If
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
Instinctively wo laid our dart mm pal
mam upon our lank pocket-book ami ten
doily lingered a nickle, almost resolved to
bestow it on such a worthy object. Hut,
nliis! for human resolves! This benign
intention was never carried to a success
ful termination. Either some accident
called Us aside before we readied the ob
ject of our proposed benevolence, or,
mayhap, the cord of sympathy which
bound us to this last solitary nickle in
our wallet ( put aside for a "seed coin")
was too strong for us. At all events the
soldier's cigar box was not the receptacle
of our lucre. That night, as we roHoetod
with Bible In our hands over this neglec
ted opportunity, the throes of our troubled
conscience were unutterable. We resolv
ed to arise at early morn and make meet
reparation.
But alas, the cruel shock our patriotic
faith in the spotless virtue of our wound
cd " boy In blue" was destined to receive !
We found that he had sold his body, soul,
ami, more horrible still, his divine art(?)
to the proprieter of a groggery, i four dot
tors per diem, to resist the cause of turn
peranee. lie stood with sublime fortitude
in the presence of a band of fair Crusad
ers, trying to drown their sweet accents
ot song and prayer with the clangor of
his machine! Ye gods, what an Incubus
was lifted from our burdened conscience!
Yet vour law-and-order moral man says
this soldier did his duty by himself. It
was a legitimate business contract. He
had a right to take money for the work of
his hand from anyone for any purpose.
Wc have seen more transparent sophls
try, In the last two months, advanced
against the temperance war, than ever be
lore in a third rate debating society; but
this last argument is the climax. It re
minds us of a legitimate business trans
action of a certain Hebrew named Judas
when he speculated on the life of his
Master and Saviour.
SOCIETY LIBRARIES.
We learn from our Normal eorrespon
dent that the Philomnlhoan society of
that institution has laid the foundation for
an extensive library. We commend the
enterprising example they have set to the
careful consideration of the societies of
the University. We have witnessed a con
s'uleruhle degrjo of emulation and zeal
displayed both by the Adelphlan and the
Palhulian society, during the past year, in
decorating and furnishing their respective
hulls. This was desirable and necessary ;
for tasty and elegant surroundings are no
small element of success In securing a
linger membership, and a higher degree
of culture, by imparting a reiining inllu
ence to all the operations of the society.
Hut we have no oxcuso lor inactivity.
Let u-. arouse from the lethargy which is
apparently oppressing us, and prepare for
n new progressive stride.
We have decorated our tabernacles and
put them in order, let us now lay up some
lusting treasures therein which shall not
ouly enrich ourselves and thoso who fol
low us, but be a worthy monument of our
energy and wisdom. Allow us to bo the
Judex linger pointing the direction in
which one long stride should be taken.
"Wo need a society library.
Truo, we have a fair library of cholco
volumes connected with tlio University,
but there are thousands of books bearing
directly upon our work, which wo need,
that the State has not furnished text
books upon criticism, composition, rhet.
orlc, oratory and debating! biographies
of statesmen, orators and essayists; his
tories, encyclopedias and hand-books.
Besides, we ought to lay the foundation
for a choice library of general literary
works which would be at the control of
the members of the societies themselves,
and not to bo interfered with by the ordi
nances ot the University.
Ave would suirirest two wavs in which it
will be practicable to make a commence-
ment: Establish n joint librarv for the
two societies now existing, or let each so-
duty establish one exclusively its own.
Let each society set apart a fixed sum,
say fifty dollars annually, for this purpose.
which shall not under any circumstances
be violated. This of itself would soon
create a good library; but we should then
have another source of continual increase
liberal donations would lie made bv
friends of the University, " for unto them
that have shall be given."
Previous to taklngsuch a step, however,
it would be wise to have the several socie
ties incorporated. This would bo a poli.
tic measure in any event, as we then
should enjoy all the privileges of a body
corporate to buy and sell, contract, give
and take deeds ifcc.
In many other respects this step would
give us dignity, stability and strength.
We apprehend that it would bo a sure
safeguard against mutations and Irrup-
tlons in our society government.
What say the thinking men of the societies?
THE CAMPUS.
A BOOK FOR STUDENTS.
Wc arc personally indebted to the kind
nebS of Thomas Scholes of Leavenworth
for a book entitled, "The Art of Extern
pore Speaking," published by Scribner,
Armstrong & Co.
The title of iho work, and the name of
its eminent and scholarly author, M. Ban
tain, Yicar-General, and Professor at Sar
bonne, attracted our attention and led us
to expect in this work to find a valuable
aid to the extempore speaker. Our hopes
have been more than realized. The work
is a systematic and philosophical treatise
upon this art so necessary to an American,
so much used, but whose careful study is
so universally neglected.
It is not a text-book on rhetoric, nor
composition. It may be considered a
treatise upon a particular branch of psy
chologya mental philosophy of all tho
attributes and faculties brought into ac
tion by the extempore orator. Since read
ing It, we hardly see how a student could
dispense with the thorough study of such
a work during ids college course. It is
just as necessary for him who expects to
become a member of the bar or the pulpit
no is it text-book of Rhetoric, Ethics or Psy
chology to a writer, speaker or reasoncr
n any field.
Tho argument is thorough tho analy-
sis of the subject complete. Tho thought
is couched in elegant and eloquent lan.
gunge. The illustrations aro original,
varied and forcible.
A thousand thoughts which had often
suggested themselves to our own mind
vaguely, as to the best manner of culti
vatlng the montal faculties, and tho kind
of knowledge necessary tobe most earn-nuiw-
amiirlit after. In order to become a
successful and ready speaker, wo find
hero clearly and beautifully defined and
illustrated.
Tho careful study of this work will
richly repay any person, whether student
or professional man.
