NO. 1.
KDIT01UAL8.
13
Jos in tholr proper places, but evidently
there is some distinction in their reliUive
vulue ton student of " Literature, Science
nnd Art," Wo also notice Unit quotution
murks htive been carelessly neglected in
many places. The most conspicuous
omission being at the beginning andend of
the article in reference to the Hespeuian
Student. It is hardly fair to rob the
graves of the catalogues year after year,
without at least some acknowledgment
of their rightful possessions.
The catalogue as a whoh', however,
shows accurate work in its compilation.
It is neat and concise in its arrangement,
and indicates plainly the continual im
provement that marks the career of the
University.
"PKOKIT AND LOSS.'"
Until the present term, books used in
the University have been procured at the
usual business houses in the city, at twen
ty per cent below the retail price. But at
the opening of the present term, it soon
became apparent that a combination had
been formed, and that no reduction could
be obtained; and students were compelled
to pay book-sellers from thirty to forty
per cent profit. We would not object to
the profit made by them ; for it is their
privilege to ask as much as necessity
compells us to give; but we do ask that
before another term opens in the Univer
sity, some action will be taken to procure
books at reduced rates.
The catalogues of the University have,
from time to time, announced that books
could be obtained " at cost," a very
truthful statement in whatever manner it
may be understood. Hut students have
been accustomed to consider, that " at
cost," meant about twenty per cent below
retail price. And such an agreement
formerly existed between the University
and book-sellers. But there was no sys.
tcin in ordering books. Each Professor
was left to send for those to be used by his
own classes, and frequently overestima
ted the number wanted. Hence the book
seller was compelled to retain the balance
for another year. And often times, just as
the market opened for them, he found that
the demand was for a new tcxt-book. This
is anything but agreeable to a merchant,
and it takes about forty per cent profit
upon those sold to cover the loss upon
those unsold.
Certainly the University cannot expect
accommodations at the financial expense
of individuals. But let some one be ap
pointed by the Faculty, at the close of ev
ery term, to older the number of books
for the ensuing term, a carefully estima
ted by each Professor, and much can be
saved for students who are compelled to
puvchaso books for a six year's course.
Even if the University should take the
responsibility cf all books unsold that
were ordered, it would bo far better than
under the present arrangement.
THE LKCTURK ASSOCIATION.
All organization known as the "Students
Lecture Association," lias at length been
formed in the University. For some time
previous, there had been much talk in fa
vor of such an Association. But at the
time appointed for orgtnizatlon, only
about twenty students made their appear
mice, to share the triumphs of success, or
bear the responsibility in caso of a fail,
ure.
The chief object of the Association
seems to be, to procure good lectures for
the members of the Association, though
funds, of great or small amounts, will
eagerly be received by the Treasurer.
The books are now open to subscrip
tion for membership, and a rare opportun
ity is now presented to every student to
lie ir the best of lectures at a small ex
peuse, and the additional trouble of be
coming a member of the Association. It
is an enterprise formed wholly by the slit
dents, and deserves their hearty co-operation.
We have felt the want of good lectures
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