New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-05
THE YORK OF TIE SUMMER SCHOOLS.

THE YORK OF THE SCHMEh oCHOOLH'
The growing popularity of the summer
schools" that are just now dealing out wisdom
TO thousands Of eager students in different parts
Of the country shows not only that the thirst
for knowledge is extending, but that the schools
fulfil the requirements they were designed to
meet At Chautauqua and Mortified and a
dozen other places thousands of men and wom-
en- of all ages are gathering to profit by few
weeks of personal intercourse with eminent
secular and religious teachers. 1t is truly said
that the movement has a profound bearing on
the future of American life. The summer Is
the season of pleasure and idleneSs, and the
sight of the attentive crowds that sit out among
the trees at the pleasant resorts and follow with
notebooks lectures on every conceivable branch
of knowledge is an inspiration in social philoso-
ply 1t is not, as some suggest merely sign
of the spread Of dettanteiSm. The students
are all dead in earnest, and seem TO be trying
to neutralize by intense energy the drawback OIL
restricted opportunity.
The summer school, of which Chautauqua IN
this country is the actual prototype, really serves
as \ "peoplo's university.' As Principal Fair
BARN has said, the charge of superficiality that
is brought against it is the most superficial OF
charges 1t is not pretended that the short
course Of six or eight weeks can equip anybody
with an expert knowledge of a difficult Language
or an abStruse science, although its detractorS
would be startled by the attanmentS OF some
persistent workers. whose energy and deter
mination stick at nothing. To judge 1t by the
standards applied to a permanent college OF
university would be obviously unfair. Bishop
Vincent has always insisted that the summer
school can only help to supply what he apty
terms the college outlook; that is 1t stlm-
ulates the spirit of research by contact with the
living teacher, and supplements Deficiencies OF
method in the sef-educated When such men
as Professor Mahaffy, DR.. Fairbairn and Pro-
fessor McMaster are brought together to supply
instruction in their specialteS, for however short
time, the advantage to the student is incon-
testable. Many advanced scholars who have
nothing to learn from ordinary tutors would
travel a long way for few days OF association
with such counsellors; and the presence on the
regular list Of the names of well-known pro-
fessors from Yale, Johns Hopkins, Ann Arbol
and other seats of learning is an assurance and
q recommendation.
We are glad to observe that physical exer-
else under approved masters IS now an impOr-
tant feature of the summer curriculum. Among
the students are always many jealous school
teachers and college members who have done
their full share of brain-wOrI in the winter and
spring. To permit these to pass their whole
vacation bending over sohOOlbOoks would be Z
grave mistake Fortunately, the conductors Of
the summer schools perceive this. The hour:
of recitation are therefore judiciouSy limited
No pupil is permitted to take up an excessive
number Of studies. Tennis-cOurtS and boat
piers at Chautauqua are only less numerous thar
school buildings. Concerts and illustrated .ect
ureS are frequent So are public readings from
plays and pious scruples never thin the rank:
| Of the spectators Of dramatic tableauS. On The
whole. the summer scholar must be pcrverSC
indeed to Overwork himself He has really a
good a chance for recreation as the average
student at any regular college, and certainly ;
| far better chance of linking profit and enter
| t9inment.