The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 6, 1169

of intellectual training amongst those 01AR-sea who
are deprived of collegiate residences. Its aim was
to enable students to obtain university degrees and
honours without the great expense and loss of time
attendant upon university life ; it was to promote
the combination of the counting-house and the study,
and to foster the cultivation of other branches of
learning besides Latin and Greek. Few persons will
be inclined to dispute that this scheme has in the
main been well carried out ; but there are many who
seriously doubt whether recent alterations in the
curriculum are not likely to prove baneful. The
continually increasing difficulty of the London ex-
aminations has, in fact, become a grievance. Rarely
does the calendar make its appearance without some
change in the regulations, and never are these changes
in favour of the students. The amount of knowledge
required is always increasing, and the minimum
period of time in which a degree can be obtained is
always extending. The object of the Senate
is to enhance the value of the degrees by
increasing the difficulty of obtaining them.
This principle may be carried too far. The original
severity of the London examinations has secured
their standard of value ; but the excessive rigour now
being introduced is rapidly excluding from com-
petition the very class for which the university was
designed.

In the recently-published regulations for the
examination of women, the Senate has achieved its
chef d'ceurre of absurdity. Some ten months inter-
vene between the date of issuing these rules and that
at which the candidates are to present themselves for
the first time. To say nothing of honours, in order
to simply pass this test the candidate must shew a
competent knowledge in the English language, his-
tory, and geography, in Latin, in Greek or a modern
language, in mathematics, including arithmetic and
some geometry and algebra, in natural philosophy,
and, lastly, in chemistry or botany. Nothing could
be better suited for the Miss BECKER section of society.
Nothing could be more ill-devised for the ordinary
Englishwoman. When the rights of women are so
firmly established that the sex has its place at the
Treasury Bench, this programme may meet with
favour, but at present it is objectionable in every
respect. It is so far above and away from the usual
range of study as to be practically useless. The sum
total of knowledge required is much in excess of
that ordinarily possessed by Englishwomen, and
the subjects laid down differ altogether
from those usually studied. The university pre-
scribes what few women ever learn, and what none
but men would be able to teach. It is admitted on
all hands that the training of the rising generation
of women ought to be greatly improved ; but to pass
this examination it must be totally changed—the old
curriculum discarded, and another adopted
in its place. It is by no means clear that
anything would be gained by this revolution. The
education of our women is defective, not because unsuit-
able branches of learning are chosen, but because they
are superficially taught. The French of the boarding-
school ends in capacity to read novels, the music in
tinkering easy dances, the drawing in undesigned
caricature. But real knowledge in these subjects
would be more valuable to average women than
Greek or algebra. Whilst the so-called accomplish-
ments, when perfectly acquired, are of great value
both at home and in society, it is doubtful how
many husbands or fathers would find pleasure in a
neat version of Pindar or the elimination of x. The
English language and literature, a modern language,
music, drawing, and one or two branches of science
furnish materials out of which the Senate might have
constructed a programme which would have secured
all that is needed in the way of training and at the
same time have • necessitated no great changes in the
accepted course of study. The Senate seems to have
acted at random, with no special object in view,
though a well-defined course lay before them. The
great object of opening the universities to women is
to promote a higher standard of education through-
out the country. had the university accepted the
ordinary course of study a healthy competition
amongst lady teachers might have been promoted in
a little time ; some schoolmistress would speedily
have perceived the advantage of announcing a few
successful passes in her prospectus; others would
follow, and soon the establishment which could not
turn out a scholar equal to the university course
would be discredited. One great cause of the super-
ficial education of women is the lack of a standard
by which it can be measured. The London Univer-
sity Senate has not supplied this want. Teachers
will have an excuse for disregarding this examination
as being wholly unsuitable ; and the only probable
result of the change is the certification of
a limited number of blue-stockings. It is
satisfactory to find that the University of
Cambridge has also taken up the education of women,
and has put forth a programme which contrasts
most favourably with that of London. The subjects
are divided into five groups, the first of which,
including religious knowledge, arithmetic, English
history, English language and composition, is an
indispensable part of the examination. It is necessary
to pass in this and in one other group in order to
gain a certificate. The student has thus the option
of choosing as her second subject a modern or a
dead language, mathematics, science, logic, or music
and drawing. She may even elect to pass in Group
A one year and in the optional subject the next.
These regulations are much more liberal and less
difficult than those published by the Senate of the
London University, and are likely to be of propor-
tionately greater benefit.

