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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 4, 1925)
Library Browsings Edited by Glen F. Burch April this year, not otherwise Than April of a year ago, Is full of whispers, full of sighs, Of dazzling mud and dingy snow; Hepatieas that please you so Are here again and butterflies. No, this is not one of.Mr. Kidd’s compositions which has wandered into the book column by mistake. It is the first stanza of “The Song of a Second April” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the many little verses which appear in her latest book of poems, “Second April.” We review the book at this time and place primarily because it is seasonal. Then too, poetry is the one form of literature which is, or at least should be, the most popular in the spring. Miss Millay’s poems are chiefly of a lyrical nature; brief and ex pressive. There is a touch of that discontent so often found in modern verse, an expression of the futil ity of striving to grasp the un known, evident in practically all of her work. Here and there, though, one glimpses an exquisite beaWty of thought in her poems which momentarily transcends the terms with which it is expressed. No better idea of Miss Millay’s philosophy of life can be found in the book than that expressed in the opening poem, “Spring”: To what purpose, April, do you re turn again f Beauty is not enough. You can no longer quiet me with the redness Of little leaves opening stickily. Life in itself Is nothing, An empty cup, a flight of uncar peted stairs. THE BIO BOOM IN BIOGRAPHIES Beyond all doubt the biography, generally speaking, is one of the most popular forms of literature in this country at the present time. Six years ago the average person considered the biography in much the same light as he considered the history book; they were all right to read, educational and all that, but for interest . . . True Rous seau’s Confessions, Cellini’s auto biography and Boswell’s Life of Johnson were still read now and then, but there was never any great stir about them, no standing orders for them in the libraries. But now all is changed. Maurios’s “Ariel: Life of Shelley” has surpassed in many instances the fictional best sellers. William Alien, White’s “Woodrow Wilson” -has enjoyed unprecedented popularity for a bi ography; Amy Lowell’s “John Keats” and Stuart’s “Robert Louis Stevenson,” both two-volume works of large dimensions have been widely commented on and review ed; “The Rife and Letters of Joseph Pulitzer” by Don Seitz, has been hailed one of the most widely read non-fictional books of the time. The novelists, too, seem to have scented t'he general direction of in terest, (ot maybe, as some assert, they created the interest in the bio graphic form of literature). At any rate we can point to the astonish ing success of books such as “The Gooseman,” “Jean Christophe,” “Pelle the Conqueror” as being at least significant works, indicative of the trend of the times. Sher wood Anderson comes out with an autobiography “A Story Teller’s Story;” Anatole France’s “The Bloom of Life” has been re-pub lished and is enjoying rejuvenated poularity. Biographies dr personalized stor ies, are, to use a modern Ameri can colloquialism, “all the rage.” Everyday a new “Personal Recol lections,” an “Impressions and Opinions” or a plain “Life and Let ters” appears on the market. And all are awarded their mead of at tention. Otis Skinner, actor, has recently published “Footlights and Spotlights;” Marie Dressier, com edienne, has written “T'he Life and Letters of an Ugly Duckling;” Will Rogers . . . And so it goes. The question which at once arises is; are they read? The answer, found through investigation of the library reports, is that they are. Very, very few are to be found gathering dust in the stacks. Now why, we venture to inquire, has everyone taken to biographies so completely? Is it just a fad, a pas sing popular fancy, or has it some deeper significance? Perhaps it is the expression of some undercur rent of enflotion which has long been submerged. Perhaps, to take a philosophical point of view, it is indicative of a general accept ance of nominalism, an open recog nition of the Protagorean precept that “man is the measure of all things.” Or maybe, after all, it is merely a widespread desire to see in the lives of others something which we believe to be in our selves. THE WEEK’S BRIEF REVIEWS FOOTLIGHTS AND SPOTLIGHTS, By Otis Skinner. Being “Recol lections of My Life on the Stage,” l by one of America’s foremost ex ponents of the spoken drama. The appearance of this sketch of the great actor’s life is particularly timely, in view of the fact that “Sancho Panza” so recently ap peared here. THE LIFE STORY OF AN UGLT DUCKLING, By Marie Dressier Another actress has caught the autobiography fever. Miss Dress ier is one of the best known comediennes in the country, and the account of her struggles to attain success are at once amus ing and enlightening; well calcu . lated to make a bid for the in terest and sympathy of the reader. f * * # THE BIOLOGICAL FOUNDA '' TIONS OF SOCIETY, By Arthui Dendy. Dendy’s textbook, “Out lines of