Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/79

 ial means are necessary. Furthermore, the so-called 'rough house' is a means of determining what a man possesses, whether he has a streak of 'yellow' or whether he has stamina."

Yet this man admits that even though this trying preliminary work shows the initiate both "yellow" and without stamina, the initiation goes on just the same, and the man whose character has been shown to be weak is received with quite as much enthusiasm as if he had stood the test like a martyr. Indeed this is always true; if we admit that "horse play" in initiations is simply a legitimate attempt to test a man's character, we must also admit that no matter what the result may be the man always passes the test. An initiate may take a beating without winking an eye lash or he may show himself craven by bursting into tears and imprecations; when it is all over no one knows the difference and whether the new man has shown himself brave or a booby he is welcomed as a worthy brother. The alleged test, therefore, is really no test.

One other man says:

"Horse play, to be administered properly and with justification, should be given as punishment for some offence. Certain duties are required of the freshman, and certain rules are laid down which he must not violate. Usually these rules are sensible, and are designed to assist him in keeping