PUBLIC LIBRARY 147693 ABTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1990. OBERLIN REVIEW. Volume XV. Tuesday, September 27, 1887. Nuaber 1. THE OBERLIN REVIEW. criticisms it may invite, will be directed by the PUBLISHED BY THE UNION LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF EDITORS. J. R. COMMONS, '88.. T. R. MCROBERTS, '88. SOCIETY EDITORS. ELLA B. DOWNEY, '88, L. L. S. HARRIET V. HARRISON, 'SS, Aelioian, Į F. A. HAZELTINE, '89, Phi Delta, C. J. CHAMBERLAIN, 'ss, Phi Kappt Pi C. S. PATTON, '88.. M. M. METCALF, '89. EDITORIAL. sincere purpose of benefiting our readers and A CHANGE has been made this term in our marking system, and another feature, belonging peculiarly to Oberlin, namely, the traEDITOR-IN-CHIEF.ditional "6," has departed, no more to gladden ASSOCIATE EDITOR. the eyes of her students. The "5" has taken its place and in spite of the fear that returning alumni, seeing only "5's" upon our cards, may be strengthened in a still greater degree in their opinion that the scholarship of their day was vastly superior to that of ours, we welcome the Much trouble was formerly occasioned by the difference between the marking standard FINANCIAL MANAGER. of our college and that of other institutions, whose students have come to us-the difference necessitating a re-arrangement of their grades THE COLLEGE WORLD. PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. 5's. ASSISTANT MANAGER. PUBLISHED FORTNIGHTLY DURING THE COLLEGE YEAR. ONE YEAR $1.50. SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS. in the studies previously pursued. The adop FOR SALE AT REGAL'S BOOKSTORE. tion of the standard 5" obviates this difficulty, as the decimal system is largely in use in other Communications pertaining to subscriptions or advertising should institutions. be addressed to the Financial Manager. Contributions and items of interest are earnestly solicited from students, graduates and others. WHAT HAT is literary plagiarism? Nearly every one admits that there are no new ideas under the sun. We know that Shakespeare is Entered at the Postoffice at Oberlin, Ohio, as second-class mail indebted to his predecessors for his plots and devices, and yet he stands at the head of the matter. WITH this issue the new Board of Editors creative geniuses of the English language. Mil makes its bow from the pages of ton's ideas are so plainly those of the ancient the REVIEW. With an earnest determination classics with which he had so thoroughly stored to continue the charge entrusted to us along the his memory, as to call out the frequent combest lines of progress we take up our new work, ment of all who boast acquaintance with general fully convinced, however, that our success will literature. The originality of Wordsworth, who depend upon the cordial co-operation of the is called the most original poet of the English students, whose paper this is, and of all who are tongue, is nearly all found in his exaltation of interested in Oberlin. We earnestly solicit puny and little things, and often becomes an this co-operation, which if granted, will take unreal expansion of what is purely commontwo substantial forms; one, a ready and prompt place-akin somewhat to James Whitcomb response in furnishing literary contributions Riley's "valuable lessons which we can learn and items of interest; and another, a willingness from the peanut." to add your own name to the subscription list It is not a searching for originality that we instead of borrowing your neighbor's copy. Our want, but a searching for vivid impressions. If method of conducting the REVIEW, whatever your impressions are bold and sure; if you state them close to the truth, you will assuredly put theme during the term, and such subjects as forward ideas which have occurred to thousands "Bimetalism," "Taxation" and "Protection vs. Free Trade" have already been announced. This method of work is an innovation in used by Professor Ranke in Berlin, it has been adopted in all the leading universities in Europe and America. No system is better adapted to reach the kernel of education, namely, thought and independent research. of people before you, and which you have yourself met with many a time. But what of that? The ideas now are yours, if you have Oberlin and a most pleasing one. Since first fully felt them and they come forth naturally and take a place in your line of thought which they exactly fit. If they are yours indeed, however old or bandied about, they will have a certain aptness, will form an indispensable link in your chain of thought, and only those who cannot themselves assimilate the results of others thinking will call you a plagiarist. PROFE It is especially gratifying that a club has been formed for the purpose of studying the great practical questions of the day. College men