1210 OYSTERS. 



against it, before the University Court, but it had come off with flying 

 colors and was now enjoying the express sanction of the authorities. 



Plitt, another of those who were about to leave, now presented to 

 the Association a handsome original drawing, representing two students 

 before the altar, upon which were standing the cup, Bible and cross, also 

 the altarc-over emblazoned with the arms of the Association. Their 

 liands were firmly grasped. Above the altar there hovered an angel, 

 supplicating a blessing upon them. The architectural embellishments 

 were, appropriately in the pure Gothic style. A simultaneous burst of 

 applause and gratitude was his vote of thanks. 



By this time the cloud of smoke was so dense as to render objects 

 indistinct at the other end of the room and almost to suffocate unsea- 

 soned lungs. I was about begging off, when I found that the Society 

 never kept very late hours, and would soon disperse. There followed 

 an amusing poem, a satire, if I recollect rightly, upon the indolent, in- 

 flated, duel-fighting student. The whole wound up with a glee. 



OYSTERS. 



" If the man who oysters cries. 

 Cry not when his father dies, 

 'Tis a proof that he would rather 

 Have an oyster than his father — " 



And what if he would ? 



My friend, hast thou well considered the matter, critically weighing' 



an irreproachable oyster against parental dogmatism ? Or art 



thou, haply, a denizen of some inland region, as of some nether 

 world, whereunto a visible oyster hath never penetrated ? If so, thou 

 mayest admire my impiety, while I, being full of oysters, would pity, 

 not scorn, thine ignorance. Abide in thy bigotry, nor ever stray to the 

 sea-board ; for this food is sweeter than the lotus of Homer, and he 

 that eateth thereof shall straightway forget his kin and his Western 

 home. 



Oysters ! 



"Sweets, which he who sings them knows." Sole pure and undefi- 

 led creature, in a world corrupted and accursed! Oyster! thou art ever 

 good. Like the sunbeam thou mayest pass through every change, thy 

 glory is the same. The culinary flame may modify — nothing can im- 

 prove thee. The condiments of every clime may humbly minister to 

 thee, may diversify thy flavor: but after all, to my devoted heart, thou 

 art like beauty *•' adorned the most when unadorned." Thou art thy 



