Normal Index 1885-10 (October 1885)

              The Normal Index.
VOL. I.
OCTOBER, 1885.
NO. 1
SALUTATORY.
In this, the initial copy of the Normal Index,
we make our modest bow to the public. As
the verdant, unpracticed school boy advances
timidly to make his maiden speech, we mount
the rostrum and seek anxiously among the countenances before us for a friendly glance of sympathy and encouragement. While we do not expect to escape that cold, cynical gaze that is always leveled at those who embark in such enterprises, we humbly ask our critics to be as charitable aspossible, and to remember that
"Large streams from little fountains flow,
Tall oaks from little acorns grow " etc.
In the publication of the Index, we are
prompted by no ambitious desire to accomplish
some great moral or political reform, or to "illumine the journalistic firmament with the scintillations of our genius."
Our plans are as unobtrusive as our manifesto.
Acting upon a suggestion arising; from the oft re-
peated query that "with our Normal talent and
large number of students, why have we not
a college journal," the Senior classes concluded to establish a paper which should not only
preserve the sayings and doings of our students,
but should afford a medium of communication
uniting with stronger bands the graduates, Alma
Mater, and all those who are, or have been connected with the Normal.
Regarding our plans for the future, we have
but little to say. Our success will depend largely upon the support we receive from those students and teachers among whom our journal will
he circulated. We shall spare no means in our
power to conduct a paper that will meet the approval of those interested, and we ask the hearty
co-operation of the students and friends of the
Normal in our undertaking.
----
Criticism.— 'Tis a gentle word and yet what
varied emotions it will stir in the hearts of
our people. Many accept it kindly as it is given.
Some are disheartened by it and a few regard
criticism as cruel fault finding. We, in the
midst of our active work, are constantly commit
ting errors, which, were it not for the timely
utterances of some one kind enough to watch our
individual progress, might never come beneath
our ken.
"Yes," has been the answer, "we are willing
to accept criticism from those, our appointed
guides, our superiors in wisdom and experience;
but when one of our fellow-students hands in
two pages of his note-hook upon which he has
carefully noted our deficiencies of the past week,
with a solitary good point,—'the teacher's manner is pleasant,' as a sort of a poultice to soothe
the rest, it is hard." Truly we can all appreciate
the feeling;, but let us consider for a moment
what criticism means in this school. We are
one great family, working together for a time,
with one common purpose. Is it not customary
in all well regulated families, where the true
spirit exists, to help one another over weak
places, and point out obstacles that hinder
progress or true development? It is even so
among us, and our help given in the right way
in the form of criticism is twice blessed, "It
blesseth him that gives and him that receives."
Let us then criticise with an aim at the
highest good for all. Better not to criticise
at all, than for the sake of showing your
neighbor that you are alive to his faults and
thereby give due notice. Lei us be more
charitable  in giving and receiving.
----
MARRIAGE  OF  BEATRICE-
By Lord Alfred Tennyson, Poet Laureate,
Two suns of Love make day of human life,
Which else, with all its pains,and griefs, and deaths,
Were utter darkness:   one the sun of dawn
That brightens through the mother's tender eyes,
And warms the child's awakening world; and one
The later rising sun of spousal love,
Which from her household orbit draws the child
To move in other spheres.   The mother weeps
At that white funeral of the single life,
Her maiden daughter's marriage; and her tears
Are half of pleasure, half of pain.   The child
Is happy e'er in leaving her.   Rut thou,
True daughter, whose all faithful filial eyes
Have seen the loneliness of earthly thrones,
Wilt neither quit the widowed crown, nor let
This later light of love have risen in vain,
But, moving through the mother's home, between
The two that love thee, lead a summer life,
Swayedby each love, and swaying to each love
Like some conjectured planet in mid-heaven
Between two suns, and drawing down from both
The light and genial warmth of double day.