New-York tribune., 1886-07-08
NATURAL METHOD OF TEACHING.
DIR. McCoSH ON ELECTIVE STUDIES.
CHANCELLOR PIERsoNs DEFENCE or THE RRGENT:
or THE UNIVERSITY.

CHANCELLOR PERSONS DEFENCE or THE RKGENTs
or THE UNIVERSITY
ALBANY, July 7(Spccidb. The attendance at
the University Convocation to-day was much larger and
widely representative than at the opening session
yesterday The discussion OF the so-called Natural
Method" Of teaching ancient and modern languages
set down for this mornnR but in the absence OF
Dr. I. sauveur Of New.York who was to read paper
that theme. the discussion somewhat vague and
OF those who spoke opposed the system Professor
james Hall. OF the State Museum, read an article on
that institution
Dr. McCosh, Of Princeton read this evening paper
ele live studies IN college, He said that ono m-
portant question is what place religion has ia the
college. another what liberty should be allowed In
the choice OF elective studies university should sd-
nit every branch Of knowledge which promotes usefui
ends Universities were established In the ninth
century. Then they taught literature. science aud
philosophy STUDY and disputation whetted the intel
ect. In 1901 ths 5000 students in Oxford In
1923 thousands in Paris Many Of them had higher
education than many seniors Of to-day, who elect for
senior stu lies music. art ana French plays.
They had solid education In logic'
philosophy and law Speciatics cane afterward.
In the eighteenth century change came and after
struggle chemistry geology and botany were admitted
the curriculum. Then arose the difficulty to eat ana
digest the whole and the need Of electives arose as
wonderful fields The Of universal scholars past
should be prescribed studies for every of
course In language OVID tongue should have nrst
and last place. Greek literature and philosophy should
be included II psychology logic and ethics are omitted
believes only things seep and temporal Cnversai
history cannot be taught No elective should ne per
mted In the freshman year and It's value III tne sopho
more doubtful In junior ana senior years they a!
with proper limits be permitted.
DIR. McCosh closed his address with remarks on the
age at which students should enter college. taking
would fiVasa s as 1ns
They ought, he thought, be graduated at twenty OF
twenty-one. ,,
Tho order Of mathematical studies In the higher
regents course IN schools debated at some length
and 1t finally determined that hereafter plain
geometry should precede algebra The annual holiday
conference which has hitherto been held 10 Ahany was
appointed for December 20 at Syracuse. ~
Chancellor Plerson. In his criticism OF Governor HIii
yesterday expressed his regret that tho Governor VINO
seemed estimable had been so mised by "some
foolish recommendation as the aboshment or tee he.
gents Of the University" WAS due to the repeated
appeals OF the Regents he said that the Importance OF
encouraging literature the aid Of State funds was I'm
pressed upon the Legislature and the foundation or the
liberal policy Of this state toward education was begun
The 100 years that have elapsed since the establish
ment OF the university have been sgnaized by such
evidences wisdom and prudence OF its Regents IN
behalf of educational advancement that now from the
poraed the statistics OF colleges In the Regents report
OF January last show that there we're subject 10 tnelr
inspection during the year lSSiso forty i've insttu
ons, with 7s5 instructors, ll.7O2 students and lo
graduates. The total value OF college property
S23.16iG02 50 and the yearly expenditure
| Sl.1S739l d.
The advance educational work in the academies has
no marked than III the colleges The statistics
OF the report OF this board show that there are u
der the charge OF the Regents or the University ZSd
academies and academic departments OF union schoos
and OF these 13 visited by the board OF its
officers during the past year lhe corporate name OF
the board is not deception and should mis.ead. and
the Board of Regents have done and are DOM 700
able a service In the OF State education TO be aD0
ished or consolidated with any other department.