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.’’
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