The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-10

three. years was we'll spent from the
point of view of success In life. Most
young Americans, l am glad to say,
are of such serious mind, and so filed
with a purpose in life that the mere
joy Of three years abroad would not
be sufficient to induce them to wish
In a most narrow way a Rhodes schol-
arship pays. It gives the holder three
years for study under the most favor
able conditions; and on his retur to
America he has not only the benefit
of the knowledge thus acquired, but
he brings back with him a certain
prestige from having studied at Ok
ford. The Rhodes scholar Is better
prepared for his life work, and he has
a. standing which may prove invalu-
able for his advancement. But aside
from being an aid to success in a ma
terial way, living at Oxford for three
years may add untold wealth of a
more enduring sort. The atmosphere
is such that culture and mental riches
may be acquired by simple living. in
a way quite incomprehensible to one
who has mo- experienced it. 1t means
the breadth Of view. it tends to make
n a wiser and a better man. 1t
stores up ideas which will be a con-
slant source Of pleasure all ones life,
and it moulds character.
The opportunity. for travel, also.
and for acquiring n knowledge of for
eign languages is not one to be over
looked. The summer vacations are
four months long. and those at Christ
mas and Easter are each six weeks.
The Rhodes scholar is so near France.
Germany, Italy. Spain, Norway, Swed-
en- and the rest Of western Europe
h a at no appreciable increase in en-
pense he may spend his vacations in
those countries and may learn to
speak h languages.
The prize is immense and it is Il
very strange phenomenon that 1t has
been SO little sought for. Seldom have
more than three or four candidates
presented themselves for. the scholar
ship OF any one state. and almost ev-
I cry time a delegation of Americans
has been sent over, two or three
states have been un~rcpresented. This
misfortune has happened to North
Dakota. We should eve let 1t hap
pen again. have two reasons to ex-
plain tho situation. One is the lack
Of knowledge concerning the scholar
ships. and the other is their very
magnitude.
Young men in our colleges do not
seem to realize hat this opportunity
is within their reach. The natural
s%uprosition is that the examination
for such a big thing is difficult. Such
is not the case, however. In the first
place II Is merely a qualifying exam
inat!on and not 4 competitive one.
Secondly. It Is equivalent to one which
at Oxford corresponds to our entrance
examinations. It requires only some
knowledge Of Latin and Greek. and
of arithmetic and elementary ge-
ometry or algebra. and II desired the
Greek may be omitted and passed of
after the Rhodes scholar gets to OK
ford. do not wish to give the i'm
preston that little or no study IL
necessary before taking the examina-
tion. The candidate should inform
himself at the earliest possible oppor-
tunity. 1t is late now. Of the nature
and scope of the examination. ! mean
to point out here only that the exam
ination Is not g difficult that It should
deter anyone from feeling incapable
Of passing II.
shall be very glad to have anyone
thinking OF trying for a Rhodes
scholarship como to see me to talk the
matter over.