THE HESPERIAN.
The telephone conversation recorded in one of last year's
;ssucs, is-only excelled by the further development and exhi
bition of a certain natural propensity belonging to the one
whose name was not "Kitlic."
What is the reason that the antiquated, uncomfortable reci
tation benches in some of the rooms, can't be converted into
kindling wood, and something more conducive to the atten
tion and interest in recitation, be placed in their stead.
Tight-fitting doors have been placed inside of the three en
trances thus making it probable that when the steam arrives,
it will not lc obliged to warm the campus instead of the halls.
The improvements about the building are slow but sure.
What is the cause of so many "blue" and discouraged stud
ents this term? Is it because we arc all unusually dull, or is
it because the work laid out to be done is more than
should be required of any student? Our own judgement is that
it is the latter.
The Senior class in American History is composed of but
two members, and they claim to be enjoying the study better
than anything hereto met in the course. There is much fasci
nation in unearthing the records of the first colonics, especi
ally that of Virginia, on which the class is now working.
A1kuI 700 volumes have been added to the University Libra
ry so far this term. Many others which have been ordered,
have not yet arrived. The Scientific students will be pleased
to learn that a choice selection of books for that department
have been ordered and will soon be available for reference.
Every one is obliged to experience at some time during his
life, the chagrin caused by some egregious blunder. Our
bus. man. is not an exception. Just ask him if he succeeded
in wrapping his papers for mailing, by using Knight's varnish
which he supposed to be mucilage; and then if you survive
to do it, ask him why he intended putting a stamp upon each
paper.
The members of the editorial staff deem it their duty to
call upon the former business managers and also the present in
cumbent, for an explanation of the presence of the suspicious
bottle recently found in the Hesperian office. If they can
throw no light upon the subject, wc shall be obliged to con
clude that the occupants of the office arc responsible for its
presence there. How is it Knight?
Prof. Ressey has just received sixteen new microscopes
Beck manufacture which were imported direct from
the manufacturers. Fifteen arc of the same, size and
power as the old ones. One is much larger, and is
similar to the one used by Prof. Bcssey in Iowa. Its
magnifying power is about 10,000 diameters. "A beautiful
instrument" is the spontaneous verdict of all who have been
fortunate enough to sec it. The botanical department is now
equipped with forty-sevcu microscopes twenty two aim
pound and twenty-five simple ones.
Exercises were held in the new chapel for the first time on
the 14th. inst. Kev. Mr. Gregory of the Congregational
Church read the Scripture lesson, after vhich an anthem was
rendered by the choir. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.
Curtis of the Presbyterian Church, Every one was shivering
with cold, but the dedicatory talk by the Chancellor
was listened to with much interest. He gave a brief review
of the work that had been done and also presented statistics
showing that there are nearly 60 per. cent more students in
the four regular college classes than were in them last year;
and a corresponding decrease in the number of students in
the Latin School. This is as it should be and we welcome
heartily this state of affairs.
EXCHANGE BRIC-A-BRAC.
The College Speculum comes to the front with several pages
of proceedings of an Alumni Reunion. It talks of changing
from a bi-monthly to a monthly.
At the bank Robber,(levcling his revolver at the head
of the paying teller), ' Hold up your hands, I'm the leader of
the new James gang." Paying Teller (going on with his
counting), "Sorry, sir; don't know you! You'll have to be iden.
tificd.
For the benefit of the Sophomore who translated, "Avicz
vous les jou joux," "had you the jim jams." Wc are author
ized to state that the Prof, is now considered out of danger,
and his classmates arc slowly recovering, so that he may
safely return.
Seventeen students were recently severely injured in a cane
rush at Harvard. From this might be inferred that the
results of these contests and our girls debating clubs are
practically the same. We condemn both however as alto
gether too violent.
Mr. Howells, whose novels arc so widely read and admired
will conduct a regular editorial department of a purely liter
ary character in Harper's Monthly, beginning with the Janu
ary number. His position in first rank of American novelists
si almost universally recognized.
The Hesperian Student appears improved and with its
name shortened to Hesperian. We enjoyed the discussion of
the character Horatio, and think it an excellent place for
college students to put more stmly upon the characters portray
ed in our greatest authors. - The Sibyl.
The Chicago University, which closid some time ago be
cause its funds were all of a minus quantity, has again open
ed its doors. Rev. Geo. E. Larimer has been offered the
presidency which he will probably accept, if the expected
rift in the financial cloud which at present envelopes that in
stitution, makes its appearance.
The autumn leaves are fmVn; faM ;
They caunot tiul the chill ;
So military spirits fade
When forced in the ratu to drill.
Ohio State University has ninety-nine new students this
year. There arc more entering in the course of Civil Engi
neering than in any other one. "The others rank as follows:
Philosophy, fifteen; Mechanical engineering, twelve; Arts,
fourteen; Science, twelve; Agrrcnlture, fourteen; Pharmacy,
five; Mining Eng., two; Veterinary Mcdscine, one. The short
course in agriculture seems to take.
Wc are always glad to see new exchanges on our desk,
whether good or bad. Therefore wc note with pleasure the
arrival of the cf The Lantern of Ohio State Univ. It is as
good as it usually is. The editorials must of course say some
thing about athletics, that is to be expected. It also con
tains a good discription of a balloon trip. We should like to
see the exchange column longer and would suggest that we
spell it "Hesperian" not "Hesperion."
The literary societies at Kansas State Uniersity have con
tracted the bad habit of meeting on Friday afternoon instead
of Friday evenings, and they are now trying to reform.
The Courier has an argument pro in the last issue. There
seems to be a fear that the students will demolish something if
they are turned loose in the building when it's dark. That's
nonsense. If students are trusted, they are, as a general thing,
trustworthy. It would deprive society going of some of its
chiefest charms to have it in the day time. By all means,
bretheren, have your societies in the evening.