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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 1883)
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. $ omii(ciimiicn(t UNION EXHIBITION. The Union exhibition opened tho Commencement sen son of tills year. After tlio Invocation Misa Potvin ren dered Ihnt exquisite piece "Tho Recollections of Home" in her usually brilliant manner. Mr. Robinson then delivered 1111 essay on "The Innovations of Science," in which he showed Unit in every department of thought there is a tendency toward realism. The innovation of of modern science lias purilled religion, revived literature, greatly changed poetry and llction, and revolutionized the method of history. In education it has to a great extent taken tho placo of classics by proving that ns a study it has greater advantages and is also practical. To science we owe our mental escape from superstition. Science is the foundation of modern civilization. There may bo limits to her progress but we cannot imposo them. Tho time will como when our whole being will bo in har mony with nature's laws and then wo shall better undci stand them. Iu her oration, "Destined," Miss Dell Stratum took the ground that woman ha3 an arena destined by the inviolable- laws of nature and then shu will justify her position. Her advancement has been marked by the appearance of women who by example and precept have extended indefinitely the limit of woman's field ; she will never again bo shackled by these old notions of pro priety and womans sphere, but will justify her aspira tion iu literature and science, organize her beautiful hours and are to her honor, better, nobler, ami moic cultiva ted cluss of citizens. Miss Lillie Peck next favored tho audience with "Birds in Dreamland Sleep." Miss Annie Aldrich then reviewed the poet Keats and said that ho fell beneath the blows of the unjust and fault searching crit icism of tho close of the 18th. century. Though not pro found, ho possessed that gift which enabled him to wrcatho graceful garlands of verec. Endyminion is by far the longest and most fantastic of his poems. The pas sion of the young god for a dream his wanderings through Elysian fields while divine music thrills his senses, all lend on irresistible enchantment. Keat's fancy was unfettered. As the reviewers desired he was silenced it was the si lence of the grave. Miss Hawley m her introduction to her criticism on "The New Phase of Fiction," declared that ag gressive criticism has been superceded by a constructive system, tho result of modern thought. Iu Kngland and in this country there is much discussion regarding tho now school of novelists asrepresented by Mr. James and Howell, Tho realistic spirit of the age has at last created a conscien tious and artistic system of story-writing. By this our modern novelist portrays tho inner workings of the mind and tho outward movements of his people. He attempts to create sympathy between the reader and men in like circumstances with ourcelvcs. Knowledge of what life is and ability to import tills knowledge to others is a dif ficult art. It is easier to create than to analyze and lay bare hidden motives. However it Is possible Unit this new school gives too much of tho crabbed harshness of fruition and too little of tho fragrauce of blossom time. Be this as it may this literature is paving the way for higher triumphs and will make every American proud of his birth, proud of his nationality. An instrumental solo tho "Bovata Palthctique," by Prank J. Benedict greatly pleased the lovors of artistic music. Tho sub ject for debate was resolved, that England's foreign polcy is Unjustifiable Mr. Frost held that people havo a right to independence, to make independence dopend upon power Is a principle dangerous to small states 5 one na tion has a right to interfere with another only when its own independence is in danger; England's policy is violation to her principle; it is impossiblo for many separate nations to be governed by one; civlization Is necessarily of gradual growth and dependent upon a sym pathetic relation between tliosu introducing it and the sub jects. England systematically antagonized her con quoted subjects, her uolicy endangers tho peaco of Eu rope and her own future welfare. Mr. Lewis en tho other hand contended that the strength of England con sists in her laboring colonies, she must care for them; hence her interference in Egypt. Nations have a right to freedom only iu so far as they can pursuo that freedom. As to moral r'mhl, the icsult is one which is of advantage to the human race and increases human happiness. No where is there a people whose condition has not been bet tered by being under English rule. England has dono more for humanity than all the other nations of her time Mr. Frunkfi rler claimed the Theater" has existed in every nation from tho most remote ages. From tho char acter of the drama of China to the South Sea Islander and farther it is evident that a great drama goes hand in hand with a great lilcratutc. It is impossible to compare our theater with that of the Greeks, being instead of equal diametrically opposed, wo can compare it with the modern novel. The drama surpasses tho novel both in grandeur and morality. In the rendition of "To Savilla," Miss Seacord made tho University proud of her being connected therewith. "The Rhyme of the Dutches May" was delivered by Miss Carso in a very pleasing and ap propriate manner. Her gesture and voice were well adapted to the delivery and tho recitation furnished a very fitting closo to tho evening. PALLADIAN EXHIBITION. Tho twelfth annual exhibition of the PtUladian society given at the opera house Monday June 11th, was good, in many respects better than any of previous years. Tho productions contained much original thought, and bore evidence of thorough preparation. Iu his review on "The Realism of Henry James" Mr. Lichty said the portrayal of things as thay are, as oppos ed to creating them anew, has become prominent in tho literary world. Henry James is an apostle of this now school and as such he is to bo considered in roviowiug In "The Europeans" and "A Portrait of a Lady," Mr. Lichty thinks Mr. James was unfair in his selection of character. The author even admits that such characters have more salient points, and invite criticism. It is only too evident that tho author sneers at American strength of character and dotos upon its absence in tho European. Why not bring into strong relief tho nobler and more enviable character? It Is not expedient to sacrifice this better purposo for the sake of realism. Miss Chapman's subject was Shakespeare's "Fools and Clowns." Miss Chapman thinks that in no other of Shakespeare's writ ings is seen originali ty so clearly as in this work. In tho most serious part of his plays wo find circumstances i i