The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-22

Dr. Charles W. Eliot's book list, con-
tanning the essentials of liberal edu-
cation" on FIVE foot shelf, is not yet
Endorsed by those who stand for Gull
ture on the Pacific edge Of the con-
tinent. Possibly the people in Califor-
mia are not so restricted by architec-
ture that they must content themselves
with five foot shelf and are not
used to adapting a pill box for a
library; but whatever the reason may
be. the west does not take kindly to
the Harvard atmosphere, as far as a
limited set of books is concerned.
That the bible has been excluded
comes more as a shock than a surprise
to the reading public. The bookmen
of San Francisco are astonished by the
omission of Shakespeare.
In order that Doctor Eliots position
in the matter may be understood it
is fair to publish his statement of the
motives governing his selection. Doc
tor Eliot says:
Il have undertaken to select from
the best literature of the world a FIVE
foot shelf of books TO be published un-
der the title of The Harvard Classics.
The selection is intended exclusively
for English speaking people. AS rule.
only complete works will be included
in the series,
In making choice among the diff
ferent works of great author the aim
will be to take the authors most char
acteristic work or that one which will
10 inf q m Of
today. or that which has proved TO be
the most influential.
1T is my belief that the faithful and
considerate reading of these books.
with such rereadings and memorizings
as individual taste may prescribe. will
give any man the essentials of a lib
eral education. even if he can devote
to them but 3 minutes a day"
Californians are eager to express
their opinions on Doctor Eliot and his
liberal list, but the tendency to criti-
else is not always innoculated in the
stranger in the city. There is Mrs
Fiske. for instance. who is not only
a splendid actress, but a woman of I'M
usual literary attainments. She is ST.
lent before the five foot bookshelf.
Doctor Eliot knew more before 1
was born than / would know if l lived
100 years. so I do not care to take
-
books" said the star of Salvation Nell
at the Valencia theater last evening.
Rev. c. n. Lathrop. pastor of the
Episcopal church of the Advent dis
cussed the list humorously Il felt
powerfully ignorant when I read Doe
tor Eliots selection" said the clergy
man. Il really am afraid that 1 haven't
a liberal education. 1 think the list
very extraordinary. L can't understand
it; l can't grasp it at all. I should
not have thought that he would have
left out the bibler
Il should have thought that Shake
speare. Thackeray and George Meredith
would have been included in the list.
There should have been more of ro-
mance In fact" said Rev. Mr.. Lath-
rop. deSGriptIvely. lit is very. pale
set of books. without any viriIftv at
all. l take it that there can not be a
liberal education without regard for
the intense, human emotions, which
are portrayed by the romance writers.
Among those to whom I have already
referred Dickens might be represented
by one book-say. Great Expectations
for the novel is important in English
literature.
'On the whole. Doctor Eliot's list is
a very thoughtful selection. and is very
much the expression of a Puritan"
Rev. Bradford Leavftt pastor of the
First Unitarian church and Harvard
graduate, was very much interested in
the list of books and the resultant con-
troversy. AS Harvard is my college .
said he. and as | have the highest
admiration for the attainments of Doc
tor Eliot, l have naturally been very
r.