THE SPECULUM. dee ee — VoLUuME X.—WNo. 1. a a = Qur New Professors. Cee Lieut. Wendall L. Simpson, the recently appointed Professor of Mathematics and Engineering, entered the Michigan Agricul- tural College in the spring of 1575, with the class of °81, being then 19 yearsofage. He did two years work in the college, and en- tered West Point Military Academy in June, 1880, having passed the competitive exam- ination in Mr. Gurrows’s clistrict. After his graduation at West Point, he joined the ad Cavalry at Fort Apache, Arizona. He had active cavalry service in Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Indian Territory, In January, 85, he was, by request, transferred to the infantry, entering the 24th, and served at Fort Sill and at Anadarko, the agency of the Kiowas, Commanches and other tribes, - until December of 1887, when he was detailed at this College as Professor of Mill- tary Science. Prof. Howard Edwards, M. A., recently called. to the chair of English Literature and Modern Languages in our College, graduated at Randolph-Macon College, Va., in 1576, when the professors in that institution were men who have since taken leading positions in some of the most distinguished colleges, During the last of his student years he served as assistant professor of Latin at Randolph-Macon. Throughout his under- graduate course he took special work In English under Prof. Price, now professor of English in Columbian College, New York. He also took, under Prof. Price, work in the Anglo-Saxon and the Gothic languages. After graduating he spent a year in Germany and France. and devoted himself, largely to a mastery of German. He matriculated at Leipsic, | While in Paris he gave his time | AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Micu., AUG. 10, t8go. Work No. 47, to the study of French. After his return to America he taught German and English in bethel Academy, Va., and in the famous Bingham School in North Carolina, and was principal of the Academy at Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1886 he took the chair of English Literature and Modern Languages in the Arkansas Industrial University, where he has remained unt] now. An American Boy’s Opinion of the . Chaperon. EARL & BULLOCK, ECLECTIC SOCIETY. We boys, although up te this time our opinion has not been asked, feel a great interest in this question, as it is avowedly to protect the girls from us that the chaperon And this fact gives us the right to say a few words on the sub- ject. We are the fathers of a future gene- ration and so our opinions should not be was brought into use. totally disregarded. Nearly all young men look upon the chaperon as a bore and conse- quently our ideas may be somewhat biased; but I intend to discuss the question as fairly as our somewhat peculiar position in relation to the chaperon will permit. In Europe the chaperon is an institution, the outgrowth of aristocracy, a remnant of the Medieval Age. The chaperon was almost a necessity in those barbaric times, as a Woman needed constant protection, though her protector was not a weak old woman but a chivalrous knight armed in steel. So with the progress of time (when it became no longer necessary to have such an one) the chaperon has been changed from a war-like protector to a new kind of nurse for young ladies. In Europe it may be necessary for a young lady to be provided with a nurse, but it is not condi- ba tions in Europe that I desire to discuss; rather the chaperon in the United States, where a woman may travel with perfect safety and propriety from New York tu San Francisco. There is a certain class of wealthy people in this country who affect many things Which are foreign; and with the manners aml customs that they have imported, comes the chaperon. As yet the chaperon is new in this country, and we, the boys, whose dearly loved liberty this person laughs to scorn, Will make a grand effort to have the chaperon disfranchised and transported back to her native land+. The chaperon is another factor in making the between the wealthy and the more interme- diate classes. Should the daughter of wealth have this so called protection, while her less fortunate sister does not have it? greater contrast Surely in our democratic land the inno- cence and virtue of one girl is as valuable as that ofanother. There may be parents who feel the need of a chaperon, If so, it is because the training which their girls have received makes it necessary for them to be provided with a protector of some sort, A girl may need protection from herself more than from anyone else, as she can be her own worst enemy. The American girl in gene- ral is a person perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and thus as she can be trusted, she needs no watching from the parent's standpoint, And I am sure that all the pro- tection she needs from us is embodied in her- self. A country’s protection lies not so much in its strong walls as in the patriotism of its people. And the protection of our girl is not so much the artificial wall reared about her as it is the training she has re- ceived. How quickly a young stands the liberty he can take and the liberty he cannot take with a girl in whose com- pany he is. AAs Amelia E. Barr writes in her article in the April number of the North American-Review: “No matter how auda- cious a man may be, if a woman is dignified man under- ~ THE SPECULUM. a er re i she has the advantage over him? Who can talk improperly to a woman who listens with icy politeness and calm ignoring eyes.” On the street no girl will be insulted unless she lays herself open to insult, Ever, until boys feel more than they do at present the sacred character of woman, will some take all the advantage of a girl that she willallow, This is wrong we all know, but it demonstrates the fact that with the girl herself lies her protection, ‘This potent something which a girl may possess is nothing more than