Page:The Student, Edinburgh University Magazine, New Series, Volume V., Summer Session 1891.pdf/25

 According to the superficial test, then, the Scotch student is a plain man. His gait is slow but sure. His treatment of others is conservative but rational His countenance, too, although not that of a “Don Juan,” is generally strong and expressive. His clothes—not the least factor in taking the superficial measure of a man—are plain, and the thought bestowed upon them must have used but little of his energy.

After one becomes accustomed to his ways he is liked. At first it is certainly hard for a foreigner to understand him, but after a time the ice breaks, and his true nature comes, not bubbling and effervescing, but oozing out. Enthusiasm is the last thing to be expected in a Scotch student. There may be occasional exceptions, and, at times, perhaps, general exceptions, but as a rule he is deliberate, calm, even indifferent to a fault. He loves his Alma Mater about as much as an oyster loves the-sea. The sea has been to the oyster’s ancestors what it is to the present repre­sentative of its kind, and will be to coming generations, so why need he disturb himself? In every department of student life this lack of enthusiasm is evident. In every Council Committee it must be patent to observing members. If an individual, more daring than the rest, suggests a change, he is promptly silenced by the sentiment:—“ Our predecessors lived and were happy without this, so let us proceed in the ancient way.”

Speaking of the Council suggests another, and an admirable, trait in the character of the Scotch student, and that is his perfect conception of the relations of men when in and out of authority. It is really refreshing to a man weary of the social plot­ting and scheming of his own country to see authority respected. Honesty compels one to say that courtesy such as that shown by members of the Council to their chairman is almost unknown in American assemblies.

One of the surprises which all outsiders get when they become a part of Univer­sity life is, I imagine, the democratic feeling among students. When the elabor­ately organised condition of society in the country, as a whole, from the Queen down to the labouring man, is considered, it seems most natural that its influence should be felt more decidedly than it is in University circles. There seem to be no secret societies, fraternities, or social organisations of any kind, which are not open to all who care to take advantage of them. There are cliques, of course, but they are not organised, and are not recognised as such in the social world.

The quiet monotony, so characteristic of Edinburgh students’ amusements, puzzles an American, and makes him feel that work would be a relief after the business-like amusement (?) which he has undergone. From his standpoint nothing could be less novel than a “Smoker,” where the same singers and the same form of entertainment are to be expected year after year. He finds nothing entertaining in walking round and round a band and a few performing animals in the Waverley Market, and, even in his first year, he prefers a seat much farther down than the “gods” at the “Royal” or “Lyceum.” He prefers, too, his “Greek Letter Frater­nities” to the Union, and Pan-Hellenic Conventions to corresponding meetings in this country, but he knows that, theoretically, the Scotch way is better.

As to motives, selfishness in its general sense seems to be a prevailing one The Scotch student works for examinations primarily, and if for knowledge it is with a view to his own professional, social, and financial success later on in life. To this rule, however, it may be needless to state, there are many striking exceptions.

Going still further, finer points in the character which is being dissected could be brought out. The amount of culture and refinement to be found among students could be discussed, but we are getting into deep water, and a certain text—some­ thing about a “mote” and a “beam”—is rushing in and drowning impressions which should never be recorded unless firmly fixed in the mind of the one who is impressed.