Page:Samuel F. Batchelder - Bits of Harvard History (1924).pdf/81

 that his Affair, He (Trollet) shou’d have Time & Opportunity given him wherein to endeav’r to make the s’d Coll’o Brattle a proper Satisfaction.

But just before this date a new idea had begun to pervade the University, very significant of the changing opinion of the times, and a new sector to unfold in the ever-widening horizon of undergraduate activities. The martial spirit of youth, so long repressed, awakened to the pleasing realization that if it could not join the “exercises” of its elders, it might without much trouble indulge itself independently. In other words, if the students were not wanted in the regular militia companies, they could organize one of their own—provided they could get the arms and permission to use them. How their first outfit was obtained is something of a mystery, but the consent of the college authorities was surprisingly ready. Craftily taking advantage of the popular enthusiasm engendered by the start of the expedition which captured Quebec in 1759, the undergraduates presented a petition “for Liberty to exercise Themselves in the use of the Fire-lock at convenient Hours.” To this the Faculty agreed, with the following very reasonable “Restrictions or Proviso’s”:—

Provided, that they make no Use of their Drum any Where, but in the Play-Place, nor That, But in play Time.