The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1897-06-07
the principles Of writing

quaintance with the great represenI
tatipe writer's Of the various epochs
The study IS both historical and
critical, giving the student al idea
Of the general development and
course Of English literature, while
at the same time aiming to estab.
Iish sound principles Of criticism
and secure d better appreciation 81
as an art. Collateral read.
ings are required Of every student,
each one being expected 10 read
each term Eve books more OF less
closely connected with the regular
class work.
The fourth course occupies two
hours a week and IS designed te
provide instruction III the theory
and practice Of English composition
for those who have mastered the diff
ficulties Of more elementary work,
The work consists of a study ofs tlls
theory Of composition and Of two
distinct kinds Of practice ii writing,
c daily short themes, and (a) 90
casional long themes hess
themes are criticised and returned
to the student, Of read before Til
class. AS will be seen much prac
TIDE IS required Of everyone who
takes this course.
The fifth course is a study Of ths
American Poets. The chief poems
Iof Emerson, Longfell Poe, Bry
ant. Whittier and Lowell, at,
studied closely while many NOR,
poems from the same authors al,
read incidentally. The time Of thi
work is two hours a week.
The sixth course occupies twt
hours a week and consists Of
study Of Shakespeares works
Twenty Of the plays are read Will
some degree Of closeness and til,
work reported at the class meetings
while four Of FIVE Of the representa-
tive plays are read closely and crit
ically
The seventh course is cours,
inAnglo-Saxon, two hours through
out the year. A part of the yea
is devoted to Cooks First Bool
ia Old English and the remainin!
months to the reading of other An
glo-Saxon texts.
The eighth course presents worl
in English etymology and occupie
two hours week. Part Of tn,
time. is given to the study of tn
general laws and principles Of Ian
guage but most attention is give
10 the study of the origin and his
tory Of select groups Of Englisl
words.
The ninth course is j literar,
study Of the Bible. One hour
week is givena to This work. Dr.
Moulton's Literary Study Of til,
Bible" is taken as the text bool
and guide in this course.
The special department library
which had its beginning two year.
ago has this year received severa
additions of text and reference
books. There have been more thar
a thousand books taken out anc
read BY the members Of the diff
ferent classes. It is expected tina
the board Of regents will agar
allow a small sumof money to pu'
in more new books. Such an out
lay is 4 paying investment.
The number Of students receiv
ing instruction in this department
for the years. 1917.
Every colIege graduate ought Il
be able to prove that he1is literally
educated BY the grace and skill
with which he expresses hi
thoughts. Still, If we turn GU
some young men who have it'll
control of their native tongu
when there is a pen between thei
fingers, or who may not have tl1i
control in oral speech, do no
condemn the colleges and thei
methods; they are not always I,
blame. Clear speaking and clea
writing must be preceded by clea
thinking. The world is just full Q
men whonever haveclear thoughts
This defectfs beyond the reach 3
any remedies that drill and training
might offer.
Again, through the study B
English literature every studen
should gain access to an3unfailin1
source Of rest and refreshment, t
a lifelong process Of selt-educa
ton, and 70 great ideals of life ant
character. But these results d,
not come, to all who study litera
ture. We do not think any on,
can enjoy these results unless Ii,
loves literature. We may teacl
students to understand literature
that is a matter of study, but W,
can not make them love it, that i
a matter Of character.
These observations are not mad,
IN defence Of poor instruction, bu
to show that we sometimes judge
work Of this kind TOO harshly in Is
timating it1by results only
The day Of newer and bette
methods Of work in rhetoric anc
has come and we hopt
that the University may soon pro
vide for its English department
SO well in the way Of equipmen
&C