The University Courier.
Vol. II. — SEPTEMBER 6, 1883. — No. 1.
THE CRITIC.
This department will be devoted to criticism. Not ridicule, but rather, plain, honest criticism. Criticism of what? Of anything that needs criticising; but more often of the actor or singer that shall appear upon our stage; of the lecturer, whether he speak from city or college rostrum; and last, but by no means least, of the student's efforts in regular chapel work, contests and literary entertainments.
As students, desirous of knowing the right, and what must be righted in the line of work referred to, we have long needed a channel through which the kind criticisms and suggestions of competent persons could reach our ears. "The Critic" supplies that need.
This department will be placed in charge of a broad, fair-minded person; one who, though capable of criticising, will by no means do it all. It will be his special duty to see that this department never says "A did best, B failed, or C can never succeed," for such is a spirit of fault-finding, not criticism, and no one will be benefitted by such work. The editor of this department will be one in the true sense of the word, seeing that justice is done to all parties. Some of our professors, and a few of the best ilt-
erary men of our city, will aid in making this new department one of great good to us all.
It is to encourage a desire for proficiency in chapel rhetoricals and society work that the Courier Company has taken this step, and it is with the same object in view that this department will, from time to time, call your attention to the lecturers and actors that visit our city. If you read what "The Critic" says of others, knowing that before the year is through he may say something of your work, you are induced to prepare yourself more carefully, and to avoid the mistakes of others.
After contests are over, we will endeavor to have the grades of each participant printed in such a way that each may see his or her special failing, while general remarks from the judges will show the errors common to all. Thus you see we can go from the rostrum feeling that whatever be our standing we have a friend in "The Critic" who will tell us our faults in such a way that we will be encouraged rather than disheartened.
Students; you now know the scope and aim of this department; we ask your aid your suggestions.
/