The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-08-03
Life at Cambridge. Massachusetts.
.
A Z o u t, l. J..
Reads Uoltajre, or Voltaire.

In Cambridge life there is happy
mixture of high aims, prosaic details,
and agreeable cOmpanionships- some
what disturbed during three-quRrters Of
the year by excessively muddy streets
and sidewalks, wherein people sometimes
leave their rubbers sticking while in the
pursuit Of social or intellectual pleasure.
Pleasant and peaceful as that country
town-like city is, however, there Is room
for question whether it ia not too much
shut away from the stir of the great
world Like its highways, it becomes
rutted. The very recreations which
professors, literary men, studious lRdies,
and cultivated professional people seek
at evening parties Is often only pro-
longation of the mental exercise involved
In their work. The tone of conversation
is largely critical. Even scandal may he
said here to assume the form of "analy-
SIS" How seriously Cambridgeans
sometimes take the practical minutiae of
life will be guessed when LIZ is whispered
that lady who could not make her
house furnace work well attended q
course of austerely technical lectures on
thermo- dynamics!
Dancing is rare diversion, excepting
for young girls and undergraduates. A
Methodist preacher, who looked on at q
small dancing party at q private house in
Cambridge, observed with sectarian hui
NOR that the young women went through
their quadrilles and waltzes as gravely as
if they were "under conviction" Clubs
of ladies, or ladies and gentlemen to-
.gether, are numefousI but they are often
rather to be described as classes for the
study of languages German, Italian,
Russian. or even Arabic; and when not
formed for this object, they make essay
reading, the study of literature, on anna
teur acting, their aim. One dramatic
company in especial, embracing members
from sundry families of the greatest Soc
ial consequence, has held brief season
each winter, for several years, during
which difficult plays are brought out in
excellent style, with scenery, mechanism,
and even music produced and executed
by amateurs Tickets are sold only to
friends of associate members, and the
performances are crowded. Strangely
enough, attempts to found aclub among
professors and instructors in the uniVeJ-
sity here always failed, though these
gentlemen have their small clubs for the
pursuit of specialties in which they are
interested. OF anything moro than a
Q1l1eLCaQGe INTEREST Ill uC6fAGuIc OuGS10e Oh
the college, and, excepting Mr.. Long
fellow and such men as John Fiske, or
T. W. Higginson, there is very little. It
is startling fact that Cambridge in
fuepces have not been frHctifying in this
direction. Young writers are not well
coined, and the men of established re-
nown appear Indifferent as to whether
literary vitality shall continue or cease
on this ground, which is generally
thought to be consecrated to fruitful
thoughts and imagination. Meanwhile
inspiration, breadth of sympathy and
aims, and all tendency TO express sturdilY
strong ideas and sentiments of national
or general human value, are being sacri-
feed to the desire for specializing culture.
Perhaps Harvard thinks its proper duty
better fulfilled by perfecting means for
educating the average undergraduate
mind in accordance with a higher stand 4
ard than heretofore. But it is question
whether it onght not TO encourage actual
production instead of mere criticism. and
to stimulate literary growth outside OF
the class COFresp Og1der1t NeaO
York Tribune.