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Top Scholars Hear Historical Theory
A new member of Fhi Beta Kappa grinned wryly. "I thought it was a good speech, what of it I understood," he said.
University Daily Kansan
A faculty member approached the speaker. "I enjoyed your talk very much," she said. "If I had a little more background. . ."
The speech, which Oswald Backus, professor of history, had just given at the dinner following the Phi Beta Kappa initiation ceremonies, was the kind of speech one could expect to hear at a Phi Beta Kappa dinner or at a convention of historians.
IT WAS SCHOLARLY. It contained facts about the Jagellonian Federation, which existed between Poland and Lithuania from 1385 until it was superceded by the Union of Lublin in 1569.
It sketched Polish and Lithuanian troubles with the Cossacks, who wanted freedom.
It told of the liberum veto, by which any noble could veto any act of legislation.
ALL THIS, PLUS MUCH more, was titled "Interpretations on the History of Poland and Lithuania."
Lithuania, which once occupied most of Eastern Europe, and Poland, which lay just west of Lithuania, at one time had a kind of unity.
Most scholars now believe the union between Poland and Lithuania was a strong one. Prof. Backus said.
BUT SUCH A VIEW of Polish- Lithuanian unity makes it difficult to understand why the union fell, he said.
Prof. Backus does not believe a strong unity existed. He listed and discussed six points which he thinks tended to pull them apart.
Those points are:
- Political competition between the nobles and their sovereigns, and between the countries themselves.
- A failure to establish a strong,
autocratic monarchy. At this point one of the University's top undergraduate scholars, majoring in mathematics, sat upright in his chair, obviously pleased with a victory over his dropping evelids.
- Culture differentiation between the two countries, as well as between the provinces within the countries.
- The Reformation, which caused a realignment of the nobility because of their new faiths.
- Economic pressures on the nobility, because of the shift of the trade center of Europe from southern Europe to the Atlantic seaboard. Here that top undergraduate scholar began losing the fight again.
- Prof. Backus also asked that historians look at local history—studying events in the provinces as well as national policy—for a better understanding of a country's history.
- The uprising of the Cossacks in the Ukraine, and the eventual loss of the Ukraine to the Muscovites.
He said his speech conformed to a deliberate policy of asking speakers at Fhi Beta Kappa meetings to present scholarly works. This assumes the audience already possesses a tremendous amount of knowledge about the speaker's topic, Prof. Backus said.
Fraternity Jewelry
Balfour
411 W. 14th VI 3-1571 AL LAUTER
For the first time this year a KU student will present his own poetry at the SUA Poetry Hour.
KU Student to Read Work at Poetry Hour
Augustine Kyei, Ashanti, Ghana senior, will read his works at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Music and Browsing Room of the Kansas Union.
Kyei's poetry has been published in several books tand magazines including "Poems of Black Africa," edited by "Ghianan," "Kansas Engineer," Kansas," "Quill," and "International Campus." The March, 1963, issue of "International Campus" published 43 pages of his poetry.
Kyei was educated in Catholic schools and received a diploma from the St. Augustine College in Cape Coast.
After graduation he plans to return to Ghana.
Kyei taught his language, Twi, at the University of California to the first Peace Corp group which went to Ghana.
Take a Vacation from WASH DAY DRUDGERY
GRAVITT'S FAST LAUNDRY SERVICE
You save time and trouble at Gravitt's. Drop off your laundry and pick it up later washed, fluff dried, and neatly folded.
913 N.H.
VI 3-6844
Does a man really take unfair advantage of women when he uses Mennen Skin Bracer?
All depends on why he uses it.
Most men simply think Menthol-Iced Skin Bracer is the best after-shave lotion around. Because it cools rather than burns. Because it helps heal shaving nicks and scrapes. Because it helps prevent blemishes.
Of course, some men may use Mennen Skin Bracer because of this effect.
How intelligent!
So who can blame them if Bracer's crisp, long-lasting aroma just happens to affect women so remarkably?
Concert Band Plans Variety In Annual Spring Performance
The KU Concert Band will present a wide range of musical numbers at its annual Spring Concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the University Theatre.
The Concert Band, under the direction of Rusell L. Wiley, professor of band, is a group of 86 musicians chosen especially for public performance. Members are selected from the total band enrollment.
This band has done concert performances throughout the school year including its Spring Tour into southern Kansas and Oklahoma.
The Varsity Band will be combined with the Concert Band for the final portion of the program. The Varsity Band is directed by Kenneth Bloomquist, assistant director of bands.
William Booth, Sedalia, Mo., junior, is the featured soloist. He plays the trombone.
The program includes "Invocation of Alberich, from Rheingold," "March, opus 99," "Symphonic Songs for Band," "Caucasian Sketches." "Concerto for Trombone," "Suite for Concert Band," and "Danza Final from Estancia Ballet."
After the intermission, the combined bands will play "Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, Finale," "Cowboy Rhapsody," and "Music for a Festival."
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