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.

MUFF.  A foolish fellow.

Many affected to sneer at him, as a “muff” 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 passed 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 institutions 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 association 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 class, but his election was not known to any of the members of his class until within six weeks of Commencement, when the parts for that occasion were assigned.  It was generally understood that