Nugalia

The Horae Scholasticae is the oldest school or college literary magazines in continuous publication in the United States, the first issue having appeared on June 1, 1860. Prior to the publication of the Alumni Horae in 1921 and The Pelican in 1945, the Horae Scholasticae also served to chronicle the School’s history and news of school life, as well as publishing the early literary efforts of many noted 19th-century authors such as Francis Marion Crawford and Owen Wister.

Many of the earlier editions of the Horae Scholasticae contained a column of newsy tidbits called “Nugalia” that encapsulated the day-to-day experience of student life at St. Paul’s School. The June 1st, 1935 edition of the Horae Scholasticae – a celebration of the first 75 years of publication – included this description of the Nugalia column:

The Nugalia (Lat., “stuffs,” “triffles,” “nonsense”) is one of the aboriginal columns of the Horae. In the early issues “The Rural Record”, the School log or diary, supplied a large part of the news.

In 1872 the name of the department was changed from “School Items” to “Items,” and in 1877 it took its present title “Nugalia.” The editors of those good old times embellished the scanty School notes with doggerel, puzzles, and current jokes.

In the spirit of the early editors of the Horae Scholasticae we have created a new feature located in the sidebar of Ohrstrom Blog. Throughout the year we will be publishing small but interesting excerpts gathered from past Nugalia columns and featuring them in the sidebar. Check back often for a regular bit of insight into the history of student life at SPS – and the occasional dose of doggerel!

Below is an archive of all Nugalia posts to date:

20 Feb 2012

March 10, 1894

by Sarah Ludwig | posted in: Nugalia | 0

The cold truth: On Saturday, February 24, the thermometer registered 24° below zero.

13 Feb 2012

13 March, 1926

by Sarah Ludwig | posted in: Nugalia | 0

Slip slidin’ away: The side-walks this winter have excited much comment . . .to say that they have been dangerous would be to pass the matter over lightly, and to try and describe the sad experiences of some of our … Continued

6 Feb 2012

October 6, 1890

by Sarah Ludwig | posted in: Nugalia | 0

I once was lost: During the excavations for the new building this summer, a ring was found, bearing the initials of the Hon. Benjamin R. Curtis, who was here as a boy in 1867. It was returned to the owner … Continued

30 Jan 2012

5th of April, 1920

by Sarah Ludwig | posted in: Nugalia | 0

Frozen feet: The ice in the School Pond this year has averaged about thirty-six inches thick. Under the S. P. S. rink, which is kept clear of snow, it must have been close to the record thickness of forty-six inches.

23 Jan 2012

December 21, 1925

by Sarah Ludwig | posted in: Nugalia | 0

Pajama party: In the first few days after examinations it was not an unusual sight to see someone in the afternoon wandering around the Upper School in pyjamas [sic]. To sleep all afternoon, and rise only in time for afternoon … Continued