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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1874)
"' "--..-" h ': THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. I M i i if ' Ik i 1 J i. I P n i N . i. i Jif U 1 El' ' , r nl l M. Morgan, for tho study of3hakcspcarc. Tlie plays of the great English poet arc studied as to their plot and the skill in its execution, history, .language and so on. Sufllce it to say wo are constantly gaining insight to new beauties. Prof. Nichols meets the B Preparatories on Thursday evenings and is reading with them that interesting and instructive book, " Win, II. Seward's Travels Hound the World." The principal of the Model School and assistant devote a portion of time to read ing to the pupils from books suited to their years. Another class hus devoted some time to the study of Chaucer. They read The Prologue to the Canterbury Talcs, and The Knight's Tale. Any of the class can now, notwithstanding the 'awful spelling," read with ease (e's) the quaint writings of "the great father of English literature." The Virgil class after linishing the iEncld read Conington's translation of that poem, the Earl of Derby's translation of Homer's Iliad and arc now reading Pope's Homer's Odyssey. The most of the advanced pupils have done a fair amount of MISCELLANEOUS HEADING. Some have read all of Macaulay's es says, a portion of Carlyle's and of Bacon's and have tasted of Dante, Spencer and other early poets. Another feature of our work is THE STUDY OF THE HII1LE Foil ITS LITEHAltY ME1UT8. To illustrate the method of study, the book of Job was read in the morning de votional exercises and attention directed to some of the peculiar features of the book. Essays have since been prepared upon the following topics and read before the school on Friday afternoons: The Plot of the Book of Job, The Argument, The Character of Job, The Personillca tions, The figures, The Natural History, The Scenery of the Country Where Writ ten, The Manners and Customs of the People. All this literary work is prose culed independently of the regular work of the school. Many of the pupils evince a fond up. preciation for good literature, and an un ceasing interest in the events daily tran spiring in the social, political and relig ious world. By reading and criticism many are acquiring a clearness and beau ty of style and a command of langaugo which is very valuable. In the study of Shakespeare we find Hudson's edition very useful because of its copious notes. We have used for reference, Craik's En glish of Shakespeare, Abbott's Shakes pearian Grammar, Hudson's Life, Art and Characters of Shakespeare, and Whipple's English of the Age of Elizabeth. In the Chaucer class we used Carpenter's En glish of the XIV Century, and Morris's Chaucer. W. S. Black. (The above article was probably the last production from the pen of Mr. W. S. Black before his death.) Delinquent subscribers will please pay up arrearages immediately. A num Lit have failed to remit. We furnish the Sti'dknt at about half tho usual price of Mich papers, and feol that we ought to have our pay in advance. DO YOU WANT A DICTIONARY? If you do, write to Jno. M.Taggart, of Palmyra. He will sell you Worcester's splendid un abridged for loss than $0.00. A library for a trifle. The retail price of such dic tionaries is usually $12.00. See ad. on page 8 Tho Iilfo Boat. The following poem was read by tho author, a student of tho High School, at the June commencement. Another boat launched on the heaving tide, A tiny, frail barque In tho sea of strife, Ono more to try for tho far-away goal, Ono more to tight In tho bnttlo of llfo; Ami which shall it he then to win or to lose? I've pondered tho (mention o'er and again. Shall hlB name ho high on tho " ltecord or good $" Or numbered with either the "wounded" or "slain?" He can choose for his pilot whoever ho will, So many apply for the station you know. Thero Is Truth, who will lead to tho "Pastures of Life," Or Pleasure whoso goalls tho "Valley of Woe;" Hopo smiles on the path-way of life just begun, Her laughing eyes shlno from every tlowcr, She Is ready to cherish this fresh, new life, And to stregthon his faith In tho darkest hour. He passes the straits of infancy soon, Shielded from peril by dear, loving hands, He watches all day tho fair, far sky, Or plays at eve'tlmo with the golden sands; Tho Islunds of boyhood are passed swiftly by, And scarce has he entered the rolo of his youth, Kro ho leaves the home-nest to soil out alone, And takes for his pilot iho foo of bravo Truth. Silent, hi guardian ange' stands, With