BURSE.  In France, a fund or foundation for the maintenance of poor scholars in their studies.  In the Middle Ages, it signified a little college, or a hall in a university.—­Webster.

BURST. To fail in reciting; to make a bad recitation.  This word is used in some of the Southern colleges.

BURT.  At Union College, a privy is called the Burt, from a person of that name, who many years ago was employed as the architect and builder of the latrinae of that institution.

BUSY.  An answer often given by a student, when he does not wish to see visitors.

Poor Croak was almost annihilated by this summons, and, clinging to the bed-clothes in all the agony of despair, forgot to busy his midnight visitor.—­Harv.  Reg., p. 84.

Whenever, during that sacred season, a knock salutes my door, I respond with a busy.—­Collegian, p. 25.

“Busy” is a hard word to utter, often, though heart and conscience and the college clock require it.—­Scenes and Characters in College, p. 58.

BUTLER.  Anciently written BOTILER.  A servant or officer whose principal business is to take charge of the liquors, food, plate, &c.  In the old laws of Harvard College we find an enumeration of the duties of the college butler.  Some of them were as follows.

He was to keep the rooms and utensils belonging to his office sweet and clean, fit for use; his drinking-vessels were to be scoured once a week.  The fines imposed by the President and other officers were to be fairly recorded by him in a book, kept for that purpose.  He was to attend upon the ringing of the bell for prayer in the hall, and for lectures and commons.  Providing candles for the hall was a part of his duty.  He was obliged to keep the Buttery supplied, at his own expense, with beer, cider, tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, biscuit, butter, cheese, pens, ink, paper, and such other articles as the President or Corporation ordered or permitted; “but no permission,” it is added in the laws, “shall be given for selling wine, distilled spirits, or foreign fruits, on credit or for ready money.”  He was allowed to advance twenty per cent. on the net cost of the articles sold by him, excepting beer and cider, which were stated quarterly by the President and Tutors.  The Butler was allowed a Freshman to assist him, for an account of whom see under FRESHMAN, BUTLER’S.—­Peirce’s Hist.  Harv.  Univ., App., pp. 138, 139. Laws Harv.  Coll., 1798, pp. 60-62.

President Woolsey, in his Historical Discourse pronounced before the Graduates of Yale College, August 14th, 1850, remarks as follows concerning the Butler, in connection with that institution:—­