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About Yale Alumni Magazine | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1899)
Vou. VHT, . Nav ge NEW HAVEN, CONN., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1899. Price Tren Cenvs. FIGURES ON EDUCATION. The Yale and Harvard Systems Com- pared by Percentages. The recent publication of the annual report of the President of Harvard makes it possible to compare the amount of instruction given in each de- partment of study in Yale College and Harvard College during the academic year, 1897-8. The following figures in- dicate the number of hours per week instruction given, counting two hours ina laboratory as the equivalent of one hour’s instruction: : Yale. Harv. Ancient Languages ..... 3,683 1,801 Mathematics = 3-2 202) A 2. 1,870 927 PORE. 0 1,890 1,806 Political Science ........ 2170 2,845 Meteo ca aA 2,232 3,161 Papen fo oo ec 2,224 4,093 European Languages ... 2,263 3,860 Natural and Physical Sci- CBCCR ge ae, 1,325 3,248 Biblical Literature 139 12 ER a. 5 eon 42 L374 MOG es Ss ks 30 150 Military Science ........ 14 367 Physical Culture ........ 14 O Ute. 17,896 23,696 The above figures indicate that, while roughly twice as much instruction is given at Yale in the Ancient Languages and in Mathematics, about the same amount of instruction is given in Philosophy. At Yale, moreover, three- fourths as much instruction is given in Political Science, two-thirds as much in History, three-fifths as much in European Languages, a little more than one-half as much in English, two- fifths as much in the Sciences, one-fifth as much in Music, and much less in Art and in Military Science.. The total amount of instruction given at Yale College in 1897 was three-fourths the amount of instruction given at her sis- ter College, which figure also repre- sents the relative number of students at the two Colleges. To obtain a picture of the relative importance of each department of study in the work of both Colleges, the years from 1895 to 1898 are taken, and the re- lative share of the total instruction given in the eight leading departments is indicated below: , Yale. Harv. Ancient Languages .... 24.4% 7.8% European Languages .. 14.4% 20.4% HIStory: 45.8 i 11.2% 13.9% Political Science ...... 11.3% 11.4% Mathemiaties <3 10.6% 4.1% Pnauish 204453 sks, 9.6% 16.4% Philosophy ¢25 5 .ccu 2 9.4% 6.6% Natural and Physical CLONES: cos as eae 7.300 11.9% These figures indicate that at Yale the - Ancient Languages are given relatively three times the importance they are given at Harvard; Mathematics and Philosophy, two and one-half times the importance; Political Science is taught in relatively the same amount; at Har- vard, History is given some more> im- portance; European Languages taught nearly one and one-half times as much; while in the instruction in Eng- lish and in the Sciences Harvard Col- lege excels Yale College in about the proportion 17 to Io. A championship wrestling tourna- ment will be held about the middle of March, open to the whole University. As usual there will be three classes, light, middle and heavy weight, and cups will be offered by the Gymnastic Association to the winners of the finals in each class. ale. THE LIT, EDITORS. Criticism of the Outgoing and In- coming Boards. . With the March number of the Vale Literary Magazine the Ninety-Nine Board withdraws, giving way to the new regime of Nineteen Hundred. At this particular time, therefore, it is per- haps not out of place to run over the past year cursorily, and offer one or two personal suggestions which the writer thinks will result beneficially to the Lit. When the present Senior Board re- ceived the Magazine from the hands oi Ninety-Eight, there was a tendency to throw conservatism to the four winds and strive after a certain originality. In a measure, the effect was healthful and the College awoke to a new idea of things. However, there was a lack of judgment very often shown that counterbalanced to a certain extent the good effects of their efforts. The Mag- azine surprised rather than pleased. It lacked a safety valve. The present re- tiring Board has made‘an effort, there- fore, to direct more attention to form and style without hampering free thought and originality. To what de- gree of stuiccess it has attained is, per- haps, indeterminate. Conservatism and balance should figure quite prominently in Lit. articles as well as originality, and the loss of any of the three is a con- siderable weakening. Before remarking upon the incoming and outgoing Boards, the writer would pause momentarily to personally sug- gest to the Junior editors two things which he thinks would materially aid the Lit. The first is in regard to the deplorable and seemingly incurable cus- tom of ceasing to be a contributor as soon as editorial charge is assumed. The apparent reason for the practice is, that more opportunities are granted contributors if the editors throw the en- tire Magazine open to them. The real reason is indolence. Less dependence upon contributors is a thing that will bring good results to the Magazine. The standard will not vary from month to month as is the case at present, but will be raised and maintained with