The Dress of Harvard Students in 1822.

The freedom and variety of dress of the present Harvard student contrasts peculiarly with the dress of the undergraduate of fifty years ago. The law was passed by the authorities in 1822, and it was at once put into practice. It reads substantially as follows: "The coat must be of black-mixed, called also Oxford-mixed, single breasted, with a rolling cape square at the end, and with pocket flaps; waist reaching to the natural waist, with lapels of the same length; skirts reaching to the bend of the knee; three crows-feet, made of black silk cord on the lower part of the sleeve of a senior, two on that of a junior, and one on that of sophomore. The waistcoat must be of black or mixed black; or when of cotton or linen fabric, of white. The surtout or great coat must be also of black-mixed with not more than two capes. The buttons of the above dress must be flat, covered with the same cloth as that of the garments, not more than eight nor less than six on the front of the coat and four behind. A surtout, or outside garment, is not to be substituted for the coat. But the undergraduates are permitted to wear black gowns, in which they may appear on all public occasions. Night-gowns, of cotton or linen or silk fabric, made in the usual form, or in that of a frock coat, may be worn, except on the Sabbath, on exhibition and other occasions when an undress would be improper. The neck-cloths must be in plain black or plain white. No student, while in the State of Massachusetts, shall, either in vacation or term time wear any different dress or ornament from those above named, except that in case of mourning he may add the customary badges. Students who are already furnished with clothes, not conforming to the uniform above requried, may continue to wear them on procuring the written request of a parent, guardian, or patron to that effect. Any student violating these regulations and persisting therein after admonition shall be dismissed from the college."