Some of the other London examinations are simi-
larly calculated for the display of intellectual leger-
demain rather than for securing the greatest good
to the greatest number. The university has been a
public benefit by discarding the exclusive study of
Latin and Greek and exacting proficiency in science,
philosophy, and modern languages. But is it
reasonable to expect young men from sixteen
to twenty-three years of age to chew a
" competent knowledge " in all these subjects
at once ? The Senate is right in tolerating
no superficial acquirement, but the consequence of
demanding great attainments in all branches of learn-
ing is an excessive proportion of failures. For the
B.A. degree, Latin, Greek, English, French or
German, pure and mixed mathematics, history,
animal physiology, and logic and moral philosophy
are demanded. And yet no student can obtain a
prize in any of these subjects after the age of
23. The knowledge required in all these branches
is very considerable. But it is a hot-house
cultivation which fails to bear the test of practical
life. It can hardly be deemed a satisfactory result
that one-half of the candidates should fail at matri-
culation, one-half again at the first B.A. examina-
tion, and more than one-half at the second B.A. The
proportion of passes has uniformly decreased of late
years. Previously to 1860 the degree of B.A. was
obtainable by passing once after matriculation, and
yet the proportion of passes at matriculation
was six -sevenths, and at the final test
four-fifths. But in 1867 only 09 out of 142
were successful at the second B.A.—a decrease in a
few years which is explicable only on the ground
of the increasing severity of the test. Similar
results are noticeable, though in a lesser degree, in
other branches of learning. For the degree of
Bachelor of Science, 227 have presented themselves
at the first examination since 1860, and of• these 94
have been successful. At the second B.Sc.
two-fifths fail, for the degree of Doctor of
Science one-half, at the preliminary examina-
tion for medical degrees two-fifths. Whosoever
would become Doctor of Literature must pass an
examination in the English language, literature, and
history, and must be so proficient in four other lan-
guages, including Latin and Greek, as to be able to
compose in each of them, besides have a com-
petent acquaintance with the literature of
each of these tongues ! This degree was
created in 1866, and but one gentleman has yet
obtained it.

This excessive proportion of rejections is not the
means of securing a higher standard of learning,

Useful acquirement in so many subjects is
wholly out of the question : and it is not a little
significant that those degrees which are granted for
proficiency in individual branches have a much
greater value than those which can be secured
only by a " competent knowledge " of many.
It is notorious that whilst the London diplomas in
law and medicine rank higher than any others in the
world, the B.A. degree has no status comparable to
those granted by Oxford or Cambridge, though the
sum total of knowledge demanded is very much
greater. Equally convincing is the fact that whilst
the failures at the general examinations are so
numerous, the rejections in special subjects are
remarkably few. For the LL.B. degree 206
candidates have presented themselves, and 193 have
been successful. The examination is severe, but it is
wholly confined to law and constitutional history.
The M.A. test is remarkably stringent, but the
candidate need pass in only one branch of learning—
classics, mathematics, or mental science—and conse-
quently the failures are very few. The examinations
for medical degrees are most difficult of all, and yet
it is only at the preliminary scientific pass
that any large proportion of failures occurs.
At the last M.B. test, 525 out of 619
have been successful ; and for the degree of
doctor 261 out of 288, though, if the truth were
known, it would probably be found that no small
proportion of those who had entered themselves to
pass retired on seeing the examination papers. There
is no gainsaying the force of these facts. The earlier
examinations are difficult without being useful; they
reject a large number of aspirants without securing
any solid attainments in those who are successful. If
the usefulness of the people's university is to be
maintained, substantial practical knowledge in a
limited number of subjects must be made the rule
throughout. The Senate may plead some arguments
in favour of their present system, but the strongest
argument is against them : their special examinations
are successful; the general examinations comparative
failures.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.;
PARIS, TUESDAY, January fl.
The defeat in the Manche Department is a very serious
check to the Opposition, and no encouraging omen of the
general election. The Liberte and other papers are very
gloomy about it, and, indeed, there can be no doubt that
the defeat is one of the first importance. M. Havin, the
proprietor of the SiMe. and the representative of the
Republicans in politics and of the Voltaire creed in reli-
gion, gained a great victory in this department. How has
it been lost? M. Havin was not a remarkably able or enthu-
siastic politician, and it is known that, in spite of
the advanced opinions of the organ which he represented,
he always kept on good terms with the authorities, and
even, it is said, with the bishop ; but this does not fully
explain the reverse which was experienced on Monday. It
does not account for the fact that immediately on the
death of a Republican representative his constituents elect
the official candidate in the proportion of 17,648 to
10,761, and this, too, directly after the prosecution so
damaging to the Government in the I3audin affair. The
result is truly remarkable.

