Freshman Jennifer A. Shaw said she thought the cards were "mostly clean and humorous. Many of us feel that it was a shame the tradition was exposed."

According to the legend, Henry Fairfax forgot the name of the woman who rejected him, but remembered that she was a freshman. Hoping to find the right woman, the story runs, he sent Valentine's cards to every female freshman at Princeton professing his true love.

Only a Few Fairfaxes

Only a small number of Charter Club members were involved in the Fairfax ploy, members said.

Club member Henderson said he had no knowledge of the club's involvement until after the prank was exposed. "It was only a small group within the club, maybe 5 or 6 members, that were involved," he said.

The club's presidents pass down the tradition from year to year, and they personally select the group of members who write and deliver the Fairfax notes, Ferguson said. But Henderson said that "there was not necessarily any executive involvement."

In a relatively new addition to the annual prank, the Charter Club in recent years has sent cards not only to female freshmen, but also to males.

The Charter Club was one of the first of Princeton's eating clubs to admit women, in the early 1970s. It is a few of the club's female members who in recent years have sent cards to men, members said.

Sometimes the cards addressed to men are signed "Henrietta Fairfax." Others are signed with the names of various models and movie stars, Shaw said.

"Who'd complain if they got a card describing what Elle MacPherson wanted to do to their body," said one male freshman who requested anonymity, referring to the model made famous by the swimsuit issues of Sports Illustrated.

The fate of the Fairfax tradition is uncertain now that the secret is out, but it seems that many people, both inside and outside the Charter Club, would like the legendary Fairfax to continue to deliver cards.

No students have complained to the dean's office, according to Dean of Discipline Kathleen Degnan, and official disciplinary action seems unlikely.

"Although some of the cards were obviously in very bad taste, it still seems to be a sweet tradition," said freshman Michelle Ciaccio.