THE HESPERjAN
thought that it would be but fair to the music students if the
charges mrdc for their work were as reasonable as for the
work of the art students.
To the editors of The Hesperian: "Why is it that in
days gone by the editors of The Hesperian have always
refrained with scrupulous and painstaking care, on their
part from publishing in The Hesperian any articles of
fraternity news, or I might say articles of a 'fraternal char
acter?' "
"It is supposed that a paper is cacr to publish that which
is of most interest to its readers. It can not be expected that
any one department in any newspaper or magazine will be
equally appreciated by all; recognizing this fact many papers
of general circulation publish notes on fashion, household
decorations, etc.. Ho please the ladies,' and I would like to
suggest that the present board of editors devote one column
to fraternity news which would be of interest at least to the
fraternity members in school, the majority of whom arc sub
scribers of The Hesperian. 1 venture to say that the cur
rent 'Greek gossip' would be as readable as the items hith
erto published in any department."
An Interested Sntsrninr.K.
HEARD HERE AND THERE.
One could profitably spend a life time in the perusal of
books. Even the papcr.-knifc has a certain lustct after hav
ing been used to cut the leaves of this pamphlet. If a piece
of metal will take such a polish, what would the mind be
capable of receiving? Miss Rives has been most appropri
ately named the female Shakespeare of the present genera
tion. Her name will be handed downjthe bright corridor of
time with those of Milton and Caesar long after wc shall have
ceased to be. Americans, let us be proud, that the author
of Robert Elsmcrc has lived among us been one of us,
sharing our pleasant pastimes, and being a witness of our
deeds. Wc should see that her name is perpetuated in our
midst, by giving it to some public building, or university
boarding house a pleasant reminder of her greatness."
CURRENT COMMENT.
There is certainly something at fault with the culture in
stilled into our students. But let us not blame the faculty.
Seemingly, the prevalent idea here is that a male student
must be a bad good boy: an overgrown Peck's bad boy held
somewhat in restraint by a conscience. Wc do not need a
fast set here and in fact have none, but we have a set who
would like to be mischievous if they only dared to play their
little pranks. A set of students who can only throw over,
shoes and yell "pic" in the halls, is a tame and sickening
spectacle. Without sufficient energy to start an athletic asso
ciation or even play foot ball some of them stand around like
chickens in the rain and gasp only meaningless and si:kly
yells.
If some of their spare time was spent in reading accounts of
student life in Eastern and European Universities, they might
be induced to take an interest in college politics, and show
some wholesome college spirit. A college yell, an Annual,
a little more life, aie among the numerous acquisitions
needed.
ROBERT ELSMERE.
In New Yoik, recently, a man attempted to attend divine
service at one the fashionable churches, but, although there
were many vaca'it seats, he could find noplace to sit because
the pews were all rented. Hearing of this, the Chinese
priest published a card, saying that the joss-house was neat,
clean, and always open, and that anyone dssiring to worship
any god in any manner was welcome to the use of the build
ing. As the writer of this does not know whether Christ
rented pews in the desert or issued tickets to the sermon on
the mount he can make no comment.
As a rule the University students are fairly well civilized.
No long ago a few individuals felt it their duty to be excep
tions to this rule and so prove it conclusively. They found
an opportunity in the shape of the charter day lecture and
proceeded to distinguish themselves. It is not known that
they opened with prayer, but they read the hymn books from
"Rock of Ages" to the index. They also wrote some notes,
talked aloud, and commented upon the personal appearance
of the speaker. While none doubt their zeal, many complain
that they were too enthusiastic and threats of personal violence
have been made. It is hoped that this explanation of their
motives will cause a proper appreciation of their actions.
Note. (The following review, which is one of the best we
have yet seen on this popular novel, was written by a first
prep and handed to the professor of elocution. The prolessor
refused to give us the name of the writer of the clever pro
duction, and wc regret exceedingly that we are unable to
give credit to whom credit is aue.)
"Robert El.svnere is no doubt, the best book that Amelie
Rives has written. In this strange and interesting tale which
she has so gloriously unfolded, one experiences all the feelings
peculiar to a thinking person. From the opening chapter
where Robert begins his courtship to the last where his wife
uies, me interest is as uninterrupted as in ' The Potter of
Texas," or "She." Miss Rives makes a master stroke of
genius in describing the costume of Miss Ward at the wed
ding ceremony. A very touching scene is portrayed where
.Robert Elsmere reforms and promises his wife toabstain from
all intoxicating drinks and start a harness store. But it is
useless to point out single rays of light in a space filled with
brightness.
Again the aristocratic, landlord, tory party of England
has lost a great battle. They have stooped to the use of
forgery and perjury and the people of England know it. The
London 'J imes bought forged letters and used them to blacken
the reputation of the Irish leaders. When any party is re
duced to the use of such weapons its downfall is near at hand.
The chances are that inside of a year the liberal party will
be in power. This would mean home-rule for Ireland and
would be the beginning of the end of the fight against land
lordism in Great Brition. The landlords appreciate their
danger and are trying to have the government buy their land
and sell it to the tenants on long time and small payments.
The liberals oppose this scheme. They say that it would be
more just to compensate the robbed than the robbers. They
also see that to substitute present ownership of the land
would remedy the evil but would simply increase the number
of landlords while the great mass of workingmen would re
ceive no benefit at all. When men see this far their is little
danger of their not solving the problem correctly.
The remarkable political tiiumphs of Boulanger show the
unstable state of the French republic. Boulanger represents
opposition to the present government He has secured the
support of factious whose ultimate aims are widely different.
Bourbons, Bonapartists and many discontented workingmen