University of South Carolina Libraries
Letter From an Alumnus Now at Oxford All recall with affection Irvine F. Belser, our representative in Ox ford, England. His influence as a student lives in the heart of many of his fellows. In moral power Bel ser embodied the ideals of the Uni versity. The following letter from him will be read with interest: "I find that everything here is so complete that it takes more than a couple of weeks really to get a grasp of things. As we all know, every body is left more or less to his own resources, and to some extent to grope about in a sea of possibilities. There are apparently innumerable courses open to me to take under the Department of the Modern History School, which I am taking. My de cision was to try all the lectures that I could take in during this term and learn, if possible, which among the many offered were worth learning for I have always found that 1he lecturer means twice as much as the subject. Consequently, as there seem to be no requirements, I have been diligently sampling the lectures, and have attended quite a variety. Some, as everywhere, are good; some poor. But I have succeeded in finding some very good ones, and am now attending regularly H. A. L. Fisher on Political Science, A. H. Johnson on Maine's Ancient Law, A. L. Smith on Political and Social Questions, F. C. Montague on Eu rope since 1815, and C. G. Robert son on British Statesmen. Most of these men are exceptionally good, and are regarded as authorities on Top Row--Prof. Patte'rson 'WI J. M. McBlryde, Jr., Mrs. S. C. MI their subjects. I do .not thipk th4t I could have gone to a better place to fit myself for my future life. "Besides the lectures of course I read The Times, and attend all of the Oxford functions from which I can derive benefit. The Oxford Union Society is an organization from which I expect to get a great deal. In a debate a few nights ago on the Turco-Italian war, six nation alities had their sentiments voiced by their own representatives. It was extremely interesting, and the de bate was warm. "I am trying.to keep up with South Carolina and American affairs. I take regularly The State. The Lite rary Digest and the Yale Ahinni Weekly, thus keeping in touch with all my interests. I expect also to write to some of the home papers later on when I can speak from longer experience. You know my heart is always with my own people, and whatever I may be able to do will be freely and earnestly given in their service. "I am very well situated here was given pleasant rooms, comfort ably furnished. I have also been granted senior standing-quite a privilege. Went out to tea a few days ago with Dr. Parkin, who was particularly friendly. I have been invited out to dinner on Monday by Dr. Wylie. Everybody that I have come in contact with has been very pleasant-the officials of the college particularly so. Have met com paratively few English students, but of course I know their acquaintance must come only by degrees. Some SCENIC ON FO)UNDERW~ D)AV. lehell, D)r. E. S. Joynies, D)r. George A. Wa ofnan Smith. Ii. W. Page. of the Rhodes scholars are very cap able men, though they have obvious ly been chosen for various reasons. "I have noted with a great deal of interest the signs, as it seems to me, of the growing popularity of the State University, and the increasing interest in its activities "Very sincerely yours, "Irvine F. Belser." A Trip Around the World Mr. Editor: Say to the University men that there is a good opportunity for any who have a desire to broaden th'eir education by travel to go around the world for just a little work and no extra expense. Here is the plan: Stand the civil service examination for the Phil ippine service. The teachers' exam ination will draw just as much sal ary as the assistants'. The govern nent pays your way over and half salary for the time you are travel ing to your work. All teachers are started on $r,200 a year. One is not obliged to work but two ses sions. By the end of two years' service one ought to save enough to pay his way through Europe, the Suez canal and acros. the Atlantic. Such a trip places those who sail from San Francisco among the globe-trotters of the world. This makes it possible for the "dead )roke" University man to travel around the world if he only wants to. - What are the advantages of such a trip? Briefly, they are these: One's education is made more com plete by coming in contact with LKrondus Mi-theH. F.iddl - every race and many, many types of individuals. Here in the Philippineb there is an opportunity to study every class of society from savagery to enlightenment anid government from the clan and tribe to democ racy. If one is interested in relig ion and sociology, here he finds interesting problems to engage his attention. If one has a missionary microbe in him, here is an unlimited opportunity for social service. If one is fond of music and dancing, a better place could not be found. And last, but not least, a stronger spirit of world-wide brotherhood and toleration somehow takes pos session of a fellow. If you are interested, write to the Bureau of Insular Affairs, Washington, D. C., for information. Victor E. Rector. Lucban, Tayabas, P. I., Nov. 24, 1911. SOME MORE ABOUT MAUD. Maud Muller on a winter day Got on the scales and took a weigh. Her brows went up, the scales went high, Maud Muller stood and said: "Oh, my!" Straight to a Turkish bath she ran And cried: "Reduce me, if you can." They steamed, they rubbed, they pounded. Maud, Who felt herself too thick and broad. But when 'twas done, they sighed: "No use; Your weight we simply can't re duce." She banted then, she lived on grain, But found her dieting in vain. She walked and walked, she climbed the hills, And paid the health professor's bills. She grew as firm and hard as nails, And weighed the same upon the . scales. With Indian clubs she sprained her back And broke her mother's bric-a-brac. She rolled upon her be'droom floor Until her form was bruised and sore. She dr'ank no water with her meals; Yet still she made dlents with her heels. She tried each vain experiment She jumped, she danced, she bowed, she bent. At last she wept and gave it up And on fat-making foods she'd. sup; Of all sad words heard roundabout The saddest are these: "I'm getting stout." Wilbur D. Nesbit- in "Life."