students. It was in the form of a biblical parody, which is noteworthy not only as showing the irreverent attitude produced by a long course of compulsory scriptural training, but also as giving us quite a new idea of the flexibility of the undergraduate wit of the day. It is entitled “The Book of Harvard,” and begins:
1. And it came to pass in the ninth Month, on the 23d Day of the Month, the Sons of Harvard murmured and said,
2. Behold! bad and unwholesome Butter is served out unto us daily; now therefore let us depute Asa, the Scribe, to go unto our Rulers, & seek Redress.
3. Then arose Asa, the Scribe, and went unto Belcher, the Ruler [Belcher Hancock, senior tutor, in charge of Commons], & said behold our Butter stinketh, and we cannot eat thereof; now give us, we pray thee, Butter that stinketh not.
4. And Belcher, the Ruler, said, trouble me not, but begone unto thine own place; but Asa obeyed him not.
5. So when Belcher and others of the Rulers departed, the Sons of Harvard clapped their Hands, & hissed & cried, aha! aha!
And concludes:
16. Afterwards the Rulers had many consultations, & determined to call together the great Sanhedrim [Overseers] of Harvard to consult with them.
17. Soon the 10th Month, and on the 11th day of the Month the great Sanhedrim of Harvard met and caused Daniel to confess, and after Daniel many more were prevailed upon by the Threatenings of the members of the great Sanhedrim & confessed also.
18.So after this there were no more Murmurings in Harvard, but all was Peace and Quietness as it is to this Day.[1]
- ↑ See a very full account of this rebellion, by W. C. Lane (H. C. 1883), in Colonial Soc. Transactions, x, 33.
