THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
hither from. Urn Eastern .Continent,
i3 our customary views of the past would
Incline us to believe, it was at ho distant a
period that no tradition of it seems left to
us. In connection with this is the story
of the lo.st Atlantis. Whether it is a myth
or not, there is notwithstanding much to
bo said in its support. Accounts of a tie
iniMuioiiH convulsion like this have boon
handed down by nations on both sides or
the Atlantic. It would be irrational to bo
levc that so distinct narratives as thoso
would have been given us by ho diU'cronl
nml so widely separated nations, had they
not had some foundation in fact. The
submersion may have occurred at so re.
mote a time, that under the treatment of
Pluto the narrative assumed an air of fa
bio If the island really existed, it would
have served as a convenient stepping-stone
between the Atlantic shores, and thus have
rendered the settlement of America easy of
explanation. Before leaving the subject
we will briefly notice the probable knowl
edge of America which the ancients pos
sessed. There remains a clear historical record
that a storm driven Tynan ship visited
America, and there saw cities and stately
edifices, three thousand years ago. The
Tyria.is or Phoenicians, as it is well
known, were the most enterprising naviga
tors of antiquity. It was their custom to
bo very secret In regard to their commer
cial affairs, and were a full account of
them given us, astounding views of the
past might be the result. It is doubtful if
the Romans would have spoken of
"a great Saturnlan Continent" beyond the
Atlantic, If no one had ever seen it. It
was there as they said, and as they with
out doubt knew, lint yet it does nol appear
thatanythingaro.se from their knowledge
of it.
In conclusion wo would say, that the ex
treme antiquity of our ruins, the long per
iod that has elapsed since their desertion,
and their buried history, all surround them
with a deep and peculiar interest. AVo
call our continent now, it is old; equally
so, perhaps, as the other. Our usual
views of antiquity, arising from the habit
of following old methods of thinking, oc
ensioned by a venerated but erroneous sys.
tern of chronology, and by regarding ev
erything found outside of the Eastern Con
tinenl as derived from it, hinder us from
viewing our relics in the light in which
they claim our observation. They pre
sent therefore to the persevering invest!
gator a vast Held for his labors. Who will
be the Champollio.i to unveil their mys
teries ? M.
Kuucution, Pruvlltiul ami Iro-i
fcssionnl.
We, as Americans, brag, and perhaps
Justlv. of our schools and school system-,
and yet no country can show more luck
of education in educated mon. mouse mo
contradictory appellation. I mean the
lack of education in those who ela'm to
be educated. Our country Is overrun
with men just come from rubbing against
college walls, with the dogreeof B. A., or
U.S. attached to their names, and with an
idea that they are ready for lifes work;
ready to copo with all the problems that
may come up; ready to earn their daily
bread. But alas, how soon thoy find out
their mistake! Thoy Unci that a college
education is a pretty good thing in its
place a good suit of clothes to look at, but
rather poor for working in. A college ed
ucation Is the mcro foundation for the more
practical, a necessary groundwork for
the whole structure, yet of llltlo uso of
itself. It gives the student aulnslght into
many professions, but a plain view
of none. Yet upon tills ho expects to
build his future fame and prosperity.
And, Ifhoinllko the average studonl,
ho has not only not gone outside of the es
tablished currlculuml but gels through his
course In m quick lime as possible and
gets his diploma by skipping all he can.
Ho claims to be educated, but if yon
ask htm what lie is educated In, he can
not tell you. Is ho a Botanist V Yes, no
that is lie bus studied It one term, Knows
a few of the terms given to parts of plants,
is he a Chemist? The same stammering
answer. Perhaps one In twenty studies
It three terms just long enough to get
a slight, glimmer of the beauties of the
science, and is then as far as the college
class goes, la ho a Geologist, Meteorolo
gist, Astronomer, or Engineer V No! Then,
what is he Y Ajumbled-togethermixed up
conglomerated mass of science, art and
unspeakable language, having a smaller,
ing of many branches of knowledge,
hut profound understanding of none.
Now I have nothing to say against this,
as far as it goes, not at all. Ills necessa
ry, but not an education by any means.
