The regulations which obtained at meal-time in commons were at one period in these words:  “The waiters in the hall, appointed by the President, are to put the victuals on the tables spread with decent linen cloths, which are to be washed every week by the Steward’s procurement, and the Tutors, or some of the senior scholars present, are to ask a blessing on the food, and to return thanks.  All the scholars at mealtime are required to behave themselves decently and gravely, and abstain from loud talking.  No victuals, platters, cups, &c. may be carried out of the hall, unless in case of sickness, and with liberty from one of the Tutors.  Nor may any scholar go out before thanks are returned.  And when dinner is over, the waiters are to carry the platters and cloths back into the kitchen.  And if any one shall offend in either of these things, or carry away anything belonging to the hall without leave, he shall be fined sixpence.”—­Laws of Yale Coll., 1774, p. 19.

From a little work by a graduate at Yale College of the class of 1821, the accompanying remarks, referring to the system of commons as generally understood, are extracted.

“The practice of boarding the students in commons was adopted by our colleges, naturally, and perhaps without reflection, from the old universities of Europe, and particularly from those of England.  At first those universities were without buildings, either for board or lodging; being merely rendezvous for such as wished to pursue study.  The students lodged at inns, or at private houses, defraying out of their own pockets, and in their own way, all charges for board and education.  After a while, in consequence of the exorbitant demands of landlords, halls were built, and common tables furnished, to relieve them from such exactions.  Colleges, with chambers for study and lodging, were erected for a like reason.  Being founded, in many cases, by private munificence, for the benefit of indigent students, they naturally included in their economy both lodging-rooms and board.  There was also a police reason for the measure.  It was thought that the students could be better regulated as to their manners and behavior, being brought together under the eye of supervisors.”

Omitting a few paragraphs, we come to a more particular account of some of the jocose scenes which resulted from the commons system as once developed at Yale College.

“The Tutors, who were seated at raised tables, could not, with all their vigilance, see all that passed, and they winked at much they did see.  Boiled potatoes, pieces of bread, whole loaves, balls of butter, dishes, would be flung back and forth, especially between Sophomores and Freshmen; and you were never sure, in raising a cup to your lips, that it would not be dashed out of your hands, and the contents spilt upon your clothes, by one of these flying articles slyly sent at random.  Whatever damage was done was averaged on our term-bills; and I remember