Capping and Rowdyism

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5, 1 February 1906, Page 1

Capping and Rowdyism

Chesterfield had mo patience with the men— and they are to be found a-plenty — who reserve their best manners for ' les jours de gala '—great occasions. University students in English-speaking countries reverse the principle : they reserve their worst possible manners for gala-days, and especially for capping ceremonies. Why this should be so we cannot say. It seems 'like-i wise passing strange to us that the London ' Times ' and some of its New Zealand echoes should have a benignant smile for students' horse-play under their own noses, so to speak, and throw a series of epileptic fits when they hear of a bit of a rumpus at a capping ceremony as far away as Dublin is.

The ideal aim of professors Is probably to make the university student • omnibus ornatum excellere rebus '— a model of excellence in all respects, manners included. One must not, of course, expect too much. Your average student can hardly be required to cultivate the calm, repose that stamps the caste of Vere de Vere. But sit modus in rebus — there should be a medium in all things, even in ebullitions of youthful frolicsomeness on capping day. We are in accord with what Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout said on this subject some days ago at a meeting of the University Senate. The rowdyism indulged in on such occasions is (said Sir Robert) ' such as to bring university institutions into contempt, and it is impossible to ask men of light or leading to deliver any address on university subjects, for it cannot be guaranteed that they will be heard or allowed to speak. The only object of a capping ceremony,' the speaker added, ' is to utilise it as an opportunity for bringing the subject of university* education before the public, and for keeping our university institutions in touch with public opinion. It is perfectly plain from what hasj taken place at many of the capping ceremonies that these ceremonies have ceased to ,afford such an opportunity. They cost a considerable sum of money ; the expenditure would endow at least two junior scholarships a year, and I think the money would be better spent in that direction than in continuing the public exhibitions of disorder which take place when degrees are granted.' It is now left to the stuflents to determine, by their conduct, whether degree-day ceremonies are to be continued or not. • Good manners are the natural adornment of good morals. They are, in fact, the umbra or shadow cast by virtue. They should also (as Chest erlield points out) adorn knowledge and smooth its way through the world. The scholar without good breeding, says he, 'is a pedant ; the philosopher a cynic ; the soldier a brute ; and every man disagreeable.' The witless and riotous exhibitions associated with our capping ceremonies are only ' Fit for the mountains and the barb'rous caves, Where manners ne'er were preached.' Chesterfield was- merely a cultivated pagan. He did not know that sound principles of morals are the only true foundation for the good behavior and the social courtesies that make this creaky old world move along with the sweet springiness and ease of pneumatic tryes. None the less, he recognised the necessity of mutual courtesy for social well-being, and of v the graces ' for success in life. His social hero was the Duke of Marlborough. The Great Duke was a man quite devoid of brilliancy. ' He was eminently illiterate,' says Ctiesterfield ; ' wrote bad English, and spelled it still worse.' But he had ' an excellent good plain understanding, with sound judgment ' — and exquisite manners. With these he rose to place and power and wealth. 'He could refuse more gracefully than 'Other people could grant ; and those who went away from him the most dissatisfied, as to the substance of their business, were yet personally charmed with him, and in some degree comforted by his manner. With all his gentleness and gracefulness,' the writer concludes, • no man living was more conscious of his situation, nor maintained its dignity better.' Some good may indeed be effected by the threat of the University Senate to end, if they cannot mend, the ceremonies of degreenlay. The brutal custom of ' hazing ' was, for instance, stamped out of .West Point (U.S.A.) after years of strenuous effort. But it is also possible that the University Senate's threat may only change tho venue of the annual orgie. Meantime, it is generally agreed that the rowdies of capping-day are ' des gens dune aimable absence '—people whose room is preferred to their company. The percolation of religion into their jdaily lives would, however, furnish a better founda-

tion than senatorial threats on which to build up an unfailing courtesy and good behavior. And there were some things in which even the victor ot liamillies was sadly lacking.