The Lord High Admiral
was supposed to be the worst scholar in the class,--if possible,
one who had been rusticated twice during the college course.
The laziest man in the class was Rear Admiral. Then there
was a Powder Monkey and a Coxswain, and other naval officers,
who were generally famous for what used to be called demerits.
The members of the class to whom parts were assigned were
called "digs" and marched in the procession, each with a spade
on his shoulder, the first scholar, who in our class was Child,
as the "dig of digs," having a spade of huge dimensions.
I believe James Russell Lowell was the Lord High Admiral in
his class. The Rear Admiral in mine was borne about on a
couch or litter, supported by four men, having another one
marching by his side to carry his pipe, which he was supposed
to be too lazy to put into his mouth or take out of his mouth
himself. The procession had banners bearing various devices
and went around to take leave of the President and the different
professors, giving them cheers at their houses. President
Everett, who was a serious-minded person, was much offended
by the whole proceeding.
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