The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-09-04

The purposes which the fellowship sys-
tenn, as it is now being established in
American colleges, is intended to serve
are the advancement of scholarship, and
the promotion Of original thought and
investigation. A fellowship in any
college is not, as often it is i'll the Eng
lish universities, a sinecure. 1t is not
simply the reward for success in passing
series of examinations. 1t Is not mere
ly the ladder by which the student is to
climb to distinction. But is a privilege
by the fit use of which he can advance
the higher learning and enlarge the
boundaries of human knowledge. The
fellowship allows the graduate, possess
ing genius for a certain line of investi
CATION, but not possessing the pecuniary
means for his support, to pursue studies
the result of which shall not only honor
him, but also honor scholarship. 1t per
mits the penniless student interested in
philosophy to pursue his philosophy, and
the student of science to continue his
chemical and geological investigations.
Without its aid the one would be oblg-
ed, for example, to devote his powers to
professional study for the ministry, and
the other to medicine; professions for
which, perhaps, each feels that by nature
he is unfit. The fellowship system,
therefore, in American colleges is the
most direct aid to the higher scholarship
and to culture.
Although the system of fellowship at
Oxford and Cambridge has not advanced
English learning as it might and ought,
yet the results it has achieved are of in
calculahle worth. The large majority of
English scholars of distinction have, for
a longer or shorter period, pursued their
studies with the assistance which a fell
iowship provided. Max Muller and
Jewett, Rawlinson and Stubs, Milman
and Bryce, Mansel and the Newmans,
and hundreds of English scholars be
sides, hardly less distinguished than
they have held, or still hold, fellowships
at Oxford. Results of equal and even
greater excellence would follow the gen
eral introduction Of the system of fellow
ships in American colleges.
For American wealth to establish fell
lowships in American colleges, every in
ducement is presented The founding
of new college at the West on the foun
dation of fifty thousand dollars, cannot
but retard the cause of education, but
the establishment Of fellowships at Har
ward, Yale, Amherst, Princeton, Oberlin,
or any we'll organized College. must
greatly advance it. Henry w, Edward
VI, Queen Mary, Elizabeth, and Charles
I established feilowships at Oxford If
only American wealth would follow such
precedents, American scholarship might
in the course of a generation surpass
English, and in the course of two gener
atoms compete with German scholar
ship.
In the foundation and administration
of felIowships in our colleges, however,
the strict observance of certain rules is
necessary to the attainment of their
highest usefulness. 1t is the failure to
observe the first two OF the three follow
ing suggestions that has brought the
English Fellowship system into consider
able disrepute among certain classes of
English society;
/. The fellowship should not be be-
slowed merely as a reward for high
scholarship, but principally as the means
for prosecuting original research an
comparatively new department Of study.
2. It should not be held for more than
five years. The progress which the fell
low makes in this length of time enables
him, with but little outlay of time or
strength, to give instruction sufficient to
provide for his pecuniary needs. The
Fellowship in such a case should at one
be resigned.
3. II the fellow resides in Germany,
as he usually will, he should be made a
sort of corresponding member of his col
lege faculty. The Information which he
could transmit regarding the educational
movements occurring in the German
gymnasia and universities would prove
Of much service to American colleges
and American scholarship. Scribner for
September.