are called visionary and non-practical by those who ROFESSOR MONROE has thrown down cannot understand the nature of most of their the gauntlet-where it fell there it lay-work. Politics, it is true, has little interest for resulting in putting monthly rhetoricals in the them so long as it means fighting for office, category with by-gone institutions. The Fac- mud-throwing and the bloody shirt; but as soon ulty do not belittle the advantages which public as the great political and social questions aprhetoricals ought to have brought forth; nor has pear-many of which have even yet not appeared it been their aim to lessen the students' efforts to many observers-we see our colleges preparin oratory; other means more satisfactory willing a generation of statesmen. Politics are be adopted. Only second to the regular studies, non-practical more often than colleges. society work is of pre-eminent importance to all our college students. Especially should the AT THE beginning of the college year, when students, old and new, are gathering here to carry on their college work, it seems fitting to say a few words in regard to one of Oberlin's greatest defects-its comparative lack of the social element. underclass men consider it of great value to enter one of the societies. Here it is acknowledged by all that the best endeavors in literary work are done. There is a stimulus to do excellent work that seems to be peculiar to the society; and now that public rhetoricals are We readily admit that our prime object in abolished, the necessity of becoming members Oberlin is study, and that we do study and prois still more evident, since the earnestness, the gress intellectually is proven by the number of enthusiasm, and hearty sympathy of the stu-capable young men and women sent out by our dents, the lack of which was the prime cause of its destruction, are all present in any one and all the literary societies. alma mater yearly. Yet study is, after all, but a means to an end, and that end the most symmetrical development of our various powers which will best fit us for will not accomplish this end. It is only as social culture is joined to intellectual culture that man reaches his perfection as a social being. N connection with the regular class in Polit-the life work which awaits us. But study alone ical Economy, Professor Monroe has organized a club of independent workers for the special investigation of topics connected with that study. The club is to meet weekly for an informal talk by the Professor, and to gain th benefit of such suggestions from each other as may be of service. About twenty of the class have signified their intention of joining the club. Each of these is expected to prepare a istry, law, medicine or business. In the busy round of student life, we too often neglect, or are deprived of this social culture-the acquiring of that social ease, composure, dignity, and, above all, tact, which we need, whether, in the future, we enter upon the min HALLO! MY FANCY. Hallo! my fancy, where wilt thou lead me? twilight woods, by massive trees? "Oh, Soul of my charge, it is none of these, Social gatherings among the students here are limited in number, and the attendance upon these is generally restricted to members of the class giving them. The preparatory department suffers in this even more than does the college. We are wholly without those pleasant general receptions-not necessarily elaborate-In which are features of so many other colleges, and which seem to bring together Faculty and students, and students of different departments and classes, strengthening the tie between them. But the thing most to be regretted, is that we see so little of our Faculty, outside of the class room. It frequently happens that students are here two or three years before meeting more than one or two of the Professors socially. To the students this is a great loss, for it can but be that a better knowledge of the cultivated, refined and learned men, who compose our Faculty, and a closer intercourse with them, would have a most excellent effect upon the culture, both intellectual and social, of the students. The desire to know the members of the Faculty better is general among the students, and we hope that such an acquaintance will be realized. Certain it is, that the social element must enter into our college life more largely, since it is one of the factors in the problem of Oberlin's progress as an educational institution. WING to the sickness and absence of Miss Harrison, her place upon the REVIEW staff has been filled for the time by the election of Miss Anna H. Gurney. A student of English literature, on being asked to give an outline of the "Lady of the Lake," looked hopeless, then desperate and finally said: "The horse died at the end of the first Canto. A Senior says his summer observations have led him to conclude that there are more babies in the State of Michigan than in any other State in the Union. What led to such observation is entirely another matter. Through which the north-wind whistles and calls. The great white throne we saw one day Are there as plain as plain may be. Then is it my garden with encircling wall? More to me will he confide Than he uttered to all the world beside, Bat my shivering fancy had lost her mirth, That our fair hopes and dreams so gay had fled From the beautiful castle in Spain. clay. SENIORIC EPISODE.