Notre Dame Scholastic, Vol. 25, No. 43

r^^ ^ Jt)iscEQirasr.sEHPEB?YicnmTr^ •^lYi:. QUASI • CBflS -HORITliaDsr. VOL. XXV. NOTRE DAME, INDIANA, JULY 2, 1892. No. 43- of our college home, our fancy seldom prompted Valedictory. us to probe the future beyond this desired day. Here were centred all our hopes; the future was left to the future; such phrases as the BY NICHOLAS J. SINNOTT. " stern reality," " the trials and hardships of life," had no fright for us. We trusted that if we Enchanting, indeed, is the spell cast o'er us selected wisely from the weapons offered for in early manhood by the charms and promises the battle of life all would be well. And when of the fascinating voice of the future. Though enrolled in the ranks of those who have pre the attractions may be most captivating, and ceded us, enriched with Notre Dame's choicest seemingly bright prospects spur us on, still gifts, we knew that they would impart to us when the very first step towards the realization the energy and enthusiasm which have enabled of our fondest hopes means the sudden severance them to mould the life of our country, whether from familiar scenes, the parting, perhaps for at the wheels of commerce, in legislative halls, ever, of aissociates endeared by years of friend or clad in the insignia of a heavenly trust. These ship, the mind hesitates, and instinctively we being our prospects, it was but natural that, shrink from the course that may soon make with an ardent fancy, born of most pleasing the friends of to-day the recollections of yes anticipations, we were wont to depict this as a terday; for there are feelings of affection in day of triumph, to be unmarred by even the born in the heart that will, under circumstances faintest cloud of care or regret. Alas! the delu like the present, assert themselves, and betray sion! Deceived as to what the fitful future would our gentler nature, despite the most stoical unfold, perhaps ignoring the time irrevocably efforts of human pride. passing, the days were anxiously counted, the Such are the feelings that render the Class of hour impatiently yearned for to free us from '92 loath to part from surroundings, the remem the thoughtlessly styled class routine or thral brance of which will ever cause our retrospect dom. to cheer us when saddened by a research.into How unlike such a forecast is the present! the mysteries and doubts of to-morrow. Such, No longer forward but backward are we borne; too, are the feelings awakened by memory in no longer in the reliance on the future, but in the graduate of other days, when they impel the reminiscences of the past do we find more him to leave, for a time, the " madding crowd," cheer. As we hurriedly review events which were and return to these sacred confines, rich in the epochs in our college days, incidents are recalled, recollections of all the charms of his youth, once of no great moment; but as we view that he may again clasp the gentle hand which them through the lowering shades that seem guided his faltering steps, and hear once more to dim the already moistening, eye and leave that voice whose precepts time has taught him no solace save in memory, we feel too well— to prize so highly. "the truth the poet sings, that a sorrow's crown Hitherto we little suspected that the coveted of sorrow is remembering happier things." reward of our labors would be seized with so Yes, the eventful hour approaches; our once much regret. For, resting in the sweet seclusion eager wishes are about to be fulfilled. But the 720 NOTRE DAME SCHOLASTIC. fancied sketch of unmingled joy is.changed, for, "as you seize the flovver, its bloom is shed." and our prize is not without its pain; for ties With this caution, farewell! knit by years of association refuse to be severed. Classmates, our paths have long blended in Sentiments which may have been dormant one. To-day they must diverge and leave the now move us, and too late we discover that youthful " haunts of memory, images and "the hours we pass with happy prospects in precious thoughts." "That shall not die and view are more pleasing than those crowned cannot be destroyed." But whether we seek with fruition." southern lands, Atlantic shores or western ' In this somewhat hypocritical age we often strands, there is a most sacred duty incumbent see that expressions of this nature are insincere. on us to rernain true to the trust here imposed. Demanded by a meaningless formality, such Let us ever be solicitous that we prove our remarks seem rather designed to afford greater selves worthy of these treasured laurels. Let scope" to display "the cheap jewelry of rhetoric," us