Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, October 15, 1881, Image 1
y - y I Hesperian student. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. Vol. X. Lincoln, Nkjj., Octoiiku 1ft, 1881. .'I'lf,.-, iN'o. 2. Jditorinl, Each your the line of demarcation be tween the preparatory and collegiate do I nrtnicut becomca more distinct. This shows growth and improvement. While there is much that may be justly praised, wc fear that the preparatory department lacks organization, the source of ail ofllo icnt work. JN'o professor desires to teach students below the Freshman year. They have not yet formed their habits of study. They have not yet learned how to apply themselves, as they can alter one or two ycais discipline. This discipline ought to be obtained in the preparatory depart ment. It cannot be by ignoring it, con sidering it u sort ol necessary evil. It needs thorough reorganization, separate tutors and professors. It is a hard thing to say, but something mentioned quite frequently of late that the University societies are n t as good now as they have been in the past. One great dilllculty is that they are too large. Every body depends upon somebody else to no the work. They seem to think that because there are so many, all of them can not fail. In a University of from 250 to 300 students, there should be at least tour or five literary societies This would di vide the thing up and give each society a sullleiont number of working members. Interest in the debates seems to have de. creased on the purl of audience this is probably due to the fact, that the subjects for consideration are theoretical rather than practical. The reproduction, in de bate, of the newspaper controversies con cerning politics and government, would probably be of mast interest to the gener al listener. The fact, however, that the society is for the good of the performer, rather than for the pleasure of the specta tor, must ho borne in mind. A few daya since at the olllco of the Commercial, professors, students and del egates were all ono of a kind. They were electioneering forborne candidate or other. Two Kegents are to bo elected this fall. This accounts or the action of some of our professors. Whoso is the liuilt that the tenure of the University professor depends upon the fluctuating oligious complexion of a board of re. gunts? Whose can it bu but the people of thu state? As loi.g as a certain class of citizens declare they will not send their children to the Univeisity, if such and such an one is professor, so long will there be internal strife and division. If a man is qualified for a certain position and discharges his duty in an honorable and acceptable manner, what matters it about his religious or political ciced? Tolera tion is a grand and noble thing; but that is not toleration which compels one to accept cot tain creeds or beliefs before lie can enter upon his chosen calling. It is the next thing to despotism. It is almost impossible to pick up one of the college exchange without finding some thing in it about gymnastics. The interest shown in other colleges in this matter would seem indicate that it is of considerable importance. Thoro is no doubt as to the beneficial efl'ects of plenty of exercise. But now the question arises as to the kind oft cxroiso to bo taken. Foi a student, violent exercise is a possi tive injury especially if taken ii regularly. The greater part of his time his, body is attest, and in this co million the normal action of the heart correspondingly slow. In violent exercise the work of the heart is increased in proportion to the exertion put forth. If the increased action of the heart would cease with the exoicise, then there would he no harm, but this is not the case. When the muscles become quiet the heait still keeps up this violent action. This organ as well aa the lungs, may be worn out. John Ileenau, the great pugi list, who had an immense measurement about the chest, died of consumption. Among thirty-five of the athletes of Yale examined by an eastern physician thir ty-three hud the heart-disease. In a gym nasium the horizontal bar is the most in jurious in its effects on pel formers. Among the best modes of obtaining exer cises may be mentioned the use of the Indian clubs, dumb bells and boxing gloves. It is a mistake to imagine that heard muscle always indicates good heath. It is not an uncommon thing to hear mathematics spoken of as the best possi ble training for students. It is with this idea in view that so muoh time is devoted to mathematical studies. If education is in lend ed to prcpaic us for life work, mathematics are of little value The ma jority of every day transactions tend far for from mathematical relationship What relation is theirs between a co-sine and the petty uncertainties of this life? There is no question but that a dry goods clerk wants arithmetic and nigim-or ge ometry, but this does not hold good for all of us in the same degree. The ques tion is does tikis study, broaden and chas ten the mind? Does it prepare the mind for the reception of all that is good and elevated ? After a protracted study of this science, is the mind better enabled to grasp and hold all subjects, or is it inclin ed to run iua rut? This is the question. All that can be said in favor of mathe malics has been saiil by Whewell and Mill. In answering the attack of Iluniil ton on the study of mathcnaUoMlUmys in his apology. "Descartes is the completest tvpe his tory presents, of the purely mathematical type of mind, that in which thu tendencies pioduced by the mathematical cultivation, reign unbalanced and supreme. This is visible not only in the abuse of deduc tion, which he carried to a greater I ngth than any other distinguished thinker Known to us, not excepting the school men, but even more so in the character of the premises from which his deductions set out." "And hero we come upon the one really great charge which rests upon the mathe matical spirit in respect of the influence it exercises on pursuits other than mathe matical. It leads men to place their ideal of science, in deriving all knowl edge from a smaller number of axiomatic premises, accepted as self evident, and taken for immedia'.e intuitions of reasons. This is what Descartes attempted to do and inculcated as the thing to be done." Speaking of the "Conflict of Studies," Mr. Todliunter says: "The time devoted to tlieso subjects (mathematics), viewed as a discipline is too long." It is a signi. flcant fact that Mr. Spencer hardly touch es u nnthu utility of mathematics. In this study there is a certain precise symbol ism, witli which, too long an intimacy, tends to decrease rather than increase a students power rvor tho "mother tongue." For 8tudonts who have no inclination, mathematics there is no training to bo had in tho study of them ; K