The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-05-16
Life mt Cambridge, Massachusetts,.

In Cambridge life there is happy
mixture Of high aims, prosaic details
and agreeable companionships- some
what disturbed during three-quarters 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 is not too much
shut away from the stir of the great
world. Like its highways, it becomes
rutted The very recreahons which
professors, literary men, studious ladies,
and cultivated professional people seek
at evening parties is often only o pro-
longation Of the mental exercise involved
in their work. The tone of conversation
is largely critical. Even scandal may be
said here to assume the form of ''analy-
sis" How seriously Cambndgeans
sometimes take the practical minutiR OF
life will be guessed when it is whispered
that lady who could not make her
house furnace work well attended q
course of austerely technical lectures ON
thermo-dynamicsi
Dancing is rare diversion, excepting
for young girls and undergraduates. A
Methodist preacher, who looked on ut a
small dancing party at private house In
Cambridge, observed with sectarian hu-
NOR that the young women went through
their quadrilles and waltzes as grayely as
if they were under conviction" Clubs
of ladies', or ladies and gentlemen to-
gether, are numerous; but they are often
rather 10 be described as classes for the
study of languages German, italian,
nh 0k
formed for this object, they make essay
reading, the study of literature, or anna
teur acting, their aim. One dramatic
company in especial, embracing members
from sundry families of the greatest Soc
ial consequence, has held q 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 a club among
professors and instructors IN the univer-
sity here always failed, though these
gentlemen have their small clubs for the
pursuit of specialties in which they are
interested. OF anything more than
diIlettante interest In literature outside OF
the college, and, excepting Mr.. Long
fellow and such men as John Fiske, or
T. w. Higginson, there Is very little. IL
is startling fact that Cambridge in
fluences have not been fructifying In this
direction. Young writer's are not well
coined, and the men of established re-
nown appear Indifferent rs 10 whether
literary vitality shall continue or cease
on jtiis ground, which is generally
thought 10 be consecrated 10 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 sacrt-
feed to the desire for specializing culture.
Perhaps Harvard thinks its proper duty
better fulfilled by perfecting means fT
educating the average undergraduate
mind in aecordance with o higher stand
ard than heretofore. But id is a question
whether il ought not 10 encourage actual
production instead Of mere criticism, and
to stimulate literary growth outside of
the class room Correspondent Neto
AOTN AIfo"tc. f.rf r .r