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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1874)
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. M "What is his duty ? Evidently to net the part of n candid, scholarly reviewer of the literary efforts of tho society, pointing out errors, suggesting methods of lm. provementi and especially rendering duo praise for tho beauties and excellencies noticed. I Then, what sort of a porson ought to nil so responsible a position ? Tho careless blunderer, or the ablest and most cultured member of tho society? Tho question might seem idle, did wo not consider what tho average critic really is. WHAT HK UKAMiV IS. He is frequently "lllled in" to appease him for defeat in some so-called higher nsnlratfou, without regard to qualifica tion. He is not a model by any means. Tils diction is a string of slang phrases, provincialisms and false syntax. Ho is likely to bo tho most awkward lubber in tho society. Ho takes his position each evening to mumble fortii the samo mess of stale jargon, about as gracefully as a lame stugo horse from arises a straw pile. After getting on his feet, hitching up Itis trowscrs, settling his vest, getting 'lis ro fractory limbs into partial subjection, stammering and scratching his pate he tortures you with a stereotyped medley, delivered in alternate gutturals, aspirates and grunts. He says that such an one said, "Them is my sentiments," which, ho is of tho opin ion, is wrong; that another "used is for are," which he solemnly assures " hadn't ought to be." Then he eloquently observes that "Ez I didn't notice any more mistakes I guess I'll take m ah scat," and sub sides into his chair as gracefully as ho arose. What an execrable burlesque! Such a critic and he is our fair average wo pronuunce an unadulterated nui sance, an unmitigated bore. Is there no higher duty for the critic than to mention, verbatim et literatim, tho slips of tongue and blunders in speech of each performer in turn? Out with such a puerile con ccptlon of tho mission of the most im portant ofllccr in the society I "Why does the president forget, half tho time, to call for the critics report? Bo cause it is not worth calling for, and is not anticipated with pleasure. Tho crito is a sort of evil deity that must bo worshipped to propitiate his goodwill. Ho is listened to with long faces and ab ject decorum. No ono ventures to criti cise, but each squirms under tho pun ishment ho inflicts. His nauseous doses are swallowed for tho samo reason that ono takes Ipecac, because ho thinks it good for him. Wo have seen many a splendid exercise finished off and spoiled by some blundering critic. Wo say down with such nonsense ! Out with such crit icism, and let us havo none, or else some thing that will Improve us! But wc can havo something better. Wo will tell what wo think the critic mujht be. WHAT UK SHOULD UK. Ho should bo tho best informed and most cultured man in the society. Ho need not be a fluent or elegant speaker, but ho should bo an accurate ono. lie should bo able to give a short extempore critique on each exercise, in entertaining style. IIo should deal lit generalities, and spend but little time re-iterating and crit iclslng particulars. IIo should make a schedulo of his term's work before ontor Ing upon his duties, in which should bo indicated tho particular subject of crltl cism, tho genoral prlnciplo to bo enforced for each of tho nlno or ten rogular per formances of his term of office. The crit ic should make a careful preparation for each evening. Ills performance should bo ono of tfio most Intcrcsolng and enter taining on Mio programme. In fact, tho critique should be a literary production and not an Incoherent jumblo of words. In conclusion, If wo havo trod on any one's toes, for consolation wo would in form him that we have exposed our own corns to tho samo danger. EDITORIAL NOTES. This issue of the Student makes its appearance very late. Tho cause thereof is, that wo havo been unable to furnish editorial "copy," on account of ill health. Wo would individually shoulder tho whole responsibility this time, and re spectfufly ask tho natieuco and forbear ance of our patrons, hoping to bo prompt ly on time in future. We are happy to congratulate Messrs. W. II. SNKMi and John McLkan on their recent admission to practice at tho Bar. Mr. Snklij is a graduate of tho class of '753, and Mr. McLean was long a student of the University. They havo been faith ful and earnest students, both in school and in tho learned profession. They leave Immediately for Georgetown, Colo- raeo, wncro tney win enter into the prac tice of their profession as a llrm. They leave with bright prospects, and wo be speak for them a brilliant and successful career. We, as students, with their many other friends, arc sorry to lose them from our midst; but wc feel assured that as they gain honors for themselves, they will pay due tributo to their alma mater. 4 The Adelphian Social held on Friday evening, October 23, was unquestionably the most satisfactory social entertainment ever given by tho Society. Tho hall, which is elegantly and richly furnished, was admirably and tastefully arranged for tho occasion thanks to tho counsel and superior tasto of tho young lady members or that society. Tho attendance was by far the largest ever known In tho social gatherings of either society of tho uni versity. Tho music, instrumental and vocal, was charming, and enthusiastically applauded, Refreshments, consisting of cako and confectionery, were bouutifully served. For beauty, grace, wit and baking, those girls of tho Adelphian may safely challenge Christendom 1 gentlemen of said society lows to havo such providers, and they seem to appreciate thoir happy lot. All that wo havo said about the perfect socia bility of tho Pal Indian society may be emphasized for tho Adelphian. They seemed determined not to be excelled in courtesy to their visitors, among whom were nearly tho wholo membership of the Palladian. Let not this entertainment bo tho last. Wc would, however, suggest that something, of a literary character, for instruction and amusement bo added, hereafter. Wo woro honored with an invitation to attend tho social entertainment recently givou by tho Palladian Society. Wo lm proved tho opportunity ant went. Tho commodious hall was tastefully decorated and well arranged for tho occasion. A largo number of ladles and gentlemen woro present, among thorn n delegation from tho Adelphian Society, which, in responso to a hoarty invitation, adjourned for tho occasion. A pleasantor, and more sociable gathering wo had never enjoyed tho pleasuro ot