The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-02
Yale S0ciolog ists.

Prof. BAILEY OF Yale has been perso-
nally conducting party Of theologles'
and seniors In sociological tour Of this
town. These annual excursions belong
to applied, rs distinguished from puro or
theoretical. sociology and arc said to be
highly valued by the young travellers.
Manhattan is the natural object Of desire
and attack to the professors and students
of this elastic and wonderful science; and
doubtless some Of Prof. BAILEY's e1plor-
ers will settle here and devote themselves
to the reform and rescue Of the city.
New York may be too busy to be grateful,
but it ought not be too busy to notice how
easy some branches Of sociology are and
how commonly they are studied here.
Indeed, the town Is full Of persons who
are sociologists without knowing II.
Prof. BA1LEY's tourists began at the
end by assembling at the Morgue. Thence
they went to Blackwell's Island, a centre
of sociology which is irequented by
thousands Of accomplished veteran So
biologists. Some Of these take a long
course OF study there. Even the most
superficial scholars are in the habit Of
spending at least ten days at that oele-
brated institution Of learning. We arc
afraid that Prof BAHE1's young men,
with the best intentions, are scrimping
their work. There are few more fertile
fields of sociological investigation than
Blackwell's Island.
From Blackwell's the New Haven
thinkers went to Wards, where they
studied the poorhouse with deep interest
for several minutes. Who knows what
vas the effect Of that study upon those
eager, open minds? Why need there be
any poorhouses? Why need there be
any town farms" in New England?
Sociology. riding thoughtfully through
the world in its observation car is a,nass-
ing facts, for the present. As IL amasses
all facts, it will supply all needed answers.
The poorhouses will DO torn down in time
or saved only for their value as economic
clinics to the sociologists.
Having RECALLED their minds agreeably
with the sight of surgical operations and
criminals, lunatics and paupers, Prof
BAlLEY's L1vINesToNEs and STANLEYs
returned 10 the city, discovered Blocker
street and registered at the Mills Hotel, a
place Of inexheustible interest TO visiting
sociologists. There are lodging houses
on the East Side, and even in Blocker
street itself, where the opportunities of
sociological observation are greater. In
fact tho Mills hotel is the aIistocrat of
cheap hotels; but the lambs Of sociology
always seek shelter there. The members
of Prof. BAILEY's collection wore their
hats into the dining room, so prepared
were they to accommodate themselves to
the supposed rough and unpublished man
ners of the other diners. They were
surprised to find in the dining room a
company OF persons az well washed and
we'll dressed us themselves, and the Of
Tending hats had TO como of. We can
imagine the amusement and the irony OF
the sophisticated clients Of tho place at
the shutting and bleating Of that curious
flock. The visitors ate a fifteen-cent
dinner with wonder and relish. But
hfteen-cent dinners are for epicures. mil
lionaires and well-to-do gentlemen with
out means. Sociological lore cannot be
acquired more successfully At fifteen
cent meal than at DYLMoNIco's. When .
man has to live. and has the art of living.
for three days on fifteen cents, he begins
to have some r'immerings Of sociology:
but fifteen ccats for ono meal-why not
spend fifteen dollars and be done with it'