It is only occasional students at Mount Holyoke to whom "all work and no play" seems either attractive or necessary, and these few are not those known in class work as "all-around students." Time was when croquet or a game of bean-bag was the resort for vigorous recreation, but since physical culture has offered to college women the same means of development that is provided in colleges for men, all gymnasium exercises are in favor, particularly the class designated "heavy gymnastics," and those who excel in vaulting and the high jump, or are skilful [sic] in the manipulation of basketball (the present fad), are ready for the more athletic games of the campus.
In early autumn and late spring, when gymnasium work is given up for open-air recreations, a base-ball nine is usually formed; and if it never attains the excellence that dares challenge college neighbors, well-worn tracks give evidence that good runs have been made, while ruddy countenances and strengthened muscles testify to the healthfulness of the exercise.
Included in the college grounds is Lake Nonotuck, well supplied with boats in constant demand; and although there has not been an overplus of enthusiasm for organized crews, some good rowing-matches are witnessed, and there is opportunity for each student to learn the art of rowing, which few neglect, and in which many attain grace and skill. The same lake is equally popular in winter as a skating-ground, and the slopes toward it for coasting. The inventive power manifested in improvising substitutes for sleds for the multitude when a favoring crust appears is hopeful for the future of woman. Brooms and dust-pans return to their retreats after such occasions, valuable only as souvenirs.
But the tennis-courts, increasing yearly in number, and always in use out of class hours, show which is the most popular of campus recreations. A tournament is held each year in June, and much class pride is taken in the contests and awards.
There are certain "set feasts" that the seasons bring around. Founder's day and Thanksgiving are times for the receiving and entertaining of guests; especially is the latter a time when former students come back to alma mater for the day, as to the old homestead. All-hallowe'en is celebrated by a masked ghost-party in the gymnasium.
A lawn tea welcomes the sub-freshmen taking examinations near commencement week, and the senior class tender them a reception in September when they have fully entered upon their work. In accordance with an old custom, in early spring the youngest class are allowed "Freshman day," to pay their respects to Mount Holyoke; and no happier hour comes into college life than this, when, with a year of completed work almost behind them, they ride away under the apple-blossoms, through "the long, low, lazy hamlet Hockanum," to the commanding height from which the college takes its name.
"Mountain day" is in autumn, when the foliage is at its best, and the fringed gentians are at home. Then each student betakes her to her favorite mountain shrine, whether of Holyoke or Nonotuck, both within a radius of four miles, as fancy or companionship may dictate; and all along the way, in the going and coming of the merry groups, rings out through woodland and vale the musical call:
A pretty custom during the time of flowers is for the classes in turn to decorate the dining-tables from the botanic garden; and individual bouquets of violets, pansies, roses, or whatever the season offers, make a spring breakfast more cheery and appetizing, and add a pleasure to a Sabbath-evening tea.
It is usual for the senior class, on the completion of a subject, to serenade the professor of the department with an open-air recital in song with original words. Suggestive passages are thus introduced in a happy way.
Tuesday of each week is set apart as recreation evening. It is occupied in the main by classes or societies in some reception or entertainment, now for a pecuniary consideration, in the hope of gain, and again with open-handed hospitality. Most surprising transformations are wrought in a marvelously short time in rooms and halls, and the extreme of ingenuity is exhibited in decorations and invitations. A single example - the latest - may serve as an illustration of the latter.
TO THE PRESIDENT AND FACULTY OF MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE.
The class of '96 wish to inform you that in the merry month of May - the merriest month of all the year - Robin Hood and his merry men under the greenwood tree did assemble, to pass the hours in mirth and jollity. On the 30th day of this month, we bid you lay aside all wonted care and dignity, and join with us in sporting on the green. A tuneful blast of Robin Hood's horn will sound at three o'clock, summoning you to the festive scene.
Follow your knots of Lincoln green.
Birthdays are made the occasion of unusual festivity at the tables where the aging ones sit. Then the rare china from the dainty tea-tables in students' rooms comes down, a few courses are added to the bill of fare, and all sit long, while quotations and toasts are served, and the well-wishing and happy returns are emphasized.
But "We are going on a tramp," which every pleasant recreation day so often hears, is one of the most characteristic means of enjoyment at Mount Holyoke, and a large majority of the students are good walkers. The beauty of the region in which the college is a center, and which Prospect Hill in Goodnow Park, on the grounds, brings into view, with the inviting walks radiating and anastomosing in all directions, takes away the monotony of "just going out for exercise." The Bluffs, the Larches, Titan's Pier, the Pass of Thermopylae, the Notch, the Ferry, Bitter Sweet Lane, Paradise, Cold Hill, the Dark Woods, the Iron Bridge, Pearl City, Moody's Corners, and the Mountain Pasture, are among names dear to every Holyoke woman. Each has its special delectations, and all, within easy reach, offer inducements to pedestrians, and give a course in walking which is a liberal education in the pleasures of the road. As a result, for several summers parties have gone out from the college in vacation to make pedestrian tours. The Berkshires, the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, the Alps, and Norway - all will testify to good walking learned in the Connecticut valley in the shadows of Mount Holyoke.
-- Henrietta E. Hooker