THE NEBRASKAN
57
Cl)c Chancellor's Column.
has really become part of himself. Ho may
. not neglect social duties or pleasures ; but his
Advice is asked for the young women of indulgence will be moderate, almost to the
the University, about "going into society." Pint of aceticism. The "good times' are
The tone of the request suggests that the ad- few and far between. They have not been
vice is expected to be such as to dissuade earned yet ; the future is not yet even reason
young women from entering society. The ably assured. The earnest young fellow who
invitation is declined with thanks. ' striving to achieve, to reach the top, never
For two reasons. First, the writer believes thinks that there ought to be but live working
that the social side of life, and of University days in the week and but nine working months
life, ought not to be neglected. Second, it in the year; much less does he desire or feel
is not understood that young women are in- willing or able to expand these holidays by
dulging in "social recklessness" alone. There
is very apt to be a young man involved.
There is no reason, therefore, why the arrow
should fly in one direction onlv : unless it be
frequent evenings so spent as to detract from
his efliciency and from the value of the work
of the day following.
The student ought to have much the same
that the condition of a flairs is such thit sent feeling; and is only reasonably sure of sue
in one direction it is quite liable to hit both coss when he flnds social demands playing a
parties in interest. very secondary part indeed in his life. He
It has been more than once asserted in these may not become a recluse that is as unwise
columns that the strength and value of the and narrowing as the other entreme. But he
University lie in the fact that it is not only a will surely master his social impulses rather
preparation for life, but is the beginning of than permit them to master him. It is not,
life. Whenever this latter condition is clearly as it is sometimes put, a choice between musty
understood and fully accepted, there will be books and midnight oil, and converse with
a loss of traditions whose room is really worth one's fellows. It is a choice between contin-
moiv than their company, and of some cus- nous and wisely-directed activity, and hours
toms which are narrowing and hampering of careless and thoughtless existence,
r.ither than otherwise. As to the second question, What shall "so-
The questions for each student to settle, ciety" mean to me? it simply implies that
therefore, about society are precisely those there is society and there is society. To run
which young men and young women must into a neighbor's once or even twice a week
settle when they have taken hold of life with for a half hour's chat after supper, and before
the earnestness and sincerity which ensure the work of the evening is begun ; a half dozen
success. And these questions are. How much persons, or more even, meeting in the same
time shall 1 give to society? What shall "so- easy and informal wj'dnce or twice a month,
ciety" mean to me? for an entire evening, after J.he labor of the v
Fvery young professional man and every week is done; to occasionally (rarely) enjoy
young business man knows that if he is to an opera or a play or a lecture by twos or
succeed he must work hard, very hard, during groups all this is one thing. But the more
the first few years at least. There is a sort formal gathering, notice of which is by cards,,
of momentum that can be secured, a reputa- a week or two weeks in advance; prepara
tion that may be earned, that will enable one lion for which occupies time and fills the mind
to carryvork easier by and by. But at the and often makes undue drain upon the purse ;
start, and that means for the first ten years at the gathering which lasts until far beyond the
least, one must study his work carefully, can hours when honest men and women are seek
rarely lay it aside, must keep close company ing the rest necessary for honest work on the
with it by day and almost by night; until it following day this is another and very dif-
