New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-14

pu III insisted on as tho basis Of all broad culture,
with perhaps predominanee Of the classics. - .o.,s
the aids for INDECENT students are given TO Them no, a.
bo-e because Of poverty, but because OF merit anu
called scholarships The poorer students Ben mo- en-
mt of these prizes than the rich, are aely 10 put io
more energetic efforts to Obtain them preference Is
lt among for schoarsh los over feOwships, as ' -
leave the redPien nee 70 study not and the 'Oi''
The distnctions bc 9cen tie university and college ,
system sie wanted in the English 'u t
here and are being developed more ana Ios ~ INDY
dot goes through certain courses ana wr b,rjs
IN the college and thereafter passes , Inv those with
where his previous atainments arc teseI y? Nj 90
whose modes he is no. iam' go INFECT itself and not
the facility derived from the familiar peseb VI SUI
ect. The result If vast amount oi Is%1iS Ia u [
monksh study ioI months ana yeAs Do'i0 anu ." ff-'
Fnplish commandments lack the imposing ceremony
with eLicb the American colleges celebrate the occasions
If cn1netion although the comforting OF degrees Is al
tended with due authority and method c.,,
Dr. McCosb CONCLUDED his remarks ~ saying lh.'! az
than better knowledge was aimed az, II was geneIay
IoDed with a few TO obtain ripe and most advance
scholars He also expressed the opinion that our s!s'e ,
would be betercd if we conferred high oihGlal s'Hlons
rather upon examinations Of fitness in his country,
than as they too often are for lower reasons
MISTAKES IL PREPARATORY STUDY.
President Barnard Of Columbia College was next heard
upon The Branches Proper TO be Pursued Preparatory 70
College His paper able, and, although qmle
lengthy held the attention OF Tie Co3yocato9 LousHu5
evidently taking views identical with those oil Ne! 5g
proportion both Of this body and OF the late convention u
teachers Geneva. IIo deprecated the oyerudncd IN
natural of study now pursued IN oil the 2O coiiec
throughout the country, which puts the profound ana
ccoudte science Of Language a the beginning instead o.
at more advanced point
TIB MBTRICAL SYSTEM.
II win be remembered that Congress has recently taken
action aroring the adoption Of this SYSTEM without how
going further than 20 establish Il pernssyey as The
national system of measures The Hon. j. A Kasson al
uded briefly 10 the storyof weights and measures III this
country, the embauassmens and annoyanccs consequent
upon the diversties OF the various national systems no"
n use and the general adoption o. the mercal system by
European nations. He stated fully the very serious dlhi-
Guilty of introducing the system throughout the county
especially under merely perissvo law, and alluded TO
the various bywich its way may be made easier
In Fnce it took thirty OF forty years to bnng ~ mo tne
universal acceptaon which now prevails and IN England
the Government m as here, TO make not absolute
bat permssive and has therefore, found great dcuy
. in getting foothOld in the nation.
COMMENTATOR or THE SYSTEM
Mr. Kassons remarks received with the very great
est interest and sympathy and, upon motion of Regent
Benedict committee OF three was appointed, consisting
of the Chancellor Prof Davies and Regent Hale to con
suit for action by the Conyocaon upon this subject and
report al the next annual session Regent Hale urged ne
subject prior 10 tho appointment of the committee with
much Zeal pending the motion TO express the thanks OF
the COnyocaton to Mr. K0sson. He remarked that the
change from variety OF systems to TINS one, destined
! soon 10 be universal throughout the commercial
world If only as means of saving expense TO travellers
abroad from this country would be hailed with general
thankfuness; and remarked also that the time occupied
the study of weights and measures would be reduced by
as much year Of the ordinary course Another gen
teman urged the merits Of the Uniform cengade system
in reference the barometer and thermometer, as
which should be introduced The utmost interest was
manifested in the whole subject, with an evident wish
that the metrcal system might speedily prevail through
out the entire commercial world.
! REPORT on PRELIMINARY ACADEMIC EXAMINATIONS.
The Committee appointed by the Chancellor of he Uni
Of the Preliminary Academic Examinations, instituted by
the Board of Regents during the past year presented their
report Upon careful investigation they find that tho
effect Of the plan is generally expected TO elevate TIC
standard of scholarship in academies In its practical
operation, however number of objections are ugtd
f.tt,
worthy of notice For example IL is compmincaa. m
injustice is done academies in rural DISTRICTS ,cuso
their inferior standards and the necessarily partial ao'l
anee Of many OF their pupils; thus, the city High schools
and the like wiz be able, by passing larger proportion 81
students to Obtain more than their just proporllo Of The
Literature Fund. This difficulty the Committee would
say arises from the fact that students IN Graded schools
can pass their examinations just when they finish nc
oven studies while students Of District Schools have %
Wait Until they enter academy perhaps year u tao
later Again. those schools which receive mGhG stro.ts
from other States would by rigid enforcement sf the
plan lose such students in large numbers thus dmrh
ing their attendance and consequent share OF the Fund
IN I'd obeconhat fairness cannot be secured IN car
nS @ psssS n che relation s
schools which prepare the candidates aud those which
ryr asm T. q is isp5 to make somo g
gestiona ppon the method OF the examinations The ques
tions should be expressed IN simple devoid OF all
avoid in arithmetic oil topics except such are found
fully in "Practcal Arhmetics;" in geography, all new
o than 10 questions should be proposed upon each topic
and the tune afforded for solutions left 10 the discretion Of
1 the Examining Committee. .....
The method Of valuation for answers is recommended
follows Each question should be marked with certain
numeral value and copy OF these sent 70 the Chairman
Of the Committee. He will up that portion Of these
values obtained by each student and make them the nume
raor and the entire Of the values tho denominator
of fraction. This reduced 10 decimal will give
the pupils per cent standing
Certificates signed by the Secretary Of the Regents should
be given each student whose standing reaches 50 per
cent of each paper and 66 23d per cent Of all tho papers,
and honor certificates te each reaching 80 per cent
Of ALL
This report, which had been eagerly anticipated by a
large number of academic instructors then briefly
discussed until q, when it cut of by adjournment 10
be resumed tomorrow morning.
RECEPTION By CHANG ELLOR rRUYN
The ConvOcaon then adjourned, and the members gen.
orally accepted courteous invitation from tho Chancellor
70 social entertainment at his residence, on Exist,
where they again enjoyed the elegant Inequalities for
which this ancient city and especially the representatives
Of its ancient and honorable families, are 30 disiin-
euished.