-Mr. L. was "attending" a doctor's office. A deaf mute lady entered. She was made to understand by wondrous gesticulations that the doc- In all my house of clouds there were left only shrouds, tor would be in at a later hour. She called again, but In which I laid away my dead hopes, now turned to it wasn't the same lady; and when Mr. L. explained to the doctor that he would have to communicate by means of a slate and pencil, and heard the supposed dumb patient ask Who is deaf?" he left the room, wishing that a millstone and his neck had long ago made the acquaintance of the bottom of the sea. Yet sometime they will rise. My fancy's wings so rare will perhaps be yet more fair; Henrietta B. Williams. SEA-DREAMING. only pointed to a distant star aud asked its history yet again. Earth the old man called it. Moonlight on the waters-the surf rolling in, then the young man cried out, "Oh, my master, sweeping up in foamy stretches on the beach-, the air so balmy sweet it seems like nectar food for gods-mystic shadow-glorious light-no wonder the pulse of the grand old ocean beats and throbs in simple joy that earth is beautiful. but sadder," and he left him, that one world, that more than glorious star is always calling to me. Like a loadstone drawing, drawing ever it woos my heart to it. It comes at night into my dreams and beckons, it commands, it woos, and wins! It will not come to me, but, oh, my teacher, thou must Piles of driftwood-bits of wreck-what surely bid me go to it!" and at the old man's charming rest they offer all the while that men feet he fell felt his tears fall slowly on disdainful wander by-here let me find a quiet him-felt his han in sorrow touch himplace and think the thoughts that please me. heard low words but would not heed themSoftly the moonbeams quiver and laugh and only said, "Oh, let me go." "G), my child,” skilfully paint me a golden path that stretches at last so sadly spoke the teacher; "g but when way down across the water and woos me away thy fancy fades thou wilt return and wiser be, to heaven, and a dainty yacht like a bride dressed out in her snowy-white robes, lies out A grander night than this hath yet no morthere at anchor just midway, and it rocks with tal ever seen; the great moon at her full poured the tide and beckons to me. I am still, and the her wealth of glory gran lly round like a great song of the ocean brings to my mind a song and generous queen whose boundless wealth that was sung me in years that are gone. may not give out nor she cease from her giving. Away, way back in time out of mind, while yet | The ocean tide was running high and beating in the old earth was forming, this same vast with sounding echoes on the shore. A curious ocean, only vaster, rolled its mighty waves in shape was thrown up there and lay stretched gladness and played in deep, grand harmony out still upon the shining sand. See that the song the morning stars were singing. No white spot that gleams in the light; is it a face, man paced its lonely strand nor used its strength or a shell, or a pearl, that the rock, all seaweed, to work his puny will, but a wondrous ocean-entwined and entangled, has caught? Let me queen was ruler of its depths, mistress of its wait, for the sea-queen is coming, she walks in storms, and sovereign of its peace. So it was, her beauty. Like the sound of dropping water then, on earth; but in the moon, that now "as is her footfall coming nearer, like the shining satellite attends," a race of men were living mist of fountains in the night with soft light on whose race itself, Time even, long ago forgot. it is her hair all rippling round her, and her And one man, an ancient teacher like our own voice in perfect chord with nature's sweetest great Socrates, walked up and down among the music floats on to me like the sound of many hills and taught most worshipful disciples--one waterbrooks that run down pleasant places! of whom--a boy-was always with him.drinking Now she stops and lays her white hand on that in his every word, as birds at fountains drink, strangely gleaming spot, twines an arm around and lift adoring eyes to drink again. He learned beneath it, lifts it into clearer light. And her the wondrous story of the rocks, the