Cambridge sketches
Estelle M. H. Merrill, Ed.

[201] and she will indignantly deny her claim to it and point out someone else to whom the name is more applicable. Out of three hundred students I knew but three or four acknowledged grinds, and even these did not think that all the characteristic features of the typical grind were represented in themselves. These few students who unblushingly accepted the name given them were not half bad at heart, and were human enough to dance, play tennis, attend concerts, operas and theatres, and to be present at almost every Radcliffe festivity during the year.

As may be guessed from this, a life at Radcliffe does not mean all work and no play for even the hardest workers. It is a significant fact that the first club in the College was the “Idler” which has for its object amusement pure and simple. Few persons except Radcliffe students realize the large part which this club plays in the social life of the college. Its “tea” in the opening week of the college year forms a pleasant welcome to the new students and a jolly reunion for the old. Then, upon alternate Fridays throughout the year it brings the students together for an hour's cordial informality, and there are few girls too busy to look in at the “Idler” meeting for a laugh and chat. Usually some entertainment is provided by the committee, --a concert, tableaux, or a play which occasionally may be said to be literally of the students, by the students, and for the students, for several original plays have been given by members of the club for the exclusive benefit of the students, no outsiders being admitted. Twice during the year, however, the club is at home to all its friends to the number of a thousand or more, and Fay House upon these occasions presents an appearance of gayety only equalled at the Senior Reception upon Class Day.