SOME CURIOUS FACTS.

A PAMPHLET, edited by Samuel A. Green, M. D., has lately been published, entitled "A Copy of the Laws of Harvard College, 1655," which gives some interesting facts regarding the government of the College, and some very curious rules relating to the dress and deportment of the students. The original manuscript was given in 1683 to Jonathan Mitchell, Freshman, it being customary at that time for Freshmen, on their entrance, to possess themselves of manuscript copies of the laws, as it is now to provide them with "Bibles"; and these manuscripts, on account of the scarcity of paper, were wont to be handed down from class to class. These laws, as agreed upon by the Overseers, President, and Fellows, were divided under three heads:-

"First concerneing admission and manners of students, as also toucheing theire expences In the Colledge.

"2ly: Lawes about holy duties Scholasticall exercises and helps of learneing.

"Thirdly concerneing penall lawes."

The requirements for admission, as prescribed by the first law, were as follows:-

"When any Scholler is able to read and understand Tully, Virgill or any such ordinary classical authors, and can readily make, speake, or write true latine prose, and hath skill in makeing verse, and is competently grounded in the greek language, so as to be able to construe and grammatically to resolve ordinary greek as the greeke testament, Isocrates and the Minor poets or such like, having withall meet testimony of his toward-ness, he shall be capable of his admission Into Colledge."

Students were obliged to exercise themselves in reading the Scriptures twice a day, so as to be ready to give an account of their proficiency whenever their tutors might require it; and all superiors were to be honored like natural parents, by keeping silence and uncovering the head in their presence.

The 6th and 7th sections are so peculiar that it is well to quote them in full, and the speculative reader may try to imagine the effect which their enforcement would have in the present time. "6, All students shall be slow to speake and eschew and in as much as in them lies, shall take care, that others may avoid all sweareing, lieing, curseing, needless asseverations, foolish talkeing, scurrility, babbling, filthy speakeing, chideing, strife, raileing, reproacheing, abusive jesting, uncomely noise, uncertaine rumors, divulging secrets, and all manner of trouble some and offensive gestures, as being the [torn] should shine before others in exemplary life.

"7. No scholler shall goe out of his chamber without coate, gowne, cloake, and every one everywhere shall weare modest and sober habit, without strange ruffian like or new fangled fashions, without all lavish dress, or excess of apparel what soever: nor shall any weare gold and silver or such ornaments, except to whome upon just ground the President shall permit the same, neither shall it be lawfull for any to weare long haire, locks, or foretops, nor to use curling, crispeing, parteing or powdering theire haire."

Students were prohibited from going "into any Taverne, vittaileing house, or Inne to eate or drink," without such reasons as may be approved of; from using tobacco, and from having in their rooms "strong beare, wine, or strong water, or any other enebriateing drink."

Also no students could, "under any pretence whatever, use the company or familiar acquaintance of persons of ungirt and dissolute life," or be present at any "Courts, Elections, Faires, Traineings," etc., without leave; and, finally, they were not allowed to "stay out of the Colledge after nine of the clock at night, nor watch after eleven, nor have a light before four in the morning, except upon extraordinary occasions."

Under the second head are laid down the laws relating to prayers, from which, it appears, that all students, besides being expected to hold private prayers, were obliged to "be present morneing and evening at publick prayers at the accustomed houres; viz: ordinarily at six of the clock in the morneing, from the tenth of March at Sun riseing, and at five of the clock at night all the yeare long."

Absences from prayers and tardinesses without good reason came under the third head, and were subject to the following penalties:-

"Each student . . . . shall for the first offence, being absent more than once or comeing tardy more then twice in a week space be punished a penny a time for once absent or twice tardy."

If, after several like offences, the student refused to make confession thereof, he was to be "suspended from his seniority, and the privilege thereof at meales and for a week's time or more, according to the nature of his offence"; and continued persistency in this course rendered him liable to expulsion.

A curious rule relating to the wearing of long hair by students provides that the "President shall have power to reform it, or, as need shall require to make his address to any three or more of the overseers, who shall take order concerning it."

The following penalties were also imposed on conviction of drunkenness, swearing, revelling, playing at cards or dice, etc., etc.:-

A private admonition for first offence; a public admonition for second offence; for the third a public confession of the offence at some public meeting of the students; for the fourth, "he shall be noted down for a prophane person and have his commons sittings in the Hall uncovered." After a month's trial, if he does not reform, he shall be expelled.

The last law in the category empowered the President and Fellows to punish all misdemeanors of students "either by fine or whipping openly in the Hall as the nature of the offence requires not exceeding 10 shillings or 8 stripes for one offence."