The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-04

sibility for its acts by resortlng to the plea
that those acts could not be undone.
Girl Undergraduates at English Uni.
versities.
1t is we'll known that colleges for the
higher education OF women have been es-
tablished in connection with each Of the
great English universities. Girton and
Newman. at Cambridge. Lady Margaret
Somerville and St. Hugh's Halls. at
Oxford. It is also well understood
that the same courses Of study are
pursued by the feminine and masculine
students: that their attainments are tested
by examinations identical In scope and
thoroughness; and TINT young women who
distinguish themselves receive from the
vice-Chancellor q certificate to the effect
that. had they been men. they would have OBJ
tained such and such place upon the class
lists. What we have lacked. however, was
some information touching the mode Of life
OF girl undergraduate. and on this point
Miss ANNE ]. CLouaB has undertaken to
enlighten US in the last number OF the
Forum. The writer's competence will be
sufficiently evident when we mention that
and 1t may interest some Americans to
hear that she is sister Of ARTHUR HUGH
CLoUoH. whose" Bottle OF Tober-na-Vuo-
Itch" is still pleasantly remembered.
The age at which girls are admitted to
Newman and Girton is IS. and that this
could not at present be lowered seems plain
from the fact that at the entrance examine
tons 1t Is found that hardly any young
women come up with an adequate knowledge
Of the classics. especially Of Greek. and that
few have mastered a sufficient number OF
subjects in mathematics. We cannot recon-
cile such defective preparation with another
statement Of Miss .CLoUoH's. that the Vice.
Chancellor's certificate for success can
be gained by two years study or even
less. It Is entirely incredible that Miss
PHILIPPA FAwCETr should after such q
brief term of study have beaten the Senior
Wrangler in the mathematical tripos. When
Miss CLoUaH speaks Of two years. she must
have in view the attainment OF a certificate
equivalent to mere pass degree. Even
young men with the much superior prepa-
ration procurable at the great public schools
could not hope to obtain honors at the final
examinations In so short time.
Y
GUS college than Girton. In the former in
stitution. which by the way comprises three
halls. young woman can usually obtain
only single room. In which. however. the
bed is made into couch by day. We are
told that an economical girl can pay her
way at Newman for about $500 during the
academical year. which. 1t will be remem-
bered. covers only some six months. Let
us see. now. what college life means to q
female undergraduate. Her day begins with
prayers and breakfast. lasting from eight
till nine o'clock. Then come lectures, which
proceed at intervals till one or two o'clock.
but NO student attends more than two or
three lectures daily, and sometimes she
has pone for one or two days In the week.
Between quarter past twelve and half past
two the girl undergraduates ut NEWMAN
assemble for luncheon. The afternoon Is
devoted to walks and games. such as lawn
tennis. fivcS. aud. In winter. hockey. Some
OF the young women go for drives. and a
few ride together occasionally with q riding
master. Between three and half past four
they gather in their respective halls. where
tea IL served. Afterward. some work for
an hour or more before dinner. which takes
from seven to eight there are meetings
OF debating clubs and musical societies.
after which tea is once more offered and
then the girls dispense to work till ten or
later, Once n week there is dancing in the
large hall. but apparently no men are per-
mitted to be present. and the young women
dance with one another Az to other social
amusements. we are informed that the
students have coffee parties in their rooms
after luncheon, tea parties In the afternoon.
and cocoa parties at night after ten o'clock.
These entertainments seem to be the coun-
terparts OF a male undergraduates wines"
We may note In passing that the young
women take their meals In common In hall,
small tables being used at NEWMAN, while
GirtOn clings to the long table traditional
at English colleges.
As regards the health OF the girl under
graduates. 1t appears from the statistics
compiled two years ago by Mrs. HENRY
SRDGwIcK. that 1t declines slightly during
residence at Cambridge. but Is afterward
regained, There seems to DO no doubt that
some applicants for matriculation exhaust
themselves by their preparatory work at
home or at school. Naturally many. also.
feel the strain OF the final examination.
which In most triposes involves six days of
six hours each. 1t must. however. be re-
membered that n term at Cambridge is only
about nine weeks. after which occurs a vaca-
ton with it's opportunities OF regainiug
strength. In term time such students as
are most successful work from six to eight
hours daily It appears that Miss fAw-