Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, October 22, 1886, Page 4, Image 4
7 HE HESPERIAN. i !! H i When these two men first met, it was after the return of Horace from the East, where he had been an officer in the army of Brutus a rebel against the imperial authority. Cer tainly his past record was not calculated to impress the Ro man statesman favorably. Moreover, the social gulf between the two was apparently too broad to be crossed. Horace at that time was penniless and without influence, known chiefly as a writer of caustic satires a scribbler of verses he might have been called in contempt. Maecenas on the other hand, was, save one person, the most powerful man in Rome, proud and wealthy. There seemed to be nothing to draw these men together and everything to keep them at a dis tance. But in spite of all a friendship grew up between them which was as long as life and as strong as that of the proverb ial Damon and Pythias. It was Maecenas who gave to Hor ace the Sabine estate which he prized so highly and which furnished the subject of so much that is beautiful in his writ ings. It is Maecenas to whom, perhaps, a greater number of odes arc addressed than to any one friend; and it is in refer ence to him that the poet says that neither of them could live complete without the other. The question at once arises as to the cause of this. Why should the proud, monarch-loving premier select from so large a number this obscure young satirist this rebel against the government, for his friend by way of preeminence. The answer is full of meaning he must have seen something superior in the man Horace. He must have observed lofty impulses and noble qualities which distinguished this man from the sycophants who thronged the Augustusn court Granting that Maecenas was a patron of lit erature and that this may have influenced him, the fact still that the close relationship between these two men was a trib ute to the one who had the least to offer in bringing it about. His relations with Vergil arc not less interesting. The two were contemporary writers and both were striving though perhaps unconsciously, ior literary fame. A rivalry might easily have arisen between them, for literary men are inclined to be jealous of each other's successes. Moreover, to Vergil had been committed the task of composing a great national epic which should rival the Iliad itself. He was to sing the glories of the Roman state, beginning with the heroic age, and to connect the fortunes of Troy with those of the Latin race. He was in this way to appeal strongly to national pride, and the avenue to fame thus thrown open to him migh well have excited the envy of his contemporaries. But t the slightest trace of this feeling is found in the works of Horace, iie is ever Vergil's devoted friend, careful of his interests, anxious as to his welfare. And to the ship which was bearing the author of the yEneid to Greece in search of better health, Horace addressed some verses in which he called Vergil 'dimidium animae," the half of his soul. The spectacle of this heathen poet, years before the cross was raised on Calvary, living in close friendship with one who might have been regarded as his rival this spectacle is most impressive. On the whole the philosophy of Horace affords a most profitable as well as a most interesting study. His idea of contentment, if adopted, would exert a soothing influence upon our feverish modern life. His doctrine of moderation also, is needed "by a nation like oar own, which is noted for the excessive indulgence of all vices to which it is addicted. His optimistic views of life can hardly fail to cheer the most despondent, and the delight wliich he finds in the milder ma terial pleasures might suggest enjoyments to many whose lives seem only a ceaseless round of toil. Finally the value which lie assigns to friends and their society presents a worthy example to those who have hitherto neglected this most im portant source of happiness. The fact that the author of these doctrines lived in a re mote age docs not impair their value. Distinctions of time arc, after all, arbitrary, and ancient minds are often nearer to us in sentiment than those of our own century. Horace was cosmopolitan. He was the child of no single age, and his thoughts are the property of no particular nation. The modern world is already greatly indebted but it still has much more to learn from the teachings of this Roman poet and philosopher nineteen centuries ago. We regret to note an unfortunate disagreement in our sister Uuniversity of Kansas between the head of that institution and the editor-in-chief of the college journal, the Courier. It seems that Chancellor Lippincott claimed the right of censor ship over the paper a claim which was strenuously resisted by the aforesaid editor-in-chief and by the students at large. At the present writing the latter appear to have come out victorious, but that docs not affect the point to which we call attention. We are unacquainted with the facts in the case, and it would not be proper for us to take sides, but the whole matter suggests a pleasing comparison. The HESPERIAN takes pride in the cordial relations which exist between it and the faculty, and one of its highest aims is to be recognized by that body as a factor in building up our institution. It ap preciates the fact that the duties of u chancellor are suffi ciently burdensome without unnecessary trials added by students, and it would seek rather to assist him wherever op portunity offers. Still further, it hopes its conduct will ever be such as to do away with all need or thought of a censor ship. Quarrels between faculy and students arc foreign to the idea upon which the modern university is founded an idea which assumes the cordial co-operation of two contract ing parties. EDUCATIONAL. We arc pleased to hear of the new educational project by which Lincoln is to become the seat of still another school. The Adventists have secured a site and subscribed a sum, which is already approaching the amount necessary, for the erection of their state school. Thougn denominational and sharing the disadvantages of all such schools, it will be an in stitution worthy of Nebraska's hearty support. The plan proposed is, that it shall be a boarding school, ranking as an academy, and shall be supplied with the most approved mod ern conveniences. The main building is to be 23x46 feet and two stories in height with high basement. There is to be a small building for boarding purposes not far from the main one. With such a man as Rev. Cudney to push the plan we can not only look forward to an early completion of the work, but to a brilliant future in store for the new school. Nebraska's facilities will thus be more complete and Lincoln m vy then claim, more than ever, to possess unequalled educational ad. vantages in the state. The University may congratulate herself, also, for in the proposed school it will have another and fully competent feeder. Important, not only to the younger Nebiaskans, but to all alike, is the summer meeting of the Chatauqua Assembly. Such a rare chance should not be missed hv any. who are at all interested in intellectual pursuits. An opportunity to- listen to some of the most talented speakers of our country, upon topics that interest all of us, is an opportunity to better ourselves morally and intellectually, while at the same time we are enabled tp enjoy a few weeks in the country snd bet-