the result of her training, No matter what young men are, they do not desire to make girls their wives, who can- not take care of themselves. I am sorry to say that there are girls who go below the general standard of American girls. And it sometimes seems as though such girls needed a protector, not from us but from them- selves. They should bear in mind this les- son, “The girl who ceases to exact respect for herself speedily becomes a bore, and sooner or later she will have this fact made clear -to her with an unsparing frankness.” When such girls understand the dangers of their position they will need no chaperon. And again, should the girl of honor and sense be insulted by having a nurse for the sake of supporting a custom, which may protect in- some measure the giddy girl? It is not only an insult to the girl but an insult to the com- munity, for a chaperon says plainly that our daughters need to be watched. How severe were the laws of the Pilgrim Fathers in regard to such matters! They -never dreamed of thus watching their children, but gave them good counsel and then trusted them. The Transcendental Movement. L. H. BAKER, PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY. The New England States have always | been the first in America to embrace or reject all new ways of thinking, either religious or political. It was on these shores that the THE SPECULUM. 3 Pilgrims united under the standard that every man should worship God according to the ‘dictates of his own conscience. | And here, in the first half of the present century, a few earnest and advanced thinkers began, by their writings and teachings, what is known as the transcendental movement. It is a difficult matter to define transcen- dentalism. Dickens says, in his American notes, that, on inquiring what this name meant, he was given to understand that what- ever was unintelligible would certainly be transcendentalism. A more precise defini- tion is given by Francis Tiffany in the fol- lowing words: “It was a renaissance of conscious, living faith in the power of reason, in the reality of spiritual insight, in the beauty, glory, and privilege of life.” That God speaks inwardly to the soul, and in that gives stimulus, strength and peace, is the essential transcendental teaching. They did not believe that man was by nature bad; that he was “ prone to do evil as the sparks to fly upward.” But they did believe in the innate divinity of the human soul. The antecedents of this movement must be sought farther back than the beginning of the present century. In England it origi- nated with Coleridge and Carlyle; but they were acknowledged followers of Kant and other German philosophers, who, in turn, were disciples of Plato and the older Greeks. But it must not be imagined that any of these were mere imitators of their predecessors. Each school, though taking up the same line of thought, imparted to it a distinct individ- uality. It may almo t be said that the ante- cedents of this movement are to be sought in the higher yearnings and aspirations which exist, though sometimes to a very limited extent, in every human soul. In glancing at the career of transcenden- talism, it will be seen that it is quite difficult to follow step by step and period by period. It was a tidal wave of thought which seemed to sweep over our eastern shore during the first half of the present century; and though, as a wave, it soon lost its power, it exerted a great influence in thought of the times. forming the religious Transcendentalism in America really began in 1803, William Ellery Channing enlisted his powers in the cause. Dr. Samuel Osgood truly says: “In that fine brain and little body he held the rare essence, the marvelous personality, that was to make all things new in Puritan Boston, and in the end stir up the whole nation, and make Europe and Asia echo his name.” However he died before transcendentalism had fully interpreted its position, and we must next look to another Boston pulpit for the master spirit of the new idealism. when Ralph Waldo Emerson was the pastor of the Second Church, on Hanover street. His ministry had been characterized throughout by some little differences of opinion between his congregation and himself. In 1532 mat- ters came to a climax, when he declared that he could no longer conscientiously administer the communion rites. The church refused to yield the established usage, and Mr. Emerson resigned. This decided movement attracted much attention, both in this country and Europe, arousing, however, very little antagonism, because he made no war on existing opinions, but quietly followed his own convictions, It has been said that he always taught according to what might be called the natural method; that is, by endeavoring to cast out evil with good; to scatter darkness with light; and, instead of throwing his handful of seed in the faces of all men, he has let the wind waft it quietly to the place prepared for it. In the summer of 1834 Mr, Emerson be- came a resident of Concord, Massachusetts, the town of his forefathers, and the place destined to be his home for life. -It was while here that he most advanced the tran- scendental cause by his lectures, essays, and magazine articles. It hasbeen said that from this time, Concord became a transcendental Mecca, and men with long hair, long beards, 4 THE SPECULUM. ——_—_—_—_ = eT and very often with long ears, came, each seeking to show that his own ideas were identical with the principles of the new faith, Here, also, were Channing, Thoreau, Cur- tis, Hawthorne, Ripley, and, above all, Margaret Fuller, in some respects the most gifted and remarkable woman the world has ever produced, To this place also came Bronson Alcott, who, though once a peddler, afterward became a philosopher possessed of too much nobility of purpose and childlike simplicity for this cold, matter-of-fact world. Although many smiled at his