The Cremation.

There is an old custom at the University of Pennsylvania, called the Cremation, that it is interesting to know and to remember as one of those college ceremonies that are rapidly dying out in our higher institutions of learning as they gradually advance nearer to the state of the ideal university. Although such progress works incalculable good, it has, I think, this one drawback; that it involves a loss of many customs that showed, if you will, a more boyish and consequently less properly developed state of feeling, but that still constituted in a great measure that part of college life which one cares to recall in after years.

This Cremation, then, was an annual ceremony performed by the sophomores about the middle of May in which the principal thing was the burning of some book which the class had finished that term. As the book chosen was always one that the men had found difficult to master, there was general rejoicing at its destruction, although everything was conducted with a great show of solemnity. The students composing the funeral procession began to assemble about eight o'clock in the evening of the day appointed, all wearing caps and gowns; the coffin containing the doomed book was borne by six pall-bearers, who were effectively, though perhaps somewhat inappropriately dressed in costumes of red flannel with tails attached. The procession marched from its rendezvous at some point in the city out to the college grounds to the solemn strains of the dead march. Torches were carried, red light, and other fire-works displayed. Arrived at the campus, the coffin was placed upon a tall funeral pile which had been prepared, the match applied, and while the flames were consuming the pyre, a funeral oration was pronounced over the dead. A bright man was always chosen for funeral orator, and the speeches delivered were frequently extremely witty. Following the oration there was singing and general rejoicing; after which the company dispersed.

Year before last the faculty forbade the students parading in the city, as there had been some trouble the year before in which one or two men were quite seriously injured. As this restriction practically put an end to the parade, the interest in the ceremony has greatly subsided, and it is probable that before many years the Cremation will be nothing more than a college tradition.

P.