Review of Current Advocate

We have in the forthcoming number of the Advocate two stories of the woods, both readable, but neither excellent; two sea-stories by H. V. Morgan '10, the second of which, "The Unknown Seas," is written with distinct artistic truth. The last sentence, presumably meant to mitigate the horror, means nothing. There is also, by A. E. Manheimer, '09, one football story which is a rather vague attempt at character drawing. The two bits of verse are not noteworthy. The articles deserving of comment are the Editorial and Varied Outlooks. The first draws its theme from Mr. Wister's remarks, and then goes on to discuss the college career. The conclusion is dark College is a place to "broaden one's mind" but not through ineffectual pecking at all sorts of unrelated things, and not in "contact with men," which too often means becoming part of a clique. It is a place where we should learn to work as well as to play, where we should learn to enjoy work; and that will come through arousing real interest in some particular subject whether it be related or not to our later career. Thus, even here, moderate specialization is wise. Unless our careers fail to be what they should be, such specialization ought to arouse some of the spirit discussed in the first contribution of the issue.

Number 5 of the Varied Outlooks is by Lee Simonson '09 who recognizes a great need of college men today,--enthusiasm. He also sees that more opportunities should be given them to bring this characteristic into play. One cannot help feeling, however, that there is an underlying plea for socialism, and that perhaps the author might be guilty of misdirecting enthusiasm, of building his palaces on sand. Such is his implied suggestion--that it is far more important for us to understand Shaw and Wilde than Milton. Perhaps he himself does not enough understand the eternal greatness of such men as Milton to appreciate the triviality of such men as Wilde. His sudden suggestion of a dramatic club is sensible and worth while. Professor Baker, when he returns, would gladly co-operate with students willing to undertake such an enterprise. It is fearless criticism of ourselves among ourselves, such as this, that goes far to improve our Harvard standards