Marshal Niel is said to entertain the proposal of pro-
longing to the 31st of March the half-yearly furloughs
which expired at the end of the present year. This must
be deemed an omen of the success of the Conference.
The Chinese Ambassadors have arrived in Paris. The
object of the mission, which is to visit several countries,
is to prepare for the establishment of permanent
embassies. The Emperor will receive the deputation
at the Tuileries this week, when the first am-
bassador will deliver an autograph letter from
the Emperor of China to the Emperor Napoleon.
This document is written in double columns, in two lan-
guages, the Mantchou to the left and the Chinese to the
right, on a sheet of yellow paper fifteen inches broad and
six feet and a half long. The line of separation of the two
columns and the framing are ornamented with large
dragons with five claws each, which constitute the Royal
emblem, of which the Emperor alone enjoys the privilege.
£1,600 has been subscribed towards the monument to
M. Berryer.

It is rumoured that the Princess Clothilde, wife of
Prince Napoleon, is enceinte.

The first grand ball of the season has taken place at the
Tuileries. The number of invitations was over 4,000.
The oyster is becoming more and more intractable. The
season has opened with such a terrific onslaught upon the
bivalves, that many of the largest establishments have
found themselves without a supply. The price is becoming
fabulous—from two to three francs the dozen.

The Moniteur seems to have betaken itself to the ranks
of the Opposition since it lost its status as an official paper.
At least since the new year its columns have been full of
the most annoying and often untrue paragraphs, inserted
in a quiet way without a wordof comment. As a specimen
I may quote a statement to the effect that the Crown Prince
of Prussia intended to pass through Paris on his return
from England, and pay a visit to Prince Napoleon, but
that a telegram had expressly forbidden him. Count Bis-
marck had personally induced the King of Prussia to
interfere. Nothing can be less like the truth than such a
statement. The Moniteur, after abdicating as the official
organ, has become a hatcher of canards. Its successor is
not a respectable publication. The Journal Officiel is in
fact the poorest newspaper in Paris, where all the
newspapers are poor. It is badly printed, wretchedly
edited, and generally contemptible. Not the less odd of
its arrangements is the division of its space into official,
semi-official, and non-official compartments. To-day the
official branch is nil.

The exceptional mildness of the present season seems to
be general throughout Europe. Austria is spoken of as
being in many parts like a garden of spring flowers.
In France the winter has been tropical ; heavy rains
have taken the place of snow and frost, and the result is
that the country in many places is inundated. The Oise
and the Aisne have risen so considerably that the sur-
rounding country is under water, and navigation at an
end. In the Nord department the houses stand out like
islets from the general waste of waters. The Charente
has overflowed to such an extent that the inhabitants are
frequently driven to take up their residence in the top
stories. The rivers in the Aleurthe department, too, have
risen, and greatly injured the works of a canal which is
being constructed. The winter, like the summer, is such
as is rarely seen.

The condition of the Marquis de Moustier gives rise to
serious apprehension.
Paris commences the year 1869 with 43 theatres with
spectacles, 29 public balls, and 33 cafds concerts. The
total annual gas bill of these establishments is estimated
at eiZhteen millions sterling.

THE CONFERENCE ON THE EASTERN
QUESTION.

