offenders against College law, would not lay it to heart if their frolics should cost them a little more by way of fine.  He further expresses his opinion, that this way of punishing the children of the College has but little tendency to better their hearts and reform their manners; that pecuniary impositions act only by touching the shame or covetousness or necessities of those upon whom they are levied; and that fines had ceased to become dishonorable at College, while to appeal to the love of money was expelling one devil by another, and to restrain the necessitous by fear of fine would be extremely cruel and unequal.  These and other considerations are very properly urged, and the same feeling is manifested in the laws by the gradual abolition of nearly all pecuniary mulcts.  The practice, it ought to be added, was by no means peculiar to Yale College, but was transferred, even in a milder form, from the colleges of England.”—­pp. 47, 48.

In connection with this subject, it may not be inappropriate to mention the following occurrence, which is said to have taken place at Harvard College.

Dr. ——­, in propria persona, called upon a Southern student one morning in the recitation-room to define logic.  The question was something in this form.  “Mr. ——­, what is logic?” Ans.  “Logic, Sir, is the art of reasoning.”  “Ay; but I wish you to give the definition in the exact words of the learned author.”  “O, Sir, he gives a very long, intricate, confused definition, with which I did not think proper to burden my memory.”  “Are you aware who the learned author is?” “O, yes! your honor, Sir.”  “Well, then, I fine you one dollar for disrespect.”  Taking out a two-dollar note, the student said, with the utmost sang froid, “If you will change this, I will pay you on the spot.”  “I fine you another dollar,” said the Professor, emphatically, “for repeated disrespect.”  “Then ’tis just the change, Sir,” said the student, coolly.

FIRST-YEAR MEN.  In the University of Cambridge, England, the title of First-Year Men, or Freshmen, is given to students during the first year of their residence at the University.

FISH.  At Harvard College, to seek or gain the good-will of an instructor by flattery, caresses, kindness, or officious civilities; to curry favor.  The German word fischen has a secondary meaning, to get by cunning, which is similar to the English word fish.  Students speak of fishing for parts, appointments, ranks, marks, &c.

  I give to those that fish for parts,
  Long, sleepless nights, and aching hearts,
  A little soul, a fawning spirit,
  With half a grain of plodding merit,
  Which is, as Heaven I hope will say,
  Giving what’s not my own away.
    Will of Charles Prentiss, in Rural Repository, 1795.

  Who would let a Tutor knave
  Screw him like a Guinea slave! 
  Who would fish a fine to save! 
    Let him turn and flee.—­Rebelliad, p. 35.