The first President was Henry Dunster, a man of learning and cultivation.  He entered upon his office, August 27, 1640, and left it, October 24, 1654.  It was during his administration that most of those unique rules were established which I have quoted.  We can see in them the evident origin or occasion of hazing the Freshmen, which would naturally follow such rules.  At the present day, be it known, the custom has entirely ceased.  The Freshmen of to-day are treated like gentlemen by all classes.  All the students are placed on their honor, in every way, save only in some necessary particulars.  Hazing has passed into history as a barbarous custom of the past, and the deportment of the students to-day is that of gentlemen, with very rare exceptions, such as might be expected among so large a number.  In the great Memorial Hall, where they eat, the best of deportment is always to be seen, and everywhere there is now a pride, in all departments of the University, in observing the proprieties of good conduct.  Indeed this has always been the rule.  The hazing has never been so extensively practised as many have supposed; and no body of men can anywhere be found, in Congress, legislatures, schools, academies, or colleges, whose deportment excels in excellence that of the students of Harvard University.  This observation is demanded from the fact that many parents, some of whom are known the writer, have decided to send sons to other institutions, on the very ground of the influence of college customs and habits.

* * * * *

THE DEFENCE OF NEW YORK, 1776.

By Henry B. Carrington, U.S.A., LL.D.

[The siege of Boston gave to the Continental Army that instruction in military engineering, and that contact with a disciplined foe, which prepared it for the immediate operations at New York and in New Jersey.  (See The Bay State Monthly, January, 1884, pages 37-44.)

  The occupation and defence of New York and Brooklyn, so promptly made,
  was a strategic necessity, fully warranted by existing conditions,
  although temporary.]

It is not easy to reconcile the views which we take, in turn, through the eye and object lenses of a field-glass, so that the real subject of examination will not be distorted by too great nearness or remoteness.

If we bring back to this hour the events of one hundred years ago, it is certain that the small armies and the smaller appliances of force then in use will seem trifling, in contrast with those which have so recently wearied science and have tasked invention in the work and waste of war.

If we thrust them back to their proper place behind the memory of all living men, we only see a scattered people, poorly armed, but engaged in hopeful conflict with Great Britain, then mistress of the seas, proudly challenging the world to arms, and boldly vindicating her challenge.