The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02

years, at each Of which but three candidates
came forward Nor was it reasonable to
expect more general submission TO the tests
framed for u college degree from those who
lacked the advantage OF a collegiate train
ing. 1t is TO meet this objection by Offering
the same tutional opportunities TO both
sexes, that the present plan has been devised.
1t Is proposed TO start at Cambridge a
parallel college, not legally connected with
the university. but whose staff OF profess
sors, lecturers. and tutors, and whose
schemes OF study shall be identical. The
girls who pass the regular examination for
matriculatlon will have tho privilege OF ro-
citing, though of course in n separate class,
TO tho same instructors, OF pursuing the
same curriculum, and finally OF receiving
not n diploma, but certificate signed
by the professors and affirming the
same measure and quality Of acquire
ment requisite for degree. As re-
CARDS domicillary arrangements, 1t ap-
pears that committee OF ladies resident
in Cambridge are TO constitute n board
OF management, by whom lodgings will be
secured and the various functions OF super
intcndence will be discharged Should this
reduced to practice, avoiding the obvious
objections to co-cducation, there Is reason
TO believe the funds would be forthcoming
for ladies' hall for female students. But IL
the latter should continue TO board in prl-
vate families, they would but follow the
system adopted in Continental universities,
although Harvard would herein divcrge
from its English cxcmplar
Heretofore tho action OF Harvard in this
matter had been closely modelled on that OF
Cambridge in England. The so-called local
examinations which the latter university
had instituted for boys were formally ex-
tended TO girls in 1865 Four years later,
higher tests OF scholarship were offered To
female students, and at length all the appli-
anccs OF academic education were thrown
open TO both sexes, this step being presently
followed by the foundation OF Girton College
and Newman Hall a. places Of residence
for female undergraduates. An Oxford Cir
ton has been lately mooted, but as yet the
least progressive OF English universities has
not been induced TO extend Its full priv
ileges TO women. Neither Cambridge nor
any other British university has yet con-
coded degrees, although their certificates
are tantamount in significance and st An
drcw's has recognized the fact by bcstowing
on girl graduates the title Of Llterate OF
Arts The reluctance TO go further Is intel
ligblc enough In Great Britain where a
university diploma has such a direct and
important relation 20 practice in the medi-
cal and legal professions An analogous UNI
willingness to admit female students 10 its
medical and law schools Is doubtless at the
~ Har varIfa a1,ga oHharanaa a "A
bridge precedent OF which, we need not
say, no account is taken by a constantly
growing number OF American colleges.
1t is noteworthy. indeed, what rapid prog
ross has been made In the United States by
the principle Of co-education since the ioun-
dalton Of Oberlin College in 1893. Not only
have such distinguished institutions as Cor
nell and Michigan Universities consented 10
open their gates, but, according IL the re-
port OF the United States Commissioner OF
Education, there were in 1873 not less than
81 colleges Offering equal advantages Ia the
two sexes. Boston University. founded In
ls7l-72, admitted men and women from the be-
ginning, and contained five years afterward
la female students, against is3 young mon,
the gain during the preceding twelvcmonth
having been signally greater in the former
category Moreover, the President OF the
Michigan University, in one Of his reports
denies that the presence OF women has
tended to lower the grade Of scholarship. or
has called for the slightest change in the
methods Of discipline or modes Of work.
The Boston reports go further, and alcgc
that the admission Of female students has
aided in elcvatng the standard of work, and
has at all times promoted studiousness and
order 1t would certainly appear that Har-
ward Univcrsityls justified 10y the experience
Of other American seminaries In sanctioning
the system Of parallel education, under the
precautions and notifications 10 which we
have referred. Henccforth young women
may derive from her corps Of instructors,
her library, lecture rooms, and laboratories,
the same helps to mental discipline and
equipment that young men enjoy, and they
will carry into life a voucher Of their attain
mcnts, which in our country will be found
the practical equivalent Of college degree.