attending- Tho Tho young arc lucky fel- membors of tho Palladian seemed to em ulato onoanother in making their visit ors "feel at homo," by overy pollto attention and courtesy. Excellent In strumental and vocal music was provided ; also a splendid and bountiful collation of fruit was spread for all. Tho Palladlans havo the iionor, wo hope, of introducing a new order of things in our social rela tions as students. Wo have long felt tho lack of true sociability and friendship In the University. New students, especially those from other institutions, havo inva riably remarked the freezing, rigid social atmosphere of our school. Lot the stu dents become better acquainted and learn to sympathize in oneanother's struggles, hopes, and aspirations. Wc sincerely hope that the spirit of brothely and sis terly friendship which seems to be spring inc ui amonir all the students this term will not grow less, but form a bond of unitv. bindinir them harmoniously to gether in all those interests which ought to receive their common, fraternal sup-port. The meeting for the organization ot a "Students' Gymnastic Association" -vas on the afternoon of tho 20th inst. It was well attended, ami much enthusiasm manifested. Active measures had already been taken in procuring appurtenances and apparatus for fitting up tho gymna sium. Tho students present, after electing temporary officers, immediately proceed ed to the election of permanent officers for tho year, made, as the among the ablest and very best qu iliflcd men in the University. What w 1th our able officers, the energy and zeal dis played In the new enterprise on the part of the students and the excellent super vision of Prof. Bailey ,n most accomplished gymnast and fencer, we feel assured that ' the Gymnasium will bo a grand success. Prof. Bailey gave the young gentlemen instruction as to tho proper manner of conducting tho gymnasium, and relative to Its true objects. He said that all par tisan lines and animosities, arising from whatever outside cause, should be utterly ignored, and exhorted them to let tho organization bo a students1 association in spirit as well as name. Wo wero sorry to sec marked evidences of tho oldparty strife and bitterness which hns long existed in tho two literary societies, cropping out in the actions of students present. For shame, gentlemen, bo men and abandon this boyish bickering I What matter if all the offices are filled by men from tho same literary society? Wc ought to rcc ognizo no literary society outsido of themselves. Down with this contcmptiblo spirit. Frown and hiss down tho men who would instigate factions in tho new organization. Let them know that your intelligence will no longer tolerate such puerile scheming and strife-hatching. The choices wero wisely jiontlemen elected were The Durwlniun Theory. TRANSLATED FUOM TIIK OEIIMAN OK STJt AUS. Nothing is easier than to make sport of tho Darwinian Doctrine; nothing is cheap cr than that sneering observation about the descent of men from monkeys, In which oven some of the bettor class of newspa pers and periodicals aro wont to indulge. But a theory whoso peculiarity consists directly in this, flint it unites in a constant lino of development those things which aro apparently . widely separated from each oilier, and this, by the interpolation of middle terms or members, and makes perceptible tho lever (Ilcbel) by means of which uaturc brings about tho ascending movomont in this nno of development, such a theory no sensible man Will think that ho has overthrown when ho lias directly contrasted two so dillVrcnt. examples as the men and tho baboons of our day, disregarding tho partly proven and partly presupposed Intermediate stops and connecting orders. The dislike of Darwin's theory on tho part of the ecclesiastics, of the men of the old faith, of the revelation and mini-cle-mongcrs, is easily understood; they know what they are doing and have overy reason and every right to snuggle forlifo and death against a piinciple so uncom promisingly hostile to themselves. Darwin was not tho oiiginator of tho doctrine which is now for the most part known by his name; Its inception dates back to tho last century. At the be ginning of the present, it was put forth as a settled theory by tho great French man Lamarch. There was wanting to it yet to make it a living reality in tho sci entific world Important connecting links. Lamarch conducted the investigation on ly so far as to show that species in nature are not impassably separated, hut have do veloped, one from another, especially tho higher from the lower, by means ot sue cessive transformations; yet to the cato gorlcal question: "How did this hap pen?" he indeed sought for, but could find no sufficient answer. Just hero is tho point where Darwin rendered essen tial aid to tho theory and elevated it from the scientific paradox which it had been down to his time into an influential and consistent system. The theory is without doubt still very incomplete, n iuuvw iui---ii"-very much not merely of Incidental but of essential and cardinal points. It looks rather to a future possible solution than: claims to havo already furnished it. Bo this as it may, there is surely something in it that irresistibly draws to itself all generous souls thirsting for truth and free doni. In its present state, it may be com. pared to a railway when first projected: what abysses are to be filled or bridged; what mountains to bo tunnelled; how many years must pass away, before tho well-filled train shall pass oer it with ease and rapidity. But we even now see the direction it must take. Tho rega train must and will go where the littlo flag Is joyfully fluttering in the wind. Yes, joyfully, and In tho sense of tho purest, most elevated spirit of joy. Wo philosophers and theological critics must beware how wo relegato miracles among tho things of tho past; our would be decisive sentence is of no avail becauso we know not how to render miracle indi spensable ; can not show that naturo has no power which can replace it in those circumstances in which hitherto it has been held for tho most part indisponsablo. It is Darwin's great merit that ho has shown that naturo has this power. Thus has ho opened tho door out of which our descendants, if wo do not, shall throw miracle never again to return. For this incalculable service, overy ono who knows what depends on miracle will proiso him as ono of tho greatest benefactors of tho human race. Advortlsors will And it to thoir advan tage to advertiso in the Studknt as our circulation is continually increasing. -I I 6. ! II II M i' M v In It. Hi I. ii 'fll hi fr ! li 1 1 r urn -'"spra
