Illinois College - Rig Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

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-pm no 'English 5'5?,.fi? Literature, says Disraeli, is an avenue to glory. It throws wide tl1e i doors which lead to tl1e abodes of the greatest minds and he who enters there may come into close acquaintanceship with all ages, all subjects, and all languages. I The ocean of literature is without limitf' Itis, wholly, beyond the realm of a college or university to give a complete course in English classics, but the taste for pure English in thought, composition and expression can be culti- vated. It is tl1e purpose in this department at Illinois to give to the student . not a superiicial but a general knowledge of English literature -its cliaracter istics, its exponents, its history and its influences. constant drill in written expression and the criticisms in tl1e class room are of inestimable value. Language most shows a mang speak that I may see theef' is credited to the pen of Ben Johnson. Dr. Ames is a strong believer in l this bit of verse and l1is highest aim is to acquaint his students with the cor- rect use of English and to have them practice it. One of the preliminary courses consists of a general survey of the history of English literature from its beginning to the present day. Later more definite and more minute study is . bestowed upon courses that center on the most significant periods. Dr. John Grifiith Ames, the instructor, received his Bachelor degree in Literature from Oxford University 1899. He graduated with A. B. from John Hopkins Universiry in '94 and is also a graduate student of Harvard. Dr. Ames has been Professor of English at ,Illinois College since 1896 and the year previous filled the same position at Kenyon College, Gambrin, O- HJOl1l1l1l6,,lS popular with all students excepting Freshmen, wh0 consider his course too stifll' and his Hunks too general. IPR. J. fi. AMES Nine specific courses are offered. Practical work is first given in the study . of Rhetoric by the application of its principles to the writing of themes. The 1

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vgglwfga mathematics -vm it The philosopher may be delighted with the extent of his views, the arti- ry ficer with the readiness of his hands, but let one remember that Without ' mechanical performance, refined speculation is an empty dream, and the other that without theoretical reasoning, dexterity is little more than brute instinct. 1 -Dr. Johnson. Mathematics is the oldest of sciences. It is reasonable to suppose that Geometry was known in the iirst stages of civilization and the text books used today are not very dissimilar from the elements of .Euclid used about 300 B. C. The development of this science has been wonderful and even in recent years the continued advancement in the methods of mathematical calculation is remarkable. V The department of mathematics is certainly one of the most important departments in the college curriculum. Four full years of work are offered and aside from the regular courses in Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry and ' Calculus, instruction is given in Surveying and Astronomy, for which the col- . lege is fairly well equipped. Perhaps a testimony to the strength of this de- partment is the small enrollment in the l1igl1er classes. Prof. William Otis Beal, the instructor, received a Bachelor degree from Earlham College, Indiana, in 1896, and in 1902 was given a Master degree by the University of Chicago. He was an instructor in Michigan Agricultural College from 1897-1900g instructor in Chicago Manual Training School 1902-1903, and-assistant in Astronomy at the University of Chicago during the summer of 1903. Since that time he has been successfully performing his duties as Professor of Mathematics at Illinois College' A square deal and a fair chance , is the motto of our friend, Billy , for which he is much admired by the student body. PROF. NVM. 0. REAL