Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-11-25
PROVIDENCE.
COLLEGE PRIZES.


The subject OF College Prizes, AMI the fate of an
Essay, 20 which was awarded medallion, has, of
late. caused a lit.e excitement, within and without
The walls Of Brown University; and we have bee
so often called upon TO say something relative t.
that we shall ask the indulgence of the reader for
moment. We do not, however feel so far inter-
ested, as to induce us to make an assault on
the gentlemen composing the Committee, which
awarded the prizes--and we will add, that whstev-
er may have been the opinion Of others, We do not
think that they liable to the least censure for
not dateciip~ pslpahle plagiarism, paimed upon
them by an individual, to whom it would do no
good to aude; and that il cannot be expected that
every man has read every thing.
In this place, however, it may not be improper to
remark, that the business of awarding prizes lor
composition, has thus far proved very Improbable,
and in our opinion never result favorably to
edy, among the students, many who excel in NJ
position and defamation but it is very uncertain.
that the individuals to whom the prizes award.
ed, are really entitled to them nor is il always
the case, that the most meritorous successful.
Family, wealth, and other considerations, which
ought never to swerve the opinions Of the judge too
often have prepouderating influence. aud the lol-
terhead is sometimes successful in gaining prize.
whilst the truly meritorious are neglected.
We have had the pleasure of reading some of the
essays submitted to the Commi tee, which we know
to be original, and which were decidedly superior
10 tbo nc, 70 pla hat nltainpr th.
prize; and they were, for reasons which we shall
not here assign, passed unnotced and neglected.
Ii is far from our intention to the Committee,
who presided on recent occasion, with Partially;
but it is passing strange that one of the productions
which were rejected, did not obtain preference
over the plagiarism. We will not say how this
happened, for we are not anxious to awaken heart
burnlngs or ill-natured feelings but were we at
liberty to express opinions. they would not be
altogether in favor OF the impartialty of those, who
ought to act without acknowledging the influence
OF wealth, or the considerations connected with ia
mily alliances
As to the practice of offering prize essays, we OBJ
ject to it altoge her inexpedient, Improbable,
and "a prcdHetive Of no good. If young man ,s
successful, on one Of these occasions, it impresses
HIM with belief that his reputation is established
he becomes indifferent as to his ultimate success,
and whilst he struts through society, with medal
lion attached to his person. he considers himself
kind of Dem- od and fancies tina. II is unnecessa
ry for him to make another effort to sustain his
putation Beside all this, the practice offers induce
ments to the dull, conceited coxcomb, to commit
literary frauds, i'll order to obtain prize; and thus
the truly meritorous often neglected, whilst
the literary theft receives the merted honors of vir
tuous and merltorous genius. The result oithe re-
cent trial at our University, has proved as much as
this; and, although we are not forward to meddie
with what the sages Of that Institution may deem
most meet, we indulge hope that the trial will not
be again repeated.
There are thousand objections, that could be
urged agalns, the practise of offering prize awards;
lut az we have not time to spare, at this moment,
we shall not urge them. At another time, perhaps,
tae subject may be taken up, as we have been
strongly soGi Gited to say something concerning 1t, by
those who lake no small interest in the success
Grown University.
The attempt at trial Of literary" "speed and bot
toni," recently made at our University, was done
with u view of celebrating the eve OF the annversa-
~ OF the birthday the College in more ratio
nal way than nad on previous occasions prevailed
The result most unfortunate one, and as things
have terminated, should think 1t lar preferable
to make display OF the real light OF tallow anu
spernaceti, instead Of Offering miserable specimen
of the d-purloinsd-stoeu light OF tn
ir'uG,