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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1889)
THE HESPERIAN, . in the insurance business, and seven percent in civil engineering. The remainder are engaged in miscel laneous occupations. From these few figures, it is clear that the num ber of teachers is in proper proportion to the number of graduates. Although the legal profession has more than its share of graduates it must be said that every one stands high in the profession. The other pro fessions are not so well represented as they should be, There is food for reflection in the above statements. The mercantile interests are scarcely represented at all. Above all others, college graduates should make sagacious business men. In the east a large number of college graduates enter mercantile pursuits. Why this is not true of the University, is difficult to ex plain. The attention of future graduates is respectfully called to the foregoing comparison. V THE resignation of Dr. Billines is rermverl with regret by the faculty and students. It is almost use less to comment upon the policy of those who by their malicious attacks have caused this resignation. There has been a general misunderstanding in regard to the position of Dr. Billings, He is employed under the provisions of the Hatch bill. Not one cent of the University funds goes to the support of the experimen tal station. The only relation that Dr. Killings bears to the University is that his investigations, are under the immediate direction of the boafd of regents. Yet the enemiesofDr. Billings, have made the University the object of their attack in order to vent their per sonal spite. Rather than that the University should suffer, Dr. Billings has stepped aside. His course has been as manly, as the course of his enemies has been unjust. Demagogues and false economists ignorant of the relation that Dr. Billings bears to the state have fol lowed a course of persecution in regard to the exper imental station. Such persecution, blind and unjust, is a disgrace to the intelligence of Nebraska. The policy of the enemies of the experimental sta tion is simply this: unable to interfere with the work of Dr. Billings; unable to hamper him in the least, they have directed their enmity against the University. To prevent the University from becoming even the object of attack, Dr. Billings tenders his resigna tion. The loss must be attributed to the short sight ed policy of certain legislators and the malice of the enemies of the experimental station. l order to strike down a certain man, or slight a certain city or district, some persons seem to be willing to sacrifice the interests of higher education in Nebraska. The University is proud of the work of Dr. Billings. He has done a grand work for the state; and the renown of the University in scientific circles is owing not a little to his industry. It is rumored that Dr. Billings will not discontinue his researches in regard to the swine plague, When the farmers of the state come to pay a round price for a vaccine for the prevention of hog cholera, which they might have had for nothing, the course which has caused Dr. Billing to resign will be regretted. THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYITCH. Though in many respects resembling the author's more finished efforts, the narrative of Ivan Ilyitch is, on the whole , destinctively unlike anything else that has yet appeared from the pen of Count Tolstoi. Lacking in an eminent degree, that careful polish which is the result of painstaking and laborious composition. Ivan Ilyitch is still perhaps the best representative of Tolstoi's bold and rugged style, and while replete with the author's characteristic simplicity is strangely dignified and graceful. The author appears to scorn the long established and well worn rules for guidance of expres sion, and, impatient at their triteness, seems to constitute and develope a style of his own, equally forcible though man ifestly independent. Tolstoi has demonstrated that there still remain avenues of escape from slavish adherence to precedents, despite the popular assertion that the days of originality are past. In different to praise or condemnation, he has given to the lit erary world in Ivan Ilyitch a production peculiarly his own. Who can estimate the depth of thought and observation displayed in those few papers, and yet all is as unimpasstoncd and severe as if the author were analyzing some familiar trait of human nature, and not one of the most intricate problems that ever disturbed the brain of metaphysician. Count Tolstoi's understanding of the emotional nature is truly marvelous and includes every conceivable phase. This provokes the involuntary discussion. "Is this faculty an in spiration or is it the essence of a long continued and profound observation of humanity?" Whatever may be the source of his power, it is evident that his intuitive ability is remark able and is an unmistakable manifestation of unique genius. Ivan Ilyitch, the pleasure-loving official, prostrated by lingering disease, excites in the reader an irresistible feeling of sympathy, while the hcartlessness of his so-called friends induces a spontaneous sentiment condemnatory of all the sham and hypocrisy here displayed with such intense real ism, but the existence of which one is at first reluctant to admit. Ivan Ilyitch with'all his surroundings is true to nature, one whose phantom has appeared to every one whether notice ably or not. As for the others, with their perfidy and their Pharisaic exterior, assuredly they are not creations of the author's fancy nor are they scornful caricatures executed by a hater of mankind. Loth as we are to confess it, all these are not strange to us, nor are they overdrawn and-distorted. Count ToUtoi, in Ivan Ilyitch, merely unites with his keen and unerring per ception a boundless and genuine sincerity and while surprised by his audacity one can but admire the ease and independ ence that characterize Count Toilstoi's authorship and ren der his work a remarkable literary curiosity. W. G. D. R. C. Manlcy always has a full line of candy, fruits, and nuts, and does right by students. LI I III I H- I I 1