The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, January 13, 1912, Page 6, Image 6
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."