Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-03
University Extension.


The question Of university extension Is
one that the people Of Virgins must take
hold of in earnest if they desire to keep
abreast with the educational development
Of the day, and see our higher institu-
tons of leaning maintain their advanced
positiou among the universities and col
jepes of the country. We are. therefore,
Glad TO notice that in an article IN the last
number Of the Virginia Seminary Magazine
Professor JONI LESLIE HALL discusses this
subject, and enters o plea for the organi-
cation of Richmond chapter for uniyer-
sity extension. 1t is to be hoped that he
has blazed a way in which others Will FOL
low until such chapter shall have be.
come an accomplished fact. AS an originai
proposition university extension aims
to carry the university to the people. IL
contemplates courses of university lectures
in public auditoriums. which will be open
TO the masses and will bring the latter IN
touch with professors and their work. In
order to do this there must be an orGaniza-
ton. which by paying membership fees
will raise a guarantee fund sufficient at
least to compensate lecturers for their
time. The movement had its genesis IN
England, where after meeting with marked
success it spread through Ireland, Scot
land. Wales, and Australia. and 1t is esti-
mated that last year over 10000 OF Queen
yIcroRIis subjects. enjoyed its Dement'S.
In 1887 il reached this country, and
has extended over number of the States.
The result has been not only 10
open fields of intellectual enioymens TO
thousands to whom these fields had been
previously barred. but to stimulate the
pursuit OF useful knowledge. elevate the
literary taste of the people. and give an
impetus TO the establishment and support
of public libraries. The standard uni
yersity extension lecture is designed to be
popular. and neither too deep nor techni-
cal for the understanding Of the man or
woman of average education, but suf-
Aciently unconventional and scholastic
or scientific, as the case may be. to en-
courage and excite q desire for collateral
reading.
From the above standpoint mainly Pro-
lessor Hall treats the subject, and the
view he gives is one worthy of the careful
consideration Of all thoughtful men. 1t Is
q view that appeals to the liberality OF al!
interested in education, and We may add IL
sociology. But there is another and equally
important aspect in which university ex-
tension must be looked upon. lit car
ries the university to the people the con-
verse of the proposition Is equally true. 1t
carries the people to the university. BY
familisrizing parents with and interesting
them in university and college methodsand
obiects-by educating parents-it :brings
them to an appreciation of the necessity
and advantages of bestowing the benefits
OF liberal or higher education upon their
children. II makes friends for the uni
yersities and colleges and tends to dissi-
nate that most perniclous impression that
liberal education is a stumbling block in
the way of practical application to bust
ness pursuits. 1t antagonizes the assump-
ton too frequently INDUCED in by the
| decentralization that knowledge OF the
humanities and cognate subjects Is incom-
| patible with success in trade and mechani-
| cal pursuits. These considerations appeal
| with especial force to college and univer-
sity authorities to promote the movement.
The establishment of university extern
| sion chapter in Richmond would doubt
| less lead to the spread of the movement over
the State, and the effect of this could not
| fail to be the upbuilding and popularizing
| of our universities and colleges. There
would be no necessity for going outside
| of the State to engage lecturers. There is
not higher institution of learning in the
| Commonwealth which could not furnish Its
quota of lecturers who would measure up
to the full requirements of the university
extension system. Contact with these pro-
fessors might teach the people to reflect
on the lesson of OMAR KHAYYAM--
.No, oft near homo does genius brightly shine,
No more than precious stones while In the mine.'
Nevertheless. We would not confne the
choice of lecturers to the professors in
Virginia institutions.
That the movement could be initiated
with success in Richmond would seem to
be indicated by the fact that the courses
of free lectures at Richmond College, pro-
yided.tnrough the liberality OF the THOMAS
family, have proved exceedingly pop
ular. The influence of these lectures has
been made manifest in more ways than
one, and while they cannot be classed as
strictly within the lines OF university ex.
tension. as that system is organized in the
North and abroad, they in limited way
attain the same good results. They have
laid q strong foundation of popular senti-
ment upon which to rear the broader
structure now proposed.