THE BATTALION.
13
pervision of men who learned to read the
rod and handle the instrument at the
A. and M. College of Texas.
There are at present two difficulties
with which this department has to con
tend. The first consists in the shortness
of the time devoted to this course, and
in the inadequate preparation on the
part of students when entering. Under
the present curriculum, sufficient time
is not given for that thorough theoretical
training that is absolutely essential to
the highest order of practical work. The
addition of one year’s work to the pres
ent course would greatly increase the
efficiency of those who take it, and, as
a natural consequence, would multiply
their chances for rapid promotion. A
student who graduates here ought not to
feel that it is necessary to spend a year
or two in other institutions to secure
advantages, denied him here, in the way
of' more thorough preparation for his
work.
The second difficulty is the lack of
room for the testing of materials, the
performing of experiments, and for giv
ing the right kind of instruction in draw
ing. Accommodations that a few years
ago were regarded as amply sufficient,
are now felt to be entirely inadequate.
There is no reason in the nature of
things why our institution should lag
behind those of other States 1 If Texas
looks to her sons to take the lead in
the development of her almost unlimited
resources, she should certainly exercise
the greatest liberality in furnishing every
appliance that is necessary for ‘the most
thorough equipment of those upon whom
her future greatness depends.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
We are sorry to see so little interest
taken in athletic affairs by the students.
The association needs and must have
the support of the student body, other
wise it can do very little toward making
athletics a success in the College. We
urge that all new students, and all old
ones who are not members, join at once
and give the association all the aid pos
sible.
Here we .would say a word to all the
students who do not play football. In
the afternoons when the team is at work
go out to the grounds and encourage
the players. No team can make much
progress when not more than one-fifth
of the students go to the field to see
the men play. It shows a deplorable
lack of interest on your part, and the
interest the players themselves take in
their work will grow less and less as
they realize that they are without sup
port. So let each and every student lend
the team his presence and aid. Unless
this is done, athletics will be a failure
here this year.
The understanding is not a vessel
which must he filled, but fire-wood which
needs to be kindled; and love of learn
ing and love of truth are what should
kindle it.—Plutarch.
A man must know his faculties; he
must know the subordination of the
lower to the higher, and his practice
must accord with his knowledge.—Hor
ace Mann.
The discovery of truth can only be
made by the labor of attention, because
it is only the labor of attention that has
light for its reward.—Malebranche.