Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, May 01, 1879, Page 108, Image 12
108 KMTOKIAI.8. VOL. VIII 'UTILITARIANISM." Wo were once amused by seeing, in Harpers' Weekly, a cartoon which carica lured the work of our colleges. It de pictured in a very suggestive manner the exit of a class of graduates. Each one were astride a Greek or Latin lexicon, to which was attached the appendages of a horse's head and feet. Each student wore, as a helmet, an open volume of some clas sical author ; another volume served as a breastplate, and a third as a shield. At the foot of the page were these sarcastic, vol significant, words: "Commencement Day. Students equipped for the batlleof life." This caricature, by a deservedly influ ential journal, expressively indicates the popular estimate of classical training. But the people in general are not alone in their distrust of this type of college work. The conflict between the partisans of the classics and those who contend for new methods in higher education, has drawn into the ranks of the latter an increasing number of educated men. But, as in the case of Brutus at Philippi, there ever and anon rises before the mind of the ultra-advocate of classic lore, a phantom of hideous aspect and threaten demeanor. This apparition, to him so full of fright, he dubbs by the euphonious title of "utilitarianism." Now it is about lime to demand an abatement of the gloomy prophecies respecting this mod ern individual. The reaction against classical education is irresUtably on the increase. The advocate of this relic of mediiuval times can hardly preju dice his course in a worse manner than by obstinate and unyicld'ng ndherence to his idol. None but the most radical of our present educatois will contend for an entire abolition of classical studies. Then what signifies all this talk about tlii aforesaid nightmare V The tendency ol modern ideas demands, as one of lu requirements, a reformation in the system of higher education that lias hitherto pre vailed. With changed ideas, new require menls come. Higher education lias al ready fallen into partial disrepute, and it cannot long maintain that place in the public estimation which it is vitally im portant that it should hold, unless its old methods undergo a marked change. A decadence in collegiate instruction is to be deplored. And yet there is a strong undercurrent in American life which tends to this end. It cannnot be choked and the best way is obviously to diminish its strength. Lcsf time must be spent on the classics, and more on the summarily treated topics of the latter part of a college course. Only a few frag ments a. best of the old authors are ever read, and the most defensible plea for the classics is their connection with the structure of the English language. Why waste one's time in gleaning an inaccur ate idea of an oration of Cicero, and a few chapters of Herodotus, through the origi mil, when, if that purpose is the chief end, all the orations of the former and the history of the latter may be more profita bly read in (lie sume time? If the age is "practical," why not let the fact bo admit ted, and courses of study shaped in ac cordence witli its needs? The despised "business school" need not supplant the college, but there is hcic as elsewhere a golden mean to be observed. LITKKAKY KNTKKTAINMKNTS. Before another number of the Student will appear, the excitement of Commence ment exercises will be over, and the per formers oftlie annual exhlhitionsof the Lit erary societies, will be resting upon their honors, confident of their past success. Hence wo take this early opportunity, to make the usual suggestions ani duo an noucements of these accustomed enter tainments. It seems that both societies have finally decided upon a programme that meets the approbation of all respectively. The usual number of performers are to appear