The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899, March 07, 1900, Page 2, Image 2
The Nebraskan-Hesperian L M ll ? ra ! Ml PENNSYLVANIA LETTER. Editor Nebraska-Hesperian:' The dedication of Ponn's magnlfl' cent now law building this past week has been -tho oyont, of , ha season in university circles. It brought men prominent in tho legal profession from nil over the country; while nearly .overy university in tho states as well as Oxford and Cambridge in Englanu .sent representatives. Addresses, re ceptions and ceremonials wore the or der of tho day. But among them all nono attracted and none deserved, 'more attention than tho speech of the Chinese minister to the United States Wu Ting Fang which was given at the academy of music on Washing ton's birthday as a regular university .function, but this year added import ance attached to the occasion owing to the opening of tho law building and the assemblage of eminent men drawn together. The academy long the' most famous house of music in Amer ica seats about three thousand, and standing room was at a premium. The parquet was given up to the col lege, and the second and third galler ies to tho professional schools, tho balcony boxes and stage to guests and officials. The array of the latter was something impressive; the cap and gown is a part of university dignity here, and as tho black robe Is embel lished by bands and chevrons red or blue or yellow or green or variegated according to the office and department of tho wearer, tho display is not with out spectacular eloquence. But the robes of provost and dean wore quite obscured by the splendid array of the orator of the day. His Excellency the Chinese minister, was attired in a flowing robe of golden-yellow satin figured with conventionalized foliage of the east. Over it was a tunlc-llko garment, satin again, which (I speak in doubt) the co-ed. might style bird's egg blue. A fur trimmed outer gar ment of steely hue was laid aside be fore tho speaking began. We must not forget, either, the black red crested cap such as you have seen In Chinese novelty stores with a glitter ing mandainis button at the front. The blue tunic was a sleeveless won der. At first sight it seemed an inno cent splendor. But as time passed it proved to be more commodiously stocked than Hermann's plug hat. Books, manuscript, handkerchief, fan, what not? appeared from Its mag ical concealment when occasion re quired, as readily as smiles upon the placid face of the minister. And the smiles came often for the students loved to roll the celestial syllables of his name is rhythmic tongucings. Wu Ting Fang! It was the yell of a life time! And His Excellency was not -wanting in courteous recognition. But he has a tongue of his own too. His English would have done credit to a foreigner whoso native speech was far more congenial to ours than Chinese. And as for the substance of his talk well, he paper styled It "a brilliant and scholarly oration." I do not think it was properly speaking .either brilliant or scholarly, but it was witty, keen and 'taking.' In fact Wu Ting Fang has taken Philadelphia by- storm, and his witticisms are be coming proverbial, Perhaps the best point in his ora tion was his suggestion that since .Americans are now land-holuors in Asia, wo should extend the Monroe' doctrine to that continent. It is evi dent, I think, that His Excellency 1b fully allvo to tho political importance of his position; and certainly ho is winning friends for his country. Among the episode of the day was an effort on tho part of the 'dents.' to force tholr turn into the academy (the students marched thither In depart mentally divided bodies) and obtain pick of seats. A row with the 'med ics.' was tho consoquonco; but neither sldo could claim a, victory. Earlier In tho day .there had been rumors of-an impending 'scrap': between 'the 'mod ics.' and the 'laws ovor precedence In tho lino of march, but a full police do tall overawed any such project. In tho early days, departmental rows and fouds woro common; but since the opening of Houston hall a spirit of unity and fellowship has su perseded the old hostility. It Is not In accordance with fitness nor pros perity to -chat or smoke or play bil liards with a man in the afternoon, and with tne shades of night go on tho war-path for his scalp. I venture to say that Houston hall Is the centre, as tho dormitories and Franklin's Field may be considered tho clrcumrerence, of Ponn's "college spirit." Houston hall is tho students club house, and It Is the scene of so cial converse, political, .wire-pulling class and college function alike. Tho hall itself is ono 01 tho hand somest buildings In the campus. For description of it I cannot do hotter than quoto from the members' cluo book. "It is designed in the style which prevailed in England at the time of tho transition from the Gothic to. tho Renaissance. The body of the walls Is of a light gray stone, which comes from tho quarry In long, flat pieces. The" building has, therefore, a highly stratified appearance and the painting being done in a oroad, old-fashionea manner, tho sone-work has an effect of great stability. Tho mulllons, tran soms, sills, copings, etc., are of In-' diana limestone, used in sufficiently liberal quantities to avoid the meagre effect which often results in American renderings of the Elizabethan style. Carved detail has been sparingly used and is in evidence only In a few shields bearing the arms of the donors verslty and the initials of the donors at various parts of the exterior. Broad terraces paved with marble tiles and surrounded with stone bal ustrades extend in front of the door ways, and afford convenient meeting places for students in fine weather. And within the huge doors at either entrance is a roomy vestibule finished with a high wainscoting of paneled oak and surrounded with seats of the same substantial material. From inner doors ono enters the central re ception room. It is massively deco rated in solid oak, uniform with the tables, chairs and easy seats. Wide fire-places at either end make the largo space doubly Inviting In cold weather by their fires of blazing logs. At tho east end of this reception room are two widely-arched doorways which lead into the reading and correspond ence rooms. Tho heavy oak pillars and tho mantel-pieces over tho fire- (Continued on page 3.) University Book Store All Student's SUPPLIES Kept in Stock. If you don't see what you want, ask for it. University Book Co. Plain Building. rrnnS5S5KS9999777vy''.ivr'7''7,ijr'i'7''',4 " 1 4 .1 You want tho Finemt.. 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