Evolutionary Biology, ” is familiar to everyone, particu larly to freshmen, and the writ er’s undeniable familiarity with biological problems is respected by all scientists. In his latest work Dendy lays a great deal oi t stress on the development of mas and the process by which the race has evolved. “Those who are in clined to doubt that there is prog ress will find their answer here.” \> * * »• FRIDAY NIGHTS, By Edward Gar nett. The author follows the lead of many prominent writers of the day and covers a variety of dis connected topics: art, the Russian ; realists in literature, Nietsche, Ib sen, Conrad, and sundry criticisms and appreciations. * * * THE RELIGION OF A SKEPTIC, By John Cowper Powys. In thiE tiny Volume Mr. Powys voices the opinion of a great number of mod ern students with regard to the question, “"What -should one’s con ception of the Bible be?” He dis plays a remarkable familiarity with the Scriptures (which, by the way, seems to be a charac teristic of all intelligent skep tics), and presents his case ad mirably. TUTANKHAMEN AND OTHER ESSAYS, By Arthur Weigall. Al : though the interest in the late - King Tut has about died out, and Egyptian frocks have been sup planted by other later models, there are still t#ose who are in terested in reading of the more recent developments of the Egyp tian tomb opening. Mr. Weigall, an archaeologist of note relates the more recent developments in connection with those Egyptian discoveries in a fascinating man ner. * * » THE BEST SHORT STORIES OF 1924, Edited by Edward J. O’Brien. Little need be said * about this volume except to say that it is out . . . and now in the library. Among the names of the more prominent writers listed in the table of contents are: Floyd Dell, Rupert Hughes, Charles J. Finger, Zona Gale, Gov erneur Morris, Ruth Suckow. WILLIAM COBBETT’S COTTAGE ECONOMY “The married man has no right to expect the same plenty of food and raiment that the single man has.” This is the rather surprising statement contained in a book by William Cobbett printed in 1822, “containing Information Relative to the Brewing of Beer, Making of Bread, Keeping of Cows, Pigs, Bees, Ewes, Goats, Poultry, and Rabbits, and relative to other matters deem ed useful in the conducting of the Labourer’s Family.” “Cottage Economy” is interesting principally because of the very com mon-placeness of the subjects it treats. There is no exaggerated at tempt at realism, no effort made to get the reader’s attention by as suming that he has an elevated sta tion in the world. Instead, the writer sits down and doles out prac tical prudent advice expressly for our “hewers of wood and drawers of water.” Cobbett wrote in the course of his life some. 17 different works, six of which were of a political nature. He also wrote a French grammar, an Italian grammar, a book of ser mons, two books of travel and a French-English dictionary. Musical Program For “Open House” To Be Varied (Continued from pace one) Zephyrs” by Jensen. Rubinsteine’s “Barcarolle” and the “Ride of the Valkyries” by Wagner will be played by Mrs. Thaeher on the pi ano. Lord Teschner will render “Andante” from Concerto in E Minor by Popper on the cello. “Sonata” Opens Last Program | Mr. and Mrs. Rex Underwood will open the third program with a violin and piano solo, “Sonata,” Cesar Franck. “Care Selre” from the opera “Atlanta” by Handel and “O Bocca Dolorosa” by Gabri i ele Libella will be sung by Mad iame Rose McGrew. “Piano Quin tette” by Schumann will be given by Mrs. Jane Thacher, assisted by the University quartet, which is | composed of Rex Underwood, Lora Teshner, Alberta Potter and Bu ford Roach. The new School of Music audi torium is reputed to be one of the finest in the Northwest. Every detail has been carried out to the finest degree by Mary Briggs, in terior decorator, of Portland. The j'arrangement of the auditorium was j’planned by Dean Ellis F. Lawrence l‘of the University school of architee ; ture and allied arts and Dean John IJ. Landsbury of the school of mu | sic. i VODVIL TO HAVE APRIL FROLIC STUNT Curtain Acts in Demand; Suggestions Sought The best act presented at the April Frolic will be given as one of the acts for Junior Vodvil, accord ing to an announcement made at the Directorate meeting yesterday afternoon. Additional tryouts and listing of acts for Vodvil will be held at the College Side Inn at 4 o’clock Mon day afternoon, with Paul Krausse in charge. There is a demand for curtain acts, particularly, as there are several full stage acts which have been selected for presentation. “There is a great deal of good talent on the campus which we would like to have far Vodvil; so it would be well for the houses to work out some acts, if possible;” was the statement made by Krausse, chairman. Any one who has an act worked out, though no caste has been se lected, is asked to list it next Mon day. | DEAN E. W. ALLEN TO SPEAK AT DISCUSSION MEETING Dean Eric W. Allen, head of the University school of journalism, will give the introductory talk at .the discussion meeting of the lay men’s league of local Uniterian church, Sunday evening. “The Interpretation the World Press 'Gives to Civilization,” is the top ic on which he will speak. The dis cussion will begin at 7 o’clock and will follow a supper to be served to those attending the meeting. fCLASSIFIED ADS* <S>-—-— BOARD-—With or without room at the Watt, 818 E. 15th Ave., for University women. Telephone 1720. 