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mere performance of them is all。 To make drudgery divine a woman must
have a brain to plan and eyes to see how to 〃sweep a room as to God's
laws。〃 Imagination and knowledge should be the hourly companions of
her who would make a fine art of each detail in kitchen and nursery。 Too
long has the pin been the appropriate symbol of the average woman's life
the pin； which only temporarily holds together things which may or may
not have any organic connection with one another。 While undoubtedly
most women must spend the larger part of life in this modest pin…work；
holding together the little things of home and school and society and
church； it is also true； that cohesive work itself cannot be done well； even
in humble circumstances； except by the refined； the trained； the growing
woman。 The smallest village； the plainest home； give ample space for the
resources of the trained college woman。 And the reason why such homes
and such villages are so often barren of grace and variety is just because
these fine qualities have not ruled them。 The higher graces of civilization
halt among us； dainty and finished ways of living give place to common
ways； while vulgar tastes； slatternly habits； clouds and despondency reign
in the house。 Little children under five years of age die in needless
thousands because of the dull； unimaginative women on whom they
depend。 Such women have been satisfied with just getting along； instead
of packing everything they do with brains； instead of studying the best
possible way of doing everything small or large； for there is always a best
way； whether of setting a table； of trimming a hat； or teaching a child to
read。 And this taste for perfection can be cultivated； indeed； it must be
cultivated； if our standards of living are to be raised。 There is now
scientific knowledge enough； there is money enough； to prevent the vast
majority of the evils which afflict our social organism； if mere knowledge
or wealth could avail； but the greater difficulty is to make intelligence；
character； good taste； unselfishness prevail。
What； then； are the interests which powerfully appeal to mind and
heart； and so are fitted to become the strengthening companions of a
woman's life？ I shall mention only three； all of them such as are
elaborately fostered by college life。 The first is the love of great literature。
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WHY GO TO COLLEGE？
I do not mean that use of books by which a man may get what is called a
good education and so be better qualified for the battle of life； nor do I
mention books in their character as reservoirs of knowledge； books which
we need for special purposes； and which are no longer of consequence
when our purpose with them is served。 I have in mind the great books；
especially the great poets； books to be adopted as a resource and a solace。
The chief reason why so many people do not know how to make comrades
of such books is because they have come to them too late。 We have in this
country enormous numbers of readers； probably a larger number who read；
and who read many hours in the week； than has ever been known
elsewhere in the world。 But what do these millions read besides the
newspapers？ Possibly a denominational religious weekly and another
journal of fashion or business。 Then come the thousands who read the best
magazines； and whatever else is for the moment popular in novels and
poetry the last dialect story； the fashionable poem； the questionable but
talked…of novel。 Let a violent attack be made on the decency of a new
story and instantly； if only it is clever； its author becomes famous。
But the fashions in reading of a restless racethe women too idle； the
men too heavily workedI will not discuss here。 Let light literature be
devourered by our populace as his drug is taken by the opium…eater； and
with a similar narcotic effect。 We can only seek out the children； and hope
by giving them from babyhood bits of the noblest literature； to prepare
them for the great opportunities of mature life。 I urge； therefore； reading as
a mental stimulus； as a solace in trouble； a perpetual source of delight； and
I would point out that we must not delay to make the great friendships that
await us on the library shelves until sickness shuts the door on the outer
world； or death enters the home and silences the voices that once helped to
make these friendships sweet。 If Homer and Shakespeare and Wordsworth
and Browning are to have meaning for us when we need them most； it will
be because they come to us as old familiar friends whose influences have
permeated the glad and busy days before。 The last time I heard James
Russell Lowell talk to college girls； he said；for he was too ill to say
many words〃I have only this one message to leave with you。 In all your
work in college never lose sight of the reason why you have come here。 It
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WHY GO TO COLLEGE？
is not that you may get something by which to earn your bread； but that
every mouthful of bread may be the sweeter to your taste。〃
And this is the power possessed by the mighty dead；men of every
time and nation； whose voices death cannot silence； who are waiting even
at the poor man's elbow； whose illuminating words may be had for the
price of a day's work in the kitchen or the street； for lack of love of whom
many a luxurious home is a dull and solitary spot； breeding misery and
vice。 Now the modern college is especially equipped to introduce its
students to such literature。 The library is at last understood to be the heart
of the college。 The modern librarian is not the keeper of books； as was his
predecessor； but the distributer of them； and the guide to their resources；
proud when he increases the use of his treasures。 Every language； ancient
or modern； which contains a literature is now taught in college。 Its history
is examined； its philology； its masterpieces； and more than ever is English
literature studied and loved。 There is now every opportunity for the
college student to become an expert in the use of his own tongue and pen。