178
KMT01UAI.S.
VOL. VIII,
mill deep that their honrse wail of coin,
plaint oannot disturb the progress of tho
ago. But wo are wandering from our
subject. Many charges have been made
against tliu University within tho past
low months which the students know to
lie false But their testimony is worth
nothing; they, is is said, tiro not compi'
tent to determine whether the school is
doing its proper work or not. That theft
arc salislied with their instructors, weighs
nothing as against the loud complaint of
some one who lias, perhaps, never been
within the building. We should like to
say something in regard to the leligious
phase of this controversy, but policy
seems to demand that silence be main
tained. One word, however, we feel that
it is our duty, as tne organ of the students,
to add in defense of our teachers. It is to
deny tliu charge that members of the fac
ulty make use of their positions to incul
cate their peculiar religious doctrines
Our testimony on this point ought to be
conclusive, as we certainly have tho best
possible opportunity to know. Since the
University is doing so well at present, the
Studkst hopes that this will bo the last
word that it will ever he called upon to say
upon this, question. Success is now as.
s tired, if tho meddling fanatics will only
ueop their peace.
OOM.KGE OUATOUY.
We read of tho magic charms of ori
ental oratory, and wonder at its partial
disappearance in modern times. Wo hear
of nations so aroused by tho eloquence ol
the orator as to bend to his every opinion.
At first consideration, such a power ml
minuting under human discipline, may
seem incredible. But when wo exam
inc the springs of action Una lend vitality
to the forensic art, we feel no longer at a
loss to understand its miraculous infiu.
enco upon humanity. '
Compelled by a sense of d ngcr or con
v'otion of right and wrong, tin.. Greek
found no farther incentive necessary to
inspire an active intellect, Tho santu
principle finds authority in modorn
times. No orator gains His reputation,
unless ho becomes thoroughly enropt in
a firm conviction of that which lie di.
closes, and unless he has au object to at
tain worthy of his greatest sagacity and
energy.
Colleges above all other places nfi'ord
the least incentive to inspire the mind to
lofty and passionate action. What post,
lion awakens in tho student tho realiza
tiou of weighty responsibility? That po
sition is found without colloge walls
Thus it is that college oratory is so plain
ly detected or its superficiality. With no
inducement to speak, other than to excel,
a competitor, or to please an audience, lie
lacks that conscientious motive that alone
moves tho orator to a display of spontane
ous oloquenco. Contests for prizes in or
atory tend to arouse in tliu student a du'
sire to attain a stylo of declaiming that
may seem natural. But with all his cf.
forts tho mechanical cannot be concealed,
nor tho natural made to predominate.
Under such circumstance), we need not
feel discouraged if tho nttuiumoiils of the
citizen cannot be ours. Nor should col.
leges bo looked to lor the production of
that skilled and natural oratory which
they cannot maintain. In college the
principles may bo studied ami the theor
ies may be of utility. But in the piacti
cal world wo must look fur a free and na
tural tlow troin the tounttmi ol eloquence
ItKADlNQ.
Tho students of the University do not
soom to appreciate fully the benefits that
may bo gained from tliu Kevlow lilcra.
tine contained in our library. None of
us have tlto time to imiko an exhaustive
study of any subject that comes up in
connection with our lessons; but in these
Reviews, we may find a con lenscd sum
mary of the most advanced ie and
discoveries of the day. For example, ii
the question, what is "The Meaning ol