Item 10a.38 - 'Copy of certain papers, notices &c connected with or issued by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Undergraduates in 1838'

1 volume, c 227 x 181 mm. Covers missing; paginated 1-81 with rest of book blank.

Bequeathed by W. W. Rouse Ball, 1925.

Rouse Ball's signature is on the verso of the front endpaper, with a note of the bequest below. Includes a copy of the order signed by Christopher Wordsworth, Master, 7 Feb. 1838, requiring all undergraduates to attend Chapel at least eight times a week. A note by Rouse Ball below suggests that this was moved by William Carus, who became Senior Dean on 3 Oct. 1836, and describes the undergraduate reaction. W. J. Conybeare, G. E. L. Cotton, J. S. Howson and C. L. Rose are named as 'originators' of the 'Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Undergraduates'.

pp. 9-25: copies of 'Attendance-Sheets' recording attendance of Fellows at Chapel, issued by the Society for the weeks ending 17 Feb.-24 Mar. 1838; the last of these also lists the Fellows by number of times they attended, and awards them classes as if for an examination.

pp. 27-81: note by Rouse Ball on a 'large number of squibs, epigrams, &c the majority of which (according to Dean Peacock) were written by E Crookenden, A. C. Gooden, J. B. Hume, Lang, and Tom Taylor'. Four of these, with accompanying notes, are copied out.

R.1.75, a miscellany of printed and MS items relating to Cambridge, includes printed versions of 'Attendance-Sheets' for the weeks ending 17 Feb., 24 Feb. and 21 Mar., as well as a printed text of the song 'Saturday Evening' and an MS copy of 'A new Song for an old Fling'.

C.13.60-63, 66, 75. '[Chapel lists and other ephemera relating to regulations regarding chapel attendance in Trinity College published by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Undergraduates].' Collections of attendance lists, verse, notes and correspondence etc, received from various sources. C. 13.61 was bequeathed by Rouse Ball, 1925.

C.13.64. Forms used for non-attendance at Chapel by the Deans, pasted onto 6 pieces of cardboard. Also bequeathed by Rouse Ball, 1925.

C.13.65. Copy of the Bible with inscription on front flyleaf, 'From the Undergraduates of Trinity College to the Revr Charles Perry, M. A. as a mark of affection, and esteem for the good example which he set them, and the rest of the College by his constant attendance at Chapel'.

An account by Rouse Ball of the formation of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Undergraduates can be found in Cambridge Papers. London: Macmillan, 1918, Chap. 4 (pp. 71-83).