The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-09-07
Brown University.


The Providence Journal in its account Of the late
Commencement at Brown University gives the fol-
lowing information k
DtsWayIand. in the name ofthe University, well
coined the graduates who had returned to the scene
] OF their education. This done, he entered upon
concise reorganization of the leading points of the
new system upon which the College is to enter at
once: The leading feature ofthe plan proposed is
10 allow the student to select for himself the studies
IN winch he will engage, and relieving hmfrom those
which are distastciu TO him, to give him greater time
Tor those be they the classics any other in which
ne may choose to engage.
Inc speeches on the occasion naturely turned up
on the new system of instruction upon which the
College entering, and all the speakers expressed
their hearty appreciation ofthe plan and their con-
currence IN the views delivered BY the President
Professor Olmstead said that similar views of ex-
tending to all classes the benefits of education, had
long occupied the attention of the government of ale
College, and that the experiment here would be
watched with great interest and with lively hope in
that quarter
The Journal adds that the new system of instruc-
ton commences under the most favorable auspices
Ihe necessary funds hare been subscribed with
munlticent liberaty, the plan of study and of gov
ernment has been arranged with great care and af-
tel much reflection and comparison with such prec-
edens as could be found applicable to novel sys
tenn; and the whole seems to meet the appreciation
of the friends of the University and the friends of ed
ucation everywhere na
The higher institutions of learning have TOO long
been devoted exclusively to the education of single
class, the learned professions. The measure of ed
ucaion extended to this class should net be diminish
ed On the contrary, it should be increased with the
increasing light of science and civlization but the
same means should be extended to every other class.
Every man should have the privilege of pursuing,
to their full extent, those studies which he himself
and his friends may decide to be bes. for him; and
for his proficiency in those studes he should be en-
titled to all the literary honors and college dstinc.
tons which are accorded to proficiency in any other
studies The young man who understands Chemis-
try as applied to the Arts, or Civil Engineering, or
the Modern Languages, should stand on equality
with him whose proficiency is in Latin and Greek
and pure Mathematics.
1t will not be disputed that in our present system
too little attention is paid those physical sciences
which have grown up within the present century,
and which have so greatly enlarged our knowledge
OF the material laws of nature. The progress of our
country, and the peculiar direction and temper of
that progress demand increased attention to those
studies. It's wise to adapt the system to this Just
and reasonable demand. And since course Of
four years cannot make finished scholars in the clas-
sizes, IN mathematics, and in physical science, let
the time be extended to those who wish to pursue
them all, and let the number be diminished to those
who wish to perfect themselves in part This is
the experiment which is to be tried.