peculiarities, they could not but admire his devoted, unself- ish aims. The transcendental ideas became known chiefly through Emerson's essays and the Mal. This magazine, first edited by Margaret Fuller, and afterward by Emerson, was the legitimate outgrowth of this movement, and its four volumes are now tre:sured as rare jewels. Although the reviews were well written, the poctry remarkably good, and the contents of the literary department of a high order, it was too ahstruse, and fo'lowed one idea too closely, to be popular with the masses. to the world After four years of precarious existence, It was discontinued through lack of apprecia- tion and financial support. Another outgrowth which well illustrates the spirit of the times, is what was known as the «Brook Farm Community,” made famous by Tawthorne in his “ Blithedale Romance.” [It was a eathering of a few devoted and high-minded idealists, under the leadership of George Ripley. They hoped to remedy the existing evils by forming mankind into co-operative associations, the basis of whose we Ith should he agriculture. The labor was to be shared by all alike. The oreater part of their plan wis extreme, wild and visionary. But, if a noble, unself- ish purpose is to be commended, however chimerical its means of accomplishment, this effort certainly deserves the highest praise. However elevated a man’s belief, or how- ever noble his aspirations, he still has his defects. That is to say, the noblest of mankind is human; and. these defects will creep into even the most perfect of his works. So it was with transcendentalism, One appar- ent inconsistency is noticeable in the fact that, although they denied the existence of certain great evils, they still worked for their suppression. Another defect lies in their lack of sympathy, which shows itsclf in the fact that they did not recognize the weaknesses and failings of humanity. On the other hand, it is intensely practical, notwithstanding the many assertions made to the contrary. Its first and principal requisite was not blind faith, but the applica- tion of reasonable thinking to religious thought, Such a fresh and unwonted, sensa- tion was communicated by the consciousness that they were privileged to exercise reason on what had hitherto been forbidden ground, that many able men were drawn into the ministry. The Concord transcendentalists are dead; but have they lived in vain? Do we not see in the broad.r conceptions and greater liberality of the pulpit of to-day some sub- stantial results of their labors? ‘Though no doubt they often erred, the essential part of their teachings seems to be in line with mad- ern progressive thought. In fact, their life- prayer seemed to be: "Let knowledge grow from more to more, But more of reverence in us dwell, That mind and soul, according well, May make one music as before, But vasler.” The Possibilities ina College Course. GRORGE FE. HANCORNE, UNION LITERARY SOCIETY, In the discussion of this question in the short space allowed, it will be impossible to treat the subject in all its phases. If I suc- ceed in bringing to light some of the more elaring defects in the every-day lives of students; if I succeed in pointing out some of the splendid possibilities that lie within THE Sr ee eS en a their reach; then 1 will have accomplished | the object for which this article was designed. It seems to me, as we study student-life at our American colleges of to-day, that the careful observer will discover certain under- lying principles which are necessary elements of success in college life, and which are often being disregarded. Possibly there are exceptions to this general law, but from the very fact that less than one-half of the students who enter college remain to gradu- ate, that suspensions are frequent, that expulsions are common, that hardly a year passes in the history of one of our educa- tional institutions but that broils of various kinds occur, we are self-convinced that we have not yet reached that happy state of perfection; that there are vicious principles continually at work, to the detriment of both college and student. That we may better understand these con- ditions let us try to discover the truths con- cerning our own institution, the moral and But before proceeding to this examination let us intellectual standing of its students. strengthen whats to follow by first ascer- taining whether the college student is under any obligations to parents, to friends, or to the college. He bears certain relations to each, and from the nature of these relations he is under Perhaps the least obligation he owes to associates and obligvations to each of them. friends. It is the desire of the members of the human family to associate with each other; itis the desire of each individual to order to realize these desires he must obey certain rules of conduct; he must possess power; he must be diligent, hone-t and industrious Whenever the student fails to regard these legitimate claims, so soon he falls in the estimation of his fellows and of society. We rise in the scale of society. In sec these very actions displayed before us im every walk of life; like «a great panorama painted in rich and indelible colors, ever | passing before us; now slowly gathering in SPECULUM. ‘it the dim future, now being displayed in all their grandeur of the present, and finally Thus they stand as living lessons to us which must be learned and obeyed. fading into the forgotten past. Second, the claims of the college at which the student attends must be regarded. When the student enters a college he becomes a part of that institution, and the supposition is that he desires to better his condition. When he enrolls his name upon their books he knows that the institution is governed by certain laws, anil he voluntarily agrees to be governed by them, That institution has a reputation to make or sustain. Its students, andl men whom it sends forth, whether