4-4-25 FOR RENT—Pleasant front room apartments. For girls or married couples only. Call 1753-J. Mrs. Blakely, 749 E. 13th St. 2 THE OLD RELIABLE “MAO” “JACK” VARSITY BARBER SHOP 11th and Alder FLOWERS for EASTER No holiday o f the year is so closely as sociated with flowers as Easter. The Eas ter display is especi ally fine this year with wonderful lilies, hydrangeas, roses ! and sweet peas. See Them Today CHASE GARDENS Florists Phone 1950 Comer 9th and Oak STUDENTS DRAIN FOR EASTERN EXHIBITION Sketches to Appear With Work of Architects The work of five students of the Art school has been shipped to New York city to enter the Architectu ral and Allied Arts exhibition given by the Architectural League of America. The drawings which consist of architectural drawings and sketches were done by David Baird, Nellie Best, Lester Chaffee, Truman Phillips and Arnold South well. The exhibition held in the Grand Central Palace is the fourteenth an nual exhibit of the League and will have its public opening Tuesday, April 21. Medals of honor are awarded for the best work in each class and the winners are picked by juries composed of the leading critics of art in the country. These medals are given for the finest work in architecture, decorative painting, sculpture, landscape ar chitecture and in design and crafts manship in native and industrial art. Not only is the work submit ted from all parts of the country but from foreign contributors as well, and these contributors include prominent architecture and con struction companies, and leading artists and sculptors. The exhibit closes May 2 and the drawings are sent back to their owners May 4. QSVJ OUR NEW POLISH makes your shoes shine like patent leather. A trial will prove it. We clean and dye any kind of shoes. Our work is guaranteed. Lemon “O” SHINE PARLOR PRESIDENT IS IMPROVING IS MOST RECENT REPORT President Campbell is much bet ter, according to reports received from Mrs. George Gerlinger. Mrs. Gerlinger recently returned from California and while there she tele phoned to Mrs. Campbell. PRINCETON EMPLOYMENT BUREAU PUBLISHES REPORT Princeton.—Four hundred sixty seven Princeton undergraduates are working their way through college, either wholly or in part, according to a report made by the bureau of student employment. R. O. T. C. BAND TO APPEAR IN UNIFORM AT PRACTICE The band will practice in uniform on Tuesday afternoons from three to five o’clock as a result of a change in plans of the R. O. T. C. department. The men formerly practiced on two evenings a week, Monday and Tuesday, and did not have to appear in uniform. The band is to prepare for the series of military parades which start the latter part of April. Gome time will be devoted to marching and Keep Your Floors Fit Johnson Floor Wax, lb. can .$ .75 Johnson’s Liquid Wax, pint .75 Dancing Wax, large size .75 Floor Waxers $1.75 to 3.60 Polishing Mops 65c to 1.50 Quackenbush’s 160 NINTH AVE. EAST I playing during the two hour prac- c | tice period which the organization ! is to have from now on. . SPORTSWRITERS ELECT ■ CAMPUS JOURNALIST - Sol Abramson, sports writer for the Morning Register, was vester- 1 day elected to full membership in : the Oregon Sportswriters associa tion. Membership in the organiza tion is conferred only on profes sional writers at the University. Abramson has accepted the posi tion on the Morning Register va APPLICATION PHOTOS Better Work for less TOLLMAN’S STUDIO ated by Wilbur Wester, and lie vill have full charge of University iports and news for this paper. The lew member is a sophomore in the ;chool of journalism and has had onsiderable newspaper experience, jast summer he worked on the Col imbian at Vancouver, Washington. Je is also a member of the upper lews staff of the Emerald. Initi ition for the new member will be leld by the association some time lext week. Every leading paper if the Northwest is represented in :he organization, and all sports iditors of big dailies are honorary nembers. Marcel and Bob Curl TO STUDENTS 50c Open Sundays and Evenings by Appointment. 1375 Ferry GAY THOMPSON Phone 1578R Sunday Night Supper It’s a relief at times to get away from the cam pus and especially th*e night before another week begins. Sunday dinner at the Rainbow makes you forget ev erything except that th*e food is the best you’ve ever tasted. Just the place to spend a cozy evening with your girl. The Rainbow The REAL ROMANCE of The WINNING of The WEST! Home of the Big WurKtzer The dauntless spirit of the pioneers who braved the dangers of the plains in ’76, lives at last upon the screen » OtpH ZUK0R mm J»S» U LA9KT rANE GREY'S ADMISSION MATINEE 30c NIGHT 50c Last Times Today HOOT GIBSON in “LET ’ER BUCK” A drama of Oregon’s own world famous rodeo at Pendleton Presented with an elaborate ATMOSPHERIC PROLOG “WESTWARD, HO” featuring Johanna James Aubrey Furry SPECIAL STAGE SETTING —at 7:20 9 :25 p. m.