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About Yale Alumni Magazine | View Entire Issue (March 25, 1897)
VATE AT TRENT WHEE KLY (Continued from first page.) some illusion or maggot in the brain, which, on the whole, in spite of its folly, it may be well to humor; and how? He says by “the appointment to one of the new chairs of an accom- plished orator,’’ and to the other chair, ‘fa scholar.” In the first place, no man should be appointed to either chair who is not ‘9 scholar,’ nor any man to either chair who is not able upon call to get upon his feet before any ordinary audi- ence and express himself upon any sub- ject of which he has knowledge, with ease, fiuency,force,and attractiveness— and that is what it is to be an orator or a public speaker. those holding positions to-day in the English Department at Yale who can- not abide these tests, they are misfits, to use a current locution. A **SILVER-TONGUE” NOT WANTED. But if I know the sentiments of grad- uates, they want nothing that is not demanded by the strictest regard to the duty and function of every such in- stitution as Yale—the best attainable instruction, and enough of it, in the use, practice, history, origin, and litera- ture of our vernacular tongue. Gradu- ates are not asking, and never to my knowledge have asked, for a “‘silver- tongue,’ as Professor Beers phrases it. For myself, I greatly doubt whether such a man as I suppose he has in mind would be desirable at all at Yale. T am not fond of ‘“‘silver-tongues,” if I know what they are. I am not over- fond of oratory anyhow. I do not wish to over-estimate it here; but the time to stand by a good cause is when it is weak. There are other studies and other arts I should never sacrifice to oratory; nay, which I should calmly prefer to it, if necessity were; but I am sorely tried in temper and patience by much I am obliged to hear nowa- days in its dispraise or disregard. It is but a short time since President Eliot said to me that much of the re- cent growth of the English Department at Harvard was due to the inspiration of a conversation of the late Francis Parkman—scholar and writer, not ora- tor—which he condensed into’ the phrase: ‘‘Nothing will ever supersede the spoken word.” From this deep- sighted aphorism has in some large de- gree come that splendid development of the English Depvnartment at Harvard, wherein, so long ago as 1893-4, the teachers of English numbered twenty, including three professors and two as- sistant professors, or two and a half times as many instructors as Professor Beers tells us are “‘enough to handle the work” at Yale in 1898! THE GODLIKE POWER. But it needed no augur to reveal this. No man who has carefully reflect- ed could have missed the truth. It is one of the facts that is blazoned every where—oratory, the skilful marshalling and utterance of words that convince the mind, or stir the feelings, or sway the will of man—a godlike power, if any such there be, forever attainable by study and practice, forever welcome and fascinating to all sorts and condi- tions of men, of illimitable influence, of unfailing charm. What nobler aim, for one can education take than to teach it, to inspire to its cultivation, to point the way to its mastery? Let it not be over-valued; let it not be permitted to dwarf or displace other fair arts or noble aims; but cease to tell us, either by words or acts, by precept or exam- ple, by direction or indirection, that its day is past; that men are no longer subject to its rule. Only its forms change; its essence is indestructible; and when its forms change, it is the exact office of the university and col- lege to teach its newest forms, to the end that its power and sway may not be lost. Nothing but crass folly can lead one to belittle or neglect it in any plan of liberal education. I marvel when T see its decadence at Yale un- wept, excused, condoned. I marvel when I see the occasions and means and incentives of its cultivation, one after another, set aside at Yale. “Men are we, and must grieve when even the shade Of that which once was great is passed away.” But Professor Beers’ “silver-tongue” will not stand the drudgery of theme- reading! Perhaps not; but if not, then if IT had my way, no “silver-tongue”’ would ever get sight of a place in the English Department at Yale. If Mat- thew Arnold, most fastidious—no, most subtle and delicate—of literary critics and masters of literature, could give fif- teen hours a day for over twelve years to the drudgery of an inspector of En- glish primary and secondary schools— though I confess few things in literary annals seem to me more pathetic than his endless “doing of papers,’ as told in his ‘‘Letters’—what arrant and con- temptibie affectation and snobbery it is for a Yankee “silver-tongue,”’ be he who he may, to lift his eyebrows at And if there are — theme-reading at Yale! I would fain part in peace and good will with Professor Beers. I have writ- ten in good temper, if with earnestness. I certainly bear Professor Beers cordial respect and appreciation, and I can heartily thank him for the frankness with which he has made known his own opinions, as well as for the truth I sup- pose he has told us of the condition of his Department. Discussion, however animated, is a good thing; it helps to clear the air, and is apt to arouse in- terest in what is discussed; and this, T believe, is what the subject of En- glish at Yale just now needs—free, frank, fearless discussion, respectful towards all in authority while