Though the meeting of the Ambassadors to settle the
difficulty between Turkey and Greece is not expected to
last long, it is thought that the question will not be
finally disposed of before the Emperor opens the Corps
Legislatif on the 18th. The 7th was the day
first selected for the assembling of the Conference, but,
Austria having suggested the 9th, it was agreed, to avoid
further delay, to finally fix that day. According to rumours
at Paris, Russia, having failed in obtaining admission for
Greece, attempted to exclude Turkey, in order to place
both disputants upon the same footing ; but the other
Powers would not consent to this. The first three points
of the Turkish ultimatum will first be discussed, but it
is believed that the fourth—that which stipulates for the
punishment of Greek subjects who have injured Turkish
citizens—may also be accepted, at least in principle. As
to the fifth demand-0 at which requires Greece to guarantee
for the future its observance of international law—it is
announced that Turkey will not insist upon it. The
Independance Beige says that sufficient satisfaction is
secured to Turkey by the intervention of Europe in her
favour, and the submission of Greece to the decisions of the
Conference. Everything points to peace. The wiser
councils have prevailed both at Athens and Constan-
tinople.
The Times, discussing the position of affairs in Eastern
Europe, says there can be no doubt that the Christian
subjects of the Porte have greatly gained both in number
and influence since the Crimean war, but that is no reason
why Turkey should be dismembered to give them an inde-
pendent existence. Where is the force which is first to
subjugate four millions and a half in Europe
and then control a jealous Christian popula-
tion ? It is worthy of remark that the Christians
of Turkey have been more eager to shake off Greek in-
fluence than Ottoman domination. Every cons'dera-
Con of policy, therefore, forbids us to countenance
an attack on the Turkish Empire from without. 01
course, if the fabric collapses from its inherent weakness,
it is no business of ours to prop it up. If the rayahs
rebel, if any section of them can establish their indepen-
dence, or shew that they have struggled hard for it and de-
serve to win it, we are notbound to withhold our sympathies.
But when we see piratical attacks directed against a part
of the Sultan's dominions by a foreign Government,
when we hear the Greek boasts that Turkey shall
never be let alone, that she was made to spend so
many millions last year, and shall be made to
spend still more next year and the year after that, and
know that the vain little nation which does this mischief
is merely playing the game of a great aggressive Power
behind it, Englishmen cannot hesitate on which side to
exert their influence.

The Temps has received a telegram to the effect that
twelve hundred Greeks and Cretans have capitulated in
Crete on honourable terms. Crete continues its resistance,
and the Turkish admiral still blockades its shores.
A mixed commission has been nominated, and will meet
on board the French war steamer Forbin, in order to
deliver judgment on the Enosis. Mr. Harvey will repre-
sent England on the commission.

It is asserted that, in order to meet the promissory
notes falling duo in March next, the liquidators of Overend.
Gurney, and Co. (Limited) will be compelled to make a fur-
ther call upon the contributories, but to what extent has not
been ascertained.

The Norfolk farmers calculate that one hundred-
weight of tolerably good linseed oilcake makes one imperial
stone of beef, in feeding a shorthorn bullock of average
quality,
beginning with the animal in a half-fat condition,
and not prolonging the process beyond ten, or, at the outside,
twelve weeks.— Chamber of Agriculture Journal.
l\iaddle. Schneider, the well-known actress, has
just brought an action for slander against MM. Savagnier
and Schiller, the editor and printer of tho Veilleuse. The
offence consisted in the publication of fictitious memoirs
of the plaintiff of a scandalous nature, and to which the let-
ters forming the initials of her Lame were affixed as a sig-
nature. The accused were condemned to pay fines of 3001.
and 100 f. respectively and the costs.

The first prosecution in the provinces under the
Act recently passed for the protection of the funds of trades'
unions, took place on Monday at Farnsley. John Holden,
late the trcaurer to the Edmunds Main Miners' Weighing
Fund, was charged with embezzling £8 12s. Gd. The accused
admitted having received the money, but said he had lost it.
He was committed for trial.

The metropolitan correspondent of a Leeds contem-
porary states that Madame Rachel, who is just now at liberty,
and who, it is said, is not likely to return to gaol, tha objet.
tion urged on her l elialf being a sufficient one, has suffered
severely from her incarceration, and is much altered from her
appearance when in the dock of the Old Bailey. The famous
shop in Bond-street is' closed; but it is said that Madame
Rachel's daughters have now gone to Paris, and are yen Tog
tUttrlfamoug drugs akd jiinplc_t! the gay cvittib