The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25

izing influence. so potent I'm ENGRAVING
upon the naturally rough nature or the
boy the gentleness essential to the har-
monious development OF his final charac-
ter. The father till then can watch his
associations. direct the growth OF his
mind and taste. and impress the import
ance OF manliness and nobility, compared
to which even learning sinks into insig-
~nlficance.
Blu now he Is thrown upon his own
resources, and must apply for himself
the lessons which a happy home has
given him; or learn by hard experience.
II he has been so unfortunate as to come
from a household where worldly or self
indulgent parents have paid no attention
to the preparation Of their children for
this trying ordeal.
II will say that in my judgment all
books should be closed at 10 o'clock at
night. After that hour the aching eyes
and wearied brain give no results COM
mensurate with the sacrifice Of health and
impairment of vision which Is uncon-
sciOusly paid as the price. The scholar
who has bartered for his education a
ruined constitution or drawn too freely
upon the surplus Of his strength which
nature accumulates in adolescence for the
benefit Of mature age, is as much a
spendthrift as the prodigal who squan-
ders in dissipation the hard-earned saw
ings Of a doting parent. The latter may
reform and regain by effort the wealth
and good name which he has lost; but a
wasted frame may never be restored.
The period of life included in the college
course is the time Of all others when
wholesome food and regular exercise and
ample sleep are necessary. The book
learning which demands Of its worshipper
to pore over his ponderous volumes until
the hour when church-yards yawn and
graves give up their dead is dearly
bought indeed.
But the development OF the mind must
not engross the students entire time.
The body, too. must be considered; or the
linens sana in corpore sano" is a vision
Of the poet. The most conscientious
scholar soons finds by experience that
regular and sufficient exercise Is a neces-
sity to mental not less than physical
health; and the time deducted from his
hours for study and devoted to this OBJ
tect Is by no means wasted. Hence the
Importance OF college athletics, a truth
which is being realized more and more
every day. In this respect our Northern
brethren have long and greatly surpassed
us; and their college authorities have
been wiser than ours in encouraging and
fostering the efforts of the students In
his direction. The Southern institutions
nave but lately aroused to the same
= Icy. but the revulsiOn has been great
and general. Even at the University Of
Neutrality-suspicious. the great apostle Of
the doctrine that college life begins and
ends in the secture-room that the acme
of a students ambition is a degree. and
that social demands, physical develop
ment, forensic and literary training and
everything else must be sacrificed to OBJ
tof, - afhlaffrC IRA anpnfnU into nPnmt-
hence, its students, professors and alumni
watch with eager anxiety its baseball
contests with the clubs Of other institu-
tions, and greet with loud hurrahs its
champions Of the diamond. Though they
nave apparently abandoned In despair
their efforts TO IWintain a boat club, pro-
baby from repugnance TO the shallow,
confined and dirty waters Of the muddy
Rivanna, and nave ceased their struggles
TO regain the cup which once they proudly
held against all competitors, they have
turned their attention with greater earn
estness to baseball and football and
Of skill. activity and strength.
Few young men realize the paramount
utility of the practice acquired in the
literary societies. In some Institutions
they are almost discouraged, and those
who attempt to avail of them are derided.
Their immense benefit is only appreciated
the graduate has entered pursuits
Of active life. / do not believe yau can
find an alumnus no matter what his call
ing, who will not express regret at hav-
ing neglected or underestimate THIS
for parliamentary training. II Is
a very common college error to suppose
that only embryo lawyers need cultivate
the art of speaking. This is far from the
fact. The increase Of population, it's ag-
-r,.o4s,r a., I,rsra .apfpac and tho pl~afV-
ing facilities for travel are constantly
lrawing tighter the bonds Of human inter-
curse. This is an era of trusts and com
Dimes. The mechanics have their labor or
yaniZations; the farmers, their alliances;
he doctors, their societies; the teachers,
heir Institutes; the merchants their
chambers Of commerce; the unclassified
Individuals. their stockholders meetings
,r church associations. In them al the
nan who can think upon his feet and
mpart his ideas in forcible expression is
~armed-mOre formidably equipped,
.ccording 10 my observation, than ven he
Who hath his quarrel just. This expert
nee and readiness must be acquired out
ide the lecture-room, and can be secured
My in the literary societies. It is proba-
ly tile earliest need Of active life; and
he student who d%isregards the advan-
ages which the societies offer him will
nd himself deficient In the outfit essen
lal TO success. When your Latin and
ireek have by long disuse faded from
our memory, n you only think Of your
igher mathematics as a hOrrid dream,
Oh will be daily applying in the pursuit
Z your business the knowledge obtained
/ the literary societies. The need Of this
is probably not fully appreciated
ven by your professors, whose lives Of
uiet amid the classic shades of literature
o not impress upon them it's great i'm
ortance. He only who has mingled in
he hustle of active business conflict feels
eenly it's necessity, and can urge most
t%renuously upon professors and students
like the importance Of attention to this
practical demand OF modern life.
ta1time is. in my judgement, not far dis
instruction in elocution and
every Mon will be a recognized part Of
"Rut fQugh college course.
tage of tkder to reap the full adva1-
them in theRs societies, you must uce
selves from tHht way. Accustom your
manuscript. Do Gst to speaking without
lie your speeches'N Write out and memoir
ton OF the momentNey to the inspira-
you give form to the h diction in which
Study your subjects, M OF your mind.
and refer to them. but nor memoranda
cost you a little ridicule atRre. IL may
bring the blood TO your facet; IL may
knees and temporary parsmor 10
tongue; but with experience ySis TO
acquire the needful self-p.wlll
sion. To write out your thoughts fss-
forego the very training which you w
most need; for in the ordinary affairs OF
life, the occasions when you will be ex-