saddened brow and tear-dimmed eyes, Sho breathes a prayer o'er tho erring boy, Then wings her lllght to tho starlit skies; And there Is weeping in Heaven to night, O'er ono frail barque that Is gone astray. Around the youth fair scenes aro portrayed, Tho sortest winds play with wandering breath, The flowerets blossom in shaded nooks. Hut their subtle odors waft poison and death; Tho shades In tho dcp fairy-haunted glen Aro gathering since twilight's dim haziness fell, And up from the South-land thro' tho clear space, Floats the musical chime of a silver-voiced boll. And there aro low banks where fringed willows lean, Far o'er the gliding waters so fair, To catch If thoy can a swill fleeting glance Of their lithe graceful lorms and loveliness rare; Meadows sweet with the breath of new-mown hay, And cool, dark woods whero from tamorac trees. Tho song of tho red-breasted robin so gay, One long stream of melody swells on thebrcozo. Hock of tho youth lies a sun-gilded stream, Whose bright waters bring sorrow to nnny a heart; Tho green banks arc dotted with palo lily blooms, In tho waves tho moss grows, and tho shy dol phins dart; While dreamy, low-toned through tho dusk purple air, Tho light rippling waves go hurrying by, Fair castles loom up In the distance blue, Their turrets stand clear gainst the palo even ing sky. Hut UiIb far-famed river Is treacherous and deep, When once it Is touched by the boat of man, And the current will bear hlin onward and o'er, Till ho reaches a dark and gloomy laud; Hcforo and around lies tho ocean restless, Strewn with tho wrecks that aro hound for the grave; 'Tls a wild place I with whirl-pools and brookors, And mortals that writhe In tho seething waves. In tho midst of tho scayawns a great black gulf, "Tho gulf of temptation," tilled with despair. His baniuo uears tho chasm, slowly, slowly, Ho feels his faco burn with the hot, stilling air; A moment hu stands on the dark vorgo of ruin, A moment he pauses to note tho wild wave, When a voice, swuet and clear, breaks tho still ness around, And his good angel whispers, "Como hasten away." Ho turns with a shuddor to mark whence It comes Tho voice, so like music, that alls on his oar, Ho soos not around, but a hand strong and sure, Grasp tho helm ami loads to waves that are clear; Tho mad droam of passion has 'faded away. Tho struggle was hard, but the victory gained, Shall his name bo high on tho " Hocord of (iood," Or numbered with olihor the "wounded" or "slain" When Ills heart grows faint, and his hand grows wo.ik. And ho nearly succumbs to tho demon of yore. IHb guardian angel, with hand strong and steady, Leads him out from the shadows to sunshlno onco more; Now he peacefully glides down tho river of years, Perfect love In his soul, perfect truth on his brow, And his heart grows young In the lato years of life, Though his dark locks ore turned to the white ness of snow. Silent, his guoidlan angel stands, With thoughtful brow and lustrous eyes, Sho breathes a blessing so tender and true, Then wings her flight to the star-lit skies; And there Is rojolclng In Heaven to-night, O'er a boot that has crossed tho yellow strand, It had well-nigh sunk, but ot lost Is sofo On the golden shore of tho Sunlit Land. Lizzie T. Wilson. Commencement Week. The second commencement exercises of our University are now past. All the friends of the institution had looked for ward to this event with unusual interest perhaps, on the part of a few, with anxie ty. But Ave are proud to say, that the re sult has grntilied the most sanguine ex pectations. All the exercises have met with favor in the eyes of the citizens. Never before have the people shown ho lively an interest in the welfare of their State institution of learning. Never be fore have the entertainments been so well putroized. THE HACCALAUHEATE APUHESS. On Sabbath afternoon, the occasion of the Chancellor's address, the atmosphere was very oppressive, yet a splendid audi- ence, consisting of the talent and elite of the city, tilled the chapel. Our Chancel lor, of whom we are justly proud, was equal to the occassion and delighted his hearers witli far the most scholarly litera ry least wo have lately enjoyed. The Dr. was truly eloquent, his address abounding in finely wrought llgures and true pathos. The following abstract of the address, presents some of its salient points: As the father sends from his threshold his child, concerned for his health, for tune and mc-al condition, so to-day, witli a few public parting words we are almost to dismiss with kindly concern a class from the University to enter the arena of citizen