The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-12
v1cAR1oUs AUTHORSHIP.

It was, we believe, bishop of Oxford
who, at the request Of vestry, under
took to reprove rector in his diocese
for the evident lack of study and prepar-
alton disclosed in his sermons, and who
added to his kindly admonition the
assertion that it was quite inexcusable
in clergyman to deliver third-rate dis
courses OF his own, when by reading
those of others 1T was without fraud and
without offense within his power
to utilize, and that at small expense, the
brains of ADLER men than himself. The
retort was crushing. The delinquent
had been in the habit for several years
of using printed sermons, and those he
had preferred were the compositions OF
his censor, the right reverend prelate
That even in our own day the dem and
for such vicarious inspiration Of the pull
pit has not died out, we may almost GER
tainly take for granted, and many Of US,
with recollections Of occasional drowsy
pressing, would possibly be inclined to
consider the bishops recommendation
both justifable and desirable.
How far this same license of vicarious
authorship may be permitted to the
orator is another matter and one not SO
easy of decision it cannot be denied
that he who has avalled himself of it is
in very awkward predicament when
the same press which has rung with
tributes to his glowing periods, chroni-
cles the fact of his being dunned for the
cost Of his eloquence. In any case the
matter is one of supply and demand.
While there exists market for the sale
of sermons and speeches there will
always be found literary Bohemians
enough to deem themselves we'll com.
pensated for the possible loss Of fame by
the actual presence of the almighty dol
lar.
But the most recent development in
production for the market OF vicarious
authorship is one about whose tendency
to deception and positive wrong there
can be no manner Of doubt in the mind
of any thinking man or woman, for il
threatens to undermine all the old love
of fair play and resolute endeavor that
was supposed to be, and let us believe is
still, the special characteristic of our
schools, our colleges and our universe
ties. An eastern tirm-we do not wish
to advertise it by giving Its name-has
issued glowing prospectus, Offering for
the use of students and at reasonable
rates, as they put it, essays, compost.
tions, oratlons, debates, and many other
results of mental effort. If these fabri-
cations should ever be used by any stu
dent on the plea that they afford him
more leisure for athletic pursuits, tina,
student has no conception of the reason
OF his collegiate existence, he ought tc
leave forever an institution with which
he is SO completely out of touch, anc
throw in his fortunes with a professional
baseball nine or a travelling circus. Il
any student should ever condescend or
the plea of Incidence and inadaptabilit,
to resort to such miserable subterfuge
there is small hope that he will evel
awaken to the consciousness of tn,
mental training, of the manly upright
ness of heart he has wantonly cast from
him, and if any student should be so ia
lost to all sense of honor and comrade
ship as to use one or any of these pro
auctions in examinations or trials tina
are competitive, it is to be sincerel,
hoped for his own sake that the author
tiles Of the institution he dishonors vii
recognize at once the attempted decep
ton and promptly dismiss him iron