SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1S, 1921

THE MICHIGAN DAILY MAGAZINE

6

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1921 THE MICHIGAN DAILY MAGAZINE
ii.

Thinking and Writing
(By Delbert Clark.) them a wonderful lustre and a lasting
place in English verse. But the fact
Do thinkers wrste, and do writers remains that the ideas were not his
think? -Are great thinkers of neces- originally."
sity great writers, and do great writ- But on the other side is Prof.
ers have to be ipso facto great Charles B. Vibbert, of the philosophy
thinkers? Opinions of campus author- department, who says in effect: "It
Ities vary widely on the subject, which, is impossible to be sure in specific
cases because there are so many ex-
simply stated, is: Because an indivi- ternal factors to be taken into con
dual is capable of lofty, inspiring sideration, such as temperamental in-
thought, does it necessarily follow disposition, ill-health, and many
that he is capable of expressing his others. However, all other things be-
thoughts in words equally great? Aa ing normal, I would say that a thinker
does a great writer have to be a if he is a thinker is capable of self-
great thinker? Various members of expression, and as the clarity of his
the University faculty have been asked thought increases, so does the beauty
to express their personal opinions on if its expression."
the matter, with the result that some Donal Hamilton Haines, lecturer in
take one extreme, some the other, and journalism, and a writer well known
a least one has taken what may be himself, says that "Great writing caa-
termed a middle course. not be produced without great thoughts
Prof. Fred N. Scott, head of the behind it, or, if it could, it would be
rhetoric department, believes that the work of a wierd sort of genius."
simultaneously with the idea are borne Prof. Walter B. Pillsbury, of the
the words to fit it. In proportion to department of psychology, says that
the vagueness and lack of definite lines thought the processes of thinking and
of the idea, so inadequate will be the connected, yet it is impossible to reach
words by which to express it. But as a definite conclusion by any psycho-
the idea takes definite shape, and logical means yet discovered. And
rounds out to perfection, so will the there you are.
words expressing it increase in ads-
quacy and beauty. The idea, however,
according to Professor Scott, is always
vague and indistinct until adequate
words are found to express it.
Prof. M. C. Wier, of the rhetoric d
partment, is of the opinion that an in- /
dividual may be a great thinker, but
lack words to express his thought
properly. That, in his opinion, is just
the difference between a great writer
and a mediocre one. By constant re-
writing, according to Mr. Wier, one
may improve the quality of the work
in hand, but he believes that real
facility and nicety in choice of words
and in written expression is something
that can never be acquired in entirely.
On the other hand, one may write well
without displaying loftiness or thought.
Mr. Wier cites Swinburno to support
this contention, "Swinburne", he
said, "in a most masterful fashion took
the ideas of the ancient classical
writers, many of them crude and ill-
expressed, and rewrote them, giving
Professor Jastrow's Iast Book
By the death of Prof. Morris Jast-O
row, Jr., the world lost one of the
leading biblical scholars of modern d
times. His contributions to the liter- has a
ature of Oriental research have been slipp
many, and among the best known are erenc
his two recent biblical interpretations,
"A GENTLE CYNIC." Being the Book .
of Ecclesiastes," and "The Book of fshto
Job. His last book will be published A vi
this month by the same company. This ie
is "The Song of Songs: Being a Col-
lection of Love Lyrics of Ancient Pal-
estine." It will complete the popular
series that include the two books men-
tioned previously. The late author,
in his new translation, based on a re-
vised text, divides the collection into
twenty-two beautiful songs, to which
he has given descriptive and enticing
heads, such' as: "Love's Ectacy."
"The Saucy Damsel." "Love's Long-
ing," etc.
With light and lofty words he fills
Ills large vocabulary,
'Tis done as he will often tell
To make his diction-airy.

UNLESS YOU WANT TO FORM
A HABIT
don't ever touch one of
Bessimer's Grilled Steaks
because when you eat the first one
you are a gonner. Why, you will
want them twice a day from then
on.
On Withi the Dance'
carry out the detar of the frock for the
ance, the theatre, the frolic-this store
ssembled a collection of new fall dance
ers, pumps and shoes, that shows a pref-
e for beauty and a regard for moderate
g. In a variety of exquisite styles and
nable shades.
sit to our shoe shop will prove worth
Your inspection is cordially invited,