Word: pessimistic
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1870-1879
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...attentive listening I found this to be the lamentation of a select body of young men (being all spoiled children, they call themselves the S. Poils Society) over the shortcomings of their fellow-men (cribbing, cutting, etc.). This was getting too depressing to stand. I was not a pessimist then, and had no sympathy with this idea of total degeneration. I endeavored to cheer up by warbling "Landlord, fill the flowing bowl," but, as I don't sing, the result was n't encouraging. Without a word of remonstrance I left the room...
From 1851 to 1874 Harvard graduated fifty-nine men who have become professors in this and other colleges. Probably still further investigation would bring to light other facts proving more strongly that Harvard degeneracy is only the croak of a pessimist...