The Express.
London, England, 1857-11-25 00:00:00

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LONDON. WED. Y ESREY, NOVEMBER U.

Toe whom' of middle-elms examination originated
by the Liiivcreity of Oxford has now 'maimed a prac-
tical shape. Some few days ago we published the
regulations for the examination of senior candi-
dates, ce youths under the age of 18 who desire the
title of Associate in Arts. These regulations seem
framed with a great deal of good sense. If judicimmly
enforced, they wia serve to ascertain whether those
who submit thrioselvis to the test have received
a sound education. Besides English, Arithmetic,
Geography, English History, and—in some cases—
the rudiments of IG ligious doctrine, every candidate
will be required to pass in two, at least, of six
sections, whichis er be may prefer. It would
be tedious to repeat in detail the contents
of these sections: but they embrace such subjects as
English History, Political Economy, Latin, French
and German, Algebra, Chemistry, Drawing and
Music. Numerous, however, as are the subjects
of examination, the danger of superficial
knowledge menu to be carefully guarded against.
The object seems to be to give ample choice to can-
didates as to the matter upon which they shall be
examined, bat at the same time to insist that upon
the special subject which they profess, they shall
possess an exact knowledge. Much of the sonar
of every scheme of examination depends, of coarse,
cm the manner in which it is conducted. We have
every confides., in the experience of the examiners
who may be selected by the University of
Oxford. Teamed, the whole being voluntary, unless
sensible men are appointed, it is pretty obvious that
no candidates will appear before them. At present
all wo can say is this, that if the examination is
carried into practical effect with the same prudence
which has been displsyed in drawing up the scheme,
there iv little di,ubt of its success.

The object of the scheme is simple enough. Its
importance is proved by the fact that the Universi-
ties, both of Oxi'ord and of Cambridge, have adopted
it, and have determined to carry it on. Oxford,
no doubt, was tint in the field, for the movement
arose oat of a letter addressed by the Rev,
FREDERICK TEIII'LE (now Head Master of Rugby)
to the Master of l'imbroke. That gentleman's
position as a diAinguislud member of the University,
as an Inspector of Schools, and as our who knows
practically se much as any man about the state of
Education in Engteid, naturally gave his repre-
sentations groat weight. He pointed out that whilst
the tipper classes had the Universities, and the lower
classes had tine aid of Government, the middle
climes were left quite encored for. He showed that
parents in the middle rank" of life had no means of
obtaining a cheap end good education for their
children. Thiy had little knowledge themselves.
They could neith. r ow( rtain whether the master of
a school was capahlc, nur whether the scholars were
properly taught. Young people of ability and know-
ledge in the usiddk da.ses were thin too often left in
obscurity. They hid re, means of making their merits
Down. These were serious evils; and Mr. Tex PIA
asserted from his own personal experience that, if
these defects could by any means be remedied, it
would be regarded as a great boon by the middle
clam's. He illustrated his opinion by reference to
the ammo of the Society of Arts in the examination
of adults, and the eagerness with which the privilege
of being examined 17 that Society was seized upon.
The remedy suit;tuatid was this: that the Universi-
ties of Oxford acd Cambridge should appoint
persons to examine all candidates—without refer-
ence to country oe creed who should present
themselves ; that the places of examination
should be either at the Universities or in
the country, and that in order to pro-
vide the nee:miry funds a small sum should be
paid by the persons examined. The successful can-
didates were nut only to receive a certificate con-
ferring upon them the degree of Associate in Arts,
but were tribe arranged in the order of merit, their
names being regularly published. Now this scheme
hie been carried practically into effect by the regu-
lations just published by the University of Oxford,
and we rejoice to find that, according to the report
of the Committee appointed to consider the matter
by the University of Cambridge, the same regula-
tions wi!l probably be adopted there. Indeed, so
much importance does the Cambridge Committee
attach to unanimity, that they recommend the adop-
tion of the very same tido, Associate in Arts, which
has already been adapted ►y the Univeraity of Ox-
ford.

We may take en exaggerated view of the inipor- ;
Macs of this move bat unless we are grievously
mistaken it promises come of the best results both to
the Universities and to the middle class... For
centuries almost thew institutions have been re-
garded by the peopl: of this country as the nurseries
of a cold aristocracy," the strongholds of bigotry
and blindness. This movement will at once show
that these learned bodies begin to moraine their
real purpose, u..: to r, tcpt their destiny. With all
that spirit of independence which has long dietin
Knitted them, they now propose to go through the
land as unpaid inspector of education; not
to compel any 3 oath to submit himself to
their judgment, but to pass an unbiassed
judgment on 4.,, ry one who chooses to coma before
them, and to cow, r that honourable title of alio-
tion with the old Universities which any may be
proud to pommy. Nor is this 'IL Within the Uri.
versifies themselves a great movement has been made.
Foundations have bees. thrown open ; scholars an
welcomed from all quarters. la it too much to anti-
cipate that thrx• University examiners will act, not
only m inspecting aims, bat as recruiting sae