It was a gVcat honor, twenty years ago,
to bo a . A. or B. S. But now ! Why
the fact of it is, the degree has become so
common, so easily won, that the owner of
it thinks it of little consequence whether
It is known that he has it or nol. But
let us look at another phase of this
question the literary or general educa
tion of men In the professions. 1 have
remarked above that the college education
is the foundation for the practical, and
here I would repeat it. A physician or
lawyer who gets the professional educa
tion without the literary, is like a me
chanic who has the tools to do certain
work that requires skill, but who has nev
er been taught how to uso them.
If a young manperhaps 1 might say
hoy understands a little about the three
Its reading, 'ritlng, and 'rithmotic
lie can bo admitted to either a law
or medical college from which he
can graduate in two years study.
Study of what? Of studying tlicorct
ically that which can only be learned
by practical observation and experience.
Every year hundreds I might almost
say thousands of medical schools Hood
the country with an army of neophytes.
And why? Simply because the standard is
so low that any oiio with a little common
souse yes, and a fool to can obtain the
degree. To such men we confide our
dearest friends in the most severe sickness.
In no country is the citizen compelled to
trust their lives to such ignorance.
In England the candidate is llrst ex
ainined in all tho English branches high
and low in Greek and Latin, or some of
the modern languages in place of Greek.
There he has to go through four or five
years of hard study; and, before getting
hi degree, must undergo a severe ex
amination before a commitle of the gov-
eminent.
In Franco tho candldato must undergo
six to nine years of hard study, before he
can qualify.
In Germany the standard is higher
still. Fully ton yours aro required to
fit the candidate for the permission to prac
tice. In all these countries the law con
trols the practice of medicine, protecting
botli physician and people.
Compare th with our system
Dr. Wood, of PhiladelphiaThe ordinary
mode of manufacturing M. D.a is 'no pro
limiiiary examination.' Jinny persons
graduate wiio have not received a gram
mar school education." Although three
years arc reqiilred, nominally foi'aoourso
yet a year and a half of these slipshod ox
erclsos usually an dices. It is said six per
cent, of the M. I)j., who wcro examined
by the U. 9. Army Commission, stoutly
maintained that "an eclipse of the sun
was caused by tho earth coming between
the earth and the huh." 1 pvesumo it is.
And in the profession of law It Is the
saniM. "No preliminary examination"
Is tho rule, and the candidate reads
Hlackstono, or Kent for two years, Is ad
mitted to the bar and is a humbug.
Sharswood, in one of his notes to
Blackstones Commentaries says, "There is
a groat perhaps an overdue haste in
American youth to enter upon the active
and stirring scenes of life. Hence it is
true that many men aro found in the pro
fession without adequate preperation.
This prevents permanent success, and con
lines the unlottorcd advocate to the lower
walks of the profession, which promises
neither profit nor honor."
Tho Regents have under consideration
the establishment of a medical and law
college in connection with tho university,
both of which I hope to see accomplished.
But if thoy should bo established fully
half the students will leave their scientif
ic and classical studies, and rush into ono
of these new colleges, and graduate, call
ing themselves educated men. Heaven
save the mark!
Aksoulai'iub
Is the Love of one's Country an
Opinion?
S
Says
" IheathuH tlioro a man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath mild,
'This la my own, my native land?'
What mortal hand
Can ore untie tho filial baud
That knltH mo to thy rugged straud
Caledonia?"
Such was the novel idea advanced by a
gentleman sometime ago. lie scorned to
carry the Impression that all ideas on tho
subject of patriotism were merely selfish.
If ho was not a gentleman of general and
liboral culture, ono might pass such a
statement as paradoxical, when the
histories of most countries teem with
such exalted examples of patriotism. Re
call the noble one of a Regulus, of a Toll,
of an Emmett. Nay, where is there not
a country In which men of pure, honest,
earnest lives have not freely rendered up
all for their country's grod? How can
such a love, (for love it. is), bo called an
opinion? To arguo from such a stand
point, to many, will seem idle.
