"A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE--"

Apparently American educators are not alone in the obstacle they are constantly struggling to overcome.--"the profound ignorance of the average undergraduate". The following from the "Manchester Guardian", excerpts from a "general knowledge" examination in an English school, are eloquent enough without further comment.

"Q Who is Mme. Melba?

A. (1) Mme Melba is the person who travelled through the deserts of Arabia.

(2) Mme Melba is the name of a shop in charge of a lady.

Q. Who is General Smuts?

A. General Smuts was the general commanding in Baghdad. He was poisoned by his servants for his harshness, but is supposed to be on of the greatest English generals.

Q. What is a Soviet?

A. A soviet is a name used in society for a napkin. A napkin is used to protect the clothes and after eating to wipe the remains of food from the mouth.

Q. Who is Mr. De Valera?

A. (1) Mr. De Valera is the finance of Princess Mary. He is also called Viscount De Valera.

(2) Mr. De Valera is the name of a famous Frechman who invented the aeroplane.

Q. What are Sinn Feiners?

A. Sinn Feiners are dancers.

Q. What is the meaning of the abbreviations N. B. and F. O. B.

A. N.B.--Notta bina.--It is a footnote. F.O.B.--Father of the Order of the Bath.

The Princeton Freshman in the New York Times and the rect of us who have remained confounded in our ignorance these many years, can feel comforted. Mr. Edison and his fellows may do their worst; there will still be some who will realize that the possession of a large fund of information does not imply intelligence.