CAPS AT CAMBRIDGE.

At the congregation in the Senate House at Cambridge, Nov. 23, presided over by the Prince Chancellor, it was observed that the undergraduates in the galleries (for want I suppose of an obnoxious Vice-Chancellor or Proctor upon whom to vent their indignation) poured it forth in yells and groans upon those members of the senate who kept on their hats or caps. The same has been done on several former occasions. It probably

arises from a mistake, in ascribing to the gaucherie of individuals what is really the observance of a very ancient custom. The following extract, from an unpublished MS. of the middle (I think) of the seventeenth century, in which the custom is incidentally noticed, will serve for a confirmation of what I say:

"When I was regent, the whole house of congregation joyned together in a petition to the Earle of Pembroke to restore unto us the jus pileorum, the licence of putting on our cappes at our publicke meetings; which priviledge time and the tyrannie of our vicechancellours had taken from us. Amongst other motives, we use the solemne forme of creating a M^r in the Acte by putting on his cappe, and that that signe of libertie might distinguish us which were the Regents from those boyes which wee were to governe, which request he graciouslie granted."

This was written by an M.A. of Oxford. At Cambridge we have not hitherto had such haughty despots in authority, to trample upon our rights; but we seem to be in danger of losing our jus pileorum through "the tyrannie," not of our Vice-Chancellors, but "of those boyes which wee are to governe."

A Regent M.A. of Cambridge.

Lincoln's Inn.