THE HESPERIAN STUDFNT.
5
OUR PROSPECTUS FOR 187-1.
This year wo make tlio attempt to pub.
lisli an kioiit-paok Journal on first class
hook l'Ai'KU. It is tho design, as soon as
everything Is In good working order to
make the. Studknt a model of the. piin.
tors art In tasto and typographical oxecu
lion. The association has heretofore consid
ered that the former stylo and quality of
the Sitijknt was all that our limited pat
ronage would warrant, and it has been
with some degree of hesitation and nnxi
ely for the result, on tho part of n few,
that the present step has been taken. "Wo
look to tho friends of the University to
support us in this enterprise. This they
nm do by incukasinu otm sunsnurnoN
j.ist, im JiUiiif our adrart winy column.
While the expense of publishing the
Stidknt, in its present form, is more thin
double its former cost we have increased
the subscription price only one hdfti
being now necenty-fice cents per annum;
and the former advertising rates are re
tained. We believe that a college journal should
be peculiarly the students' paper an ex
ponent of their wishes, their literary abil
ity, their power to protect and enhance
their own interests and institutions. Hut
our readers and patrons at large have
claims upon us which we must endeavor
to meet. They expect value received for
their money. To satisfy this reasonable
demand wo have secured on our corps of
of education, Prof. Thompson lias been
relieved for tho term from his labors as
an instructor, and sent out into this im
portant Held, for which he is so eminent
ly qualified.
In pursuance of this purpose, ho has
inaugurated a series of Farmers' Insti
tutes, to bo held in various portions of
this state. He has already held institutes
at Palmyra, Dorchester and Seward with
far more Haltering success lliaii hoped
for by the most sanguine. Everywhere
the kind words of encouragement and
good cheer, offered, even by those hereto
fore skeptical on this subject, betoken the
awakening interest of Ihe people, with re
gard to the importance and necessity of
scientific agriculture. The Prof, is also
assisting the State Supt. of Public Inst.,
Hon.. I. jr. Melvenzio, in his Normal In
stitutes, usually of two weeks continu
ance. These institutes have also been re
cently inaugurated by theSup't. They are
conducted on the plan of normal schools,
and are designed to elevate the standard
of teachers' qualification in the state. The
Legislature, prompted b' a spirit of blind
and narrow economy, refused any aid for
this purpose ; consequently the State Supt.,
nobly seconded by Prof. Thompson, Gen.
T. . Morgan of the State Normal school,
and Cliancelor Ronton, has undertaken to
accomplish this great work, which the
State ought to have provided for, by send
ing men specially for this purpose into the
field. We are only stating the opinion of
those who know him best, when we say,
that Prof. Thompson is a gentleman of
state was less than 200; there are now
over 2,000. Then 100 would include
school houses of every sort ; last year
alone, there were built 118(1 good, substan
tial, and many of them, elegant, expensive
school buildings. Then tho school fund
distributed was less than ifoO.OOO; this year
wo sent out over $ 175,000. Thus we
might proceed with the comparison show
ing a truly marvelous improvement dur
ing the past six years."
We have no need to boast of the un
paralleled advancement in educational
prosperity exhibited in our state. A bare
table of statistics rends like a fabulous
exageration. A modest statement of fads
wears the appearanoo of romantic fancy-
The success of all our higher institu
tions of learning depends upon the per
lection of our common school system.
Then what a bright and happy future of
prosperity, power and usefulness is re
served for our Alma Mater!
OUR SOCIETIES.
contributors, who will occasionally con
tribute, the various members of the Fac I ,,, scholarly attainment, and wide and
valuable experience as an educator. This
is especially true of him as a lecturer, on
education, and an institute laborer. The
interests of the Agricultural College have
ulty, and several others of eminent abili
ty. Some of the very best literary talent
it the State will be represented in our
columns. We solicit the hearty and gen
erous support of the friends of education
throughout tho State.
