'
TH HESPERIAN.
3
ments spent in looking over them will show that they
constitute an important addition to the equipment of
the College of Fine Arts. Thanks in this case are
due Mrs. S. C. Elliot, of Lincoln, who alone secur
ed the gift and managed the perplexing business of
making the transfer of ownership from the French
government to the University of Nebraska, Through
carelessness, and perhaps some ignorance, we gave
credit for this disinterested labor to the wrong party,
even failing to mention the name of Mrs. Elliott.
However, she is appreciated by the University, and
the Hesperian awkwardly takes off its hat and makes
its best bow in recognition of her services.
The impatience that is so often shown by those
who arc compelled to spend their time in the main
building, has excellent grounds. For weeks the
sound of the hammer, the mild but penetrating tap
of the steam-fitter, the tramp of the laborer and the
smell of paint has made consecutive thought difficult
and careful study impossible. It appears that "un
foreseen circumstances" were responsible for the con
fusion; though a majority of the students are outspo
ken in their belief that it can be directly traced to
carelessness. This paper believes that the delays
that have left us so badly in the lurch at the opening
of the year were caused by the desire on the part of
the authorities to nave the work don in the best
possible manner. Contracts in some cases were ad
vertised for a second time, and the remodeling of
the chapel was not begun until the plans could be
prepared by an architect of acknowledged ability.
The present state of affairs is inconvenient, but vastly
better than the enjoyment of completed but shoddy
improvements.
That most important portion of the University,
the Library, has been growing in the past few months
with a Tapidity that is indeed gratifying. A list of the
most important works added will appear in these col
umnsshortly. In the meantime, however, every student
should examine for himself these new treasures, make
a mental note of their location and contents, and re
solve to use them. The statement is often made that
few below the Junior year know how to make any
progress in studying from library books because they
are unacquainted with the material and the manner
in which it is found. This may be an exaggeration,
but it is certain that at least two year's use of the li
brary is necessary before the student can appreciate
the yaiueand importance of the knowledge stored on
those shelves. The habit of rummaging around
the books should be acquired early in the course. It
leads to acquaintance, and we are safe an saying that
this acquaintance and familiarity does mot Head to
contempt.
MISCELLANY.
The character of Laertes Shakespeare has portrayed as the
direct opposite of Hamlet. He has given him none of the
mental characteristics of the latter. We do not find Laertes
concerning himself about the qnestion of "to be or not to be."
He does not take the trouble to search his own mind, to anal
yze himself, his thoughts, and motives. That he exists is
sufficient to him. The whence and where do not haunt him
for a solution. He is content to let such matters take care of
themselves. He goes about as a man of the world, merely fol
lowing the bent of his nature, taking no thought of whither it
leads him. He lives as many other men, totally unconscious
of his own existence. Its mysteries do not puzzle him. He
is saved this inconvenience.
In the first part of the play he obtains permission to go to
France, where he leads a life of pleasure just as all other
fashionable young men. In this occupation he is entirely ab
sorbed until the news is brought of his fathers death. Then
he bestirs himself and comes back resolved to avenge the lull
ing of Polonius; for he is really attached to his parent, and is
sincere in his grief. Natures of his kind are easily moved,
for he is man the animal -with his passions and affections.
When these are touched he is aroused and umestrainedly
obeys the brute instinct, revenge. He gives the reins to his
feelings and Teclclessly determines on vengeance at all costs.,.
He does not waste any time in considering from -what motive
he is acting. Probably he is not aware that he has a motive.
He takes no thought of himself or his condition. His
mind is fixed on one objective thing, the punishment of the
one responsible for his father's death. When he finds Hamlet
is the guilty party his rage knows no bounds. The king takes
advantage of this opportunity and spurs Laertes on to wreak
vengeance. This he does -without investigating how much
Hamlet was responsible. He poisons his sword for the fencing-contest
to make sure of his purpose. But in that his own
weapon is turned against him, the poison is brought back up
on the poisoner. The presence of death calms
Laertes, and he sees for the first time that he has acted has
tily and rashly, that he lias condemned Hamlet -without just
cause. He repents of his course, absolves him from guilt, and
asks his forgiveness.
Laertes compared with the mass of men as
really a superior character. He has many generous
and noble impulses. He does not possess the stability and
firmness of Horatio. He is not sustained by any serious
purpose. For he lacks intellectual power, mental momentum.
He is not capable of earnest, sustained thought. It is not
his nature to reflect. His acts, like a child's, spring ifrom
impulse.
In the play he serves to throw in relief the character of
Hamlet by the contrast in their dispostions. Each is the
other's negative. The one has a subjective existence, the
other an objective, the former' eye is turned within, the lat
ter' without. Laertes' simple and uncoiibcious mode of life is
balanced by Hamlet's profound thought and earnestness.
Together they illuutrate that aphorism of Goethe: 'thought
expands but lames, action animate but narrows." Ham
let represents the extreme class of the first rule, Laertes the
second. He lives only in doing He has been a man of the
world, his whole life has been taken up in its various, ipetty
mechanical duties and pleasures, mostly the latter. His re
flective powers, if he ha any at all, lie dormant. This mode
oflife has brought ihim to rely entirely on action. He 'knows
mo other course. When his ipassions are aroused, he follows
his impulse, without any deviation proceeds directly ito seek