Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, October 01, 1877, Page 196, Image 16

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KniTon's I'h.uk.
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for bad management, would liuvo proven
wholly successful. By clubbing together,
students can reduce the expenses to a sur
prisingly low rate, and likewise by board
ing themselves. But to many there are ob
jeclions that arise in this manner of living
which compel them to stay away rather
than attempt it. A remedy must sooner
or later be furnished at the hands of the
University. Delay in this matter is detri
mental, as past experience shows. From
other schools, both within the state and
out, that have been furnished such accom
modations, we find they have been doubly
repaid and awarded with great success.
ROBERT BURNS.
"Vc have often wondered at the encomi
ums from men of talent and letters upon
the lite of Robert Burns. Although a lov.
er of those simple melodies, we have often
wondered at the eulogies the world has
sung in memory of their author. Aye,
we have even wondered that Carlyle should
have guided his pen and have taken time
.away from other subjects of greater sig
nificance, to tell of the merit and worth
of this prolligatc son of genius, upon this
life passed in the luxury of vice, consumed
in the unquenchable tires of lasciviousues.s.
"We have often thought that with too much
lavishness has the wot Id bestowed its lau.
dation, with too much prodigality honor
been spread, where only .simple praise
was due. '
A life gifted with genius of a rare and
superb quality, empowered with an abili
ty extraordinary as it was grand, prepared
by supreme power to till life's obligation
for the world's good, leaving such a life
to decay, and stench with sin and iniqui.
ty, does it now behoove us to extol the vi
ces and praise the crime of the possessor,
for the good he has done the world. Ca.
pable of doing much, he did but little.
Gifted with talents, he allowed them to
waste away, with the ramains of his dis
reputable life. By man's work so shall he
be known. Do the few simple melodies
tiiat he has left behind compensate for
that which he might have done, which he
was prepared. for doing? Does this little
cUbrt obliterate the past and merit him
the honor and love that bring forth these
eulogies upon his memory.
Character is eccrythiny- One destitute
of the principles of true manhood, even
after the grave has claimed his miserable
and wretched form, deserves not the re
spect and love of tho.se he so ill used.
Those traits of character that proved so
detrimental, and snatched from the world
its reward, deserves not the praise which
it so unjustly receives from the hands of
the encomiast. Let old Scotland sing his
artful tunes, to his memory, from whose
melodious verse she has received tier eulo.
gistic songs which the world sings to her
country's pride. Let us lead with sympa
tic for the author, thoc simple, pathetic
and even despondent veiscs that poured
from his heart, Iron; the hovels of his
Scottish home. Let us cherish with pity,
those truthful tales, of which he so sweet
ly sang- Let our memory of him be sym
pathetic and .ad, not overilowing with
praise ami laudation for a lite so undeserv
ing. Let those that praise his actions, ob.
literate their winds, of forgiveness, and
place condemnation instead.
Give ever;- man his due, but not extol a
character, disreputable as it was disgrace
ful, until it shines with all the splendor
of a well lived life.
The motive that brings us together, at
the dawn of a new .scholastic year, inspires
the breasts of us all, with a certain de
giee of animation, that arouses us to a de
termination to In gin a new life, and to
live it well. Troubled with tin; ever difll
cult problem, Wha t xha It ice be? many of
us, no doubt, put our shoulder to the
wheel, enshioiided by a dim vista of tin
ceitainty, perplexed as to the meagre
chances that present themselves, for our
success in the warfare of life. And here
too frequently, many are apt too dwell,
unable to obtain a clear knowledge of the
Wmils