THE HESPERIAN.
srr
can not easily find a non-resident student who will
say that his meals approach being satisfactory.
To us this seems a short-sighted policy on the
part of the city. It should co-operate with the Uni
versity for mutual aid. It would not be the most
difficult thing in the world to provide some means of
giving students substantial fare at moderately
remunerative rates; aud the city could do nothing
more advantageous to itself.
The " fad " has of late played an important part
in the life of a person socially inclined; and it seems
ill-timed to say an unfriendly word just when the first
approximately sensible turn has been taken. But here
tofore our own little community has been permitted
to move on in its own quiet way, undisturbed by the
changes in the World outside; and now this identical
'fad" though at its best, is an innovation, and it is not
welcome.
At present, In order to reach the highest social stan-
in the city, it is quite essential to be wise; and a very
convenient way of accomplishing this is to take a
study or two in tl.e University. Two or three hours
a week are as good as twenty; for all that is required
is to be seen going going to aud from the campus,
with book in hand. The student demeanor is easily
caught. If it is overdone why, all the better. We
speak of the craze only as it effects the University,
but this is merely one of a number of forms of the
mania.
Of course, pretention is often the forerunner of
something more substantial; and if there is any hope
that such is to be the order in the instance in hand,
surely encouragement is what is needed. But pre
tention is very common in gay circles; and the
world has already waited some thousands of years
for the substantial result.
These individuals are well known before they
come to the University, and their intellectual
endowment is not misjudged. Now when they
come, perhaps unprepared to pass . the required
examination for admission tc the first preparatory
year, and then pose before their envious associates
as Juniors or Seniors in the State University, it can
surely add nothing to our reputation for scholarship.
After a half dozen years, it will be said that these
are graduates, and actual graduates, not known per
sonally, will be judged by them, as will also the
value of the training given here. Now if any good
were to come from all this, it might be endured' but
the end sought is quite foreign to intellectual aims.
In justice to the name of the University, of the
students, and of the graduates, there should be more
binding laws governing the admission of special
students; or, if nothing more, firmer adherence to
the laws we have.
LITERARY.
Lincoln is having its first great artistic treat in the "Wise
nnd Foolish Virgins" by J'lloty. TllK Hesperian cannot
afford the luxury of an art critic, and it may be sheer pre
sumption for one not an artist to say anything about the
painting. But let that pass. Perhaps after all the pleasure
most of us get from it will be without the aid of critical cul
ture of an artistic education. One seeing the phturc for
the first time is very apt to form several successive opinions
upon the different features of the painting. The most gen
eral question asked of course is, "Which part do you like
best?" and the answer will range all the way from that given
by a little school boy yesterday, "The paws of the dog," to a
well weighed opinion formed after long study. The regal
beauty of the central figure usually claims the first outburst
of enthusiasm, and, indeed, often holds the undivided loy
alty of the spectator. An amateur can conceive nothing
finer in execution and artistic finish than this figure. Hut
this adds nothing to the solution of the question of which fig
ure impresses one most, for the same may be said of each of
the others. Tf I was not afraid to offer a criticism I should
say that the linen at the bottom of the robe of the central
figure has a stiff, statuesque, or marble-like appearance.
One no sooner begins to study the central figure in detail
than the charm of the kneeling figure to her right makes
itself felt, and often is so fascinating as to enlist the entire and
unbounded sympathy, to the exclusion of the others. The
extended right arm of this figure is, in my opinion, the most
strikingly realistic work on the painting.
Then, when by a change of position the purity and fresh
ness ol Tiloty's daughter bursts upon us, if almost invariably
supplants everything else. The charm of this figure is fairly
irresistible. One returns to it again and again, and seems
to find in it each time, a vaque indefinite something
which makes this figure of the group the one to be remem
bered above all others.
But after all why try to discover which is the best, or
even which impresses one most? For, like the answer to the
question of "The lady or the tiger?" it all depends upon
ones own subjective personality. To one the regal beauty
and strength of the central figure will appear above all else;
to another the pleading, repentant bearing of the figure on
her right; to a third the innocence and purity of Piloty's
daughter, and each in his way will receive from the painting
a confirmation a crystallization of his ideal of womanhood.
Everyone will notice that there arc two pictures two studies.
One on the canvas; the other in the faces of the spectators
one changing but little in the different lights thrown upon it;
the other changing every moment. Which of these is the
more interesting?
How enchanting the ordinary biography written by a rel
ative of the deceased worthy is! Of course, even in this ex
quisite style of literature there are degrees and perhaps the
climax of delectation is reached when we have the pleasure
of perusing a history of the life and virtues of some good
man who has evidently been the first and only noted one of
his family as they appeared to some near relative. Of
course we can all unhesitatingly place ourselves in complete
sympathy with the winter and with palpitating heart learn
how the premonitions of coming greatness manifested th;m.
selves from childhood. Can you endure another degree of
ecstasy? Then you have it when the subject of the biogra
phy happens to be a poet and the aimiably inclined relative
discovers that he "lisped in numbers and the numbers came"