly fledged sophomore could make those poor mortals do their bidding. The freshmen then had to eat "humble pie" such as they have never since tasted, even when nowadays their fondest hopes are blasted. How low they were held by their betters these last rules will show.

"No freshman shall wear his hat in the college yard, unless it rains, hails, or snows, provided he be on foot and have not both hands full."

"Freshmen are to consider all the other classes as their seniors."

"No freshman shall speak to a senior with his hat on; or have it on in a senior's chamber, or in his own if a senior be there."

"All freshmen shall be obliged to go on any errand for any of his seniors, graduates or undergraduates, at any time, except in studying hours, or after nine o'clock in the evening."