unspar- ingly critical of all who are responsi- blé for the past or in control of the fu- ture. D. H. Chamberlain. —— oe o—_____ News from Harvard. For a little more than a week now Harvard University base ball candi- dates have been practicing outdoors. This is about two weeks earlier in the season than was the case last year, and Captain Dean’s men are making the most:of their chance to avoid the te- dious indoor training. Soldiers’ Field is not yet in very good condition, as the ground is still soft and quite slippery, and careful judging of the men can therefore not be made for some time. During the first part of the afternoon the men bat at the nets, where Fresh- man pitchers for the most part are used. The squad is then divided into two parts, Captain Dean coaching one and Mr. Rand the other. Two nines are formed form each division, which take turns in batting and fielding with- out playing any regular game. Mr. Lehmann arrived in this country March 18, and went immediately to Cambridge, where he began his work with the Harvard crew on the follow- ing Saturday. Randolph Hall is the name of the new Harvard dormitory, which is to be erected immediately by the Cool- idge estate. It is to be situated on Mt. Auburn Street, between Bow and Plympton. The contract calls for a building on three sides of a hollow court, 125 feet wide and 90 feet deep, the fourth side being open towards the house of Professor Niles. From the court will be entries to the stairways, each of which will serve two suites on a floor. There will also be two en- trances on Bow Street, which side be- ing of lower level, will have one more story to it. Each suite is to be fur- nished with a study, two bedrooms and a bath, save a few single rooms. The interior will be finished in an- tique oak, and special attention has been paid to light and ventilation. In addition to the living rooms on the ground floor, Bow Street, there will be a reading room, gymnasium, showers and bicycle room, and in the basement handball courts will be provided. The Faculty of Harvard University is preparing to voice its sentiments in favor of the ratification by the United States Senate of the arbitration treaty. A petition has been opened at the col- lege office for signatures by the instruc- tors of the different departments. It expresses approval of the treaty, and a hope that it will be ratified as it now stands by the Senate. A large number of names has already been signed, but the petition will not be sent to the Senate until every member of the Fac- ulty has had a chance to sign it. Essex County Alumni Meeting. The thirteenth annual dinner of the Yale Alumni Association of HEssex County, N. J., was held at Upper Music Hall, Orange, N. J., March 19, 1897. The occasion was declared by all to be an unusually successful meeting, and the attendance was very large. The list of toasts was printed on the menu under the head of “Symposium:’’ Syimmposianch +s 255 6465 D. W. Richards, ’80 ‘Whoever rises up to sneak 'Tis well to hear him through and break not in Upon his speech, else is the most expert Confounded.”’ —Bryant. The University..Prof. Andrew W. Phillips “Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoet.”’ —Thomson—The Seasons. POP Watts. 0.6908 C0 i o's Camillus G. Kidder ‘‘Buried was the bloody hatchet; Buried was the dreadful war-club; Buried were all warlike weapons, And the war-cry was forgotten; Then was Peace among the Nations.” —Lonegfellow. Princeton...Rev. David R. Frazer, D. D. “Great Souls by instinct to each other in friendship —Addison. The Alumni..... Col. Norris G. Osborn, ’80 ‘‘Let the trumpets blow That this great soldier may his welcome know.’’ —Troilus and Cressida. University Extension..Prof. Hilaire Belloc “O ye, who teach the ingenious youth of nations, Holland, France, England, Germany or Spain, I prey ye flog them upon all occasions, It mends their morals—never mind the pain.’’ —Byron. turn, Demand alliance, and burn.’’ ll, Ml cl, Ml li, i, cl, Mt i, Mi dl Mi die Mi OUPSClVEGS : 633.5 6. és0003%. Austen Colgate, ’86 “Sit, worthy friends, my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth.” —Macbeth. WILLIAM FRANKLIN & C0. Importing Tailors 40 Center St., New Haven, Conn, tlle Ll ll, Ml ll, Mi cll, Mt ll, Ml ll, lt dl Mi i No Spread, Luncheon or Banquet is complete without “ LONDONDERRY.” vwrwvewvewvyewvwew3wwew3e$iy Webster’s International Dictionary Successor of the “Unabridged.” The One Great Standard Authority, So writes Hon. D. J. Brewer, Justice U. S. Supreme Court. Standard of the U. S. Gov’t Printing Office, the U. S. Supreme 1 Court, all the State Su- | preme Courts, and of near- I"| ly all the Schoolbooks. Warmly Commended v § State Superintendents 1 of Schools, College Presi- dents, and other Educators almost without number. Inwaluable aunt a“ in the household, and to TR ZA the teacher, scholar, pro- S&C c0 fessional man, and self- C.ME ) d er educator. { THE BEST FOR PRACTICAL USE. It is easy to find the word wanted. It is easy to ascertain the pronunciation. It iseasy to trace the growth of a word. It is easy to learn what a word means. VvweWwvTWwvywwwwwwywwv The New York Tribune Says :— The latest edition comes from the press with a completeness that implies the most thorough edi- torial and typographical supervision. * * * T wide public, too, finds this a work to which it is constantly usefulto refer.—A pril 8, 1896. GET THE BEST. )€7~" Specimen pages sent on application to G. & C. 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