Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-04-10

1 dlauHe f1lll, the Afcn OF constantine,
the Baths of Carcala, and the Apian
Way, with its interesting tombs. I
\ conclude this lecture with a brief sur
very of the Mediaveal Rome. I
| giving also an Illustrated lecture on
Jeanne d. Arc, and am preparing to
give a lecture on the masterpieces of
the Greek sculpture and the Madonna
in Art.
Men Eager to Learn.
My experience with men has con-
WINGED me that they are ready and
eager for real information, if proper
ly presented, and l believe that this
sort of work affords us at present our
best means of broadening their out
look.
| have given to the men also a lee
ture which l had prepared on His
toric Dion land have given two lee
lures of a religious character: n on
Joseph, Man and Statesman" and the
other on "a College Student in a For
eign Land, Daniel"
In addition to the above / have
given a number of informal talks on
the general subject of education and
opportunities which are now offered
to the men for self-improvement.
The French Work.
We are finding a good deal of in
terest taken by the men in the study
of the French language, and / have
organized six French classes in this
division with an enrolment of 1875.
One of these classes consists entirely
of the officers at the Central Medical
Laboratory. We have had a compe-
tent Frenchman, a former principal
of a preparatory school, giving his
full time to this work. You will be
interested to know that one of his
clnsses consist of Y. M. c.. A. sec
retaries. The interest in this work is
considerable, and we feel that we are
accomplishing something definite,
In two of the largest huts we have
organized during the few past few
months systematic work in English,
Arithmetic and now that we have the
support of the army, we shall be ablei
to organize the other huts of the area
from systematic work.
Illiterates Numerous.
We have some woods camps in this
area, and in these comps there are d
number of illiterates, mostly negroes.
[ have procured readers and elemen-
Jary artihmetics and am comforting
with their officers, and am planning
for systematic educational work dur
ing the winter months.
I have appreciated, since coming in
contact with the men in this area, how
important it is for them to have an
opportunity of seeing and knowing the
home-life of the French, and have sue
ceeded in obtaining invitations to visit
with men, (hoth enlisted men and of
ficers) in a number of the best homes
III III CIbys l. III IilOIC -JllSliL DiCCASC0
with the way which this work has de-
veloped. The families in. which /
have introduced the men have ex-
pressed themselves to me as most
pleased with them, and the men,, on
their part, are delighted with the
French people that they have met.
My regret is that it is not possible fo1
us to do this work on a still larger
scale.
Another opportunity that we have
for service, is through an educational
lecturer. Since have been in charge
of this office, | have made the most of
this opportunity, as it anne to me
from Paris. | may take as tEpica;
Prof. John Tigert, a former Rhodes
scholar, who has been with. me a week.
He has a number or excellent lee
lures, some of his subjects being 'Ou1
Allies" Historical Background Of the
War;" League of Nations" '9The FIN
Kaiser" 'The Cross of Iron" He has
given since coming to US, seven lee
lures, and is booked for two or three
more.
Another most important work of
this office has been the distribution Of
magazines. We serve regularly about
units, in addition distributing each
week many magazines to scattered de-
tachments and individuals who are
without reading matter.
Ifear that this story may be longer
than you desire, but / take it that
you wish to have an accurate outline
of what we are doing and undertaking
to do in this area.
Mr.. Merritt delivered your message
to me on the. day that you left, and !
regret very much that it was not pos
sible for me to have the pleasure of
having you with me at luncheon. /
shall nope, however, for the pleasure
a renewal of orr ano1aiutanca on