NOTES

For the information of those who have not the happiness to be members of the University of St. Andrews, it may be well to explain a few terms.  A bejant is an undergraduate student of the first year.  In his second year he becomes a semi, in his third a tertian, and in his fourth a magistrand.  The last would seem to be a gerundive form, implying that a man at the end of his fourth year ought to be made a Master of Arts; but unfortunately this does not always happen.  A divine is a student in Divinity.  A waster is a man of idle and (it may be) profligate habits.  A grinder, on the contrary, is one who ‘grinds’ or reads with an unusual degree of application.  A bunk is the lodging or abode in St. Andrews of any student.  A spree is not necessarily an entertainment of rowdy character; the most decorous Professorial dinner-party would be called a spree.  A solatium is a Debating Society spree, held in December or January; a gaudeamus is a festival of the same kind, only rather more ambitious, celebrated towards the close of the session. Session would be rendered in England by ‘term.’  The Competition (for Bursaries), or the ‘Comp.,’ is the examination for entrance scholarships.  The cage is a curious structure of glass, iron, and wood, in which notices and examination lists are posted.  The letters S.  R. C. denote the Students’ Representative Council.  An L.L.A. is a Lady Literate in Arts. Math. (as the discerning reader will not be slow to perceive) is an abbreviation, endearing or otherwise, of the word Mathematics. Moral stands for Moral Philosophy. Prof. is a shortened form of Professor, and certif. of certificate. Plough, pluck, and spin are used indifferently, to signify the action of an examiner in rejecting a candidate for the M.A. or any other degree.  It should be mentioned that the degree of B.A. is not now conferred by the Universities of Scotland.

Page 4.  Euripides:  Hippolytus, 70-87.

Page 22. Odes, I. II.

Page 52. The Town Water.  The state of things described in this ballad, so far as the quality of St. Andrews water is concerned, has long since been remedied.  As to the demeanour of the Bailies and Councillors, I cannot speak with the same certainty.

Page 64. Milton, a name to adorn the Cross Keys.  Mr. Milton’s name is no longer associated with this time-honoured tavern, but with a new hotel.

Page 86. [GREEK TITLE].  The motto in the Upper Library Hall, where the ceremony of Graduation takes place.

Page 88.  Catullus, CI.

Page 101. The shanty down by the shore.  The St. Andrews Marine
Biological Laboratory.

Page 117. This was cast into the Swilcan.  The Swilcan Burn is a small stream which flows across the golfing links, and forms one of the hazards of the course.