A CALL.
Spring is here again. The velvety ver
dure, the delicate flowers and the budding
leaflets will soon breath forth their vernal
fragrance. Soon, the glad songs of the
birds, returning from their southern
flights will be heard among us at least
wherever nature, somewhat stingy with
her gifts in these latitudes, has provided
a leafy bower for their reception; or
where man, even more improvident and
niggardly than dame Nature, in this tree
less prairie land, has not neglected to do
likewise.
Don't bo alarmed. ''Spring" is not
now tho burden of our song. We like
the subject. It has been our favorite top'
ic for years we flatter ourselves that we
can handle it with elegance and precision
"but this not now." We simply wish
to remark that our campus is likely to
remain as cheerless and voiceless as the
arid sands of Sahara, unless something is
done, by somebody to vary its present
dreary monotony, in the way of planting
shade trees &c.
We like to woo the muses, and walk
with Minerva in the sluuly groves.
The fragrant waters of the Pierian
spring loso half their sweetness when
drank beneath tho pitiless shadows ot
Nebraska's unsheltered sunbeams. We
believe in making the path up the "rug
ged hill of science" as pleasant and shady
as possible. We do not Intend to reproach
the powers that control the temporal af
fairs of the University, for want of ener
gy. Wc aro aware that they have a world
of vexing cares weighing down upon
their weary shoulders. But we think that
they can ill afford to neglect to beautify
the campus for another year.
Beautiful groves cannot bo bought in a
dny, when we aro richer. They must
grow. Now is the time to plant and wa
ter them. Let the Regents set us a broad,
generous example, in setting out a goodly
number of forest and ornamental trees
this spring, and wc, as students, will do
our share to assist in making the work a
success.
OUR PROSPECTUS.
The chill atmosphere of our lonely
sanctum, during vacation, was cheered In
to genial warmth by tho appearance there
in of our valued friend, and sometime
fellow traveler, Lucius Pratt of Tecum
sell. He was returning to his home from
i. visit to his relatives in Iowa. Ho did
much to dispel dull care brooding o'er
our gloomy brow. Come often, Pratt, and
stay longer.
Remember that wc always have the
Student for sale at ten cents per copy.
Back numbers can be obtained. Hereto
fore we have issued n lnrc number for
general distribution; we shall henceforth
keep within our necessary limits.
Wc arc glad to acknowledge tho liber
ality of the business men of Lincoln and
elsewhere in filling our advertising col
umns. Our journal, as it should be, is devoted
to the interests of the State University in
a special sense; yet if all our space were
devoted to its operations, progress and
prospects, the people could hardly con
sider the Student a local paper. The
University belongs to the people. What
cll'eets or interests tho University ought to
alleet or Interest everyone in tho state.
However we have made arrangements to
add several features to tho Student,
which will make It of more apparent gen
eral interest. Besides having secured
talented contributors outside of tho ranks
of the students, to insure a first class lit
erature, we shall havo a fecial correspon
dent fiom the State Normal School, so
that wo can record ovents transpiring in
that Institution. AI30, wo shall keep our
readers posted in regard to the operations
of the Stato Department of Education,
giving statistical information anil other
wise. Wo trust tho peoplo of the Stato
will find tho Student worthy of their at
tention and money Wo boliovo wo may
reasonably hope to greatly enlarge our ai
ready Increasing circulation.
Our subscription price is ouly seventy
fivo cents per annum.
Those who receive copies of the Stu
dent marked with an X will pleasoim
derstand, by that same token, that their
time of subscription has expired, and
that wc will bo greatly pleased to have
them renew the same.
mTR EXCHANGES.
The Bates Student lias a fine sketch of
the life and character of Jonathan Swift.
Wc have received tho Packer Quarterly,
Brooklyn, again. It is full of pleasing
and original matter. Its humor is lively
and refreshing.
The University Missourian is a racy and
interesting paper, but the typography is
not as good as the matter a fault more
tolerable than the reverse, however.
The March number of The High School,
Omaha, is an improvement on tho first is
sue, The editorials aro able and show a
better appreciation of tho work of a col
lege journal.
We have received a copj'of The Christ
ian Standa , Cinclnnatti Ohio. The
handsome compliment paid the Student,
coming from so high a source, is appre
ciated and accepted as sincere.
The Qui Vive is after its delinquent
subscribers. The editor seems to be af
flicted with his due portion of the inevit
able ills that editors are heir to, even iu
the bountiful uews-papor-loving West.
Wo havo read with considerable inter
est the address delivered by II. C. Adams
at the Galesburg Inter-Collegiato contest,
contained in the March number of The
College Ncics Letter. We consider it by
by far the best article that has appeared
recently in that journal. The article,
though meriting some criticism for affect
ed style, is a lino production.
The Chronicle, Michigan University, is
acknowledged to bo one of tho leading
college journals of the country; but the
uncourteous and rude manner iu which
it answers a mild criticism of tho Student,
is not in very good taste, and inclines us
to more firmly believe that the said criti
cism was well timed. Insolence is a poor
token of sound moral character.
Since our last issue wo havo received
several new and valuable exchanges.
Among them is the Mini, Illinoisc In
dustrial University. We give the journal
a hearty welcome to our lllcs. It is a nqat
magazine and well edited. A large por
tion of the March number is given to tho
inaugural auuress at the ucuicatiou of the
main building. Tho Mini keeps within
its proper sphere, as the exponent of the
interests of its college.
Anothor exchange rccolved for tho first
llmo is The llegisto, Hedding Collogo, 111.
It is a creditable religious journal, and
has an interesting article on "Ante-Nicouo
History;" and another on "Tho Relation
of Church-Building to tho Success of
Church Work."
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