, 1898-08-10

CAineTy for the Experiment Farm.
There is no department of college
work which in the last ten years has
occasioned more discussion than that
of English. The misconceptions on
corning the work of this department
are many. To begin with, few people
realize that here are grouped subjects
very various both as regards method
and object. We have %philology on its
Anglo-Saxon side, English literature,
literary criticism, and lastly rhetoric
and English composition.
Now the study of English ~philology
ranks with the special study of the phi
lO.ogy of any other language. Method
reasons can be given for the pursuit of
work in this line in the case of other
languages are valid here also. But in
any case these arguments are for the
specialist. 1t is a question Of elective
work.
English literature presents its claim
from a different standpoint. The ques-
ton is one of general culture. Granting
he need of a knowledge of the Eng
'ish classics by every one, the question
f method becomes the all important
one here. There are few outside the
special student of the subject who real
re that the English literature is prob
IDLY the most difficult of all subjects to
teach. without falling into the fault OF
detail on the one hand, and uhat of
vacuity IN the other.
The last division. that of rhetoric
md English compositions, stands on a
different basis from that of the others.
OF all the studies in the curriculum its
claims are the most urgent. Not only
hat, but its work is basal to that Of all
others. To be able to express oneself in
clear, precise English is essential to
successful work in any line whatever.
Scientists as well as professional writ
ars need the ability to make known
o the world their labors in such a way
that there shall be the most of profit
from them. 1t is no easy matter to
state clearly, emphatically and elegant
ly the simplest proposition. Yet,
strangely. educators have have only
awakened to this fact after greatest
pressure from the side of experience.
The mount of practical work that is
necessary in order that one may be
able to use his own language probably
is surprising, but not to be denied.
Moreover, apart from the utility of
drill in written expression there is
probably no one subject Of study that
presents such a field for mental disci-
pline. Self-eXpression. as far as we can
see. is the n mos insistent and the
)ne most difficult demand of life upon
each individual. In its highest form
his gives lis the works of art. The av-
erage human being finds his opportuni-
ty for such expression chiefly in COM
munication with his fellow men, writ
ten communication being the more i'm
portant because of its greater demand
for care and precision. More definitely,
1he training in the art of literary ex-
preston is a training in thought.
What one must express clearly, one
cannot think vaguely! How much of
thinking is vague and indefinite we
do not realize until we give or find that
we cannot give it written form. Study
IF literary form and, particularly. prac-
tice of it is n Of the finest possible
disciplines Of the logical faculty.
O @ @
Mr.. Charles Gilmore. one of the uni
versfty students who enlisted in the
Tough riders, writes from Camp Cuba |
Libre, Fla, as follows:
You are probably wondering by this
time how We like army life. Well, as |
10 the regular army, | would not sol
der there for a small fortune, but the
volunteers are o so rigid in their dis
and the men are allowed many
privileges that would not be counten-
anced in the regulars. The weather is
warm, but we drill early so that
the hottest part of the day we
nothing to do. Perhaps it would
he interesting for You to know thai the
temperature here on an exceedingly hot
day does not exceed that of Wyoming
by more than five or six degrees.
We have a beautiful camp ground.
and more room and less sickness than
any other regiment here. Pines and
furnish us with a sufficient amount
Of shade and those trees that are COW
cred with festoons Of Spanish moss
the scenery There are some
scenes along the st. Johns
river and | have often thought what a
it would be for the University
Camera club.
IF peace is going to be declared |
Will hope to get back to school again
this winter. but have an idea that the
cavalry will be taken to Cuba regardless
Of existing conditions. General Lee
Will undoubtedly be made governor
general and that will mean his troops
as an army of occupation and the rough
will do his scouting. At present
1t would seem as though it was going to
be necessary to subdue the Cubans af-
ter the Spaniards are taken care of, and
out of the way.