"GETTING THE FACTS."
University Professor Sees Difficulties in Historians' Problem.
Professor Carl Becker in October Atlantic Monthly.
Certainly there is something impressive in the assertion that it is the business of the historian to "get the facts." In our generation the mere word "fact" is something to conjure with. Your practical friend in some discussion of other, ends by saying roundly, "But it is not a question of theory, it is a question of fact."
Of course you give it up. A fact is something substantial, something material, something you can perhaps take up in your hand, or stand upon. It will always bear your weight. And so, with much talk about "cold facts" and "hard facts," and not being able to "get around the facts," it has come to a pass where the historical fact seems almost material, too, something that can be handed about and pressed with the thumb to test its solidity. But, in truth, the historical fact is a thing wonderfully elusive, after all, very difficult to fix, almost impossible to distinguish from "theory," to which it is commonly supposed to be so completely antithetical.
It is said to be a fact that Caesar was stabbed by the senators, in the senate-house at Rome; and this is, I suppose, as simple a fact as one will ordinarily deal with: as hard as any, and quite as difficult to get around, if one would wish, for some sinister purpose, to get around it. But it is really simple, only in the sense that it is a simple statement easily comprehended. It is itself made up of many simpler facts: the senators standing around, the words that were said, the scuffle, the three-and-twenty dagger strokes, numberless facts, indeed, make the single fact that Caesar was stabbed in the senate-house.
With equal facility, this single fact may be combined with others to form a more complex, but still relatively simple fact,—the fact that Antony, Octavius and Lepidus replaced Caesar in the government of Rome. Thus, while we speak of historical facts as if they were pebbles to be gathered in a cap, there is in truth no unit fact in history. The historical reality is continuous, and infinitely complex; and the cold, hard facts into which it is said to be analyzed are not concrete portions of the reality, but only aspects of it. The reality of history has forever disappeared, and the "facts" of history, whatever they once were, are only mental images or pictures which the historian makes to comprehend it.
Writes a Text Book.
Prof. J. W. Young, the head of the department of mathematics, and Prof. O. Viblen, of Princeton, are joint authors of a book entitled "Projective Geometry."
This is the first volume of a work which is to contain two volumes. It is intended for the use of seniors and graduate students, and is now being used by a class of eight in projective geometry.
It is hoped that the second volume will appear during the coming year.
Important to Students.
Work on the Student's Directory for the current year is nearing completion. A number of students who did not know their Lawrence addresses and telephone numbers when they registered, have failed to hand the information in at the registrar's office. They are urged to leave their addresses and telephone numbers with Registrar Foster at once, in order that the information may appear in the Directory.
Inez Chapman, a former student in the University, is teaching in Perry, Ok.
Chancellor Strong went to Topeka at noon today to attend the meeting of the committee on resolutions of the State Teachers Association.
Prof. S. J. Hunter of the department of entomology, left yesterday on a trip to Larned, Wichita, and Kingman, on work connected with the state entomological commission.
Chancellor and Mrs. Strong will give a reception for the faculty and officers of the University on the evening of October 14.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Johnson of Oskaloosa, are visiting their daughter Alice, at the Pi Beta Phi house.
Students from Montgomery county are requested to meet at 1311 New Hampshire street, Thursday, for the purpose of organizing a county club to advertise K. U. during the holidays.
OREAD NEWS NOTES.
J. W. Blood, '06, of the law firm of Blood & McCormick, of Wichita, visited at the Phi Delta Phi house yesterday.
Announcement of the marriage of Charles C. Tillotson, '03, to Mary Tiffany Showerman on Wednesday, Sept, 21, 1910, has been received by his friends in this city. They will live at Wilcox, Ariz.
Mrs. Nelle Dodge Kretsinger, a former University student, and wife of W. S. Kretsinger,'98, died suddenly of heart failure, last Saturday, at her home in Emporia.
Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Brookens of Topeka visited over Sunday with her sister, Miss Evalyn Ragsdale, a junior in the College. Mr. Brookens was a graduate from the School of Law in 1909, and Mrs Brookens was a student in the College in 1908-09.
Dr. Charles Hughes Johnston, dean of the School of Education, made an address on "The Boy Problem" at the First Presbyterian church of Lawrence, on Monday evening at a meeting of the Brotherhood of that church.
Miss Anna Ray, who has been acting as stenographer to the secretary of the University for the past year, has resigned her position. She left for her home in Kansas City last Saturday.
Miss Ina Smith, a student of the University last year, is teaching at Midland this winter.
Nina Pinkenton, a junior in the College, will leave Tuesday morning for Lyons, Kan., to attend the wedding of Gail Sutton and E.Ray Heaton, both former K. U. students. Miss Pilkenton will sing.
Miss Carrie M. Watson, librarian of the University, will go to Abilene October 12, to attend the tenth annual meeting of the Kansas Library association. Miss Watson appears on the Thursday evening program for a "travelog."
Dr. and Mrs. Wilber will be at home to the Presbyterian students of the University, Friday evening, October 7, at the new Westminster house.
Edward Tanner, who was a freshman in the College last year, is a member of the football squad that came up from Ottawa Saturday.
H. C. Waters, who graduated from the University in 1909, spent Sunday in Lawrence.
Twenty-six men, including al who applied, were given work Sa day by the Y. M. C. A. employ
J. P. King, a graduate of the College '01, will lecture at the North Lawrence Baptist church Friday night October 7. Mr. King teaches English in Summer high school, Kansas City, Kan.
