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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1879)
ire,.. M... I. arw NO. 8. kimtouials. 181 less wo do so wo uro orltlonlly informed tlmt wo aro accumulating no knowledge, but gratifying ourselves with the sensation ol adventure and novelty of plot Such advice is hardly applicable lo any class of humanity. Scott, convinced by his own experience, supports us in tit is view, and Dr. .lohnson advocates the same. In coi lego as well as in the commercial world, questions arise that demand our immedi ate attention. These questions originate In every experience. What liberty, what time lias one to examine these questions if lie bo bound to a rigid course of read ing? Under such circumstances, reading must become tedious and monotonous; and its object lost from view. Thus its value becomes limited; for as Bulwor has well said, "Heading without a purpose is mere sauntering. We are inclined to think that ho, who can ignore those inter esting problems that exist in every do. partment of learning, can have little pur pose in cramming the cranium with a course of reading both antiquated and im practicable. Hut students, beginning to inquire aside from the text-book, aro heard to ask: "How ahull I read?" To such a question we reply accept no rulo but that of Pliney, "Head much rather than many things.' Beyond this consult your own inclination. If you are interested in an epoch of his tory, read history. If charmed with the romance of the novel, read Action, and if interested in the schools of philosophy, read philosophical writings. But in all this, ignore not the precept of Pliney. Thoroughness and thoughtfulness is tho idea. "Master your reading and vou mas tor yourself," was tho advice ot Webster The reading of many things then, has failed to become a gurauty of critical knowledge. Mrs. Marlincau is said to have frequently read only a page in an hour. Conto road few books. Largo li braries should not deceive. Tho library of Thomas Carlylo was characterized for its fewness of books. None sparkled with shining covers, "They wore worn ard bat-tcrcd." Differing ks humanity does in its intel lectual endowments, lo dictate rules for reading, then, appears an absurdity on its very faco. And in no respect do wo real ise the words of Bacon to be more lilting, than when lie says, "That every defect of tho mind may have a special receipt." If tliis bo true, it remains far better for each individual to learn his defect and supply tho dollcloncy. Considerable comment lias been made by students upon the failuie of (ho Lec ture Association in thus far securing a course of lectures for the approaching season. It is but just, however, to state that for this sluggish action on tho part of the board of ollioors, there exists a sulllc ient excuse. For under a constitution that so explicitly says "that tho duties of each olllcer shall be such as pertain to his respective otllcc," there has been found some dillleulty in determining the province of executive authority. Hence, as usual, tho responsibility has been shifted from one to another and tho work neglected. Amendments are now pending the ac tion of the Association by which tho dut ies and prerogatives of th respective olll ccs aro defined; anil by which the funds of tho Association, if there be any, shall be equally divided between tho two liter, ary societies. Heretofore no purpose has been designated to which tho funds of tho Association should bo devoted. But judging fiom the demand for money from oacli society, we may naturally expect that every means to raise atsh will bo eagerly supported by tho combined efforts of the societies; ami every measure that may tend to add efficiency to tiio work ings of the Association will be appreciated by every student. In tho September number .of tho Stu dknt, a suggestion was offered having for its object the organization of a Slate In-rtc-Golloglato Oratorical Association. Al- HI p(aBmi'iit"WBM,,PMTO'iiuitjiqmH 2JS2
