Second only to Harvard Square's Boston Elevated shack, the hideous ibis-nest at Mt. Auburn and Bow is entering its thirty-third year as a notorious local traffic hazard. An attempt to eject the occupants and remove the monstrosity from the middle of a public thoroughfare was foiled by camouflaging it as an automobile accident, and the Building Commission has been stalled off by leaning the shaky south wall so that it is supported by the others. It is thus quite possible that the Lampoon Building will stand for at least another year.

The present building, replacing the old quarters at 8 Holyoke Street, was the result of a highly successful decade (their only one) following the turn of the century. E. M. Wheelwright '76, one of the founders, was selected as architect, and the convenient site half-way between the Hygiene Building and the Psychological Clinic was chosen. The outside was designed in the style of 16th century Holland, and the inside in the style of the "Blucbcard's Palace" on the Revere Beach midway. It is triangular, consisting of three walls and a standpipe. A brass ibis has been perched on the latter almost without interruption since the beginning, though it has frequently been requested to leave.

Throughout the amazing interior is a collection of museum pieces and antiques the result of an unfortunate habit of 'Poon alumni of storing their attic overflows in the Sanctum. A fine suit of medieval Japanese armor stands at the south window of the Great Hall, and has occasionally been donned by the President during police raids. The window itself contains pieces of 14th century stained glass from the Church of St. Augustine at Canterbury, England. Across the room in a serious Frisian grandfather clock of the 17th century, and the Elizabethan mantlepiece next to it has not been dusted since 1583. The fireback is decorated with "Susannah and the Elders" in wrought iron, while tapestries and a Gothic cabinet effectively hide the crumbling north wall.

The chandelier is 16th century Spanish wrought iron, like the crane supporting the lantern over the front door. Seven thousand Delft tiles bearing pictures of windmills and Dutch barmaids completely cover the walls of the Sanctum Lobby. No two of these are alike, the Poonsters are told. Not all of the relics are imported, however. The walls are littered with drawings by F. G. Attwood, James Montgomery Flagg, Gluyas Williams, Larz Anderson, and other ex-editors. Their carved signatures may be read in the oaken dining table.

Yet, in spite of these numerous disadvantages, the editors have come to feel a certain attachment to the depressing place. To this day each graduating 'Poon man takes home a bit of cobweb from the business office. But the most eloquent expression of these touching sentiments came last spring, after a mob had stained a glass window with a grapefruit. "I love this building!" sobbed the tearful President, as he placed a square of cardboard over the broken pane.