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Kansas University Weekly.
Now that we are assured that Prof. Dyche has not gone in search of the North pole, and are therefore not bound, by feelings of loyalty to him and the University and the state, to cry out in support of the undertaking, let us consider calmly whether the risk of life taken by those who have gone in search of the pole was justified by the end in view. The case is entirely different from that in which exploration is made of countries situated in habitable regions. In polar exploration no commercial advantage is sought, no spread of civilization is expected; the settlement of a few open questions is the only reward in view. There is one phrase, held by many to be the inspired shibboleth of all science, which is constantly being brought forward in defense of any scheme no matter how hazardous or impractical, that is: "the advancement of knowledge." Now an advancement of knowledge which is not also an advancement in culture, which does not open to mankind a broader and higher life, is no advancement at all; erudition which is never to be translated into wisdom and life is worthless. The exploration of the arctic regions will yield nothing to the world but a mere "advance in knowledge," and as long as it is fraught with such dangers as at present it might better be abandoned. Inventive 'genius will soon render easy and safe what is now so hazardous. The flying machine or some other machine will before many years make travel in the polar regions relatively easy. Until then why not confine our attention to something nearer home.
WE HAVE no hopes for the fellow who, when asked by a new student if "that tall red building with a window in the top" (the stand tower) was the observatory, replied with a pitying smile that that was only one end of the telescope.
"LIVES THERE the student with soul so dead" who is not gladdened by the sight of "old glory" floating over the main building? Why not have the flag up every pleasant day instead of once in a very long while?
AMONG OTHER signs of advancement in our University is the gradual disuse of text-books, and the substitution of reading and investigation in the Library. In those courses where text-books are not absolutely necessary reference to the Library is becoming more and more general. There is however a danger in this method of reading too many authorities. It grows out of the fact that no student is able, in the time given him, to form intelligent opinions on the relative worth of several different authors and their different theories. So that while avoiding the evil of being narrowed down to one text, he encounters the other evil of being tossed about by the waves of conflicting opinion and is lost in a fog of uncertainty. Reading should never be so wide as to necessitate its being desultory or superficial. It is better to know one book well than to know a dozen poorly.
THE UNIVERSITY of Iowa seems to have a bright outlook in football matters this fall. A large majority of their old team is back again, and they have in Bull, who played "center" for Pennsylvania last year, a man well qualified to coach the team.
THAT THE last number of the WEEKLY did not appear on time was due to the failure, excusable or inexcusable, of the postoffice authorities to distribute the paper in time for Saturday afternoon delivery. We hope that our subscribers will not again be disappointed in this way.
FOR THOSE who attend all the games on the home field season tickets are undoubtedly economical. And besides, a ticket carries with it the divine right of franchise, the exercise of which on every occasion is the chief end of life, according to our friends the politicians.
THE STUDENT who regards politics as an end in itself and the one who regards it as a means to an honorable end are two radically different men. We have both classes in the University.