45 
a college in straitened circumstances would be the professor who “did not 
read books but wrote them.” 
Turning now to the guestion of assistance, from the purely business 
standpoint a man should not be required to do what a cheaper man can 
do as well; the problem, however, is by no means solved by so stating it. 
The profitable use of assistants is a far from simple matter; their duties 
should be so assigned and supervised that their time may be spent to the 
advantage of the department and also to their own obvious profit. The 
men available have usually recently graduated and should realize that the 
salary is not the chief reward for their services, but that the time spent 
as an assistant in a well conducted department is valuable as a period of 
education and necessarily precedes any more advanced position in the col- 
lege or university world, The assistant should welcome all such experience, 
even if some drudgery is included, as give him an insight into the teaching 
of his subject and the management of departmental business, such as the 
handling and ordering of supplies, the administration of classes, and the 
keeping of systematic records. To really review and extend his knowledge 
of the fundamentals of his subject so as to meet the needs of students en- 
titled to his help is no slight task, but the assistant should use his utmost 
efforts towards progress in more advanced study and in research if his 
preparation is adequate. The assistant who shows the right qualities will 
not long fail to receive recognition and promotion; in the teacher’s pro- 
fession “everything comes to him as can wait” as far as he has the qualifi- 
eations. Given the natural ability, industry and personality, thorough prep- 
aration will compel success; an assistant’s position in a large and efficient 
department in association with successful men is better preparation for 
ultimate success in college or university work than the better paid positions 
in high schools open to men of equal training. 
Those having charge of assistants should see to it that there is oppor- 
tunity and encouragement for proper growth. It is through such assist- 
ants that the older teachers may hope to accomplish research, in doing 
which both are equally benefited. It is, however, something of a deception 
to. call such assistants’ positions “fellowships” if the duties of the depart- 
ment occupy any considerable part of the time. 
It is certainly desirable that the more experienced teacher should 
delegate to assistants such of his work as can be properly done by them; 
it is very undesirable that he should cease to have direct and constant con- 
