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UNIVERSITY COURIER.
We were pleased to receive the Harvard Advocate, a spicy semi-monthly from Harvard. The Advocate seems to pay more attention to local affairs and does not attempt to play the part of a rival to the North American Review, as some of our contemporaries do.
The UNIVERSITY COURIER for October is full of good things. The editors show uncommon literary knowledge and skill. The contributed articles show much ability and research in the writers. "Atlantis" we read with peculiar pleasure. Were the "Mound Builders" dwellers in part on that ancient land? Was the sinking of that island, or continent, the cause of their becoming extinct?-Daily Tribune.
It does not often happen that journals from small, insignificant colleges so far forget themselves as to criticize or offer advice to journals from large and growing institutions. When such a case occurs it behooves all to rebuke the presumption lest it become too bold. The St. Louis Student Life, from a little college in the city of St. Louis,—let all take notice that you will know what to expect from this thing,—had the brass to state in substance the following reasons why the Courier should wind up its affairs and unite its forces with the Review: First, we have no reason for starting; second, that both papers cannot secure large enough subscription lists to support them; third, that the University lacks intellect to run both; fourth, the Review has been a great credit to the University, and the Courier can never be. Now, a college journal that has not the common politeness to exchange with another college paper ought to be ignored; but lest this thing flatter itself that it is very wise and weighty in its advice we will condescend to tell it a few things. We can excuse it for its breach of good breeding in refusing to acknowledge our courtesy, for it "runs off" only a very limited number of copies, no doubt another sheet would have bankrupted the concern. Its impudence is inexcusable. If the brain of the editor had been as full of common sense as it is of conceit in its vast experience, it might have discovered why the Courier made its appearance. As it is, it contents itself by saying that we are started by a faction. In commenting upon the two new journals started in Michigan and Kansas Universities, this wise-acre pays a very flattering compliment to the former and predicts a very brilliant and successful future. But "at Kansas the case seems different." That is, this is not a "large and growing institution" like the Michigan school. What do Missourians know about intellectual and educational growth? The Missouri State University and the Michigan State University were started about forty years ago. To-day Michigan has twelve hundred, Missouri six hundred students. Sixteen years ago Kansas State University was started; to-day it has five hundred students. Does it, down in St. Louis, want to talk about "growing institutions?" Why, it, have you not yet learned that Kansas is about twenty-five years ahead of you? If the K. S. U. gave such a pleasant surprise when it sent forth from its halls the Review, the K. S. U. will electrify the literary characters of the East and the St. Louis Student Life, by proving that she can support two college journals that will reflect credit upon her. We do not take it to heart very seriously because you think we "lack general ability." It does not make it so because you say so, bub. Take the advice of a disinterested friend, neighbor St. Louis Student Life, and exert all your strength in keeping your mouth shut,
for so long as you do that people will think that you are bright and intelligent.
The Kansas Review remarks, as an offset to our fraternity statistics, that among all the students of the University of Kansas that have come under the kind attention of the Faculty, not one has belonged to either of the secret societies at that institution. We congratulate the University of Kansas on having some good fraternities, and suggest that they use their influence to reform their chapter here, if they have any, or to get it withdrawn.—Occident.
We clip the above from the Occident, an anti-secret society paper published at the University of California. As an open and fearless enemy of fraternities it has no equal. In a recent number it made the startling announcement that among those who had come under the kindly protection of the Faculty, a very large majority were members of Greek letter fraternities. It is doubtless this statement of the Occident that has called forth from the fraternity statistician of the Review the "figgers" that have just been presented. Let the fraternity statistician of our cotemporary go to the Faculty and ask why that little band of Greeks went home a few years ago for "thirty, sixty, and ninety days respectively?" Have you forgotten the false message and parade of '80, the leaders of which were members of two of the leading Greek letter fraternities of K. S. U.? "Ye" exchange editor is a member of one of the aforesaid Greek letter fraternities, and therefore cannot be said to view the subject through prejudiced glasses. We believe that the truth stands pre-eminent in every case, and nothing will be gained by fraternity organs attempting to crush the power of the Occident by showing up only the sunny side of "frat." life. If the frats. of the U. of C. have combined to run elections to suit themselves, they have their prototypes in K. S. U. In a recent election of contestants from one of the leading literary societies, three secret societies combined to run in their own members to the exclusion of non-fraternity members, with one exception. We know what of we are writing and will receive no contradiction. The Courier itself was started to wrest from secret societies their exclusive control of college journalism in K. S. U., and in order that non-fraternity students might have an equal footing with the frats. in publishing a paper purporting to represent the students. Its constitution is so framed that the frats. and non-frats. will always have equal representation on the editorial staff—no faction will ever gain control of the paper. In conclusion we will say that if the Occident desires further fraternity statistics from K. S. U., we can furnish them free of charge.
MISCELLANY COLLEGE NOTES.
Outdoor sports seem to be very popular with Eastern colleges just now. Cricket and base ball are the favorites.
Asbury opens with 425. Two colored students have entered the preparatory department.
Baker University has at present 268 students in attendance. The old debt which has been hanging over that institution for some years is about to be cancelled.
At Boudoin College a Freshman was injured while undergoing the customary hazing. He sued seven students and recovered $2,700 damages.