PROFESSOR THOMPSON'S "WORK
THIS TERM.
An attempt was made in tho beginning
ill IH7:l to open the Agricultural College
in such a manner as to afford the advan
tages, at least, of a theoretical agricullu
nil education to all students entering this
department of the University.
Hut, thus far, very little has been ac
cnmpllshed even in theory. There was
no model or experimental farm, with the
iiece-sary appliances for successfully con
du.itinir it, yet provided. No special in
lueenienls or advantages were offered to
students to encourage them to enter Ibis
College; consequently the number of slu
dents was very small.
S. R. Thompson, our Processor of tig
liciilture, thus fettered and circumscribed
in Ids ell'orls, has doubtless keenly felt
his utter inability, under existing eircuni
stances, to inako this department ns suc
cessful as might be desired.
At tin' last meeting of the Hoard of Re
irenls the Initiatory steps were taken to
provide for the opening of a model farm
with dormitories thereon for the accom
modation of the students. The success of
ihis plan depends upon the sale of some
of the Agricultural College land.
In Hie minds of many of our best ed
ucators the success of agricultural col
leges is well established; but among Ihe
people at largo it is by no means univer
sally admitted. It is thought by very
many, and very generally by farmers,
Unit the ends sought to bo attained are
often defeated. Willi a view to awaken
in interest on tins sun. cot, among ino
been wisely entrusted, and wo feci that
thov nro safe. Few men have ever in so
brief a time established so wide a popu
larity, and aroused such a warm friend
ship in the hearts of the people as Prof.
Thompson. Success to his labors.
STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
KDL'CATIONAI. l'HOSl'KUITY OK NKIIHASKA.
The annual session of (he Stale Touch.
Tub Palladia for the last two terms
has been very prosperous. The energy
displayed by many of lib members is truly
commendable, and has brought a meet
reward.
Their large and convenient hall is now
neatly and elegantly furnished and taste
fully decorated. Their numbers have
greatly increased so that, with this im
portant element of success, together with
increased talent, the Palladian is a strong
society. Wo have observed the evidences
of more thought in their literary produc
tions of more care and research in the
preparation. The discussions, which
too frcoucntly in college societies arc
merely frothy effervescence of mean
ingless bombast from under-graduates,
of which Micy would be ashamed any
where clfo, are more dignified, logical
decorous.
The same may be said in many respects
of the
ADKMMIlAN SOCIKTY,
especially in the large increase in Avork
ing members this term, among whom are
several of their staunehest members and
most talented speakers. The union with
APPROPRIATIONS.
Liberality and wise generosity charac
terizes the policy of the Hoard of Regents.
Tho Adelphian Society was recently the
recipient of one of llioirsubstanlial favors
in the shape of a snug appropriation for
the purpose of furnishing their hall.
But ii short time before, the Palladian
Society was similarly remembered by a
liberal donation. We are as students
sincerely grateful for such favors; yet wo
do not make our acknowledgements as
as one who has accepted a gratuity at the
charitadlc hands of another; but ;ather
our gratitude is tho proper and necessary
courtesy required between parties upon
the completion of a business transaction,
mutually beneficial.
In no way, perhaps, are the interests of
a college promoted more, than by tho
popularity, strength, and usefulness of its
literary societies, its nows-papor and oth
or institutions conducted b' the students
themselves. These are the matters inva
riably enquired after by the best students
before entering into any relation with an
institution of learning. Tho Regents fill
ly understand this. Thoy simply make
us their agents for the judicious invest
ment of the funds entrusted to our care.
It becomes us, therefore, by our zeal and
earnest effort in building up these insti
tutions, to reward their confidence, and to
return their "talent with usury."
