The University Courier.
Vol. II. NOVEMBER 7, 1883. No. 5.
THE FORTNIGHT.
For the past three weeks there has been the usual amount of talking on the street corners, and button-holing that seems always necessary to carry through a local election. Also the daily papers have excellent opportunity to fill their columns with matter that all good citizens (?) are interested in, that is, personal abuse. To the thinking man there is nothing more disgusting than the methods universally employed in local elections. Men will work, and scheme and plot, estrange their friends, and become the laughing stock to their enemies, all for an office that brings no honor, and less profit than the same time rightly devoted to regular business. The ward-politician thinks no means too base, that will secure a few votes. Even the churches have been invaded. For the past month the attendance of candidates at certain prominent churches has been surprisingly regular. The other Sunday when the minister called for money for some purpose, and asked all to rise who would give a certain amount, one candidate made himself very conspicuous by the promptness and zeal with which he rose and continued standing after others had sat down. That candidate thought that would be a good advertisement.
We have noticed that there are students who seem to be always on the watch for chances to advertise themselves. In classes they will sometimes come up with specially prepared lessons and make a great show, but on other days will have not a word to say. When they desire to join the church such students commonly select a Sunday when, by reason of some peculiar interest in sermon or the preacher, the church is very well filled. It looks like an advertisement, or an appeal to the powers that be. "Abstain from all appearance of evil" is a good maxim to hold in mind. Perhaps these judicious advertisers console themselves with the adage: "If a man bloweth not his own horn, verily that horn shall not be blown."
For intrinsic interest the performance of Hamlet by the Geo. C. Miln company has been, thus far, the dramatic event of the season. In Hamlet Mr. Miln may be called excellent; what faults his performance has are those which time will wear away. He has a good voice and figure for the part, and as a whole his "business" is very well adapted to the situations. In some places there was a little too much rant and bellowing. One was in the lines: