The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24
Educational Progress.

There are many discouraging features In
the educational situation in this country, but
there are also many signs OF progress
Education is weakest in the secondary
schools and strongest in the universe
ties and in the primary schools. mat
which many Of our intermediate schoois
the public schools especially-laok In
freshness Of spirit, vitality OF interest
and variety of method, the hndergar-
tens and colleges and universities are
developing in a remarkable degree. The
spread Of the kindergarten, and the enthu-
siasm with which the spiritual Idea OF
education behind il Is being received, pro-
mise notable results in the near future.
Inc past twenty years have been among
tue most fruitful in our educational history
Within that time, besides several smaller
institutions, four great foundations nave
been created. Two Of these--the Johns
Hopkins University and Clark University
have at once taken the lead in advanced
WORK along the best lines, 10 the JOINS
Hopkins the old institutions and the country
as large are under lasting obligations Tor the
stimulus OF a fresh, untrammeled and
thoroughly vital application OF old methods
aud evolution Of new ones; while CLARK
University, although less than hive years In
operation, commands universal respect and
attention among educators as marking a
radical departure from old American
methods, and providing the freest opportu-
mites for original work. The other two
great foundations OF recent years Iceland
stafford aud Chicago Untversiues) promise
equal fruitfulness on lower but wider ana
more popular lines. This same period has
also witnessed wonderful expansion and
advance Of higher educational opportunities
for women. Wellesley Smith, Bryn Mawr,
a POI aa,nfu "a "a barnard
College are among the creations Of the last
two decades. These institutions, by their
direct and indirect influence, have reVolu-
tiOnized education for women in this coun-
try, and have gone far 20 TeyoluuoniZe tue
conditions Of life for women In every pro-
fessiOn and occupation.
These facts are indicative Of a movement
so general and of late so accelerated that
IL does not seem too much to hope Tor such
a national inspiration and training througn
education as came TO Germany during the
second aud third decades Of the century. In
1850 there were about $500 students IN
American colleges in 1890 there were nearly
5000. Ia 1850 there were 10 these colleges
50 students to each 100000 of population; IN
1880 there were 30 students to each lOO,OOO oil
population. This increase is made more
significant by the fact that 1t was largely
made during the last decade. Moreover,
the general statement does not include the
returns Of last year, which was far and
away the most notable year In the history OF
American colleges, so far as attendance OF
students is concerned. The colleges for
women are almost without exception over
crowded, and the colleges for men are taxed
TO provide accommodation for greatly In
creased classes. This increase is the more
significant because it comes at time when
scholarly standards Of all kinds are higher
than ever before in the history OF this coun-
try, and are constantly advancing.
The situation, so far as advanced educa-
ton is concerned, may be summed up In a
sentence: more exacting requirements and
larger opportunities, and more young men
and women eager 10 meet the one and use
the other. In quality and In quantity higher
education shows wonderful gain. With
this gain has come a wider popular interest
in COLLEGES and universities, growing per-
ceptOn Of their close and vital relation TO
the national life. The space now given by
tte sress 10 college news is significant OF
the interest which such news has for hosts
OF resders.-Chrstian Union.