An opinion is merolj an idea, nothing
substantial. We form opinions o.i every
subj.-cl and change them as readily. AVo
do not form them after considering a
question candidly, but from reports, hear
say; it simply means to think. Do wo
always stop for reasons why wo think so
audso? 1 cannot believe one's love to
his country is based on so weak a founda
tion. Again will anyone sudor martyrdom for
a mere opinion in distinction from I
know, I bollovo? -After wo have thought,
reasoned, judged and accepted conclu
sions, then an opinion becomes a belief,
and what ono honestly believes to bo
right, no amount of physical torture will
compel him to retract.
To love one's country is ono of tho
strongest, noblest instincts of the soul.
TIs not education, 'tis not sentiment, 'tis
not like lovo between the soxes; for that
may contain nothing hut selfishness a
desire to gratify passion, to gain worldly
means. Wo do not lovo our country bo
cause its laws are just and good, its Instl
tullons broad and free. Not because wo
wore born hero, reared from infancy to
manhood's prime, where the friends of
childhood with tholr pleasures and joys,
where homo with all its tender memories
and associations aro found, where fathers,
brothers and loved ones lie sleeping on
many a sunny hillside. Not because
Liberty witli her broad pinions broods over
it. 13ac.li and every ono of these may bo
strands in the cord which binds us so
strongly to her, so that persecution and
exile cannot destroy it.
Again, you cannotexplain on the ground
of an opinion, that foolingof intense long
ing homesickness of tlio.se away from
their nativo land. There are other coun
tries just as free. Tho sun shines just the
same, more beautiful plants and flowers
may deck its landscape, birds may sing
sweeter songs, fairer vales and loftier
mountains it may possess, yet amid all
theso conditions the heart turns with
longing for its native shore.
Whither arc wo tending ? We must give
up our bibles, give the Sabbath to amuse
ments and debauchery, believe man an
improved apo. Dismiss a first cause from
creation. Accept communism in order
that wo may have a survival of tho fittest.
Honesty and virtue aro at a discount.
Sinco man is nothing but matter, why
trouble ourselves nbout what wo aro and
how wo livo. Sinco there is no immortal
ity, no hereafter, why need we struggle
so hard here. " Come let us eat, drink
and bo merry, for to-morrow we die."
Ruthless hands aro tearing every concep
tion of what Is ennobling, every longing
for bettor lives, all that makes life worth
living for from us. I believe wo shall
soon sec a breaking of the dark, humiliat
ing cloud hanging over humnnily a
breaking in a bright, fairer day. G.
--Afowdays ago, it happened that a
number of students had collected in tho
janitor's room in the basement. Tlioro
was popcorn, popper and stove, but no Are.
A dignified Senior, Mr. M , proposed
to the boys to draw lots, who should build
the fire, stating that in his wanderings ho
had observed a fine lot of kindling in tho
other end of the building. The lot fell
on Mr. M , and ho proceeded in search
of the kindling. In the meantime, the
other boys had drawn to determine who
should shell and pop the corn, which re
sulted in Mr. W's undertaking this task.
Just as Mr. M had loaded himself
with shavings and wood for the fire, busi
ness or something else compelled tho
Chancellor to go in search of the janitor,
and ho of coiiise started for his room. As
the Chancellor was wending his way A
moug the halls of the basement, whom
should ho meet, in turning a corner, but
tho Senior with his load of kindling. ."All
all Mr. M , material for some ex
periment, I suppose." Tho Senior did not
venture to reply, but throwing his bundle
at the Chancellor's feat for a peace-offering,
made u most precipitate retreat. Tho
Chancellor proceeded on his way, and as
lie noarcd tho room, the boys supposing it
was their comrade returning, greeted him
with such cries as "Well, Boss, what luck?"
"Conic, hurry up tho Arc." etc. But tho
Chancellor, not embarasscd in the least,
entered, and simply inquired if any ono
had seen George lately. A modest Junior
replied he had nol been in, "but if you wish,
to leave " Tho Chancollor, talking in
tho situation, concluded that ho did. But
there lias beon no more corn popping in
tho janitor's room, since. . . . ,.,