Where the Books Went

Mr. Thayer in his article on the Baker Library speaksof the decrease in the number of books after the Universityseized the library in 1817. The following verses were readby a Freshman (though not written by him) at a DeltaAlpha initiation in Thornton Hall some 25 years ago.They may have been copied from some older Dartmouthpublication. They are printed here merely to throw somelight on the mystery of 1817. All the facts can not bevouched for but the bombardment of books is in the maincorrect.

How The Students Saved The College

THE COLLEGE DOOMED

The governor called his worthy council, And bade them be seated; a frown still Curling his face as he burst in a rage When reading some notes from an ink-smeared page Said: "Gentlemen here is a dissertation Proving to city, state and nation, That present affairs are abomination,' Offending men of culture and station: Here I refer to Dartmouth college, Purported a seat of learning and knowledge, An English school by the King's own charter But built by New Hampshire trade and barter. "I say," the council nodded their wigs, "That its teachers are insolent, free-willed prigs. We have no hand in all their affairs, And the most they give us is,—yearly prayers. I purpose to wrest their rights away, Conducting the school under our own sway; Create new trustees, officials and faculty, And make the college a university."

TO BE A UNIVERSITY

Papers were drawn, and officers three Became the new board. And that all might see, Paraded the streets in a coach and four With the Dartmouth arms on the heavy door. And when they thought that the show was enough And their nostrils were tingling with delicate snuff, The coachman was ordered to drive ahead To Hanover town where the mission led.

The new president was professor Pompous, Fat, sleek, and smooth, white vested and decorous; He knew a thing of Latin and Greek, Though few in either heard him speak; A thorough believer in cane and rod, For knowledge of books, and life, and God; Ruffles on sleeve, silver buckles on shoe, Thick as an ass, but sharp as a shrew. The others were teachers of lesser degree Keen for the new university.

THE COLLEGE EXCITED

In the college reigned fear and consternation; Professors and students from observation Knew that old Pompous had come to town With new instructors in cap and gown; Knew that the state would seize the charter And had sent old Pompous as a starter To set up the new school with like session And set the seal of the state's possession. The professors at length to their homes retired But the students by loyal zeal inspired Swore that where ever came the inception Of Trouble, the Dame would meet with a warm reception. And the man who entered old Dartmouth hall Would be lucky to fare with merely a fall. The college must suffer no vile oppression, University was their minds' obsession; So while Pompous slept with happy dreams, They wove a net of wily schemes.

THE ENEMY IN POSSESSION

Morning and Pompous came together, To Dartmouth hall; but doubting whether The students would favor a change of flavor Mixed with their learning, The doctor discerning Turbulent spirits and visages haughty Sent for a sheriff and his deputy. The doctor led the solemn procession Bound on the journey of possession And marched through the lines of silent students To give them a taste of the high laws' rudiments. The sheriff and deputy walked behind The doctor; and then with joyous mind Marched the two pedants sought by the state To make the college a public estate. But when they reached the library door In Dartmouth hall, arising before The crowd, all plumed for a righteous speech The doctor mounted a bench within reach. And just as his thoughts to his subjects sped A poor-aimed book flew by his head; Stopping, enraged he called for aid And the sheriff with blows around him laid Two students flat; and then began The strangest rain in the reign of man, A rain of books; soon the air was white With binding and pages in their flight.

First a pedant who left and right was spying Went down with Holy Living and Dying. Scarce had the sheriff time for a sigh "When Virgil dealt him a blow in the eye; Xenophon, Byron, Dryden, Alexis, Landed square on the solar plexus And a shower of pages from Sophocles Fell round the officer on his knees. Euclid dinted the doctor's brow Like the Trojan shore neath the Grecian prow; Round his form like clouds of a gray sirocco Flew quarto, octavo, calf and morocco. Down went the doctor like mighty Dagon In the temple of Baal the haughty pagan; Lamb had wings, and Bacon fell, Faster than market e'er could tell; Swift was swift, and Gore was gory, And Sinbad was more than a far-fetched story. Chaucer ne'er journeyed so fast, nor far, And Horace struck an exalted star; Over the group like Dante's fire Raged the effects of the students' ire. But helped to his feet, the half-quenched doctor Upon the arm of a trembling proctor Began another dissertation, But—Shakespeare saved him humiliation. Pilgrims' Progress progressed with speed, And Needs For the Dying answered the need. The sheriff was blocked at the very top stair By the English Book of Common Prayer, And the Muse records that Jonathan Simms Smashed his nose with a book of Hymns.

Then angered still by a taunt, let Out by the doctor, they formed a gaunlet, Forced the intruders through on the run Taking a crack at every one, Until they came to the oaken doors Which they opened wide, and with sounding Thrust out the bleeding, exhausted crew Slamming the heavy doors anew; Turning forever the great brass key Against the state University.

EPILOGUE

Nine tenths of law, that of possession, The students performed without digression. But the other tenth which made even "Leb" stir Was won in the court by Daniel Webster, Who gained for himself a lasting name And brought the college undying fame.