THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
1
V t.
HESPERIAN STUDENT,
I'l'IILISIIKD MONTHLY MY Till:
HESPERIAN STUDENT PUBLISH.
INU ASSOCIATION
OK TIIK
ni:hicaska uxivkk&ity.
Editou-in-chirk, - A. W. Fiki.d.
Associate Editor and Ruvikwkr,
J. L. Shank.
Local,
W. A. McAllisthr.
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Editor IIksi-kiuan Student, Stnto University.
Lincoln Nebraska. All subscriptions, and busi-nt'--
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OUR LIRRARY.
Into cultured intellects, would carry Hie
work on loo rapidly to allow a sedate
Soph, or learned Junior to enjoy anything
short of Bacon's Instauratio, Newton's
Principia, or some kindred subject, while
such works as wo mentioned above would
be left to moulder on the shelves.
We have heard it lemarked, thin allow
ing new students free use of the library
would prove very detrimental to the books.
It must be admitted that the more a book
is read the sooner it will wear out. .And
as preservation seems to be the end de
sired, we would suggest a glass case in
which the books might be secured and yet
bo available us an object of inteiest to our
visiting friends. The idea that young
men and women who come here, expend
ing time and money for self improvement'
have not enough pride and honor to bo en.
trusted with a book, can not be entertained
time and inclination to attend to it. At
present the library is usually left in charge
of some student, showing that the librari
an has confidence in their abilty to do the
woik required. Now if the responsibility
of the olllco can safely be intrusted to
them, we think also thay should receive
the pay which might aid some to finish a
course, who would otherwise bo unable to
do so.
There seems to bo a desire for
oral improvement implanted in
things as thoy really exist
Another objection that is sometimes
urged against granting the privileges of
the library to the preparatory students is
that coming from active employment, with
minds unaccustomed to close application,
all their time would be taken up in meet
ing the requirements of the classroom.
The impression that students, when enter
ing, bring with them minds in an absolute
blank condition is a wrong one. They do
not come here to commence a course of
study, but to complete it. The experience
gen.
the
soul of every man. To this spir
it is due all progress. No strong,
er appeal can be made to mankind
than ono htsed upon the general good
Men unknowingly labor for this end. In
the physical world they plant the acorn
and the walnut from which asindividuals
world the best. If a man, sailing upon the
ocean, should discover n leak, he would
straightway set about to stop it, knowing
that not only his own safety but that of nil
on board depended upon hi exertions
We arc all making the voyage of life, ami
he who linds a leak by which evils can en.
tor our society ship, should set hlmielf ear
nestly to work lest we all bo wrecked.
thoy can hope no return ; they lay the
a moment by any ono who will consider foundations for mighty temples for other
generations to complete and enjoy; they
encounter the hardships and trials attend,
ant upon new enterprises that to their pos
terity ma' bo vouchsafed liberty and Imp.
pincss; they will hazard their lives rath
er than to bo found false to any principle
upon which thoy believe the welfare of
humanity depends. In the world of
thought (ill labor is for the general good.
Homer wrote not for the benefit of his
own time alone, but for all ages. To
those, who are now called false philoso-
As we intend to say a few words upon
this subject, it may not bo out of place, for
the purpose of understanding clearly what
may be said, to mention sonic facts con
cerning it. Our library consists at present
of about sixteen hundred volumes. While
this number may not bo surprisingly large,
yet it would be difllcult to find a collec.
lion of books i:i which there would be
so great a proportion of simulant works.
For tlie purpose of general reading tills
library can not bo surpassed. It would
of coulee be impossible to enumerate the
many different authors who tind a place
upon the shelves. Every branch of litem
ture is represented: history, novel, poetry
philosophy, an ample provision for on'
(Hiring minds.
Now what we wisli to call attention to,
is the fact, that notwithstanding the State
has made litis bounteous provision, still,
owing to the management, or perhaps mis
management, the students are deprived, in
a great part, of the advantages they should
enjoy.
First, only those in the college years aio
permitted to take books from the library.
By this rule the only benefit that over half
of the school can receive from the library,
is the few moments they can catch now
and then to be spent in the reading room.
This is not good .policy. The State has
paid for the books, has invested .so much
money, and expects its return in the more
general diffusion of knowledge through,
out its borders. Now, upon what grounds
can the benefits arising from this outlay
be confined to the comparatively few in
the college classes? Only upon the
ground that those in the preparatory class
es have not a development of mind mill
cient to render a free access to the library
of any advantage to them. This is simply
absurd. What mind is not matured
enough to read Tom Drown at Hugby,
Iiobison Crusoe, etc., yet we find a good
supply of this kind cf reading in the li
brary. Now we would suppose that this
same development that will transform em
bryonic minds, by ono or two years' time,
pliers, we are indebted for man)' of our
of all would go to prove that a student grandest truths. Everyman that thinks
can find more leisure time in the first j labors not for himself but all mankind,
years of his course than at any subse. Every truth discovered adds so much to
qiient lime; lor m the later part ot Ills
course there arc many outside duties thai
demand a share of his time, from which
he is free at the beginning of his studies.
So we think that the objection of a lack
of time is not a valid one.
AVo wish room to say a few words upon
the present management of the library. It
is not our aim to make an unjust criticism,
but we think ';ircunistnnocs will justify a
few remarks.
