KNOWLEDGE WITH A KICK IN IT

The lengths to which three New York chorus girls have gone in seeking knowledge should cause the average student to hide his face in shame. Not content to trust one University or to consult one authority, these ambitious ladies sent a letter beginning "How can I help myself to a better and more cultured mind?" to the heads of Columbia, Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, New York University, and Harvard. The response they got must have staggered them.

They were encouraged, first, to take a few courses at Columbia; since they were so fortunate as to live in New York; then, to subscribe to a correspondence course; next to buy Dr. Eliot's "Five-Foot Shelf". Since they asked for advice about books, Dartmouth sent a list of 155, dating from Walter Scott to Booth Tarkington--recommending Barrie and Shaw especially. President Hibben suggested, among others, "Introduction to Political Science" by Pettell, "The Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Lord Charnwood, and "Literary Taste and How to Form It," by Arnold Bennett.

Everyone can profit by President Hopkins's "movie" prescriptions. Apparently, there are nothing but comedies; Harold Lloyd for "high" comedy--Ben Turpin for "low" comedy, and Charlie Chaplin for general "brilliance". One can see that nothing was omitted which could help produce "more cultured minds". From Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, the shameless man, came an invitation to call and talk the matter over in person. Chancellor Brown of New York University offered the assistance of an English instructor; as yet, nothing has been heard from President Lowell.

It seems strange that in spite of the recent intellectual upheaval at Yale, President Angell was not consulted. However, Yale has her loyal followers; only recently a gentleman who found time hanging heavy on his hands in a Florida penitentiary wrote to New Haven for comfort and advice, and an adequate library was subscribed, which did not, presumably, include the Harvard Classics.

The thirsting for knowledge is certainly becoming more and more prevalent and it is only just that the fountain-heads of learning should be called upon for help. At the same time, Dr. Butler cannot possibly continue to have conferences with everyone who wants "culture"; nor can Dr. Hibben compile a new set of books for every applicant. There are enough dependable sources of advice without memorializing the college presidents. Most of them have their hands fairly full.