The Advocate and news., 1899-02-01

been perverted by American newspapers
into a scheme to rear up labor agitators.
OF course it means nothing Of the sort.
The course consists of years resi-
dence at Oxford and three years of read
ing at home. 1--WE aim this time," say
the projectors of the institution, ito give
conception of how man came to be
what he is; a knowledge of the more
important existing institutions; and an
intelligent idea of the probabilities and
possibilities Of future achievements. -
The courses include history, civil gov
ernment, sociology and the results Of
science. They are continuous through
the year, and students are allowed to
enter at any time and for any period
desired. Where it is found impossible
because Of lack Of funds, to begin the
course at Oxford, the correspondence
department of Ruskin Hall enables the
student to begin his course of reading
at home.
What Ruskin Hall really comprehends
is stated by the founders in this way:
I'VE do not intend to encourage honest
toilers to leave their class and become
barristers, clergymen, physicians, mill
tary officers or financiers. We therefore
do not provide for the study Of ancient
languages, mathematics, theology, met
aphysics, medicine or law, which to so
great an extent occupy the regular uni
versity courses. Ruskin Hall has no off,
cial connection with the University, and
does not assist any one to obtain uni
Versity degree. The making and polish
ing Of gentlemen is not our object. We
will satisfy our modest ambitions by
helping to make men, expecting the stu
dents to return when they finish their
residence here to their respective shops,
factories, farms and mines, to raise,
rather than rise out of, the mass of their
fellow workers"
1t is this last sentence which gave rise
to the idea that Ruskin Hall was to be
training school for mere agitators
The institution will make it's students
leaders among the working men only
when they are fitted to become leaders
1t will carry out the idea of those wh
established it to train men from among
the people who, if they have the ability
and application, shall become capable
political and educational leaders, help
ing in the guidance of public sentiment
to higher and more rational lines.
The work of Ruskin Hall is of espe-
cial interest to Americans, and especially
to Kansans, because of the fact that it's
principal founder Is former resident
of this State, and at present a prOmi-
nent young citizen of st. Louis, Walter
VrOoman. Mr.. Vrooman is now at Ok
ford, and there, as in all his work, he is
devoting his best energies to the uplift-
ing Of his fellow-men. Mainly through
his generosity Ruskin Hall has been
made possible. He and the other found
ers of the institution have at heart only
the highest and truest ideals The work
ing out of this particular problem will
be watched with interest by all who are
interested in the establishment of
higher grade of citizenship.
The following interesting extract from
a chronicle of an ancient monastery,
given in the prospectus of Ruskin Hall,
states, in quaint way, an idea at the
basis Of the institution:
"In the year of our Lord 1432 there arose a
grieyous quarrel among the brethren over the
number OF teeth In the mouth OF horse. For
thirteen days the dlsputaton ragged without
ceasing. All the ancient books and chronicles
were fetched out, and wonderful and pOnderOus
erudition, such as was never before heard of in
this region, was made manifest. At the begin
ming OF the fourteenth day youthful friar OF
gOodly bearing asked his learned superiOrS for
permission to add word, and straightway, to
the wonderment of the diSputants, whose deep
wisdom he sore veXed, he beseeched them to
unbend in manner coarse and unheard of, and
to look into the open mouth Of a horse to find
answer to their questlOnings. AT this, their
dignity being grievOusly hurt, they waXed ex-
ceedingly wrOth; and, joining in mighty mp
roar. they flew upon him and smOte him hip
NnU thDh and him fort No.