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:
On campfire etiquette: Despite threatening and at times actual rain, the Middle held its annual Campfire on Saturday night, November 10. As is customary on these outings, which have been held for over twenty years, everyone concerned had a good … Continued
An old chestnut: It is many years since the chestnuts have been so plentiful as they have been of late. If the old weather predictions are true, this fact should presage a hard winter. Everybody will pray devoutly that such … Continued
Steered in the right direction: On October 25th an exhibition of trained steers was given on the Lower Grounds by Miss Pierce.
Warm news: The water supplying the shower baths at the Lower Grounds was warmed for the first time on Monday, September 30.
Tractor attraction: To judge from the crowds of spectators assembled, one of the most marvelous spectacles of modern days is the School tractor. . . While no exact count of the observers was kept, it may be safely estimated that … Continued