LETTERS TO A FRIEXD AT COLLEGE. 177 



a short convulgive jump, as if he had come into contact with sometliino- 

 very offensive. lie then touched the other comhatant, and a similar 

 movement followed. The effect of these touciies upon the belligerent 

 parties was to inflame their anger, and to stimulate them to more fearful 

 deeds of violence. I supposed, from the movements of the third partv, 

 that all his efforts were directed to the pacification of the warriors, and 

 I have had no reason nnto this day to change my opinion. He seemed 

 to be startled and alarmed at the spirit of his brethren, and when his 

 well-meant efforts resulted in nothing- but an aggravation of the evil he 

 sought to remedy, he stood for some moments in silent astonishment, 

 apparently grieved at heart, then, as a final appeal to all the nobler sen- 

 sibilities of the ant-nature, he raised himself up on his hind legs and 

 stretching out his feelers and his fore-legs (or arms) seemed to say with 

 tears in his eyes, ".Alas f brethren you ought not to do so; vou are de- 

 stroying yourselves, and you are violating the laws which bind us to- 

 gether in the social compact. I pray you make an amicable adjustment 

 of your difficulties, and suffer not your example to exert a deleterious 

 influence upon mankind, who by the Great Creator have been directed 

 to us in order that they may learn lessons of wisdom." What the effect 

 of this speech was I did not stop to ascertain, as the bell at that moment 

 summoned the family to the evening meal and I was compelled to leave. 



letters to a friend .it college. no. il 

 Dear Amicus : 



You assure me that you are "anxious for the ^second lesson,'' and 

 hope it will not be delayed so long, that you will have forgotten the first 

 before it arrives." Well, although collegians are so fond of quizzing, I 

 take you at your word, and, according to the three rules for Epics, dash 

 at once "m medias res?'' 



I am to examine '•'■What is your situation''' as a student in College .' 

 Of course, in accordance with what I have already said, my question 

 refers to the advantages which you enjoy for study. 



Ah ! T see in your snug little room, surrounded with books and as- 

 sociated with a friend who is now to you what you once were to me, 

 a spur to urge me forward in my literary pursuits by your generous em- 

 ulation. Tou would like to talk over all sorts of subjects, but it is 

 within an hour of "recitation," and he must busily thrum his Dictionary, 

 and you must read over your notes and consult the authors to whom 

 the Professor in his last lecture, upon which you are forthwith to be 

 examined, referred you for further elucidations of his subject. I see 

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