[lit-ideas] Re: Go West, Young Man (Is: Huntington)
- From: Robert Paul <rpaul@xxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:20 -0800
JL suggests
...that the 'west' is a place in the mind. The motto of UC/Berkeley is,
"Westward the Empire strikes its way"
When I last looked, the motto of UC Berkeley was 'Fiat Lux.' which is
Italian for 'bad luck.'
The line 'Westward the course of empire takes its way,' is from Bishop
Berkeley's 'Verse on the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America.'
Berkeley had been on the East Coast, attempting to drum up money for
establishing a college in Bermuda for the purpose of 'converting the
savage Americans to Christianity.' Berkeley was ahead of his time.
The Muse, disgusted at an age and clime
Barren of every glorious theme,
In distant lands now waits a better time.
Producing subjects worthy fame.
Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The first four acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
Time's Noblest offspring is the last.
Perhaps some Berkeley scholar can explain how the Bishop's line led to
Berkeley's being called Berkeley. Or disambiguate this sentence,
whichever seems more urgent.
Robert Paul
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