Grace Waugh, '10, was a guest at the Chi Omega house Saturday and Sunday.
ment bureau. Twenty men left before sun-up to pick apples for the Arthur Pease nursery, west of town. They hoped to break the record of the seventeen apple-pickers, who gathered an entire crop for a farmer the Saturday before.
The young ladies' class of the Christian Sunday school was entertained at Myers Hall by Mr. Payne, Saturday afternoon. three-course luncheon was served after which an interesting musical program was rendered.
Oscar Dahlene, the Ottawa football mentor, spent Sunday with his parents in Lawrence.
The University of Wooster, O., has refused to become a beneficiary of the Carnegie pension fund, because it would thereby be obliged to drop its connection with the Presbyterian church.
The students of Radeliffe College have adopted a rule that no girl may hold more than one important office requiring much time and work, though she may at the same time hold several minor offices.
The clock on Blake Hall is better regulated this year than last. "For three weeks," said a student who has kept tab, "it has failed to tally with the whistle only five times. Last year for the same period it failed over twenty times."
Mabel Kent, who was formerly a student in the University, is teaching latin in the Paola high school.
Small dinner parties a specialty at Vic's.
"The Smoker," under Rowland's—a cozy place and comfortable lounging seats.
We show more designs, sizes and styles of K. U. pennants than any other place in town. F. J. Boyles, 725 Mass.
Your bad cold cured by Rexall Cold Tablets or money back, at McColloch's drug store.
Hot chili and tamales at Vie's.
Don't put it off any longer. Go down to Squires and have your picture taken.
Fred Boyles, the job printer, at 725 Mass. st., and 6 E. Henry st., is prepared at any time to print your cards, programs or anything you want.
Visit Rowland's new cigar store—'The Smoker.
If you want to save a "five spot" on your Fall suit call at Clarke's and make your selection from the beautiful Fall and Winter line of STRAUSS BROTHERS, Master Tailors, Chicago. If you are discriminating, the styles and fabrics will appeal to your taste.
Violet Dule Taleum: the sweetest of them all. 25e cans at McColloch's drug store.
Visit Rowland's new cigar store-"The Smoker.
The place to enjoy a smoke and rest. "The Smoker."
Lunch at all hours at Vie s.
The place to enjoy a smoke and rest.
"The Smoker."
Try the Harmony Rose Transparent Glycerine Soap. A liberal cake for 10, at McColloch's drug store.
Always Welcome at "The Smoker."
For Rent - Furnished rooms for men; modern, large and comfort- able. 1113 Connecticut. Bell 1866. tf
For goods, style, fit and up-to-dateness, ROYAL clothes lead them all. Prices $15 and up, at HATT, the CLOTHERS'
"Fixin's" for fudge at Vic's.
Sewing of all kinds wanted.
1702 N. H. Bell 2413. 3-t
We are showing a lot of "swell" styles for Made-to-Order suits and overcoats, especially adapted for college men. Call at Clarke's and make an early selection from the beautiful Fall and Winter line of STRAUSS BROTHER'S, Master Tailors, Chicago.
HIATT, the CLOTIIER'S.
Squires for your pictures. 1035 Mass, st.
"The Smoker," under Rowland's—a cozy place and comfortable lounging seats.
Tell us your Piano troubles. We can help you.
We make pianos.
Me move pianos,
We tune pianos.
We store pianos.
We regulate pianos,
Tell us your piano troubles. We can help you out.
We refinish pianos.
Bell Brothers Piano Co.
925-927 Mass. St.
FINE FABRICS OF FASHION
LAWRENCE PANTATORIUM.
when once soiled trifling,are often ruined in the attempt to clean them. Delicate materials like lace, for instance, need experienced handling to get the desired effect without injury to the fabric. We make a specialty of cleaning and pressing lace, embroideries, kid gloves, party gloves, etc., and guarantee the work to be thoroughly done in a reasonable time without the slightest injury to any article entrusted to our care. "We like to make old things look like new."
Tailors, Cleaners and Dyers.
Phone 506. 12 W. Warren St.
Always Welcome at "The Smoker."
FOR clothes that are individual, elegantly tailored and perfectly fitted, let us supply the classy fashions, fabrics and workmanship of
Ed. V. Price & Co.
MERCHANT TAILORS CHICAGO
We give you choice of their entire assortment
made up as you want it, for $20 to $40, and deliver values no other tailor can duplicate at the price. Let us show you.
SAMUEL G. CLARKE
910 Mass. St.
Exclusive local representative of Ed. V. Price & Co., Merchant Tailors Chicago. . . . . . . .
That Bright Clean Store
GRIGGS'
827 Mass. St.
SAY, that Set of Quadruple Silver in our window would look pretty much all right in that Frat House, wouldn't it? - - - - - - -
If You Want It—G E T B U S Y!
Contest Ends November 1st, and the set goes absolutely Free to the individual, society, fraternity or lodge that turns in the largest number of contest tickets in dollars and cents on that day. - - - -
Tickets Given Out With All Purchases.
We sell the self-filling Conklin Fountain Pen—THE BEST MADE. All Prices to Suit.
2. 0
Ecke's Hall
KEELER'S BOOK STORE,
939 Massachusetts Street.
Varsity Subscription Dance
SHANTY'S ORCHESTRA TICKETS 50c
Friday, October 7