A BOOK OF
BRYN MAWR
STORIES
EDITED BY
MARGARETTA MORRIS AND
LOUISE BUFFUM CONGDON
PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W JACOBS
AND COMPANY ANNO DOMINI MCMI
Copyright, 1901, by
George W. Jacobs & Co.
A Book of Bryn Mawr Stories
Preface
In compiling a volume of Bryn Mawr stories, theeditors have been conscious that such a book couldnever adequately represent the college life. Itsstrong subtle character that commands the devotionof every Bryn Mawr student is something difficultif not impossible to depict. Yet there comes atime in the life of a college, as of an individual,when self-expression is inevitable. Such a time,the editors believe, has come for Bryn Mawr. Andthis conviction has induced them to bring out thepresent volume.
Until now the literary efforts of the students haveconcerned themselves with external matters ratherthan with introspection. Perhaps this is due to aninstinctive reticence we Bryn Mawrtyrs have whereverour feelings are deeply stirred. We can jokeabout ourselves and our traditions as we do in TheFortnightly Philistine. But when we come to speakseriously to the outside world, as in The Lantern,we confine ourselves for the most part to subjectsof general literary interest, practically ignoring the[Pg 6]college atmosphere. At last, however, the ice isbroken, and Bryn Mawr talks about herself.
In the earliest days, when the college had onlytwo buildings and forty-four students, even in thatfirst year it had a character and a spirit all its own.And fifteen years of rapid growth have seemedbut to strengthen its individuality. To show thecollege unity in diversity the editors have carefullychosen authors from the older and younger alumnæand from the undergraduates. They hope that inthis way a truer impression of the college life maybe given than would be possible if the whole bookwere written by one person.
Some readers may ask which of the manyheroines in these tales is the typical Bryn Maw