always honor, by a loyal fidelity to their .or the manifold graces of the speaker. But teaching, those who to-day honor us, and may there are in the breast of man emotions whose their maxims be the golden guides to beckon us attempted description would only expose the on till we reach the port of eternity, there to poverty of our language. What refinement of anchor in safety and rest. Farewell! diction can picture our thoughts when that im Reverend Fathers and members of the Fac mortal song "Home, Sweet Home" is heard? ulty, mindful of your indefatigable zeal always Wreathed words but inadequately define the evinced for our welfare,' mindful that you have thoughts that swelled the breast of Webster lavished upon us, without stint, the fruits of long when he spoke so feelingly of the institution^ years of study and investigation, and that what which brought forth his latent powers, saying: ever success we may wrest from a world jealous "It is, sir, as I have said, a small college, and of its favors must be accredited, not so much yet there are those who love it." "At this to our energy as to your encouragement, we are point the orator's lips quivered, his voice choked, compelled to refrain from reiterating the oft- and his eyes filled with tears." Artful periods repeated professions of love and esteem, sadly seem flat when they strive to reflect the thoughts conscious of our utter inability to transfer from which suffused his eyes with tears as he uttered the heart to the lips the ineffable gratitude . this short sentence, and proceeded to state his engendered by your kindness. indebtedness to his college. The knowledge of Fellow-students, classmates, members of the . a similar debt of gratitude due to true devotion Faculty, has produced in the Class of '92 like thoughts " Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been— which language cannot express. Our actions, A sound which makes us linger;—^yet, farewell!" henceforth can alone be the true standard to O Notre Dame! measure our appreciation for those whose " Fare thee well! and if forever, counsel we have sought, and who deem us wor Still forever, fare thee well! " thy to combat for ourselves. - A cruel custom decrees that the farewell to I the gladsome days and passing cares of our college career must also be a; welcome, though A Ne-w Legend of Faustus * reluctant, to the exacting duties of real life. : Our farewell must part us from air that cause BY FREDERIC E. NEEF, '92. "the smiles, the tears of boyhood's years," but only the tears, we trust, of fancied pangs, which 'HEN I consider how ambition's slave. With aspiration's light-rigged sails unfurled, memory may enlist as a panacea of griefs to W;Unmindfu l of religion's Pharos-light, come. Steers onward through the stormy sea of life Fellow-students, successors of the Class of Until his ship is dashed against the rocks, '92, it has been our good fortune to reach that- A thousand visions rise before my mind: enviable goal towards which you are trending. Quaint German castles ivy-overgrown. Romantic forests on the Vosges' slppes, You, doubtless, rejoice that this day brings you Bring back to me a tale of darker days nearer to the expected pleasures of graduation. When mystic and unholy Faustus lived. But do not let the hopes you entertain of follow Deep schooled in science, master-like in art, ing in our footsteps. hide the sacrifice their He felt how shallow was, his toilrcarned lore. And longed to catch .a glimpse behind the veil fulfilment must cost. Remember, your aspira That hides from man the spirit radiant shore. tions of to-day \yere ours a year ago; our sad thoughts; of to-day may be yours a year hence; * Class Poem, '92, read on Tuesday, Jiine 21, NOTRE DAME SCHOLASTIC, 721 Could no voice still the callings of his heart? And so he sat down-hearted in his room. Were there no hands to tear the veil apart When some one knocked. It was a traveller; That he might see what none had seen before? And Faustus prone to hospitality Ah, yes! perhaps. 'Tis said the white-robed priests Bade him come in and drink" of cheering wines. Of Mona's oak-encircled solitudes, That his commission might be easier told. Learned to commune with ghostly messengers, And baffled reason with their borrowed craft. The stranger sat and drained the sparkling glass, Perhaps some hidden parchment could reveal His slate-gray hair hung in dishevelled locks How those dumb-mouthed mortals learned to lisp And cast a shadow o'er his grayer eyes; The spirit language made for spirit lips? There was a look of wisdom on his face.

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