, 1872-10-25

~ ~~AS ~
oppression. That day has, apparently, come.
WOMEN AT HARVARD.
The recent action Of the Overseers Of Harvard
College, by which annual examinations OF
women will be held hereafter, as is now done
at the University Of Cambridge, in England, is
long step forward in the attainment OF
Woman's Rights and step in the right direc-
tion. It will accomplish more Of practical ben-
eft to women than years Of stump-speaklng,
crimination&and recrimination, and the political
twaddle Of male and female demagogues have
been able to effect. While, it We understand
the matter rightly, this action does not admit
women to study in the University, side by aide
with the male students, it amounts to the same
in the end, since, if they are competent to pass
the examinations, they will go out into the
world armed with the diplomas Of this vener-
able seat of learning, and indorsed by it as
competent to teach or follow other profess
sional pursuits, in the same manner as
tical purposes, they stand upon the same level
with them. They have secured the same privi-
lege, only in different way. Such result as
this has q direct practical influence upon the
condition Of woman, and will ELEVATE her to 8
position where sho may attain still higher hon.
ore, and help to lift the sex from that low
plane where her advocates insist that ghe is per-
sistently kept by the tyrannic disposition Of
man. There is no bar to this result except her
own ineficiency.
The new scheme which the Overseers Of Har-
ward have adopted, at the suggestion OF the Cor
porntion is substantially the same as that which
has been adopted by the English University Of
Cambridge after three years trial. There
are two classes Of candidates for
these annual examinations, those under is
and those above that age. Those who pass the
examination in thoroughly satisfactory man
ner will be awarded certificates of honor, and
those who pass in creditable way will bo
awarded certificates Of credit. These certif-
Gates are tantamount to the diploma which the
male student receives upon graduation, and
they bear witness to the fact that the possessor
is qualified to fill the post Of teacher or such
other position as the new educational standard
qualities her to fill. The first examination is
to be held next juno, and before that time the
Oyereeers will publish schedule setting forth
the objects to be taken up, the
books necessary for consultation, the de-
gree Of proficiency required to pass,
and that which is essential to passing with hon
or. an association OF Boston ladies' has agreed
to bear the incidental expenRes after the manner
in which the English experiment. has been carried
out.
The result Of this now concession to the de-
mand for educational privileges Of the higher
sort for woman, will be looked for with lively
interest. Every unprejudiced person will be-
speak success for it. The necessarily severe
examinations which the candidates for diplomas
will have to endure must inevitably elevate the
standard Of female education, and improve the
character Of the schools and seminaries which
are devoted exclusively to young
ladies'. Those institutions furnish at
best but superficial education, a smattering Of
the languages and sciences, and the accomplish
mentB Of the beau monde, which are only
calculated to fit lady to occupy aoertain conven
tional position in fashionable life, but one OF no
practical value, and do not contribute to elevate
her, educationally, or give her any well-defined
standard Of scholarly attainment. Indeed, there
arc very few young ladies who bring away from
their boarding school OF seminary experiences
more than the ability to use the most common
French and German phrases, the faculty Of
playing the piano badly, and the usual modicum
of style in drawing-room appearances, and
general good-society etiquette. The Harvard |
scheme will tend to correct this superficial idea
Of education, and, by establishing aeverer tests
Of scholarship, will grant to woman not only the
same privilege which the n.:le student enjoys, |
but m opportunity to qualify herself for the |
highest and nob1est pursuits. This result, as
we stated at the outset, is an important step in
The attainment Of the rights Of woman, in that |
it is qualifying her to exercise those rights, and
Il the new scheme shall accomplish this much, if |
it can abolish the present pernicious system Of |
female education and raise its standard, it will
be matter for general congratulation.
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Tho cable has brought the announcement Of |
the death Of John Henry Merle d'Aubigne, the |
famous Swiss historian and theologian, whose |