396
Kansas University Weekly.
Library Notes.
The Library has just received a little book that is of especial interest to Kansas. It is The Lamp of Gold, by Miss Florence L. Snow, of Neosho Falls. The sonnet is rather a new product of our prairies, but we find it can flourish there in strength and beauty.
The book contains a sequence of forty-nine sonnets. These the author has grouped under seven heads, following the idea of the sevenbranched golden candlestick, a design of which decorates cover and title page. The seven headings are called: "The Sacred Fire," "Daybreak," "Mid-morning," "Noon," "Western Windows," "Eventide," "The Perfect Light." There is a temptation to quote many of these pretty sonnets. We select the first from "Noon:"
"As when a happy mocking-bird essays To imitate amid the forest choir The rarest and most varied roundelays In very overflow of glad desire. My joyous verse attempted many a strain In likeness of the world's great minstrelsy, Nor counted any cost that might attain The skill that lies in such dear mimicry.
But while the bird, despite its borrowing, Perfects the beauty of its own sweet song. 'Twas such device that taught me how to sing And how to listen to the gifted throng.— And though I tried so much without avail, I felt the force that cannot wholly fail."
And these lines from "Daybreak."
"O blessed wonderings of the blessed time When life looks out upon the rose and gray That hold the secret of a perfect prime Folded within the promise of the day!
The publishers, Messrs. Way and Williams of Chicago, have spared no pains in giving these sonnets an attractive setting. They were printed at the De Vinnie press, one hundred copies on Japan paper, and five hundred copies on Marais hand-made paper. Each sonnet occupies a page, and only alternate pages are used. The binding is of dark red buckram; the title-page, designed by Mr. Edmund H. Garrett, is very tasteful and pretty. Altogether, the book is one of which Miss Snow and her friends may feel proud.
Another book of sonnets recently received is from an English pen. Mr. Eugene Lee-Hamilton has given us in these Sonnets of the Wingless Hours, some very pretty stanzas, though they were written on a bed of pain.
The sonnet of greatest interest to us in the collection is the following, to our Kansas poet:
TO FLORENCE SNOW.
For the Fly-leaf of a Book of Sonnets. I send these berries which in sweet woods yew; Small crimson crans, on which has slept the deer; Spiked red-droplet butcher's broom, the bare foot's fear; Blue berries of the whortle wet with dew;
And gummy berries of the tragic grew;
With mistletoe—each bead a waxen tear;
And ripe blue sloes that mark a frosty year;
And hips and haws, from lanes that Keats once knew.
I know not if the berries of the West
Are such as those of Europe; but I know
That Kansas breeds a flower, which, unguessed,
Can climb up prison walls, and gently grow
Through prison-bars where suffering has its nest,
And where the wingless hours crawl sad and slow.
Chas. H. Lease, of Wichita, who was a well known student last year, delivered the Decoration day address at Canton, Kansas, last week.
Miss Helen Sutliff will spend six weeks at Amherst College Summer School, pursuing a course in Library Economy.
Miss Matilda Henrichs, Phi Beta Kappa '96, who has been principal of the Humbolt High School this year, returned to her Alma Mater last week to visit friends and attend commencement.
University Chess Players Win.
There will be a summer session of the school in piano, theory and organ, beginning June 11. Information regarding the same can be obtained from Professor Preyer or Miss Lichtenwalter This will form an excellent opportunity for those desiring to enter next year in the regular course.
Friday evening, June 5, C. J. Moore defeatep S. Phillips in a game in which there was much poor playing on both sides. This gives both first and second places to the University club. Bayless and Moore will play for the first place some time next week.
Prof. Farrell expects to accompany Mr. Walker to Florence in about two weeks to study under Sigi Cortesi.
Prof. Clarke lectured before the Art Department of the Athenaeum on compositionl. He also gave an exhibit of his posters and lectured on them before the Western Authors' and Artists Club. He was made vice president of the latter. Prof. Clarke hopes to spend the summer in Europe studying the old masters and preparing lectures on them, also obtaining information regarding drawing work in the public schools in Germany, France and England. We may look for some interesting lectures upon his return.
Mr. J. W. Hullinger left town Friday for Lincoln county, where he has charge of a normal institute.
Miss Gertrude McCheyne during the summer will teach French and piano at Hays City.