The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-04-10
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
ENGLISH.

|
the course 1t includes study of the |
grammar, English literature, old and mod |
ern English, English composition, rhetoric. |
The textbook in grammar, Whitney's |
Essentials of English Grammar, is made |
constant use of during the entire course as
a book of reference.
Weekly exercises are given in compost
tion so that the student will be able to
write plain, properly spelled and punctuat-
ed composition in which the thoughts are
arranged in logical order and clothed in
elegant language. It is the intention to
give the student correct understanding Of
the English language and to famlliarize him
with its history and characteristics SO that
he may have firm basis for all subsequent
investigations in the literature. Undoubt-
edly it is duty to become acquainted first
of all with our mother tongue. The neces-
sity of more drill in the elements of the
language is plainly seen in common CONVEX
sation where we find the language often
horribly butchered. 1t is not enough to be
able simply to convey ideas; our degree of
correctly in beautiful language.
The course in political economy is so ar
ranged that the student may become ac-
quainted with the principles and philosophy
of the science. So much time as is avail
able is devoted to the consideration of the
social and political problems of the day.
The subjects of ethics and mental philos-
ophy are taken up in the fourth year.
President Arnold is director of the Ex-
pertinent Station and his time is about
equally divided between teaching, station
work and such work as naturally falls on
the president of such institution.
HISTORY, DRAWING AND LANGUAGES.
Although the study of language is op-
| tional, yet the classes in German and
French are well filed.
| Recognition is taken of the fact that the
| most certain way to use a language effect.
ually is to make practical use OF it in con-
versation, hence this forms an essential part
of each recitation. Every effort is made to
! enable the student to read huently and
translate correctly.
The increase of the German population
makes it matter of business, as well as
an elegant accomplish ment, to understand
their language. Germany and France are
not silent by any means in scientific re-
searches. We wish to take advantage of
their discoveries, but the results appear
published in their own languages; if We are
not to depend Oh the probability of a trans
lation we must be able to read ourselves.
Familiarity with any foreign language
makes man more proficient in his own.
All literature loses its beauty when trans
| lated. The power of Goethe or Hugo can
not be felt without reading the original.
Prof. Berchtold also has first years class
in Latin. On account of lack of time in
this department President Arnold has
charge of the second year class in Latin for
the present
The study of history includes ancient,
medieval and modern history. United
States history is treated as a separate
branch.
Attention is given to the development OF
the civilization and political sy stems of our
own country.
The class in general history, which is the
same as the class in drawing, is the largest
in the college, containing about fifty mem
} bers.
History is valuable not only for the pur
pose of knowing how people have lived II
times past but also as an instrument in the
hands of the statesman to be used in direct
ing the affairs of the government, ''Te
Judge the future by the past" Cicero, one
of the most celebrated Of Roman authors
SAYS: Ignorance of the events and trans
actions of former time condemns us to per
petual childhood; from this condition o
mental darkness we are rescued by history
which supplies us with its friendly light t
view the instructive events of past ages ant
| to collect wisdom from the conduct O
others, and as there are particular coun
tries from which we have. derived the mos
| important information in religion, arts
science and literature, we ought CAREFUL
to inspect the pages Of their interestin
records.
) A valuable addition to this study. soon
be made. is a collection OF several hundre
photographs, representing views of differer
battle fields, mountains, Cities monuments
+ renowned structures and other items OF II
. terest in the world There are already on
dered five large wall maps. illustrating tn
different periods of history. The aim IS
give the student knowledge, first of b
own country and then of as much OF I'll
rest of the world as possible.
Free hand. drawing is Taught for 1he pu
pose of familiarizing the student with tn
fundamental principles underlying that ar
and to so develop his eye and hand that
can represent what hs sees on paper.
To practitioners Of well nigh every art, pr
fession or trade, drawing is an almost indI
pensable adjunct. Aside from its practlc
value, drawing tends to refine the taste az