Kansas University Weekly.
419
from revelations recently made public; on the contrary it is certain that none too soon are some of them giving increased attention to the practical side of language training. Increased attention to modern languages does not necessarily mean that the classics should receive less attention; Latin and Greek have a practical as well as a literary value; but it does mean that a just balance should be preserved.
In accordance with what may be called the modern plan of instruction, the language departments in the University of Kansas emphasize first the practical side, in the required part of the work, while a wide range of specialization in language and literature, limited only by the size of the library, is offered through optional studies to those who can make use of them, or desire to pursue them.
In English the required work embraces a severe course in composition, which means actual writing and not reciting upon a text, and a general review of the outlines of English literary history. This basis is essential to further progress in any direction; and upon it the student may build at his pleasure, either the study of literature, or of philology, or of literary production, so that with the present facilities for graduate work he may spend from one year to five or six in the study of his own tongue. A wider range is offered in some of the older institutions with larger libraries and larger faculties in this department, but as to others the opportunities offered by our own university, notwithstanding its restrictions, are very superior.
Instruction in Greek and Latin is given by a professor and an assistant in each language. Since all students enter with three years of Latin, provision is made only for advanced work, which may be continued for one, two, three, or four years. Since so many enter without Greek, provision is made not only for advanced work, which may be continued one, two, three or four years, but also for beginning Greek in any year of the course and continuing it any number of years desired.
In all work done in both languages, an attempt is made to lead the student both to learn the language and to read the literature. There is sufficient grammatical drill to do the former, and to establish the necessary basis for doing the latter. The literature actually read in class is treated as a model for all later private reading, that is, with reference to its practical value and its bearing upon its literary discussions and problems of to-day.
All texts read are illustrated by maps, charts, plates, and photographs, a large number of which are on exhibition on the walls of the Classical Museum and the recitation rooms, while more still are at the service of the instructors. The Classical Museum contains also a series of casts illustrating the best periods of Greek and Roman sculpture, besides a number of busts of Roman emperors, and models of the Acropolis of Athens and a pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia. 900 stereopticon slides are at command, and are used in lectures on subjects of interest to students of Greek and Latin.
A Greek Symposium and Latin Seminary bring together at regular intervals all students of each department to hear lectures by instructors or reports on special work by students.
The Law School.
Since the graduation of the first class—that of '80, the progress and growth of the Law Department has been steady and rapid. In 1880 there were eight graduates. On last Commencement Day forty-two persons, two of whom were ladies, received diplomas while the enrollment for the whole school was 126.
From a feeble beginning the school of law is now one of the leading departments of the University and exercises a most potent influence in moulding the affairs of the institution. In everything which concerns the students of the University, whether it be debate, oratory, or athletics, the law school maintains a prominent position.
All this is mainly due to the earnestness and enthusiasm of the law student body. Loyalty