PALLADIAN.

HISTORY.

The Palladian Literary Society is the oldest organization of the kind in the University, being organized in the fall of 1871, a few weeks after the opening of the first year. The faculty recognized the advantage of co-educational assistance, and it became from the start a mixed society, although it was boycotted at one time by the girls. The hall was in the north wing on the first floor, and at first the furniture consisted of only a table and some benches. For the first two years the progress of the society was somewhat impeded by party spirit, until in the spring of 1873, a part of the members widhdrew and formed the Adelphian society. The spirit of rivalry now took the form of competition between the two societies much to the benefit of the Palladian. About six months before this time the girls had withdrawn and formed a society by themselves, but they now disbanded and entered the other societies. In 1875 the Society added considerable furniture to its previously bare hall, including an organ afterwards exchanged for a piano. In 1876 another split took place in the Society, and many of the members withdrew. Most of them, however, subsequently returned. In 1880 the Society moved into its present quarters. Considerable debt was incurred in fitting up the hall. But this was paid off in a few years. Since that time the room has been constantly improved, until now it is indeed a thing of beauty, the latest addition to the furniture being a $1,050 piano. In 1884 the Society adopted an anti-fraternity amendment to the Constitution, since which time it has been a distinctively "barbarian" oraganization.

During the winter of 1889 it became evident that there was room for a third open literary society in the University. Accordingly, a number of the strongest members of the Palladian and Union withdrew and formed the Delian society. The opportunity for literary work was thus increased, and the practical results have already justified the step. During the spring of 1889 the Constitution was revised and brought more into harmony with the present conditions of University life. Among the more important changes was the establishment of a membership committee, by which the society attempts to exercise considerable discretion in the election of new members. The effect has been to strengthen the society by raising the standard of new members.