Tradition Keynotes Lowell, Gives Dignity, Individuality

Present size of House: 430. Vacancies for freshmen: from 100 to 110.

Rooms for freshmen: one, two, and three-man suites.

Price range of House rooms: $95 to $300 per term.

A popular misconception is that Lowell House's chief attributes are Bells, High Table, and Intellectuals. This misses the true picture, for the real key to Lowell's character is in its traditions.

The lighting of the yule log and cucumber sandwiches--for years a staple at Mrs. Perkins' Thursday afternoon teas--are about the most tangible things one can point to in the House's character. The many similar traditions are a proof of its distinctiveness, of a certain "esprit de corps," as Housemaster Eliott Perkins '23 puts it.

This stress on tradition, however, may at times lead to stuffiness as well as dignity.

In selecting those who will carry on these traditions, Perkins tries to get a cross-section of the College, but he also feels that the House must retain its individualism. According to Senior Tutor Maurice M. Pechet, "It must combine education with a way of life."

Rooms Are Drawbacks

Perkins attempts to maintain a 50-50 ratio between high school and prep school students, and tries to have a wide geographical distribution. Right now he is giving most preference to men from the South and West, since these areas are poorly represented in the House.

Two drawbacks to Lowell are its small rooms and unbelievable hallways, some of which wind for miles with no apparent reason. Behind these idiosyncracies were the architectural leanings of President Lowell, who always thought of the House as his pet.

The story goes that when the architect showed Lowell the plans, the president drew windows where they looked nice and the result was many odd-shaped rooms.

In spite of its suites, Lowell has practical advantages for a cross-section of students. For the musically-minded, it offers a comprehensive record collection, as well as a chance to join in the annual Lowell House Opera.

For the literary, there is a large library, particularly strong in history and the languages. Seven squash courts in the House basement appeal to the athletes. And for the esthetes, the beautiful courtyard and the Independence Hall-like tower are, of course, the main attractions.

Friends for the Asking

The usual cliche applied to the second largest House is that "you can make friends if you want, but nobody will force himself upon you," and this holds true.

Another feature which Lowell is proud of is its carillon bells. An anecdote that Perkins is fond of telling concerns the mysterious silence of these bells. The seventeen-bell, carillon came from Russia complete with an expert, who started to perform immediately.

Nobody knows quite what happened to him, but he was sent back to Russia after a Stillman nurse fund him drinking a bottle of ink for breakfast one morning. Except on special occasions, the bells have been silent ever since.