generally are not normally aggressive in their attentions toward Phi Beta Kappa women, they are, nevertheless, socially aggressive in other quarters, so that again the conclusion would seem to be that women candidates for this organization are more strenuously devoted to the ideal of scholarship than are the men.

V. THE RELATIVE LURE OF PRIZES.

Regardless of all other conditions, it is undoubtedly true that Phi Beta Kappa pins possess a greater charm for women than they do for men. This is because of the relatively greater lure that tags and labels in general have for women. I have noticed, in observing children, that girls care more for the distinction that comes with colored stars, ribbons, and other prizes than boys do. The appeal to girls seems deeper and the difference is perhaps not diminished with added years. It seems to be conspicuously the part of feminine nature to adore show and display, whether in the form of furs, feathers, or fictitious honors. For this reason alone, women undoubtedly compete more energetically to make Phi Beta Kappa than men. This being true, it would appear that there are comparatively fewer men capturing places in the organization owing to the weaker pulling power of the lure for them.

VI. THE STIMULUS OF THE CHALLENGE.

For women the field of education is relatively new. Only a short time ago they had neither souls nor minds. Naturally women are spurred on by this charge of inferiority which the stone age imposed upon them. Women are working in the colleges and universities with a sort of vengeance. They are flinging back one of the insults of the ages by trying to "make good." Unquestionably this aspect of the situation is a factor in placing women on a higher scholarship plane than they otherwise would attain. Particularly is this true where some specific competition is involved, where women are brought face to face with men in some vital test of scholarship such as Phi Beta Kappa affords. The principle involved is one of motivation, a principle which is always at the base of every whole-souled personal investment; and

in this case it seems to me that there exists for women a certain specific motive which is totally lacking for men.

VII. MEN FACULTIES AND THE ETERNAL FEMININE. Perhaps but few people have given thought to the fact that in our co-educational colleges and universities the faculties are made up mostly of men. But the fact demands attention; the fact that our women students have men teachers. The fact is a very pertinent one when it comes to any consideration of the relative scholarship grades received by men and women students in our co-educational institutions. It is pertinent for the reason that either consciously or unconsciously, or both, the appeal to men of the eternal feminine enters to a certain extent into grades given to women by class room professors. There can be no question whatever about this, regardless even of how lustily the professors might deny it. Exactly the same principle which operates to favor women in the court room and in the jury room, operates to favor women in the class room. In the former cases we have an abundance of positive evidence; in the latter case let those accept it by analogy, who have neither observed nor experienced. Sociologically chivalry may be gone; but biologically it operates undiminished. In spite of this, however, there is of course a limit beyond which the charm of no woman could work in colleges or universities. For example, no woman, no matter how charming in personality, could possibly receive the stamp of high scholarship who is a consistent failure in her academic work. The point is, that the appeal that women make to men, as far as academic grades are concerned, is secondary, and not fundamental. But the appeal is there just the same. Let us not overlook it in any discussion which tends to accept Phi Beta Kappa membership as a basis for drawing conclusions on the relative mental statures of men and women.

CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY.

In all the investigations that have been made by anthropology and educational and experimental psychology for the purpose of finding mental differences between the sexes, none have been

found. Those who would draw conclusions from the Phi Beta Kappa figures are mistaken, for the reason that the elements that contribute to scholarship in the two sexes are different. The interests of men are far more varied and diverse, both biologically and sociologically, than those of women. For this reason men are working at dispersed attention much more than women are. Scholarship thus becomes a definite function of application. By no means is scholarship an exclusive function of native mental capacity.

But it may be argued that the failure of men to apply themselves more to purely mental tasks and less to social and physical interests is in itself a certain evidence of comparative mental inferiority on their part-that the very facts which I have brought forth in this paper in defense of male mentality are exactly the proofs of woman's mental superiority. With respect to such an interpretation, each one of course must judge for himself.

Personally, however, I am unable to see the logic of such a possible contention. I believe that the fairer test would be on the following basis, namely:

With equal application, how would men compare with women from the standpoint of scholarship grades?

My own conviction is that they would be equal to women. Nevertheless, I will, of course, admit that men will not thus apply themselves and many will claim, perhaps, that men cannot.

This raises the question as to whether abstract mental application is more an evidence of mentality than mentality is a result of application. I, of course, answer this question in the negative that is, I believe that mental attainment is more the result of application than application is a proof of mental superiority.

However that be, I feel sure that the relative status of men and women mentally, so far as scholarship grades are concerned, must be fought out on the one issue of application.

For this reason I believe that the one service which future Phi Beta Kappa committees have to perform is to see their problem in this light, and accordingly to urge upon men that "the one safe, sure, serviceable and attainable cure for existing difficulties

is for men to apply themselves. I believe that any other recommendations, such as arbitrarily limiting the number of women students eligible for the Phi Beta Kappa, or imposing qualifications other than scholarship, would be ludicrous and unjust.

I believe further, that without doubt it might be well for our public schools to bear in mind the possibility that perhaps every argument offered above, save number seven, may be operating to differentiate boys and girls of the upper grades and the high school.

A Boon Denied

Fair shone the halls to Science consecrate,
For one cuffed of the years and travel-spent,
Consumed by strife with yearning discontent
And dizzied with din of traffic. At the gate
She paused that peaceful court to contemplate,
Where Youth, amazing hale and beauteous, went
On indicate errand, blithe, intent,

And index-fingered Wisdom walked sedate.

"Life, I would tarry with my kinsmen here,"
She pleaded, "Seeking truth where candor reigns,
Endeavor thrives (its every task limned clear),

And learning ripples down to dulcet strains.”
But Life said, "Nay! The World, long overdue,
Lays a steam-husky, toil-choked claim to you."

-LENA MCBEE.

Outline Study of Emerson's Essays

OUTLINE STUDY No. 82

EMERSON'S ESSAYS: COMPENSATION; SELFRELIANCE; MANNERS.

A. PREPARATORY WORK.

DISCUSSION OF THE ESSAY AS A DISTINCT FORM OF LITERARY COMPOSITION; FAMOUS ESSAYISTS.

I. THE ESSAY.

Note 1. The Essay is an offshoot of that department of literature known as the Treatise. A Treatise is a formal and methodical exposition of some particular subject, and is usually learned and ponderous, designed only for the scholarly and profound thinker. An Essay is also an exposition of some special theme, but is not so formal nor so methodical in its treatment as is a Treatise, properly so called. The Essay appeals to the popular taste, and is especially adapted to periodical literature.

"The Essay is properly a collection of notes, indicating certain aspects of a subject or suggesting thought concerning it, rather than the orderly or exhaustive treatment of it. It is not a formal siege but a series of assaults, essays, or attempts upon it. Hence the name."-Century Dictionary.

II. FAMOUS ESSAYISTS.

Suggestion 1. Give the century and nationality of each. 1. Sir Francis Bacon; 2, Michel Montaigne; 3, Charles Lamb; 4, Richard Steele; 5, James Russell Lowell; 6, Alexander Pope; 7, Joseph Addison; 8, Thomas B. Macaulay; 9, Matthew Arnold; 10, Thomas Carlyle; 11, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Note 2. It was to the work of Bacon that the name "essay" was first applied.

Suggestion 2. How do the essays of Pope differ from those of the other essayists mentioned?