The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-01 00:00:00

FRASER'S MAGAZINE.

" Cambridge Studies " relates to old grievances often
brought before the public—the defective systems of edu-
cation pursued at the two Universities. But these
grievances cannot be too often exposed, and all who en-
deavour to abate the lamentable defects and put new life
into the consitution of those venerable seats of learning,
merit public approbation. These influence the character
and acquirements of statesmen and senators; they have a
still more powerful effect upon men destined for the
Church, and, indeed, all classes are more or less affected
by the manner in which the youth of the nation are in-
structed for the duties of life. Tho writer of this article,
who seems well acquainted with the working of the sys-
tem, says, his strongest objection to one feature of it is,
the compulsory infliction of mathematics upon the classi-
cal student, without binding the corresponding classical
yoke on the neck of the mathematician; and he asserts
that not•one mathematical student in a hundred has the
the slightest pretension to even a rudimental acquain-
tance with the classics. This is a strong assertion, but
there is too much truth in it. The monks, who regulate
the course of study, are among the most ignorant of the
people, and know little or nothing of what is useful, nay,
absolutely necessary for the business of active life.
Students may leave college good mathematicians; they
may be announced to their admiring relatives as senior
optimes, or wranglers, but their studies are limited
almost entirely to the solution of mathematical and alge-
braical questions, the knowledge of which, except, per-
haps, for those destined to be schoolmasters, confer no
benefit on them whatever. The following extract may
be a little too revere, but, unfortunately, the facts are so
palpable that there is no possibility of denying them :

"But we take up the'second division, and go on to inquire
whether it be true that Cambridge mathematics have worked
so extensive and so wonderful results in mental development
and power. Do we recognise their undercurrent in our lite-
rature of the pulpit, the bar, or the closet? Have they
helped to form a prose style, like Dryden's, of whom the
only record in the Trinity Register is a confinement to gates
fur a fortnight? Can you tell us of any senior wrangler
within the last ten years, who can write an essay, having the
lucid order or the connected sweetness of Addison ? We say
nothing of the imagination or the humour. If we must
speak plainly, we will say at once that all this supposed
advantage of geometrical analysis, with its attention, its
coherency, and its continuous argument, is simply and singly
—trash. Nothing more. Great mathematicians, as mathe-
maticians, are not only the most incorrect writers, but they
are also the most slovenly and inaccurate conversers of all
educated men. Newton, stammering out an explanation of
coining, and confusing his hearers in informing them, was a
type of the race. We knew one eminent mathematician,
whose obscurityand unconnectedness of talk it was impos•
sible to equal, except by his composition. When it has hap-
pened that able mathematicians have shown themselves to
be transparent and accomplished writers, it has been not only
because the vehement flame of natural genius cleared the
air, but because the vigour of their classical taste has enabled
them to repel the enervating and corrupting influences of the
infection. The poison has been mastered by the antidote.
This has been the case with some of the living judges; you
may trace it in the urbane facility of Shadwell, and the daring
superficialness of Alderson."

In another place he asks, "Under whose hands are the
noblest buildings rising upwards ? Who invented the
steam-engine ? Who defied the storm of waters with
the column of Eddystone ? Do you find them in the
calendar ? No—the real men of science are seldom
reared in Cambridge or Oxford air !" But this is not
putting the case in a fair position. It is true that nei-
ther Watt, nor Davy, nor Brunel were educated at these
seats of learning ; but it does not follow that they might
not have derived advantage from an early mathematical
education. It only proves that the learning of schools is
not absolutely necessary for the development of great
genius, and that minds cast in a superior mould over-
come all obstacles. But great men might be pointed
out who were alumni of Oxford or Cambridge; and one
rises towering above all the rest—the immorta Newton,

"in whomrsays Hume, " this island may boast of
having produced the greatest and rarest genius that ever
rose for the ornament and instruction of the species."
The article altogether, however, merits attention, and we
hope some of the defects pointed out will attract the
attention of Dr. Whewell. The other papers in this
number are hardly equal to the usual merit of those
which appear in Fraser. There is another article on
the defensible state of the country, which contains some
judicious recommendations, both as regards the fortifica-
tions of our harbours, and the embodiment of a military
force, solely for the defence of the United Kingdom ;
and those fond of light reading will find amusement in
the " Pryor's Bank, Fulani," and " Old London Signs."