PREFACE The question papers in library science are those used in the library school in connection with the state library, where librarians, assistants and cataloguers, receive professional training. Blanks for suggestions and criticisms relative to the character and scope of the examinations, are furnished with each set of question papers. The reports are tabulated, and each criticism and suggestion is carefully considered before the papers for the next examination are printed. It is the aim of the University in these examinations to test, as far as practicable, the thoughtpower of candidates, and to require the exercise of reason, judgment and common sense. With intelligent criticisms and suggestions from all persons interested in this work the University can approximate the desired standard. MELVIL DEWEY Secretary JAMES RUSSELL PARSONS, JR Director of Examinations Papers are arranged in order of subject numbers, and references are to subject num University of the State of New York 104th examination SPELLING Wednesday, September 28, 1892-1: 15 to 2: 15 p. m., only The following numbered words are to be written by each candidate. Let the principal distinctly and properly pronounce each word (with its number prefixed), allowing sufficient time for writing it before the next word is pronounced. The candidate is to begin each proper name with a capital letter and all other words with a small letter; to use the hyphen in compound words and the apostrophe in the possessive case of nouns. Each undoubted proper name, compound word or noun in the possessive case not thus written will be counted as an error. 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 (1) Four (2) hundred (3) years ago the (4) great state of New (5)York was (6) thickly (7) covered with (8) forests which had stood (9) since the (10) creation of the (11) world, for even before (12) Adam saw the (13)light of day we are told that "the (14) earth had (15) brought (16) forth the tree, (17) yielding (18) fruit whose seed was in itself after his kind." (19) When (20) Columbus came to (21) America, just four (22) centuries ago, a war, the like of (23) which was (24) seldom (25) seen, (26)commenced (27) against the grand old (28) monarchs of the forest. (29) Millions of the trees which had (30) reared their (31) proud heads for centuries (32) were cut down to (33) clear the land for (34) settlement, to (35) build the (36) homes of our (37) fathers, to (38) furnish (39) material for (40) fuel, tools, (41) ships, (42) carriages and a (43) thousand other things. (44) During (45) these four centuries the (46)public (47) paid little (48) attention to the (49) uses of trees for shade and for (50) beauty, and for the (51)protection they (52) afford to the (53) sources of (54) rivers. Now comes an (55) awakening. Rivers and (56) streams are (57)drying up, and the (58) barrenness of (59) portions of the state from which all (60) timber has been removed begins to (61) cause (62) alarm. Thousands of miles from New York, in (63) Japan, there is an (64) annual (65) holiday (66) excursion to see the maple in the glory of (67) autumn (68) colors. Let us (69)guard the (70) chosen tree of the (71) Empire state, and give it the care (72) due to its (73) exalted (74) position. Let us see to it that at (75) least one maple be planted (76) each year and that it be (77) dedicated to (78)some patriot (79) whose name is on the roll of honor of the state or of the (80) nation. Let us (81) commit to (82)memory at the same time great (83) thoughts of the one whose fame we seek to (84) perpetuate. Such thoughts recall the (85) glorious (86) heritage which should make us all true (87) patriots. The old (88) European (89) custom of (90) celebrating the (91) beginning of spring and other (92) festivals by (93) setting up green (94) boughs led us at the time of the revolution to plant (95) poplars and other trees as the (96) symbol of growing liberty. This (97) example was followed during the (98) French revolution by our (99) cousins (100) across the sea.-A. S. Draper 3 University of the State of New York 105th examination ⠀⠀⠀ SPELLING Wednesday, November 23, 1892-1: 15 to 2: 15 p. m., only The following numbered words are to be written by each candidate. Let the principal distinctly and properly pronounce each word (with its number prefixed), allowing sufficient time for writing it before the next word is pronounced. The candidate is to begin each proper name with a capital letter and all other words with a small letter; to use the hyphen in compound words and the apostrophe in the possessive case of nouns. Each undoubted proper name, compound word or noun in the possessive case not thus written will be counted as an error. 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 (1) History (2) shows us (3) that the (4)association of men in (5) various (6)nations is (7) made (8) subservient to the (9) gradual (10) advance of the (11) whole (12) human (13) race, and that (14)all nations (15) work (16) together (17) toward (18) one (19) grand (20) result. (21) So, to the (22) philosophic (23) eye, the race is but a (24) vast (25) caravan (26) forever (27) moving, but (28) seeming (29) often to (30) encamp for (31) centuries at some (32) green (33) oasis of (34) ease, (35) where (36) luxury (37) lures away (38) heroism, as (39)soft Capua (40) enervated the (41) hosts of * * We of (43) America, with and our (47) symbol (48) glorified (51) liberty and (52) religion (53) are in the (55)vanguard of this great caravan of (56)humanity. (44) our (45) soil by the (49) great (42) Hannibal. (46) sanctified (50) ideas of (54) foremost * * * * * * * (57) Though (58) darkness (59) sometimes (60)shadows our (61)national (62)sky, though (63) confusion comes from (64) error and (65) success (66) breeds (67) corruption, yet will the (68) storm pass in (69) God's good time, and in a (70)clearer sky and (71)purer (72) atmosphere our national life grow (73) stronger and (74) nobler, sanctified more and more, (75) consecrated to God and liberty by the (76) martyrs who fall in the (77) strife for the (78) just and (79) true. And so, with our (80) individual (81) hearts strong in love for our (82) principles, strong in (83) faith in our God, shall the nation (84) leave to (85) coming (86) generations a (87) heritage of (88) freedom and law and religion. and truth, more (89) glorious than the (90) world (92) before, and our (93) American (94) banner has (91) known be (95) planted (96) first and (97) highest on (98) heights as yet (99) unwon in the great (100) march of humanity.-Geo. W. Curtis |