prematurely or not, contribute largely to that reputation, Now, since the student is one of the essential factors in making and sustaining the reputation of a college, then he is in duty bound to regard these legiti- Then, when he commits an action which ts disgraceful to himself as a man, he has more to answer for than simply his own reputation (Ged knows that is enough). But many a college student does wilfully disregard these claims, and in so doing lowers the reputation of the very institution to which he looks for example, Can such mite claims. for truth, and for knowledge. actions be to his best interests? Third, let us consider his greatest obliga- tions, namely, to his parents or guardians. When the young man reaches the period in his career of entering college, he is apt to forget that to his parents he owes largely his strength and his present happiness. He is apt to forget that his well-filled purse ts largely or Wholly due to indulgent parents; he for- gets that they have worked hard all these years that he might enjoy the advantages of a college education. Asa rule parents think much of what their children shall be. Honor to the child is honor to the parent. Then we would say to the young man, the student, that when he feels inclined to fritter away his time in unprofitable amusement, if 6 THE SPECULUM. —— a a 2" for no other reason, he should do his utmost to sustain the reputation of the good name which he bears, for when that name is no longer associated with honor and right, then his doom is sealed, He may say, “O, I will reform,” yet every man knows it is a univer- sal law of nature that no matter how peni- tent he becomes, he can never attain to that | estimation of his fellow men that he possessed before his fall. In what I have said T have attempted to demonstrate to you that the student has more that should govern his actions than simply his own personal interests; that three great claims are ever demanding of him their just dues. | Now supposing that these claims are regarded, let us see what it is possible for him to attain; what the standard shall be, and if reforms are necessary to reach that standard, To get the subject before us let us ask the general question: Do the majority of our college graduates come up to the standard that is demanded of them by the outside world? Ifa body of impartial judges were to examine the records of the alumni of this institution, keeping in mind the voice of public opinion as a standard, the verdict would in all probability be that the majority are taking an active and prominent part .in life—that they are leaders. Fragments of their records that we learn of from time to lime are cnough to convinee us of this fact. But we must not forget the minority. We find them no better off, and often poorer, than the surrounding community in which they live. They aresneered at by the men who stayed at home while they were at col- lege. So far as possessing the abilities which are expected of men who have had a college education, thev stand as living witnesses that that education has failed. From the very fact that this minority exists among the graduates of every college, it is evident that it must have arisen from one of two causes: First, the student may have wasted valua- — ES SLL ble time by running to town five nights in a week; he may have spent golden hours in lounging upon college steps and in rustic seats; he may have wasted his time in other boys’ rooms during study hours, in idle con- versation, card-playing, and kindred indul- gences; he may have injured the health of both mind and body by associating with low companions in low No student desires to become a member of this minority ; in fact, no student believes that he ever will become such; yet, as sure as the sun will rise on the morrow, just so sure will the neglect of duty lead to such an ignoble end. resorts, ‘Then have students of this institution, or any other, any time to indulge in such dangerous folly? Is such action based upon a single true social or business, principle? Or, second, it arose from some fault in the institution. We will only consider the first, since the fact of a majority succeeding in life indicates that greater stress is to be laid on the first cause. As we look upon the outside world we see fierce competition; that every where the great law of the survival of the fittest is proclaimed; that if a man would succeed in a profession he must have energy, ability, and most thorough preparation, or competition will soon drive him to the wall. Despite these facts we see the very stu- dents who hope to occupy high positions, who have in some way absorbed four years of college life, who have by some hook or crook managed to pass their examinations, wasting hours of time day after day, ignor- ing the opportunities of a life time, ruth- lessly wasting the very materials of their future success. The day of “good luck,” if it ever existed, is passed. Success only follows in the wake of activity, accurate knowledge; in short, in scientific ability. _ We have one of the grandest libraries in the state. Yet I believe that I would be safe in affirming that one-fifth of our gradu- ating class know next to nothing of its con- tents beyond the daily papers and novel THE SPECULUM. =F alcove, or, perchance, as necessity demands the drawing off of an encyclopedia. The same principle may be propounded concerning the general museum, concerning systematic botany and entom- essity from the ology. These would be, perhaps, unpleasant facts to acknowledge, yet, if they are true, then let the truth be known. When such is the case the cause will disappear, and the remedy will be discovered. What has been said of the class of ‘go is true of every class; and it is true in more than one of our educational mstitutions, But why this state of things? Where lies the This institution stands without a peer in the rank of Agricultural