What are the rules of the library?
About as follows: Only students in the
college years can take books from the li
brary. Rooks can be taken out or re
newed only on Fridays. The reading
room is to be opened eacli day from two
until four o' clock, P. M., except Wednes
days; Saturdays from nine o' clock, A. M.
to four, P. M. Of the first rule we have ah
ready said enough, and as to the others
there could bo no serious objections if they
were faithfully carried out. Rut such is
not the case. Under tho present control
we think facts will justify the statement
that there has been no regularity, no sys
tern. It is easy to account for this failure.
The present librarian lias so many duties
that aio calling loudly for his attention
that from necessity he is obliged to slight
some. We are unable to conceive of the
motives that would lead a professor to
trouble himself witli this burden, unless,
indeed, it is to sccuro more efficiency in
its management. The pecuniary consid.
oration, $100 per annum, is not much of
an inducement when we consider tho work
required.
If tho object was to bring about i re
form it has certainly boon a lamentable
failure. Previous to tins year it has been
under tho control of a student, and it was
most assuredly a more satisfactory man.
agement. It is (o bo hoped that the libra,
ry committee will take this matter under
advisement, and inaugurate a true reform.
One step would be to give it in charge of
some reliable student who would have the
the advancement of the age. It matters
not in what direction investigation bo
pushed the result is the same.
If we would only cultivate this desire,
keep constantly before us bow much the
general good is efl'cted by our individual
course, it would give us a iiiudh nobler
ideal of life. It matters not in what call
ing we may engage; the character of the
calling, its influence morally and politi
cally will be determined in part,--whoth-er
we wish it or not- by our acts, by our
lives. Tho choosing of a calling is not
so important as the determination of the
individual that his labor shall bo for the
elevation and not for tho disgrace of
his class,
If the farm is tho field of your labor, then
work to render yours l ho model farm,
your home the center of happiness, cul
ture and refinement, your community re
spectcd for its intelligence and liberality.
What cue determined person can nccom.
plisli in these directions is truly surprising.
If the mercantile life attracts you, carry
with you principles of honesty, uptight,
ntss and truth. Honor tho mums of your
calling, show to the world that success de
pends not upon tho practice of deception,
but upon fair 'dealing.
While you are a student, bring not dis
grace upon the name, but pursue your
studies witli a fidelity that will induce
others to follow in your footsteps.
Selfishness lias so strong a hold upon
tho world that we ofton forget that our
acts have any connection with the outside
world around us. Yet in the heart of ev
ery man there dwells the hope that tho lot
of his fellow mortals may have been im
proved by his having lived.
While wo ask, that in your labors you
keep in view tho public good, wo would
not infer that there is any conflict botwoon
your duty to yourself and to thecommun.
ity at largo. Such is not the case. He
We have noticed, of late, several arli
clos against tlte practice of declaiming.
Some say that there is no good comes
from it, and that it is retained only by the
power of habit or custom, and that it
should he discarded. Ry others, tlmt
when a man appears before the public
something original is expected, and we
are disappointed with anything else.
Witli regard to the first objection, that
there is no good comes from declamation,
it is simply an assertion, and we might an.
swer the objection by saying that there is
great, good derived from this practice; ami
as to its being upheld only by force of pre
cedents1, we can say that the fact that it has
been in favor so long argues strongly in
favor of its ttliiity, and he who affirms to
the contrary must establish his assertion
by proofs.
Concerning the second objection, that
we always expect originality and me
therefore disappointed. Is this a fact1'
In our societies, or at any lime, when a
person is called upon for a declamation
wo expect that he will repeal some other
person's production, and our surprise
would be awakened if lie should proceed
with an original discourse.
Before discarding the declamation let us
inquire what its objects are. Tho prima
ry object of the declamation, undoubtedly
is to improve the voice, and joined with
this is the .secondary end, to entertain
Considering simply its elocutionary ad
vantages, it is entitled to all the impoi
tanco that has ever been given it. What
can do more towards cultivating the voice
than repeating the many passages that
bring out evnry shade of feeling. From
all the light that wo have been able to get
upon the subject we are not yet prepared
to discard tho declamation.
Commencement is almost at hand, aio
nil prepared? From present indications
wo are to bo favored with many visitors.
The present school year has been very cn
courageing to the friends of the Universi.
ty. It Is encumbent upon us to make
the closing exercises equal (superior if
possible) to any of the past. For the lien
etit of absent friends, we will state of a.
bout what our exercises will consist. The
inomhcrs of the graduating class consist
ing of Miss Alice Frost, Messrs Geo. How
ard, Clarancc Rhodes and John McKesson
will each favor us with an oration, line
calauroate address by Chancellor Ronton,
Adelphi.tu and Pulludhiii exhibitions. An
nual address, by profesor Allen of Wis.
Possibly an address by ono of tho Alumni
As far as the students parts are concern,
ed there will be no excuse for a failure,
for there is ample material from which to
choose. Rut there is a failing against
which wo would raise our voice, that is
procrastination. It is better to be prepar
ed a few days beforehand, than to have
your work crowding upon you at the last
moment when there will bo much to at
tract your nttention. From appearance
there seems to bo an earnest desire to do
the very best possible and wo think that
we can safely guarantee to all a pleasant
who serves himself the best, serves tho ' and profitable week. Another subject, not
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