The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-11
"WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1867.
D,.O.,,opal Reform in England.

paatios and philosophy. The great Universi-
ties at Cambridge and Oxford are as thorough
and efficient in these departments of know
ledge as any in the world and in answer to
the demands for practical instruction which
have characterized the last half century, they
have In measure given the new sciences a
taoit recognition. But they still adhere
jealouly to the old curriculum of the Middle
Ages, and al the changes which have been
made have assumed the form Of excrescences
rather than that Of inherent portions of the
system as a whole. The same remarks will apply
to the great so-called public schools of Eton,
Rugby, and Harrow, at all of which, as at the
Universities, the greater portion of the pupils
time is devoted to researches among the dry
bones of dead civilization. The University
Of Cambridge dates back by tradition to the
seventh century; that of Oxford to the year
872; while Eton was established in 1446,
Harrow in 1871, and Rugby about the same
time as the latter. With the magnificent
endowments which the lapse of centuries has
given them, their sphere of usefulness at the
present day is limited only by their desire TO
meet the demands of the times. Unfortu-
nately this is very weak, and in consequence
the whole list of the old-established institu-
tiOns of learning in England are contributing
but little to the cause of civilization and pro-
gress. Such thorough classical scholars as
the present Earl of Derby and Mr.. Gladstone
are produced in abundance; but the substan-
tial scholars Of England have either received
their education at some of the more recently
founded institutions, or have devoted years to
private study, after escaping from the obso-
Iete network of Oxford and Cambridge.
Mr.. Robert Lowe, an enlightened and pro-
gressive member of the British Parliament,
recently delivered at Edinburgh an eloquent
address, in which he showed how great was
the necessity for thorough reformation of
the whole system of higher education in the
Mother Country. Referring to the Universi-
ties, Mr.. Lowe said:-
"They give an enormous bounty-an enor-
NOUS premium-to the study OF the dead Ian
study of the dead languages and pure mathe-
matics noble and valuable studies, and II
that was all should not object: but you know
that you cannot give a premium to one study
without in some degree d1scouraglng Rnother'
MUM 10 those studies, their collateral and far
more important effect is to discourage, would
say destroy, all the other studies have enume-
rated, and which appear to me so Infinitely
well worthy of the first place in education HOW
can you expect these studies will have fair play
When they are handcuffed in that manner.
when the whole weight OF the enormous en-
M ro%n i6o tG Sbe 19 scale Of the
languages and the study OF pure mathematics"
Nor is the state of popular primary educa-
tion in England much better off. But here
the evil is of different character, resulting
from the manner in which the assistance of
=. Tlaa oVIth
never take the initiative in the establishment
Of schools for the poorer classes. Whenever
and wherever private enterprise begins the
work, and prosecntes it until it has obtained
respectable footing, sufficient to insure sue
cess, the Government steps in with pecuniary
and other aid. From this course results a
very unfortunate state of affairs. In the
words of Mr.. Lowe, "the Government gives
assistance where 1t is least wanted, and with
holds 1t where it is most wanted" In the
Light of this confession and that which is
further afforded by the fact, as stated
by Mr.. Lowe, that the principal
agency Of primary education in the country
districts is the clergy, we are surprised to
find that the speaker proceeded at consider
able length 'to point out the superiority Of
the English to the American system" The
country clergy Of England, as class, are in
telligent and well educated, despite the beg
carly salaries which they receive. But the
great majority of them have been trained
either at Oxford or Cambridge, and are tho
roughly welded to the obsolete systems there
pursued. Moreover, the clergy as a class are
not the proper agency of education, especially
In country in which the population are dis
ulputed among a great variety Of seets. 1t is
@n wen enough for the children of those who
adhere to the dominant faith, but for the dis
senting portion the case is exactly the reverse.
The field for prOselytism is too large, the
temptation to reclaim eheretics" too strong;
and, ~ consequence, the children of those
who differ with the teachers on doetrinal
points must either be denied the opnortu-
mites of instruction, or subjected to what "a ra
garded a. irreligiOus contamination.
In consequence Of the great accessions re-.
Gently made to the voting class, Mr.. Low,
argued wisely that 'it is not merely desirable
II Is all-important and essential, for the pre-
servAtlon Of the institutions of the country
that those persons should be able, properl
and intelligently, to discharge the duties en-
trusted TO them" To satisfy this pressin
demand for increased educational facilities