Colleges. It has professors who have a national repu- tation as scientists, class of students who utterly fail to improve the possibilities that are offered on every hand—actions which they will repent to the very depth of their souls in time to come. Let us now consider for a moment the large class of students who enter college, but for various reasons fail to graduate. part of this number have legitimate reasons for dropping out, while, if the records of the remaining number were examined, the same evils which we have already discussed would be revealed. Then let us gather a lesson from history. blame? It is because there are a We see the evils practiced; we see their ten- dencies; we can see their final result. Who knows that but for the folly of some of these very students our college might to-day have double its present attendance. Thus we can easily see some of the mis- tukes of the past. We can get a glimpse of what lies in the future, of what possibilities we may realize by shunning the evils which have ruined others, and by improving the opportunities offered. —— a Nothing in this country more astonishes an English Os ee er University-bred man than our college yells. He never takes the practice as a bit of American fun, but ear- nestly sets to work to prove how even educated Amiert- | cans follow the customs of the savage Indian, his war whoop being perpetuated in the college yell. en SS Lr SCIANTIFIC, Report of July Meeting of Natural History Society. President Lowe being absent, Vice Presi- dent C. FP. Baker took the chair. First on the program of the evening was atalk upon Animal Parasites by F. J. Nis- The talk was well illustrated by crayon drawings of the insects described, The Cattle Louse has a flat robust body with two rows of black spots on the dorsal abdomen, feet with an opposable thumb, by wariler, which they may better hang to their victims, and mouth parts arranged for piercing and sucking rather than biting. This louse is found on cattle and although not directly causing death it causes a very troublesome Irritation, The Blue Louse is in many respects much likethe Cattle Louse, but itislongerand found chiefly oncalves, The best remedy for these pests is washing the animal witha tobacco de- | coction made by steeping tobacco in water. The poorest or coarsest tobacco does well for this purpose and in fact it is probably the best Kerosene emulsion, if used at all, must be apphed sparingly and with care, to prevent injury to use that can be made of the weed, the animal, Bird lice have flat bodies and biting instead of piercing mouth parts, They live upon the feathers and the dermal scales near the By gnawing at the base of the hairs they cause an irritation hardly beneficial to the welfare of their host. mite to trouble our fowls. roots of the hairs of birds. the bird louse there is the It is small as its name indicates, but comes with a host of companions. thheough having but six legs at time of Besides The niite is not an insect, for hatching, it has eight after moulting, and instead of being divided into head, thorax and aluiomen, it is made up of but two parts, therefore it is nearly related to the spider. Mites have uo antennw, and their chief instrument of torture isan arrangement for 8 THE SPECULUM. piercing the skin and sucking the blood. They are very prolific, laying eggs most anywhere. Ample opportunity for the fowls to take a dust bath, and a liberal sup- ply of kerosene and whitewash around the roost poles are good remedies. Sheep are attacked by still another kind of insect pwrasi'e, commonly called a tick, but which is not properly a tick but a wingless fly, with narrow head, abortive antenna, and sharp, piercing mouth parts. On the tibia are two claws and a spur to aid in clinging -to the wool. The reproduction is very peculiar. The egg is hatched the young pass through the larval stage within the body of the parent insect, coming out in the pupa state and sticking to the wool until the imago comes out fully armed with dagger and sucker ready for work, The decoction is probably the best and tobacco remedy. Mr, C. F. Wheeler described the repro- duction of Masturtinm lacustre or Lake Cress, which has been a puzzle to botanists. Dr. Gray, who named the species, described it as growing from a perennial root and other authors have copied his error, This plant growing in water has finely dissected leaves and in July produces small white flowers, but rarely, if ever, any seeds are developed. Mr. Wheeler discovered in July, 89, and noticed again this year that small leaves break off from the parent stem, float on the water, send down fibrous rootlets and then produce rosettes of leaves. These form the plants of the following year. Instead of a perennial the plant is a winter annual, Some interesting observations upon the importance and action of Ptyaline as a fer- ment were given by George Teller, Ptya- line is the active ingredient in saliva, and plays an important part in Although not yet well understood, enough is known to place it among our strongest and most rapidly working ferments. L. H. Baker read an article upon the digestion. Lunar moths, one of the prettiest and rarest of our native Lepidoptera. J. W. Toumey gave an illustrated talk upon the continuity of Protoplasm, a subject studied somewhat in Germany but hereto- fore receiving little attention in this country, Books have recommended, for demon- strating the point, the inner cortex or green bark of the Buckeye, Mr. Toumey person- ally examined nearly 75 species of as many different genera and all were found to show indications of the continuity more or less plainly, and especially the service berry, thorn apple and lilac much better than the buckeye. Thin sections are first made of the inner cortex. These are treated with sulphuric acid to swell the walls and render them more transparent, then the specimens are washed and treated with iodine and aniline