tale of touch revives and quickens but the life that forming worlds, the mysteries of the stars. He comes to live again is strange and new to her, grew to manhood's stature, then the aged the marble rock takes on a form of wondrous teacher saw a strained look come into eyes that beauty, the seaweed is but locks of curling hair; ever had been clear as wells of deep, still water, the eyes that meet her eyes are human ones and felt a change come in his manner, knew some tender, filled with wonder as her own, and it is secret grief was wearing him. He questioned, not strange to fancy that then Love, who never but the young man would not then reveal it-lived before, was born! The sea-queen glides down to the water-brink, she plunges in the see the water rising higher-see it creeping up leaping wave and the stranger follows after the shore, heaving high its royal bosom, then I have read: they say the tide comes in, but I know the sea "A sea-king with a voice of waves and treach-queen, mourning ever, sees the bright world erous soft eyes and slippery locks, you cannot where her heart is, calls her lost one, strives to kiss, but you shall bring away their salt upon reach him, and 'tis she that swells the ocean in your lips!" her passion, till all spent and weary she can raise herself no higher and she lets the water sink back slowly, slowly-sobbing as it steals away. Polyanthus. SIX WEEKS IN QUEBEC. In a cavern deep she hid him where the water lapped the floor and like notes of tender music dropped in rythmic measure down the rocky wall. Gleaming gems blazed royally, shells of pearl and rosy hue, seaweed draped his couch with beauty, seaweed wreathed his queen. Graceful forms of rare sea-maidens, dainty First, how to get there. If you enjoy lake nymphs who loved to serve, flitted airily about travel, the Lake Shore R. R. will sell you a him, sang sweet songs that lulled to rest. ticket, good for three months, for the round. At last a storm came up on ocean and its bil-trip from Cleveland to Montreal for $25. lows rared and tossed so madly, threatened death and such distruction, rose so high and stili rose higher, thundered so and clamored fearfully, that their queen might not but go and lay her peace upon them, go and show herself in beauty, soothe them into rest. Then she made her fatal error, as she left her lover's side, She looked back perhaps in sorrow on him, bade her nymphs deal kindly with him, maybe, then she left him—she was called to labor in her sphere, to speed from pole to pole and soothe the troubled powers that be! Before you leave Cleveland, telegraph to Toronto for your state room, otherwise you may have to pass the night on the cabin floor, as the travel down the St. Lawrence in July and especially in August is very heavy. You go by rail from Cleveland to Lewiston, a village a few miles beyond Niagara, stopping at the Falls if you wish. From Lewiston you have a three hours' ride by steamer across the end of Lake Ontario to Toronto. As soon as you are fairly launched, you are told that the Canadian custom house officer wants to inspect your baggage Ere the ocean settled back to gentler mood, a on the lower deck. Accordingly you unlock crescent moon showed fitfully among the drift- trunks and satchels and reveal every corner to ing clouds and one long, wistful ray crept down his searching eyes, but as you have nothing but underneath the water, touched with tender kiss wearing apparel with you no duty is imposed. the sleeping eyes within the sea-queen's cavern. If you wish, you can stop over at Toronto, and then was gone-but quick the sleeper woke and you will find a well-built, flourishing city of bade the sea-nymphs raise him into upper air. 100,000 population. Its wide streets, large, high Gently chiding, they obeyed him, till he saw well-lighted stores, fine hotels, new streets his own fair home again and it was smiling on opening and building up in its suburbs, and him--its two arms stretched out to meet him, most of all the push and bustle everywhere like a mother tempting back her child! And manifest, will almost make you think that you when with all her realm subdued the ocean are in Denver, or Kansas City, or Minneapolis. queen came back, she found the cave all dark -deserted, found her maidens not in waiting, knew her loved one gone forever, and her bitter, bitter sorrows never death nor time may heal, And to-day she still is weeping-all the ocean tastes of tears-and her sobbing puts the sad- Before leaving Toronto, buy your ticket from ness in the sobbing of the waves. When men Montreal to Quebec and telegraph to Montreal Toronto is the metropolis of Western Canada, and is well connected by water and rail with the thriving towns and productive farming country of that region and has a solid basis for its trade and wealth. |