This report spends one third of its brief length defining "critic" before praising the Society for their good performance. Transcription included.
Sans titreA very short summary of the Thencanic meeting, an uncommon report from Charles Camp. Unfitting with his previous behavior, Camp urgently calls for order in the Society. Transcription included.
Sans titreThe first critic's report by future Thencanic Secretary Benjamin Messler shows the author's love for writing by surpassing in length every known prior report. Messler remains respectful but spares no one in the Society from his criticisms, listing problems with behavior, describing rhetorical and oratorical mistakes, and begging the Society's pardon for his remarks. Transcription included.
Sans titreThe Thencanic's meeting of April 22 occurred the day after Spain severed diplomatic relations with the United States, and between that meeting and the writing of this report, the U.S. declared war on Spain (April 25). So this report emerged from an atmosphere of nationalism, jingoism, and adolescent masculinity, as Ernest Van Dyke's "good and patriotic" oration reveals. Katzenbach also reveals that the Society has inducted Rear Admiral William T. Sampson (soon to direct the U.S. fleet at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in July) and former U.S. Ambassador to Spain Steward Woodford as honorary members of the Thencanic. Transcription included.
Sans titreThis report focuses on the rhetorical, oratorical, and grammatical missteps of the members who spoke at this meeting. Baumgartner also discusses the generally rowdy behavior of the students. Transcription included.
Sans titreAnother report by William Bellerjeau, this one shorter than the previous. He spends most of the time chiding the members for "rubbering" (staring) at girls. Transcription included.
Sans titreTwo reports for the meeting, or meetings, in the last weeks of October. Both are dated October 27, but J. Foster Post's report likely refers to the meeting of October 20. Regardless, Post's report was rejected. The second, by an unidentified author named "R. Reynolds," directly criticizes the apparently poor quality Post's report.
Both reports describe events surrounding the Thencanic's anniversary celebrations, held the last Friday in October, which further complicates the question of dating. Either way, these reports together give insight into a long-running and much beloved annual Thencanic event. Transcription included.
A long, slightly meta, commentary on the meeting. Persifor Spilsbury emphasizes the need for honest criticisms, even if they upset the Thencanic's members. He also points out flaws in the students' behavior and oratory, chastizes them for making excuses, and demands they "act as gentlemen or get out of the Society." Some students cannot be identified with the provided information. Transcription included.
Sans titreA fairly brief report, though one that still takes time to chide the members for not standing upright while orating, putting their feet on the desks, and eating candy during the meeting. Transcription included.
Sans titreAside from the usual comments about the membership's behavior and their habit of putting their feet up, this critic's report also mentions a "Miss Thomas," presumably the instructor in whose room the Society met. Unfortunately, she remains unidentified. Transcription included.
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