colors to show the presence of protoplasm. . Seer Bird-life on the Philippine Islands. Friday evening, July 25th, Dr Steere, of the University of Michigan, lectured before ‘the Natural History Society on “Bird-life in the Philippines.” Dr Steere is the only scientist who has made a thorough study of the animal life of these islands, and coming as he does, from his field of labor with numerous specimens, his lectures could not help but be of great interest to students of science. Dr. Steere described these islands as being sharp and distinct, and probably at one time united, but as ages rolled by there has been a gradual sinking until now they are a num- ber of distinct islands with wide strips of sea between, thus forming natural barriers to all forms of bird-life excepting those forms which have migratory habits. The Doctor states that, in general, a genus is represented by a single species on each island. Thus the genus /ericudus is repre- sented by a species on each of the several islands. In nocase did he find more than one species of this genus inhabiting the same THE SPECULUM. 9. island. Neither did he find two species of axy genus inhabiting the same island, unless they were at the very extremes of that genus. In our modern idea of genus, as a number of allied species, Dr, Steere states that where one man would make a half dozen species another would make a dozen or more. In many cases there are intermediate forms which one scientist would put in one species while others put them elsewhere. The above facts, with many others relating to the bird-life of these islands the Doctor used to bring out this general law: “ A form of bird-life is represented in one place by a single species, and species are geographical groups.” To illustrate this general law still further Dr, Steere stated that in Jordan’s Manual out of forty-seven genera, thirty-three are represented in this locality, by a single species each; thus our orchard oriole has his allies in South America. Illustrations were also cited to show that this great law is gen- eral through other forms of life. In this country we have but the one wolf, though greatly varying in size and color in different localities, all gradations from one extreme to the other being found. If natural barriers were formed separating these localities the differences of climate and conditions of the several sections would cause a development of these animals in a direction necessary to meet the demands of the locality which they inhabit, and we would not have the interme- diate forms which we now have, In conclusion the Doctor stated that the probable dividing of the Philippines into numerous islands separated bird-life and the closely allied species which he found on the different islands were originally from one type. If the divergencies of the original type were not carried too far, by breaking down the barriers, the forms would unite and the divergency would be destroyed. will Funds to the amount of $1,200,000 are held in trust by the Harvard University for the benefit of deserving students. “UAL A, Locee, * THE SPECULUM. PUBLISHED MONTHLY DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR, BY THE STUDENTS Or THE MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGr, ——__ Teams, 7h Cents A Yean; Since Numuens, 16 Cents, ADVERTISING HATES MADE KNOWN ON APPLICATION, (All subscriptions will be regarded as continued, unless we ure notified ta the contrary. Tf this item is inmarked, your subscription is in arrears, BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ECLECTIC SOCIETY. K. L. Durrrenrre.n, - - - Editor-in-Chief, Literary Articles anid Editorinls. WATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. J. W. Toumey, . . . Science. FHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY, V. 1. Lane, “ “ . Calleze News, DELTA TAU DELTA FRATERRITY, j. L. Porrer, . = - - ; OLYMPIC SOCIETY, ; H. W. Mumronn, Colleges and Exchanges, UNION LITERARY SOCIETY, Athletics, Personals, W. A, Fox, J. E. Hiskseon, 2 sec, HG. RevNo.ps, Business M:nager, fest. Business Manager. - ‘Treasurer, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, AUG. 11,1890. . Tue observant SpecuLum reader will notice in this issue anew list of names on the editorial staff. Of course he will immedi- ately assume that we are the most inex- perienced, the busiest and withal the most conscientious Board ever selected to publish a college paper. So we will not tell him. And on our part we will take for granted this same reader’s hearty, practical co-oper- ation and support. will not ask them. So we Tue new College Catalogue shows a total enrollment for the year of 369, an increase of thirty over the previous year, This is perhaps not quite so much of a gain as might be wished. Yet, on the whole, the past year has. been a very successful one. The grounds have been somewhat improved, scientific research has been carried on vigor- ously in all the departments, the labor system has been made more effective, and a general. interest has been maintained in most classes, ~10— THE SPECULUM. ee Attendance at chapel, however, and at the Wednesday afternoon exercise has dimin- ished somewhat. Perhaps one cause for epoor chapel attendance has been the seven o’clock classes. It is to be hoped that the end of another year will see the completion of the street railway to the college, the erection of a com- fortable hospital, of a new botanical labora- tory, and of a pleasant and roomy chapel. ee Tre catalogue mentions that students are required to deposit $10 on board at the opening of the term. The constitution of the Boarding Club Association distinctly stutes that $20 shall be deposited at such time; and every steward knows how accept- ably it comes. If all students would get the habit of advancing $20, they would find it a much more satisfactory way. We also observe that the fact of the sus- pension of several students is noted in the