The sun., 1883-11-04
SOME NEW BOOKS.
A merican Colleges.

They who are interested in tho scheme OF
advanced education provided for young mon In
this country-nnd who Ia not will ind much
desirable data not easily attainable elsewhere.
in tho concise and interesting account OF Amer
icdn Colleges by tho Rev. CHARLES +. THw1Na
Putnamsl We have hero tho dgested out
come OF an extensive inquiry with reference to
tho scope and quality OF tho instruction fur
nished by tho mutitudnous institutions which
in the unitod States purport to ofror coegi-
ate education. together with definite state
mont OF the expenditure required and tho pc
ouniary aid offered by many Of these establish
ments. Those young men who are as yet
uncertain 10 which OF tho scminaries that with
various degrees OF Justice profess to bo sents OF
learning. they would prefer to resort or which
1t would best accord with their pccuniary means
to enter. will do well to consult this book. for
they will got from 1t precisely the Information
and suggestions OF which they stand in need.
But while we recognize tho want which has
been answered by this volume. and appreciate
the service rendered by tho authors in
dustrious compilation and skilful cassia-
cation OF facts. wo cannot say that he
has always drawn from his materials
all the deductions that we think might be
pertinent and profitable We have no doubt
that the author has been restrained in many
instances by good nature from pressing home
the inferences to be drawn from certain Of the
facts here set FORTH but |; seems to us that in a
matter OF such large concern as the character
OF our higher education plain speaking would
be the truest kindness. We should have liked
for example. to see Mr. Thwing test with con-
siderable rigor the range and thoroughness Of
the instruction furnished by oven our most am
bilious institutions. Is it true that as regards
proficiency In the classics. in particular. a
graduate Of Yale or Harvard is tho equal or
even the superior Of a crack Etonian or Wykam-
tst. and would he. in Mr.. Thwing's opinion have
any chance Of beating such mon In competition
for Daio scholarship? And II not why not?
II our leading universities are to continue to
give large place in their curricula to the
Greek and Latin authors. why should they not
turn ont scholars ut least as accomplished as
those which are sent up every year to Oxford
and Cambridge by the great public schools Of
England? 1t is true that we pay little or no at
tention to writing Latin and Greek verse; but
the question still remains whether without
that accomplishment it is possible to insure. at
the ago when American students graduate.
equal ripeness and accuracy Of scholarship.
We might name other educational establish
ments in this country which would have been
still more benefited by the rudest candor
There are hundreds OF so-called colleges In the
United Statos. but the great majority-indeed
the exceptions may DO reckOned on the fingers
not only have no prctensidns to university func-
tions but are far from deserving the humber
name Of college in the sense in which the term
belongs to Eton and Winchester. They are at
best mere colleges in the meaning which tho
word bears In France-boarding schools or day
schools which purport to fit boys. or young
men no more advanced than boys. to enter
university. The precopt gnohi seauton
might be quite us appropriately enjoned
on bodies corporate as on individuals.
and since comparison is one Of the conditions
Of self-knowledgs. the larger part OF our pro-
fessed colleges would have boon benefited by
contrasting what they affect to do with what is
actually performed by tho English public |
schools and tho best German 0yn,nGsia. 1t |
would be. indeed a healthful sign IL half of our |
meagrey equipped and ill-officered collegiate
institutions would frankly call themselves
Schools thus recognizing the modest range |
OF their resources and capabilities 1t was
scarcely worth their while to follow. as most of |
them have followed. the sarcastic admonition.
addressed to an aspiring lad. to aim at the ze- !
NTH In order to lodge his arrow on the roof OF |
ne-story house.