Word: direful
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Dates: during 1880-1889
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Thoughts of some dire calamity at once seized every mind, and more than one dignified senior was about to hurry for the scene of an imagined disaster, when, as a flash from the dying embers of the enthusiastic fire of his freshman days, came this happy thought, and his heart was put at rest. It was Thursday noon and these were freshmen eager for their fill of chemistry and fireworks...
...Oxford the system of formal espionage by proctors over students in almost all their actions is still rigidly enforced. Dire are the consequences for the unluckly "undergrad." who is caught by these ever-watchful spies dressed in aught but traditional gown and mortar-board. Proctors, it is said, however, are easily avoided by the wary. It is less easy to avoid the "bull-dogs," as the body-servants of the proctors are called. But, says the London Graphic, "It has been darkly hinted that 'bull-dogs' are corruptible by gold, and even silver." But more curious than either proctors...
Great surprise was occasioned by the announcement that a certain prominent book-seller of Cambridge, frightened at the brilliant prospects of the Co-operative Association, has betaken himself to intimidating his fellow-tradesmen. This man has threatened the most dire evils to Cambridge merchants who shall support or aid in any way the attempts of the students to assist themselves in the matter of purchases. "I will arouse," said he, "such a powerful public sentiment against the thing that any merchant who aids these fellows will regret it." There is no man in Cambridge who has made as much money...
...these crews are to be entirely separate and independent of each other. So it will be seen that we are endeavoring to put twenty oarsmen on the water. With what success remains to be seen. Many wiseacres are shaking their heads and prophesying dire disaster, but the students generally are hopeful. Certain it is that there are many applicants for positions on the two 'Varsity crews, but as yet the freshmen have not shown much enterprise in their undertaking...
Brings back the dire pangs of despair...