LITERARY LAPSES

Another undergraduate literary supplement makes its how in the first appearance of "The Literary Critic" sponsored by the editors of The Dartmouth. Similar in form and content to its contemporaries at Yale, Princeton, New York University and Harvard, the publication aims, according to its prefatory editorial, to combine "usefulness and amusement". And, like the progeny of the above named journals it is obviously a collegiate imitation of the literary supplements of the metropolitan dailies a fact which in no way detracts from its worthiness and which. If successfully accomplished, enhances in value.

Undergraduate criticism of literature, especially modern literature, is usually to be taken with several grains of appraising salt. Hosannas for Hemingway and disproportionate praise and condemnation is the result in the majority of cases where some young Harry Hansen or Isabel Patterson takes stook of the latest books. This, however, is a less cardinal crime than any other tendency.

If enthusiastic sentiments are sincere nothing is lost and very likely something's gained, since insight into undergraduate tastes is interesting if nothing else. What seduces the young reviewer is the attitude and opinions of his olders. For a youthful critic to enter into a rhapsody over "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" merely because it is highly commended by those who ought to know and not because it seems to him an extremely well written book is an unfortunate example of plagiarism. The Algonquin circle may like it; the higher literati may like it; but if this particular book or any other book does not appeal to the individual young man his is the unpleasant task of exhibiting the undergraduate thumbs down. His is the privilege of citing what he as a university student does or does not like. In the far greater number of cases his judgement will be in sincere accordance with that of his professional rivals. In the exceptions, however, he should remain adamant.