Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 110

joined the parade and flag-raising event in favor of Ben Butler, unsuccessful candidate for governor. Two years later there was a more extravagant demonstration in the interests of Garfield and Arthur. Students organized a company known as the Garfield Guards, which in spite of some opposition from their elders, participated in the parade and received the plaudits of the onlookers.

The event that aroused the greatest enthusiasm was the annual cremation of Chauvenet, the gentleman - or rather the effigy of the mathematician who wrote the textbook used by the junior class. The origin of this rite is not established, but the first account of it appears in the Reminiscences Of '77. The event took place in late June or early July, the exact date being kept secret because it was traditional that the middle class should attempt to break up the party, which they did on a few occasions. There were elaborate preparations. The corpse was prepared and a coffin, decorated with mystic Euclidean problems and trigonometric symbols, was constructed. There were bearers and marshals and mourners, who in solemn procession escorted the victim to the funeral pyre on Bancroft Hill. Music was furnished by the "Blowhards," a volunteer band that essayed the semblance of harmony at all similar functions.

At the site of the cremation there was a funeral oration, the corpse was suitably anointed and given to the flames, while the juniors sat around in a protective circle, armed with clubs against possible attacks by their rivals. Usually the event was followed by a class supper downtown, at which the members were entertained by the glee club or class quartet. The glee club was organized in the middle 'seventies and had a long, successful career. One of the leading spirits in this organization was James Logan, a clerk in Sanford's Bookstore, where Tech boys bought books and stationery.

Among the events of Institute history that have remained most vivid in the minds of alumni are the more or less harmless pranks in which students engaged. One of the most hoary

110

webmaster@wpi.edu

Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999