THE INDEPENDENT "FRESHER."

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 142, 16 June 1906, Page 10

THE INDEPENDENT "FRESHER."

In "Oxford from Within,". in the New York Outlook, Mr. H. J Haskell writes : Since the Rhodes scholars made their first appearance in Oxford I have heard of one significant incident. In nearly all the colleges ifc is an old custom for the second and third year men to entertain the freshmen by what is known as a "Fresher's Drunk." This orgy is held in the rooms of ont of the Freshmen, whether the occupier wishes it or not). Last winter, however, one of the American Rhodes Freshers was informed that on a rertain evening there would be a "Drunk" held in his rooms, so that he had better prepare to receive the guests. The Rhodes man quietly but firmly told his informant, that he personally had no objection whatever to their having a "Drunk," bub that it would not be held in his rooms. The senior looked :it him and gasped, for such independence was almost unheard of. Uouever, ifc was determined by the "Drunk" Committee bhat, nlens volens, the Fresher should submit. Ei't when the eventful evening came, and the "Drunk" Committee visited the i-x-e&h-lnan'g rooms, they were met by an assembly of the friends of that Freshniau, all Americans, tall and musclar like himself, who smiled pleashntly and cordially invited them to come in. Needless to say, there was no "Drunk" held that evening. In this manner the Rhodes scholars have it in their power to exercise an improving influence on Oxford student life which will be welcomed by all right-minded Englishmen.