Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-03

I,teIy was much more glaring, the com
mittee have rectlhed IN the Scneme SUD-
mitted by them.
The committee devoted considerable
degree of attention to the great controversy
between the admirers of classical and
mathematical studies, and of the natural
sciences. The controversy has been con-
ducted with such heat, as to lead some pro.
found thinkers. as Sir William Hamilton,
to advocate the almost total abolition OF
the mathematics as means of culture.
Similar assaults have been made on the an
cient languages, while sOmeI admirers of the
old time decry with zeal all studies which
may be of practical use in the affairs of
life. The committee agree with neither of
these parties. They are of the opinion
that no man can be considered well edu-
Gated who has not some familiarity with
the classics and mathematics. They know
of no mental discipline better than that
afforded by a conversance with those
studies. At the same time they are firmly
persuaded that more attention should be
given to those branches of knowledge,
which show the application of science to
the arts, which develop the observing and
perceptive faculties, which introduce to the
general laws of the natural world, which
teach us more full knowledge of the struc-
ture of our own language, the splendid ex-
ampleS of English Literature, and with the
Philosophy Of History.
They believe that with a proper mode of
teaching, enough may be taught of the
classics and mathematics, to educate and
discipline the mind and yet time be spared
for those other subjects.
The Constitution framed by our forefa
theirs in 1776, having provided that all
useful learning shall be duly encouraged
and promoted in one or more Universe
ties" the University of North Carolina,
when established, was intended to afford
m education superior to that obtained at
any other institution in the State. For
many years this was undeniably the case
but in later times other Colleges have
arisen, claiming an equality with the Uni
yersity, while many teachers of academies,
some OF whom enjoyed its advantages,
complain that the standard of scholarship
has not advanced with the advance of the
age, and approaches too nearly to their own
requirements.
The committee think that proper con-
structioE of the Constitution requires the
General Assembly to provide that the Uni
versity shall still hold a superiority over all
other institutions, a pre-eminence so we'll
defined and above all competition as to be
beyond the reach Of criticism. The requi-
sites for admission to regular standing
should be of greater extent than at present.
The University is not fitted for the drilling
of students. It's instruction should begin,
when the preliminary work is ended. The
committee are gratified to know that there
are teachers Of academies in this State we'll
qualified Had aspiring to advance their
pupils to whatever point may be required
by the University. The hands of these
teachers will be strengthened and their
numbers increased by the maintenance of
loftier standards for admission into the in
stitutiOn to which their labors are prelimi-
nary and necessary. Without this care
full, previous training, it is impossible that
any young man can appreciate or make
avail Of advantages of learning, no matter
how carefully provided and zealously dis
pensed at the University,
Diplomas awarded to graduates should
likewise be evidences of real merit and sol
id attainments, and never be granted as a
matter of course When young men of
meagre acquisitions obtain the honors of
the institution, either the degree becomes
worthless and the reputation of its grantOr
injured or else the public are deceived
The standard of scholarship in the commu
nifty is thereby depressed. The teachers
of scholars are disheartened, when they see
the idle and the ignorant receive equal re-
wards with the industrious and the deser-
wing.
As said before, the committee think that
text books should be used in each depart
ment, but the professor should not practice
serviIe adherence to the facts and princi-
pies contained in the books. The books
should be supplemented by lectures, of
which the student should be required to
take notes, and to stand special examina-
lions on the subjects thereof.
The examinations at the close of each
1erm should be deliberate and stringent,
and have much weight in estimating the
standing of the students They should
MIRAGE the principles Of the doctrines
"a 'ght in the text books and lectures, SO as
L"C 1duce habits of thought and Independent
tigation. as we'll as to enforce the re-
80: f the studies as Il connected whole.
- AZ" much enhance the authority of
~ IL 49, limitations, if men of special IA
n :I: ca with their departments should be
ill ialIy co-examiners with the Professors
nEi' SI do aid in estimating the merits of
Nv Nv StIN3. J. The examination for the de-
40 $50 "3I17 be especially protracted and
: : ooo onp''lu should embrace the studies
az purse.
T,: long the students should be
Iilt1i'1 'I On by distinctions but by
7Ac1'o'' NO. ~ superior scholarship
p c, 8It'nloIt 10 10 successful competitors
l nc h1'nneo Vi ~, IL ,ed in the catalogues;
'lio ~ rI P uoi'L the distinctions con-
ierred should be pul s' -.
Inc con l-t: are an annual fund shall
be set apart for each d, tauHonoa ~ 80 20 ~
49, III Sn ~ +ho purchase of such
&c ey be needed, to
oia,nt;fo ;onrn. IL, proceedings
r f "ol9 ni"tioa nb;ic, Vphieal aCade-
VI ie''i ie o,oiI os snnl h. al1s as, in the
of the Professor, ar, -Hee3ot ~ ~
'ln,t US TI,osa tb;r@s Wit bout which
- +I,o 4aaoIarS r7or the ST Edents can
become acquainted with the gr 241 writer's
otnrn and art onoht TO be suppl etd by the
University, and not left entirely TO Inc
private libraries of the Faculty
TT - 80 az, ,,,uch o., an, 2rally