Evening star., 1928-10-14

The president of George Washing
ton University, DR.. Cloyd Heck Mar
win, in speaking the other day before
the parents Of feminine freshmen, is
stated to have given the opinion that
the age of forty-fve Is one at which
most men have lost touch with the
new developments of the world IN
which they live. and for that reason
have become untitled to lead or to in
struct youth. Their philosophical COM
placency, he pointed out, is likely to be
out of harmony with the latter's ener-
setic enthusiasm. The challenge of
youth to middle age is a constant one"
he said, and 10 meet 1t we must keep
adapting ourselves to the new in life,
whether social, psychological or me-
chanical'
When a noted educator speaks thus
there is always the likelihood OF un-
intentional misoonstruction of his ideas
Witness the "chloroform- them after
forty" dictum, which for years has
been inseparsbly associated with Dr.
osler, and which, singled out from his
general theme, did it and him a grave
injustice. There is, however, undoubt-
edly q great deal in what DR.. Marvin
says. but only on the basis of the ex-
ception proving the rule is 1t possible
TO agree with him entirely.
1t is the experience of many college
graduates to hold in peculiar fragrance
the memory of some professor who
seemed, during their courses, to be ex-
ceedingly venerable, and who undoubt-
edly was middle-aged or better. 1t ap-
pears to them that when students they
often received less sympathy. less un-
derstanding from those teachers whose
diplomas were from three to twenty
years old. Outstanding examples oc-
cur readily to mind; Prof. william
Lyon Phelps Of Yale, President Eliot
Of Harvard. DR.. Henry Van Dyke and
Dean Andrew Fleming West OF Prince
ton. Every graduate of every college
can recall such one. In such instances
the sympathetic bond between eager
youth and complacent middle age or
better seemed peculiarly powerful. not
withstanding the formers energetic
enthusiasmS.
1t Is generally thought that "old Doc
Hitchcock" as he was affectionateIy
known to three generations. of the
Amherst faculty inspired poem which
appeared in Scribner's Magazine few
years ago. and which no college man,
whatever his colors. can read without
lump in his throat. "Old Prof. Dick
son." as the versemaker calls him,
explained great books, all the time
with keen, shrewd looks" For half a
century he taught .callow youth the
beauty of letters and of living" and
that through none too fascinating
subject. In the whimsical poem, the
ed Prof" dies, enters Paradise and
lie met by myriads Of ghostly former
pupils waving ethereal banners Midst
the laundering cheers of his boys a" the
old fellow walks quantity into Heaven,
unaware that the roar and tunult of
welcome are all in his honor" The
dear old soul thinks the celebration Is
in observance of some great foot ball
victory Little does he realize that the
hosts Of his former students are cheer
ing something that far transcends all
the games that all their teams ever
won. Almost every higher institution
OF learning possesses q beloved figure
Of philosophical complacency," of
which Dickson" is the prototype, 1t
Is not improbable that the ideal
faculty will continue to include alert
and sympathetic youth and that grave
cultured, restful, dignified age. calcu.
lated to make the callow youth wish,
consciously or unconsciously. that he,
too, might become the same sort of
understanding, liberal and dignified old
gentleman. DR.. Marvin himself Is Just
about forty years of age. From his
record so far 1t would appear that he
is doing himself an injustice in ad-
vance.