steadiness. The second suggestion has bearing up- on graduate contributions. The writer would hasten the day when post grad- uate students and instructors in the English Department find the Lit. a ready vehicle for the expression of cer- tain views on topics of which they have made an especial study, and which are of particular interest to followers of letters. Although such contributions would be occasional, they would add tone and body to the numbers, and give to the Magazine a readier accep- tance and authority throughout the Uni- versity. THE RETIRING BOARD. Of the retiring Board, it may be said that its members proved better editors than contributots. The varied views of all counteracted, and the policy was less radical perhaps than is usual. Richard Hooker’s work shows a cer- tain facility both of conception and exe- cution which gives justice to the opin- ion that the future has something for him in the matter of story writing. Should he try his hand more often (a common failing, once the goal is gained) he certainly should achieve re- sults gratifying to himself and to those who have followed his efforts. Isham Henderson, in the field of criti- cal essays, is perhaps the most thorough NINETY-NINE Isham Henderson. Richard Hooker. Hugh A. Callahan, Chairman. LIT. BOARD. Huntington Mason. - | Photographed by Pach. Benjamin B. Moore. member of the Board. His work leans -rather to analytical criticism’ than ap- preciative. He shows no especial bril- liancy in his efforts, but accomplishes much by steady industry and remarka- bly sound judgment. Benjamin B. Moore possesses an amount of literary culture that is far beyond the average. He is nicely read and has an exceedingly wide apprecia- tion, especially in the bye-ways of litera- ture. His work has been largely of the pioneer sort and were his judgment of better gauge, the views he champions would find less antagonism. Huntington Mason, before coming to the Board, confined himself to the nar- row, yet alluring, fields of verse, and in his domain he was at his ease, in grace of theme and facility in verse forms. Later, however, he developed an apti- tude for prose, and produced work that was refreshing and appetizing. While predicting no brilliant future for him in his line, it is gratifying to behold and appreciate his versatile capabilities. THE NEW BOARD. Of the 1900 members a few brief re- marks regarding their merits and de- fects may be opportune. J. W. Bar- ney is equipped with a copious knowl- edge of letters, a nice appreciation and a moderate facility in presentation. He has done good work both in prose and verse and is aided greatly by the dic- tates of the best taste. At times his work has been spiritless and unappeal- ing, but this is rare. Mr. Barney, as a member of the Board, will bring to it a sound literary culture—an element lacking on too many Lit. Boards. S. G. Camp has developed into a story writer of good ability. He can be soundly criticized for poor taste and weak judgment, but a certain origi- nality of plot and turn of phrase fur- nishes his stories with a novelty and freshness rather unusual among Lit. stories. Industry and a riper judgment will render Mr. Camp an exceedingly capable writer. J. M. Hopkins has overcome the lack of literary skill and knowledge by steady and intelligent work. He has not retrograded for an instant. He has a good appreciation and a certain felicity in presenting his point. His election to the Board is a very com- mendable acknowledgment of the dif- ficulties he overcame in his work. O. M. Johnson is probably more familiar with the implements of the trade than anv others of the new Board. He has a style of his own, slightly overdone at times no doubt, but still his own. He is verbose, lacks judgment and beats out his gold too thinly. To balance all this, he has a healthy appreciation for the best in literature, is graphic and has good skill in character-drawing. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Johnson’s ability will stand him in good stead. Hulbert Taft has written with a more versatile hand than any of the others. His stories and verse are very com- mendable and he contributed the best essay of the year. His defects consist chiefly in lack of conception, a desire to produce too much, and at times a lack of spirit is presenting his views. The Board organized Monday the 20th, and elected O. M. Johnson, Chair- man. J. M. Hopkins was elected Busi- ness Manager. | The following departments were as- signed: Notabilia, H. Taft; Memora- bilia, O: M. Johnson; Book Reviews, J. W. Barney; Editor's Table, S. G. Camp; Portfolio, J. M. Hopkins. The new Board will assume charge in April. 2 H. A. CALLAHAN. Baseball Work Begins. The candidates for the University Baseball Team began work on Thursday of last week. The practice has been conducted according to the customary methods of the indoor season, and con- sists of daily work in the cage, includ- ing stopping grounders, throwing and catching, followed by a short out-door run. A special schedule has been ar- ranged for the candidates for battery positions, who practice at assigne hours during the morning. A complete list of the candidates has appeared in a previous issue of the WEEKLY.