catalogue. This seems almost on a par with the action of a boxer who strikes his oppo- nent in the face after he is down and at his mercy. Expulsion is a severe punishment, and it does not appear necessary or just to herald the fact of dismissal all over the country. Then there have been men expelled from colleges who left without a stain of any kind on their characters except that of upholding their companions in what they thought right. Others have been expelled because of actions which, if known to the world, would forever blacken their names, Shall these two classes be placed on equal standing before all men? —= We bespeak success for both the new pro- sessors, sketches of whose careers are in this issue. Lievt. Simpson, while at West Point, ranked high in Mathematical and Engineering studies. He much im- proved the Military Department here; has shown himself a most efficient instructor; and hus won the friendship and respect of the students and faculty of the college. has We take the following from the Arkansas Democrat: Prof. Howard Edwards is one of the ablest and most successful teachers in our state university. A man of exceptionally fine culture, gifted in the art of teaching and very popular with students, professors and the people at large, his place will be indeed hard to fill. ~ We are also in receipt of a letter from a prominent graduate of M. A. C., endorsing Prof. Edwards as a thoroughly successful teacher and a genuine man. Tue solution of the question regarding the price of text-books at the college is still before us. As astep in the direction of a settlement it has been suggested that the students’ Organization act as a co-operative association, become incorporated if necessary, levy asmall fee on each member, choose a steward or stewards, and through them pur- chase the required books and stationery. A co-operative book store was for some years in successful operation in Ann Arbor. On almost all text-books, except the most techni- cal, there was an average reduction of about twenty-five per cent from the regular retail price, and on stationery of at least fifty per eent. Here are some of the differences in the latter: Pads for which we pay 25 cents, for 8 cents, Envelopes “ “To “of go Note books “ “go ff oe ae fi ck ade #1.10 " 5a Thus a member would get back his fees when he bought his first lot of stationery. The running expenses could not be great. Under proper restrictions, and when once organized, it would not require more time than an energetic student could give to it. Now is this scheme a practical one for us? | At any rate let us not be taxed twenty-five per cent on-the money we invest in books, if we have a means of preventing it, Will not the Students’ Organization give some attention to the matter? THE SPECULUM, it Tue establishment of an electric street rail- way system in Lansing has revived the time- worn subject of an extension of a line to the college. We have it directly from one of the Lansing Company that nothing will be done at present about it. The company is busy getting the new enterprise into working order and can give no attention to us until spring anyway. However the gentleman interviewed said that they are willing to do anything they can for Lansing’s prosperity. Now the advantages to the college of such an extension of the jine have been dwelt upon heretofore, and are gencrally conceded by the students, faculty and friends of the institution. But would there be no recipro- cal benefit to the city? There is no town in the country that is not eager to become a college town and scarcely one that is not benefited by it. Why not Lansing? The boarding of many students—ladies, summer students and others, a much freer and larger trade, and the advanced value of real estate adjacent to Michigan Avenue, would be among the financial results to Lansing. It has been suggested that a good sized and attractive park could be made from the low lands between the Trowbridge road and the college property. Such a work would be inexpensive but of inestimable value as a recreative spot for the city people. Then, too, the more intimate mingling of the progres- sive thought of the college and the culture of Lansing people would perhaps be as helpful to them as to us, If the public spir- ited citizens of Lansing wish the benefits of the railway they can have them without very We hope they will take hold of the enterprise.. great exertions. Tue attendance at the Sunday afternoon preaching service does not do credit to the religious or moral sentiment of the college. The causes are perhaps not hard to discover. In the first place, because held in the chapel where we meet almost daily, the impression of achkurch service is largely lost. That a, can not be remedied at present. Again, the services come at the wrong time of day. The middle of the afternoon is not the time we are accustomed to attend church when at home. Especially during the summer months, it is the most uncomfortable part of the day to sit for an hour in a warm room and on hard seats, and the most attractive for rest. Then the ministers come in regular rotation, and the tastes of the students are not at all consulted. It is no discredit to any of the Lansing clergy that the students pre- fer some few of them. Indeed, the men who now preach to us labor under the diffi- culty of speaking toacritical audience when least prepared for it, because three sermons a day are too many for any man. Usually the sermons are not especially designed. for usas college students, and even though in themselves good sermons, still are not attrac- tive to us. This condition of things can not exist long without harm to the College. Church attendance and the knowledge gained from vigorous presentations of religious truth, are essential to an educated man, even if he be no Christian. It seems to us that the only remedy is to get the best known ministers of this and neighboring