Page 14 - 1912 February - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OM/CRON PI 81

READING AS A PROFESSION

Comparatively few college graduates appear to enter this profes-
sion for which the four college years seem to furnish so fitting a
background. Is it because so many college alumnae need to seek a
field which will be immediately remunerative?—or is it because they
see the "No Trespass" sign to all not bearing the diploma of a Dra-
matic School or School of Oratory? I f the former, I must admit
that beginners in sueing for public favor should recognize the neces-
sity of much labor of love in the interests of advertising. And i f
there is equal necessity for remunerative wage then she must have
other arrows i n her quiver. Fortunately there are for these, other
allied pursuits which might almost be called "by products" of the
Reading Profession,—the teaching of oratory and dramatic reading;
and the coaching of amateur theatricals.

Many colleges offer courses i n Oratory and Public Speaking, and
with this a course in Voice Culture is extremely necessary, and, where
possible, a course in Impersonation will be a good investment. With
this much technical stock in trade, there is the wealth of literary
background attained through the college course. The college trained
woman has acquired a power of selection and discrimination and an
impetus to continue in pursuit of the finest which will carry her far
toward becoming individual in her art.

The field for good readers is large and uncrowded. The great
ones will always be few, as are the geniuses in any line. But of the
really fine readers there might easily be many more. The college
graduate with her literary background and her ideals, can do much
toward elevating the public taste in reading,—for in the classics
there is much that can be made popular. Her powers of discrimina-
tion keep her from the pitfalls of mediocrity, while the exhilaration
and pleasure to the Reader herself, as she progresses in her art, are
inestimable.

R U T H CAPEN FARMER, Delta '02.