UNIVERSITY COURIER.
5
In laying down the courses of study in our universities, it is probable that great care was taken to decide what studies it was best to include and what to leave out. This being true, it is perhaps presumptuous to say that those plans of study should be changed in any way whatever. To the average graduate, however, it must appear that, during the four years of his college course, he has spent a good part of his time in studying those branches that are of little or no practical value to him. Is it not true that over fifty per cent. of those graduating from college have no use for a large percentage of what they have sought to learn? Is it not about time for colleges to have at least one practical course that students may pursue? The three things with which every man has to deal are ignored altogether or else given over to special schools. What can be of more importance to every human being than a knowledge of medicine, of law, of theology? Who does not have to deal with these subjects? To whom are they unimportant? Sickness crosses the pathway of every one—even college-bred men. And yet, how many of those who have passed through college have any knowledge of even the most ordinary diseases? How many know a single remedy for so common a disease as typhoid fever? How many would know how to proceed in order to resuscitate a person about to die from drowning? But a knowledge of medicine is of importance to no greater a number than is a knowledge of law. Here, however, our graduate has even less information, if it were possible, than on the first-named question. He has no idea of the laws of commercial transactions; no idea of other common and important laws; and almost no idea of the first principles of law. Theology, perhaps, is not so practical a question as the others mentioned. It is not so completely a question between man and man or of man to himself. But, although it may seem of less practical importance, it is nevertheless a question with which every person has to deal. Is there a God? Is man immortal? Is there such a place as heaven? These and other similar questions are continually coming into the mind. If there is any philosophy in religion; if there is any satisfactory explanation of the many questions that are constantly arising concerning the relations of man to his fellows and to his Creator, then why should not every one devote a portion of his school life to the study of those questions? It is not surprising that so many students become skeptical, since they are all the time strengthening their reasoning powers and are devoting almost no time to the study and consideration of those things that are calculated to strengthen their belief in God and the Bible. The great end of study, we are told, is discipline—the development of the mind's power. To gain this result, it is supposed to be necessary that a large part of the student's time should be devoted to the study of subjects for which he will have no need as soon as he gets out of school. There can be no good reason, however, why as much discipline and a good deal more practical knowledge cannot be gained by the study of these questions of every man and of everyday life. Will any one say that, even though less
discipline is secured, a study of medicine, law and theology is not of vastly more importance than some of those studies that are supposed to be of the highest order in disciplining the mind? And who will say that every person should not have a good knowledge of these three things? We need to be practical. Most persons cannot attend college their whole lives,and it seems eminently desirable that practical things should be first learned and the rest afterward. If this be true, our course of study needs modification.
TOPICS.
FRENCH AFRICA.
M. De Brazza, an Italian gentleman in the French service, pretends to have obtained ownership of a territory on the right bank of the Congo river from Chief Makoko. He took possession in the name of France and wishes her to ratify the bargain and establish her sovereignty in Central Africa. De Brazza was sent out and supplied by the International Association, and thus has broken faith. Stanley says the territory is but nine miles long and five broad, and that De Brazza has only a permit to build upon it. Stanley thus speaks of this French covetousness and his own work: I am ambitious only to leave permanent traces of my work on the east side of the Dark Continent. Expedition after expedition has followed my track. On the shores of the Victoria Nyanza and on the shore of the Tanganyika communities of white men are engaged in disseminating what they think beneficial to the dark outcasts of this continent. Why should I not hope that the Congo basin throughout its vast extent, and the bank of the superb river, will be ultimately studded with civilized communities as well? We have begun well. Even now Belgians, Germans, English, Americans, Danes, Swedes enlisted in our service, are devoting their best energies to accomplish this. So far we have been welcomed by the natives. Our object they can appreciate and understand, and they are the only ones as yet benefited by it. We have spent a large sum and shall have to spend more yet. For we look upon ourselves as husbandmen, tilling and sowing that others may reap. As yet the Congo basirr is a blank, a fruitless waste, a desolate and unproductive area. The energies of its denizens are benumbed. No prospect has dawned on them. It has been our purpose to fill this blank with life, to redeem this waste, to plant and sow that the dark man may gather, to vivify the wide, wild lands so long forgotten of Europe. Accursed be he or they who, animated by causeless jealousy and the spirit of mischief, will compel us to fire our station, destroy our work so auspiciously begun, and abandon Africa to its pristine helplessness and savagery.
HERBERT SPENCER ON AMERICA.
What is it that the philosopher finds amiss in our political and social life? It is a defect of character which he thinks education has proved powerless to remove. It is a dull sense of one's own claims, and rights and privileges of others. This sounds like a philosophical abstraction, but it is a plain and practical truth when the application is made. Mr. Spencer finds in small matters an easy-going readiness among Americans "to