434 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



In very intimate relation with the income to be expected is the cost 

 of preparation. It is doubtful if in any other line so much is spent 

 in preparing for the work. After completing the four years under- 

 graduate course the aspirant for professorial honors must spend at least 

 two or three years in graduate work in some large university. On com- 

 pleting this he will be fortunate if he obtains even an assistant pro- 

 fessorship. More usually he becomes an assistant or instructor at 

 $600 to $700 a year. 



The manner of living required in any position is also closely related 

 to income received. Here, too, the professor has nothing to his advan- 

 tage, for he is compelled to keep up appearances. He must dress well, 

 and his house must be in a good neighborhood. In order to meet other 

 men in his line he must attend the meetings of technical societies, 

 where these men come together. Finally he is supposed to be a patron 

 of the arts and sciences and the owner of a fine library, all of which 

 costs money. 



The sentimental side of the question, the compensations coming 

 from love of the work, seeking for truth, pursuit of ideals, in short, 

 the things that are worth more than money, the authors will not dis- 

 cuss, feeling that it would be without the scope of the paper. They do 

 not wish to be understood, however, as taking so sordid a view as to 

 place money compensation above everything else. Still, the subject 

 can not be left without this reflection : other professions also have their 

 ideals. Because the lawyer or surgeon or engineer receives more salary, 

 it scarcely follows that he has no ideals, does not love his work and 

 takes no thought of service to his fellow men. Can it be shown that 

 these are not worth as much as the ideals of the teacher? If it can 

 not, it follows that the teacher pays too high a price for the privilege 

 of following his chosen work. 



Finally, one other question will be raised. Does not the low salary 

 exert an influence on the kind of men who go into the profession of 

 university teaching? It is sometimes flatly stated that the best men 

 do not enter the profession because of this fact. This point, also, the 

 authors, who are just entering the professorial ranks themselves, obvi- 

 ously do not want to discuss, hoping that in presenting the facts of 

 the situation they have contributed their share and made the way 

 easier for wiser minds to follow. 



