Word: popularizations
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...write with the idea or hope of carrying conviction, nor did I aspire to criticise Harvard social life. My aim was merely to show the influence which popular men have over public opinion at Harvard, and the good which they may do by means of that influence. I am not aware that this topic has ever been discussed in a college paper before, though in illustrating it I spoke of a practice which has been the subject of college comment, - I mean the practice of toadying...
...referring to this time-honored college custom I said that a great responsibility rested upon popular men, inasmuch as many of their admirers would imitate their actions; and, to use a strong illustration, I said that if Swellington got drunk, Gosling, even though he did not like the taste of liquor, would follow his friend's example. This is the statement that "D" challenges. I do not say that Gosling does drink to excess, but I say that he will if Swellington does, and I draw the conclusion from Gosling's conduct in other matters. When "D" says that...
...that any one became popular by such policy as this. In fact, I meant to imply the contrary, and I am well aware that the most unpopular men in college are those who have so far mistaken the elements of popularity as to think that toadying is one of them. I did not, however, imply that any Harvard graduate was an imbecile. I merely drew a picture of Gosling, and if anybody insists that it is the picture of an imbecile I am not responsible for that opinion...
...aware how much good there is in college life, especially in life at Harvard. Ability, when it is attractive, is quickly recognized here, and our leading men exert a good influence over their fellows; for it is one of the happy distinctions of Harvard that a man cannot become popular here unless he fully deserves to be so. But perhaps no society was ever so good that its members did not wish it better; and those of us who have given any thought to the subject must wish that integrity of personal character was more respected, and that rivalry...
Even if there is a person in college corresponding to the imaginary "Gosling," - a phenomenon whose real existence one is inclined to question, - he will never become popular by pursuing the policy suggested by this social critic. The man who will make a fool of himself because "Swellington" does, and will then "brag about it for the rest of the year," cannot be familiar with the ways and means of social preferment...