For the information of those who have not the happiness to be members of
the University of St. Andrews, it may be well to explain a few terms. A
_bejant_ is an undergraduate student of the first year. In his second
year he becomes a _semi_, in his third a _tertian_, and in his fourth a
_magistrand_. The last would seem to be a gerundive form, implying that
a man at the end of his fourth year ought to be made a Master of Arts;
but unfortunately this does not always happen. A _divine_ is a student
in Divinity. A _waster_ is a man of idle and (it may be) profligate
habits. A _grinder_, on the contrary, is one who 'grinds' or reads with
an unusual degree of application. A _bunk_ is the lodging or abode in
St. Andrews of any student. A _spree_ is not necessarily an
entertainment of rowdy character; the most decorous Professorial dinner-
party would be called a spree. A _solatium_ is a Debating Society spree,
held in December or January; a _gaudeamus_ is a festival of the same
kind, only rather more ambitious, celebrated towards the close of the
session. _Session_ would be rendered in England by 'term.' The
_Competition_ (for _Bursaries_), or the 'Comp.,' is the examination for
entrance scholarships. The _cage_ is a curious structure of glass, iron,
and wood, in which notices and examination lists are posted. The letters
_S. R. C_. denote the Students' Representative Council. An _L.L.A_. is a
Lady Literate in Arts. _Math_. (as the discerning reader will not be
slow to perceive) is an abbreviation, endearing or otherwise, of the word
Mathematics. _Moral_ stands for Moral Philosophy. _Prof_. is a
shortened form of Professor, and _certif_. of certificate. _Plough,
pluck_, and _spin_ are used indifferently, to signify the action of an
examiner in rejecting a candidate for the M.A. or any other degree. It
should be mentioned that the degree of B.A. is not now conferred by the
Universities of Scotland.
Page 4. Euripides: _Hippolytus_, 70-87.
Page 22. _Odes_, I. II.
Page 52. _The Town Water_. The state of things described in this
ballad, so far as the quality of St. Andrews water is concerned, has long
since been remedied. As to the demeanour of the Bailies and Councillors,
I cannot speak with the same certainty.
Page 64. _Milton, a name to adorn the Cross Keys_. Mr. Milton's name is
no longer associated with this time-honoured tavern, but with a new
hotel.
Page 86. [GREEK TITLE]. The motto in the Upper Library Hall, where the
ceremony of Graduation takes place.
Page 88. Catullus, CI.
Page 101. _The shanty down by the shore_. The St. Andrews Marine
Biological Laboratory.
Page 117. _This was cast into the Swilcan_. The Swilcan Burn is a small
stream which flows across the golfing links, and forms one of the hazards
of the course.
EDINBURGH
T. & A. CONSTABLE
Printers to Her Majesty