The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-23

yOu VIII kTduudlly SeU your
mind to work in certain grooves
the grooves of thought. To think Will
them become easy. What Is easy is pleas
ant, and what is done easily and pleas
antly is generally done well. In a word,
you will have acquired the habit of think
ing, of thinking accurately and with pre-
cision.
But the habit of thinking, important as
it is, is not all an educated man is ex
pected to have. He must have culture.
Culture may be defined in the first place,
as result of an acquaintance with po-
lite literature. It Is the effect of the re-
finjng influence that flows from contact
with the pure and noble characters
of all ages and of all countries. 1t is an
absorption of the sweetness and light
found in good and wholesome books. 1t is
the result of the humanizing tendency
possessed by poetry, eloquence and the
fine arts. In order to acquire this cul-
ture you must come in contact with books,
with the noble literatures that adorn and
bless the age in which you live. But, even
in this day of cheap publications, it
Is out of the question for student to
buy such books as he ought to read. The
necessary text books are sometimes
found burden. l am glad to say that
we already have in connection with this
university the foundation of noble
library. During the present year extensive
additions will be made, and it is in con-
temptation to increase its capacity for
usefulness until it it capable of supplying
every reasonable want.
This is all thrown open to you without
charge; you can enter "the world of
thought, the world of Dream" and enjoy
its privileges without money and with
out price" The value of this opportu
ni5y for the acquisition of culture is in
calculable. See to it that you wisely use
and conscientiously improve what has
been so generously provided by the
bounty of the state. Culture, in the
second place, may be defined 9s the re-
suit of that broadening influence, which
the study of science always induces as
the result of that mental widening which
sometimes finds its beginning and al
ways its consummation in the study of
nature. A characteristic of this
manifestation of culture is the alb
sence of narrow-mindedness of
prejudice,of bigotry, and the presence of
liberal ideas and broad views. 1t seems
simple thing to know that every question
has two sides, yet the lack on this knowl-
edge kindled the fires of Smithfield, and
buried alive the Calvanists of Flanders;
and it is largely due to science, to scien
Uitic methods, and to the broadening in
| tluence of the study of science, that to-day
men are not burned, nor women drowned
'for opinions sake" Now, it is not in
the power of every one to study
the sciences advantageously. Apparatus
is necessary, but apparatus is not always
in reach. Laboratories are necessary, but
laboratories are costly things, Only large
institutions with ample endowments can
offer such facilities. 1 am glad to say
that as the students of the University of
Texas, you have exceptional facilities in
this respect. To a chemical school and
laboratory, already equipped, and ply
sicoal school and laboratory, about to be
more fully equipped, the regents design
adding perhaps, during the present year, a
school of geology sand mineralogy. In
the course of few years, we hope to have
all the great departments of science re-
presented by distinct schools and indivl.
dual professors. l would urge you to i'm
prove to the utmost your present oppor-
tunities in this respect, and thus secure
the culture that science brings to its vo-
| taries.
But something else is needed before
man can be called fully educated. A well
trained intellect is essential, and so, also,
are the refnements and liberal views char
acteristic of culture. But a man must, in
addition, have developed and rounded
moral nature. He must have grown in
uprightness, in probity, and in a sincere
desire for the right because it is right.
To thoroughly educated man duty is the
sublimest word in the language. All
other considerations, honor, profit, re-
nown, ease, pleasure, are absorbed in the
one inquiry: is it my duty?
To reach this stage of mental develop
ment is no easy task Many men never
reach 1t. Those who do have had to prac-
tice self-denial, self-restraint, and con-
slant self-inspection of motives and
principles of actions. This you will find
will be largely personal, individual mat
ter with each one of you; yet, in your at
tendance upon the university, you will
find many helps towards securing this
kind of mental growth. Among these helps
is the daily duty of being at given
pluSO dO u SiNOb billlO WlbH
prescribed task. Another help is the con-
seriousness, that In, all you do here you will
have to run the gauntlet of the criticisms
of your fellow students. You will be
helped by the hearty recognition which
manliness, and truthfulness always re-
ceives from young people, and by the
painfully honest way in which your faults
will be commented upon by those who
are no more polite than to tell one his
failings.
Another help you will have, is the
knowledge on your part that you are, or
will be in less than six months, thorough
ly known to the members of the faculty,
your teachers. This should be, and is a
powerful stimulus to the performance of
duty. No young man and no young
woman can afford to be Indifferent to the
opinion of those, who are placed in posi-
ton to form a correct judgment concern
ing his or her character. AS a general
rule no one is Indifferent, and the conse-
quence is, each one tries to do what IS
right and what is expected. Hence, a
growth in moral standing, develop
ment in consciousness of OBJ
legation, is natural result of educational
processes. Another help i'll the forma-
ton of correct views in regard TO right
nd turonn ia tho ayisfauoa IF aobooI 90