“Of all the several ways of beginning a book which, are now in practice throughout the known world, I am confident my own way of doing it is the best;--I’m sure it is the most religious--for I begin with writing the first sentence, and trust to Almighty God for the second.”--_Tristram Shandy._ Reader, Should you, on any one of these gloomy spring evenings, chance to traverse the college yard, between the hours of nine and ten, among the many glowing windows, with which the sombre buildings are then radiant, you may notice two, shining with transcendent brilliancy. Of the situation of these windows, and the occasion of so intense a glow, as to distinguish them from the dull light diffused by the solitary study-lamp, it suits not with our purpose to tell thee more than this: 1st, that they occupy a central position in that building, which, in college mythos, holds the rank of the third heaven; (to south middle we can assign no gentler appellative than _purgatory_;) 2nd, that, in the day-time, they admit the light _to_, and in the night season emit it _from_, one of the most literary, best furnished, and withall best peopled rooms, which our well stocked University can boast; and 3d, that at the hour above specified, within this room are assembled four as merry, yet thoughtful fellows, as your eye (especially if you be a little cynical) would desire to look upon. But to speak of them in the high terms which they deserve, would expose me to the charge of base flattery in the case of three, and arrant egotism for the fourth. Further than this, curious reader, except so far as may serve to elucidate the characters of these Dii superi, we shall never communicate. But, stop--my better judgment whispers me, that ’twould be safer to satiate thy curiosity, at once, than have thee continually peering about and asking troublesome questions. Enter, then, this mysterious room--erect thy crest--quicken thy memory, for it must serve thee in good stead. Thou hast free permission, ‘Each corner to search, and each nook to scan.’