States to preach to us. We can then have services in the forenoon, and have a sermon more in harmony with our modes of thought. Of course it will cost more, but that would be a small item compared with the benefits received. It. is only justice to us to make a change. It may be that the Board of Agriculture can not at present see their way clear to furnish the necessary money. And indeed a much bet- ter way of arranging the matter would be a gift to the College of say $30,000, the inter- est of which would be sufficient to enable us to hear some of the very best pulpit talent. Will none aid? When the new student at Johns Hopkins looks around from the piles of buildings to the busy streets on either side and asks where the campus is, he learns that it is three miles from the city, at Clinton, the old estate of the founder of the University. THE SPECULUM. gk Sa mee ee een aE COLLEGE NEWS. ee ee ee a Married, Ned and Mollie. The new catalogues are printed. The ¥. M. C. A. hand-books are out. Prof. Corbin’s mother arrived last week. Miss Sinclair was visited by her sister recently. Mrs. Dr. Grange has been visiting her old home in Canada. The library will be open during the summer vacation. The Delts picnicked at Grand Ledge, Saturday, August 1. A series of lectures will be given by the Y. M. C. A. ext year. Farmers are coming nearly every day to visit the institution. The summer students have taken laboratory work in Entomology. President Clute will speak at P. of I. meeting at Grand Ledge. D. 5. Kelley, of Columbus, O., was a guest at the college recently, Lieutenant Simpson's father and sister have visited the grounds lately. Prof. L. R. Taft celebrated the second ** Fourth” on July 29, It's a girl. The Hesperian society will occupy the hall vacated by the Union Lits, R. J. Cleland, "$9, made a flying visit to the college on his way to Grand Rapids. Mrs. Durand, who has-been quite feeble during the summer, is now much improved, The challenge of the Juniors to play the College a game of foot-ball was not accepted. Mrs, Ella Kedzie, teacher of drawing at Olivet, is spending a few days at Dr. Kedzie’s. Miss Mabel Linkletter, formerly with the class of ‘gt, will enter the Junior class next fall. Fifteen summer students have completed a course in practical dissection and study of the anatomy of vertebrates. Many M. A. C. professors and graduates are taking active part in the North Lansing Grange, J. D. Tower is master. Cc. F. Wheeler, L. H. Dewey and C. Yoshida botan- ized in the vicinity of Hamburg and Howell the first of last month, Dr. Kedzie has been appointed to atlend the meet- ing of the official Agricultural Chemists, to be held at Washington. During the severe storm of August 3, lightning struck an elm tree about seventy feet north of Dr, Beal's house. year. Miss E. L. Fisher, preceptress of the United States Indian School in Pennsylvania, was a guest of Mrs, Clute last week. A class of twenty summer students has been organ ized in Geology. The lectures are given in the morn- ing before chapel. Mrs. Wm. McBain, formerly Miss Eva D. Coryell, the first lady graduate of this College, was a recent guest at Dr. Beal's. On Saturday, July 29, the Shakspeare Club and Prof. Cook's class in Geology visited Grand Ledge, where they had a most delightful time. The ¥. M. C. A. will have the first Friday evening of each month hereafter for lectures, socials, and vari- ous entertainments. Wednesday evening, July 23, Dr. and Mrs. Kedzie gave an entertainment in honor of President Fairchild, to all those who had known him at this institution. The six assistant professors are hereafter to be regu- lar attendants at faculty meetings, where they will have all the rights of the other members. Dr. Kedzie returned, Saturday night, from Brown- helm, Ohio, where he went in response to a telegram announcing the death of his wile’s father. There will be a dress parade and review of the Cadet Corps Thursday, August 14. Governor Luce and staff have been invited to attend. Recent additions to the Museum are two diamond rattle snakes, one from Texas and one from Louisiana, and one of the black type from Pennsylvania, Hon. L. Clute, brother of President Clute, visited the College last week. He was a delegate to the Pro. hibition convention, of which he was made president. G. H. Hicks, of Owosso, was here last week examin- ing the botanical collections. He is an enthusiastic botanist, and owns a large collection of western plants, Mr. L. H. Dewey has returned from Detruit, where he took a government examination in botany. It is rumored that a positionis awaiting him at Washing ton. Prof, W. L. Carpenter, who is secretary of the Re- publican leazue of Detroit, visited the College a few days since. He was accompanied by his wife and child. As is usual in selecting heads of departments, Prof. Davenport was elected professor of agriculture for one He is now elected to hold the position indefi- nitely. E. A. Burnett and P. G. Holden will spend their vacation in the regions of Traverse City and Bay View. Both will speak at a farmers’ meeting to be held at Benzonia. judge Cahill, while visiting the College. not long since, remarked that if the street railway comes out here we will have one thousand students in less than ten years. THE SPECULUM. Quite a number of students, including graduates | from this College, the Normal School, and other col- leges, are working for the degree of M. 5. from this institution. Dr. James F, Baldwin and wife recently visited the former's sister, Mrs, Cook, Dr, Baldwin spent the year 1871 studying at the college, and will send a son here next term. ‘Hon, A. 8. Partridge, who was nominated for gov- ernor by the Prohibition convention, and who is presi dent of the Patrons of Industry, will send a son to M. A. C, next term. On Friday evening, August 1, Prof. Davenport and wife entertained the older members of the faculty and some of the summer students.