A PLEASANT VISIT.
tliisi ciwiiitv n!' Inrii-e number of Indies.
ers' Association held in I ecumseh, com-, ,. n.nuM. nu,;n,,LlI.s , u, Jil.1.iim) hus mmlo
nicncing on the evening of the Stfd f; this tmu an j,,,;.,,.,,,!,,, Op0(.h in its his
December, was the most intcresling and I . Tlll. ,,!,,.,,.,. 1111(i m(m, .,,,...,,., ,.,..
." ? .. .. ......... , - -
profitable meeting of that body ever held
in tho state.
Tho exorcises were opened with an ad
dress by tho President, Hon. J. M. Molten
.ie, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
It was an ably written and instructive pa
per. Tho Superintendent has kindly fa-
vored us with a copy of the same, from
imparled to all tho literary exercises
the greater care shown in preparation,
and the more chaste and polished style
of expression, shown in till tho literary
productions, attest Ihe superior benoflls,
which wo believe "mixed" societies al
ways possess
While we are a strong advocate of "mix-
We were extremely gtatllled by a call
from Messrs. John Dundas and Plin
Ford, two most valued friends and class
mates of old Normal days. Plin and
John are now playing the role of the
staid benedict. Without, in the slightest
degree, wishing to disturb the equanimi
ty of their gentle and confiding dames at
home, we would quietly hint, that wo ob
served some traces of their old school-
day predilections for "ftm and music"
still unsubdued by tho galling fetters of
Hymeneal slavery. Come again and
come often, boys bless my soul ! excuse
such irreverent familiarly but, in mem
ory's looking-glass, I see us buys together
still.
JANUARY (?) NUMBER.
which wo take the extract given below. M(.(p' societies, we wisli to say in reference
to Ihe Pierian, that its former members
have Just reason to be proud of its suc
cess during its short, but interesting ca
reer. Some of the pleasantest hours we
over passed in the society hull, were those
spent in listening to tho entertainments
of tho Pierian which for variety, beauty
of sentiment, and grace in delivery have
seldom been excelled.
The ladies have shown their ability to
conduct a first class society, and if, in
the course of events, fhey should seo lit
again to organize an exclusive society,
the other societies have great reason to
tremble for their laurels.
In speaking of the contrast bet vcen tho
condition of the Association at the time
of its organization in 1807, and at present,
he gave the following valuable summary
of statistics: "Just at this point, it may
bo well, for tho sake of contrast, to com
pare tho then with the now.
"Then very few actively engaged In tho
cause of education, wore members of the
Association ; now we have very few who
are not teachers or school officers. Thon
the whole number of children in tlioslato
did not exceed 10,000, for tho census of
I80O showed less than 21,000; last April
the returns showed fl!),108. Then thero
were less than 25 organized counties; now
wo have more than GO. Thon there wore
"V.:u did not send us the January num
ber !"
Of course wo did not. Tho labor and
time required in making our now arrange
ments and in procuring ihe necccssary
appliances, have made it expodiant to
skip this issue. Wo are ready now, how
over, to be promptly on time with eacli
issuo, at tho first of tho month. Our friends
will excuse our first delinquency, we feol
assured, in consideration of tho enlarged
and more valuable paper wo aro now able
lo furnish.
NOTICE THIS FACT
Our advertising rates are very reasona
bleonly a liftlo more than one half as
large as those of other collogo journals
of the same size and malorlal, with no
wider circulation. Also our terms of
subscription arc one quarter less than tho
rates charged by similar journals.
We mail extra copies of the Studknt,
this month, to various educators and
rieiids of tho university tiirougiiout tno
not to exceed 150 organized school dis
tricts; now wo have more than 1800. Btato, honing that they may favor us with
people, and to labor in tho general Hold Then tho whole number of teachers in their subscriptions.
Don't refuso to subscribe for the Stu
dknt, because your brother or room-mato
takes it. If you don't need it yourself,
send it abroad to some friend, and advor
tiso your collogo.
For common humanity'offakG Jkm't
HOimowl If you nro rqnllv "ivropor
object of charily, call at ouiiincuimTalid
we'll bestow a copy on you gratis.
