36 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



Nov. 12. .... In the afternoon I went to speaking, after 

 which the Senior called up the Freshman class into the long 

 gallery, and gave them some advice ; after which I was 

 appealed to as umpire between a Freshman and a Junior 

 who had commanded the Freshman to go of an errand, and 

 he refused. I decided conditionally in favor of the Fresh- 

 man, and my judgment was afterwards confirmed by the 

 opinions of my classmates 



Nov. 15. .... I wrote poetry (or, perhaps more prop- 

 erly, rhyme) all the evening, in addition to a piece which I 

 began some time since, and which I expect to exhibit before 

 the Brothers' Society, in the form of an oration. It will be 

 my first attempt in public; how I shall succeed I know 

 not, but am prepared for the worst ; so whether it should 

 be acceptable or not, it cannot injure me. 



Nov. 16. . . . . At supper this evening Tutor S 



undertook to reprove the scholars for being too noisy, by 

 telling a little story of President Clap. The effect was a 

 universal laugh ; thus his very reproof caused a repetition 

 of the noise for which he was reproving them. But I must 

 confess that I cannot tell whether they laughed most at the 

 wit or folly of the story. 



Nov. 17. Cloudy. I rose early this morning, after a 

 night of tolerable though not undisturbed repose. I wrote 

 all the forenoon upon the question, " Whether the want of 

 religious principles ought to exclude a man from a public 

 office." Copied poetry in the afternoon. In the evening 

 viewed the moon through a telescope, read the newspaper, 

 &c., &c. * 



Nov. 23. . . . . We (the Senior class) this day sent a 

 petition to the steward, to change our sugar, &c. Nothing 

 remarkable has occurred this day, but I could wish to 

 find myself amended in several particulars. I find that I 

 am very apt to be guilty of scandal, although I acquit my- 

 self of doing it through any malicious design. I desire to 

 make it a rule from this time never to say anything con- 



