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:
Jeepers, creepers: The “hyla crucifer” better known, perhaps, as “peeper” began nocturnal concerts April 18, and was in full cry about ten days later. One pauses to note that according to the authorities the full-sized adult varies in length from … Continued
A bad reputaion: In the last issue of the Horae, the weather man was uncertain whether or not utterly to condemn the fable of the Ground Hog. Now with the “Hylas” first heard on April 5 and the woods flooded … Continued
Skipping School: The most popular pastime now current in the school is skipping rope. The fad started in the Middle but now everyone from the Lower Schoolers to the dignified Sixth Formers may be seen skipping merrily in the gymnasium … Continued
The fragrance of spring: Another school record broken! A flower in full blossom (the skunk cabbage) was found by a botany walk on March 15. This is the earliest date on which a flower has been found during the School’s … Continued
Seven in one: February 27 has the distinction of being the only day in the recent history of St. Paul’s School and probably in all of its history, that has seen seven hockey games played in one rink in one … Continued