University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Blue and Gold I9O4 [16 Literature from tKe University- short as has been the life of this University its years ' present a line of writers varied in activity and imbued with true literary talent. Of those who have felt the charm of nature and the force of art may be mentioned, first, the name of Mr. Charles A. Keeler, one of our most versa- tile writers both as regards theme and form. In Mr. Keeler are conjoined rare power of imagination and scientific accuracy, teaching toward Truth as well as Beauty. His writings include, The Evolution of the Colors of North American Land Birds, a book of verse, The Light Through the Storm, The Woodchopper ' s Song, A Vaquero ' s Ride, Life ' s Jour- ney, and his new volume, Verses from the Southern Seas. Mr. Charles P. Greene is one of the earliest University writers we can lay claim to. His work appears both as prose and verse, the style in each being delightfully readable. Frank Norris, in spite of his five different noms de plume, has always been recognized and appreciated as the same graphic describer of life as it really is. It was during his college course that Mr. Norris published his first book, Yvernelle, a romantic tale in verse. The Third Circle is one of his most successful earlier stories. It is hardly necessary to mention his great novels, The Octopus, and The Pit, epics of the wheat. The Wolf was to have completed the trio. Mr. Norris is a man of whom Alma Mater may well be proud. His untimely death during the past year was a keen blow to her and to the reading public. Jack London is one of the men who has launched us upon an entirely new field. With a background of Alaskan glaciers he depicts in vivid, strong and sometimes rough manner, the life of that far northern land. Mr. London gives promise of further and better work in his chosen line. Other recent graduates already making fame for themselves are Richard Walton Tully, and his wife, May Eleanor Gates Tully. Mr. Tully ' s activity is mainly along dramatic lines and his recently accepted comedy promises a successful presentation under Nat Goodwin. Mrs. Tully, or Eleanor Gates, as she is known to her readers ' , has contributed largely to Eastern magazines. Mary Bell has continued the work commenced in her college days, and may be named among those who are successful magazine contributors. Of present work in the University it is hard to predict. No geniuses seem looming up on the literary horizon, but several students are doing what, from a college standpoint, may be called good work. The formation of the University English Club during the past year argues well for sustained interest in creative work. MARTHA RICE.

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' 5] Blue and Gold I9O4 number of creative minds to produce at least a fairly clever composite picture of Berkeley life. Rich humor, if not everywhere in evidence, is still waiting for the clever man or woman who searches for it. University life is thrilling with subject matter for the right pens. In the old days the skit, cartoon or pasquinade must not only have a local setting, but it seemed to be rather expected that it would be rudely, even savagely, personal. Close familiarity of the students with each other and with the faculty seemed to give rise to the demand, even if it brought no ethical justification for the supply. The editor of today must still look to the local setting; but happily the taste of his audience is now more generic. To- day the successful writer for the BLUE AND GOLD must appeal to the whole Student Body. It is not possible to do away entirely with pointed allusions; but as a general rule the Student Body will best be reached rather by the depiction of college types than by the portrayal of particular individuals. All will recognize the type, while it will only occasionally happen that mere personalities will reach far enough to justify themselves. But by whatever road the editorial work is approached, the result to be attained must always be the same. Each successive editorial board should seriously set out determined to concenter and hold captive within the covers of its BLUE AND GOLD the sunshine of three hundred and sixty-five Berkelev davs.

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Blue and Gold 1904 FRANK XORRIS In Frank Xorris ' work there was a buoyant enthusiasm which rever- berates amongst us after his death. Even in the gloom of realism in his tales there was a dash of youth and hope. In our regret over his demise we have the stirring right to think we once numbered him amongst us. Students in California who write are bound to feel relationship with Frank Xorris ' life. He wrote and worked where they now are forming sentences. He wrote his Junior farce. He was on the staff of his class ' BLUE AND GOLD. He wrote for the college papers. Socially he was a fra- ternity man. He was one of the founders of the Skull and Keys Society, and it is said that much of the ritual was arranged by him. He was a good college man. As a literary man Xorris was a leader in America. He set upon a new field to p icture. Then into his writings he cast an enthusiasm for his sub- ject which covered a multitude of venial sins. J. M. Barrie ' s Tommy has said. Where the heart is. there is the treasure. This is the epitome of Frank Xorris ' artist creed. His heart was in writing, and he wrote books that make readers tremble with thought and he was a student at the Uni- versity of California. It will always be a satisfying thought to us that we had the opportunity to cheer him in life as sympathetically as we mourn him in death.