life. The earnest inquiry is like that of Saul of Tarsus, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" There is a calling to do something; secondly What are we to do; and finally God the Source of tho call. The word " calling" is used in regard to our secular and rollgsous life, and shows a principle common to both. Hence a man engaged in his ordinary vocation is doing the errand of God, as woll as lie who sings psalms. If work is to be done at all, it should he elevated from drudgery to a culling tho divine cal ling to work. Every man of command ing force has bclloved himself impelled by an irresistible force, on unoontrolablo destiny, and this gives rise to the popular fascination by which the world's heroes have boon looked up to with idolatrous regard It is a law of our nature that happiness can only be found In well directed nclivi ty; honcono ailluoncc of wealth should give any ono exemption from a buslneab in life. Unlike the zoophyte rooted to a reef in the sea, swaying to and fro, twist ing its tontacuia, couriesying to the waves and vibrating its arms to catch an unwary fly, or dainty medusa, without progress or improvement, man is filled with mighty hopes, toweting aspirations and activities of infinite versatility With his varied gifts he is an intelligent and divinely cal. led worker, and subordinate a creator of the good, the beautiful and the true. II. What should a man's calling be? Every one, as soon as may be, should find his proper place and calling that for which his education and aptitude par. ticuliuiy fit him. How is this to be found V In general a man's intellectual bias, and moral wants will guide him safely In selecting a call, ing. 1st. Every calling is open to a man, which will not injure his moral or relig. ious character; but every profession or business is not equally eligible. Thus to one man a business might be the means of constant elevation, while to another it would present peculiar temptations and moral hazards. There is danger thnt a profession or business will become me chanical, and so all life, freshness, and even sincerity may be sacrificed to pro. fosional routine. 2nd. Besides in choosing a business, temporary advantages should not have too much weight. No young person should go into a business simply because it is easy to get into it. The important ques tion hero is, not what Is most convenient, but in what can I get on most satisfactory ly and honorably. Do not then drop into the first position that oilers. Be content to live on a little rather titan to sacrifice your future with all Its prospects of use fulness and happiness. !Jd. In the selection of a calling, Intel, lcctuul aptitude and nutura taste should have a leading influence. It would be Impossible to become a painter, poet or sculptor without a bias, or genius in one of those directions. Whenever an apti tude for any calling is clearly pronounced it is unwise perhaps impious to contra vene it. This is the voice of God, speak, ing in it man,s nature, which lie has no right to disregard. But in the majority of cases their is no such decisive predilection. Here the in dications aro more obscure, but the dan ger of going wrong is less; for man is a creature of adaptabilities as well as of adaptations. There is a flexibility of av erage manhood that enables a man to ac quit himself creditably in nearly every position. Like tho late Edward Everett, the poise and versatility of faculties may bo such as to udapt one to every career. lie at first as a college student boro off the highest honors; then u boy preacher of rare and tender eloquence ; a Greek professor of erudition ; then entering on political life as a legislator, govenor, am bassador, and secretary of stste, he illus trated the wondrous capacity and versa tility of cultured men, inspiring the hopo of reasonable success in any department of human industry. Tho personal qualities of self-poise, wllli force of character, and determination, will do more and better for one, than a more inclination for a profession. Incli nation or genius is only a promise, but tho former are guuruntys of success 4th. Besides the moral wants of the man must be considered in tho wcU-Ltion Of a business. While doing good to oth ers wo mubt do ourselves no harm. It iJ hardly to bo supposed that a liberally ed ucated young man will dcliberatelv take into his plan a success to be purchased at tho price of integrity and honor. Hence a business should bo solocted which will help, not hurt you. Tho consequence oi selecting one business or profession ov another may he the difference to you be ML
