PALLADIAN.

In the fall term of 1871 soon after the opening of the University the Palladian society, the oldest in the University, was organized by a small number of male students. They secured the room now occupied by the medical department and, fitting it up with a lamp, two or three chairs, a president, and other bric-a-brac, commenced work.

Many difficulties were at first encountered, but with characteristic Pall grit the society flourished and after secretly borrowing the library dictionary, were able to choose the motto which they still use, "Forma Mentis AEterna Est," which is literally translated, "It's a cold day when the Palls get left."

In 1873, owing to sundry misunderstandings, part of the members withdrew and formed the Adelphian. The Palladian was however the stronger, and after much trouble succeeded in purchasing a carpet and a piano and added a new attraction in the admission of ladies to membership.

Nothing more of consequence happened until in '76 nearly all of the members withdrew, leaving but a handful of freshmen and preparatory students. The outlook was very gloomy, but it brightened when the truant members returned, and as of old the prodigals were killed and the fatted calf made happy.

In 1880 the present hall was fitted up at an expense of four thousand dollars, more or less, and the piano was tuned. Since then the society has paid of its debt by means of lecture courses and is now planning further improvements.

Permanent features are the yearly exhibition, given during Commencement week, and the Chase and Wheeler Oratorical Contest. The society has also developed two auxilliaries, the Palladian Girls' Debating Club and the Palladian Boys' Debating Club. These and other matters of importance are left for other parts of this work.