English 22

English 22, a composition course, will be conducted this year by Mr. Hersey, Mr. Hersey's genius is not of the incisive, analytical order. It lies in his extraordinary capacity to help those whose aim it is to become proficient in the art of composition.

Mr. Hersey has an ideal temperament for a teacher of composition. A link of sympathy unites him with those who have an ear for words or poetry. His judgments are well considered, sage, and just; his criticism is subjective, inspiring, and invariably kindly.

Nevertheless, those who have little interest in writing would find his course dull, for he exhibits nothing that is flashy, as a more objective and less lofty spirit would be prone to do. His humor is quiet, his satire gentle, yet they are all the more refined for being do. And not the least of the recommendations for his course is that Mr. Hersey is before all things courteous and innately gentlemanly.

English 28

Any student who is willing to sit through a year of professorial vaudeville may emerge from this trial by fire with a valuable residue of knowledge. For more than 30 weeks he must submit to being talked at by ten or more professors, to adjusting himself weekly to a new style of delivery, and to winnowing his over crowded note-book for the handful of good grains.

For the student's better assistance a section man (this year there will be two) was provided, and entrusted with the all too difficult task of tying up the loose ends which the eminent professors were forced to leave. To bring order out of such chaos was more than one man could accomplish last year and promises to be more than two men can do this year. Another course, English 41, attempts to review the entire subject of the history of English literature and is said to succeed where this course fails by substituting continuity for diversity and breadth of range, and one man's ministrations for the work of many. Whereas English 41 seems in good truth to be a review of English Literature, English 28 could better be described as a review of the professors of English Literature at Harvard.

English 31

Being the first of the more advanced courses in English composition, English 31 has great possibilities which are only partially realized. Whereas the courses which are considered less advanced and taken perfunctorily by students in atonement for past "D's" or in anticipation of future "O's", English 31 is generally undertaken by students who have a serious desire to improve their literary style. Work on daily themes, occasional long compositions, and a novel, provide excellent opportunity for literary experimentation. But one cannot help feeling that Professor Hurbut would be a better guide to his students if he lived less in the literary past. While it is greatly to his credit that he should profess an admiration for the works of Jane Austen and the eighteenth century authors, it is less to his credit as an instructor that he should at the same time proclaim so complete an ignorance of Michael Arlen and his ill if only for the sake of pointing out the absurdities of these scriveners to his pupils.

English 41

The enthusiastic and sincere applause prolonged far beyond the requirements of mere courtesy which invariably terminates the last meeting of English 41 is sufficient commentary on the merits of