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THE HESPERIAN
17.
development of tho social side, towards
amusement rather than towards hard work;
towards quantity rathor than quality in mem
bership, towards working for tho applause of
an audience rather than striving to find and
express the truth; towards smartness rather
than ability and there is a wide gulf be
tween these two ; towards a somewhat flip
pant superficiality rather than an earnest
and determined effort to get at the bottom of
things. Understand this is only a tend
ency; but it is a tendency that must bo fought
hard and constantly.
A Literary Society should confine its mem
bership to those who are reasonably near
each other in general classification, and who
have something of tho same interests. Its
arrangement of work should be methodical,
and with much forethought the eariler the
entire work of a semester can be announced
the bettor. The burdens should be distrib
uted with tho greatest possible equality.
Care in preparation, accuracy in statement,
exactness in speech, and attractiveness in
form and manner these are the cardinal
qualities of all worthy work.
The real cause for the existence of tlie
Literary Society has practically disappeared.
An elective system, giving largo liberty in
choice of studies; young and vigorous in
structors; the utmost freedom of discussion
in the lecture room; the formation of semi
nars and other student-associations in de
partments or in special colleges; tho individ
uality now possible in university work; the
temptations of libraries and laboratories
"gainst all those must tho Literary Society
of to-day contend. Only by abandoning
the notion of entertainment, and by adopt
ing work and methods that will attract the
hearty and loyal support of tho strongest
studeirs, amply repaying them for their
time niidcfiort, can it hope for either honor
able or prolonged existence.
f'hiK is u statement of "a condition, not
ft theory," It is a kindly warning, not a
prophesy. J b
Obituary.
Whereas, The Great Destroyer has entered
our midst and taken from us our beloved friend
and class-mate, James M. Palmer, Jr. Be it
Resolved, By the Sophomore class of the Uni
versity of Nebraska, that in his death the class
has lost one of its brightest and most worthy
members, a diligent student and a faithful friend.
And be it
Resolved, That the members of the class hold
his name in sacred memory, and extend their sin
cere sympathy to the sorrowing ones in this sad
hour. And further, be it
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be
sent to his parents, and also to each of the College
papers.
Passed at special class meeting, Nov. 1 1, '92.
COMMUNICATED.
Cambridge, Mass., Nov. n, 1S92,
Alumni Editor Hesperian:
Dear Sir: Yours requesting a letter from me
has been received. If a few words may be ser
viceable to you in avoiding the heartrending ap
peals of the managing editor calling for copy, I
gladly comply with your request.
J have just received the November issue of the
Hesperian. 1 congratulate the Hesperian as
sociation and the board of editors for on great
improvements they have made in the make-up
and general appearance of the paper. It does
me good to see the Hesperian keep pace with
the onward march of the University of Nebraska.
I rejoice to hear of the prosperous condition of
the University. The high esteem in which I hold
my alma mater ever increases. Being in the
greatest of American institutions of learning, does
not lessen my enthusiasm for the University where
I spent so many pleasant and instructive days.
The more I see of other universities, the more I
recognize the real worth, the high standard of the
University of Nebraska. It may seem preposter
ous to compare a university, twenty years old,
with one, two hundred and fifty-six years old;
yet I think the University of Nebraska will stand
favorable comparison with Harvard College.
The standard for admission to Harvard is well
advanced. 1 think, however, that the advanced
requirements of the University of Nebraska will
put them on an equal footing. Of course, the
Harvard man would not grant that statement.
Harvard is to him the greatest educational institu
tion in America, if not in the world.
The under-graduate student of the Nebraska
State University is required to do more work than
the under-graduate of Harvard. Harvard's re
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