Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-14
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION.
Prof. James Talk Saturday Evening Before
the University Club.

The popular method of education known as
the university system was the subject of an
tertaining talk on Saturday evening at the Uni
versity Club by Prof. James Of the University
OF Pennsylvania. There isperbaps no man who
is better lifted 70 explain the aims of the uni
verzity system and what it has accomplished in
this country and in Europe than Prof. James.
lie Is the president Of the American society for
the extension of university teaching located at
Philadelphia, and n member of the faculty
OF such an institution the University of PENN
sylvania he IS in a position to judge OF the uni
versity for diffusing some OF the light
which is enjoyed az such center OF
learning and culture. lie introduced by
Henry Wise Garnett and at once entered into a
discussion of his theme. his clear and easy
style enabling his audience TO follow him with
out fatigue. At the outset he spoke Of the
different methods adopted in Europe and In
this country when a reform In educational
methods is intended. In France or Germany.
for example. il person wished to bring about
a reform he at hrst attacked the government
system of education, feeling sure that il he
succeeded that the change would at once
be general. In this country, how
ever, a reformer seeks 20 influence public
opinion. educate the public mind. until
This was the method followed in introducing
university extension in this country. II had
already been well under way I'm England, where
II had first taken form some time in the early
seventies. 1t had started by series OF lectures
given by Oxford professors in the locality Of
Oxford. and from this begi inning it had grown
steadily until il had spread pretty well all
over England. There were between 100 and
500 centers in England where lectures were
delivered in accordance with this system.
These centers were not conducted entirely by
university men. for many who have received
fellowships from the universities gained the
reputation upon which this prize was awarded
through these university lectures.
THE ENGLISH UNIVERSITIES.
The speaker referred to the explanations
which had been offered Of why the two English
universities had been interested in this move
meut. Outside OF the universities it uas claimed
that they had gone into the work for the pur-
pose of staying of the threatened parliamentary
inquiry into the uses made OF their funds. The
universities had large revenue and they ex-
pended II In their own way and n number OF
educational abuses had arisen. The university
men themselves In some express regret
that they have helped in this movement in any
way, because II has gone way beyond their OK
pectations and assumed proportions that they
had no idea of when they entered upon the
work. Now they we're afraid that it would tend
TO attract popular attention to the universities
and that the people would discover that the
universities are for the classes and not the
vestigation.
However, university extension was in Eng
land to stay. IL was not long after ii had been
fairly inaugursted in England that it began to
be discussed in this country, and finally a
meeting was called in New York city and an or
gHnization WAS formed by such men a. Prof.
Patton Of Princeton, Prof. Dwight Of Yale and
Prof. Low Of Columbia. After one or two
meetings the organization WAS apparently al
lowed to die. The next effort in this direction
H. .r-D Al
University of Pennsylvania who called a meet
Ing OF those interested in the subject, promi
nent citizens well as professors, and a
society was formed for the purpose of
advocating university extension. This was
three years ago and there is today I'M
der the auspices of the society some sixty
centers in operation in and near Philadelphia
where by means of courses of lectures au
effort Is being made TO provide education for
adults In a systematic way. He thought that
between twelve and fifteen thousand persons
last year enjoyed the benefits OF these lectures.
While a rule the lectures were on literature
and history, yet other topics were taken up, of
a scientific character. for example. In one
center, composed mainly of stationary engineers
the lectures given related to higher MATHEMATICS
and were an explanation OF the principles which
underlie the occupation followed by the mem
bers OF the center. In every case the character
OF the lectures were determined by the mem
bers of the centers. The movement has made
such progress that in a number OF states socie-
ties have been organized, and in some cases.
especially in the central western states, the
tenn was under the auspices of the state uni
versities. The speaker estimated that last year
IN this country between Fifty and sixty thousand
people received the benefits Of these lectures.
EXPERIENCE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Prof. James said that the system Of univer-
sity extension supplied defect in the educa-
tional facilities Of the country which, in his
opinion, was OF a serious character. Taking
the city of Philadelphia representing the
average community, he said that of the 100 900
children attending the public schools of that
city only about two per cent attended the high
schools and seyenty-ive per cent was under
twelve years OF age The average school
life was only about four years
and il could readily be understood the extent
of the education which could be acquired in
that time. The conclusion to be deduced from
these facts was that the average parent in this
country could not afford to keep their children
In school after they had attained the age of
twelve. Hence arose the importance OF pro-
vidiug facilities for adult education, and the
avidity with which opportunities of this char
acter are embraced is indication of popular
appreciation. He thought that SO far as pro-
fessors in colleges and universities entered into
this work that they would be benefited and
their students benefited because OF the neces-
sity which confronts them in giving such lee
lures to present the topics in familiar and
easy style.
Prof James held the attention Of his audi
ence, which was composed of representative
men from the literary scientific and professional
circles Of this city, and their satisfaction was to
some extent expressed by hearty applause.
At the close OF the talk Prof. James was given
an informal reception.
The jamestown TO Stay Mt Cape Charles.
At conference last Saturday between
surgeon-General Wyman of the marine
hospital service and Secretary Tracy
1t was decided to keep the old ship
jamestown at her present berth at the Cape
Charles quarantine station. The secretary de-
sired the jamestown a training ship for the
cadets at the Naval Academy. but in view of the
fact that cholera still exists in Europe it is
deemed best to keep the jamestown on her
nresent dntx thu ,ziu