Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-09
EDIT0R'SB00K TABLE
ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY or UNI
vERsITiES, BY COMPARE.
"pynsmic Breathing and Harmonic Gym.
nsssics "--"Hew to Know the wild
Flowers "-Paul Bourgeois "son."

cCABNkkS SONS. 1873. RACES 80. ~ ~.
For sale 10y West, Johnston Il Co.
A few weeks ago we had occasion TO call
attention to the Great Educators Series.
edited by Professor Nicholas Murray But
Ter, of Columbia College. We then no.
ticed the volume on Froebol and the kin
dergarten system. In the present volume
we have presented not so much the life
work Of Abelard. for barely twenty pages
suffice for that The subtitle is the more
accurate Abelnrd is merely q name I'M
der which is found opportunity TO discuss
the history OF the early universities OF
Europe.
The contontsarK divided into four parts ::
j. The Origin Of the Universities. H. The
Organization of the Early Universities.
III. The Course of Study and the Methods
of Teaching. ". General Spirit and In
fucDce Of the Universities.
Abolard belonged 20 the first half OF the
twelfth century tho universities began 10
spring up everywhere in the thirteenth;
and yet the character Of Abelsrd's teach
ing served as tho model aad prototype OF
the University of PARIS, and this for those
Of most in the Middle Ages This IS his
claim as the real founder Of the "unlyer-
sity."
The authors chief aim throughout Is to
show that the earliest universities gre"
and were not founded-a matter OF eyolu-
ton, Just as all features OF our modern
life and law arose out Of the customs OF
the Middle Ages. 1t is interesting TO note
that Germany. which is TO-DAY foremost IN
the number and influence Of her unlver-
tties. IN the thirteenth century was far
behlndhand other European countries Ike
Italy. France, Span. or England.
Mr.. Gladstone has recently delivered an
address IN the SheldonIan Theatre at OK
ford on the carly history OF the UNIVERSE
ties IN England. noticing the alternate pc
Iods Of prosperity and depression IN their
careers. He emphasized the fact that all
the great movements for religious reform
in England had begun in OXford-whether
that Of Wiclif. of the New Learning. OF tho
Commonwealth. Of Wesley, OF Newman
Ct Fuscy. Also whatever disproportlon
there might be in poets, authors, and other
mon Of mark. yet statesmen had been pro
verbally educated at conservative Oxford
and not 40 liberal Cambridge. MI Glad
stone himself. II IS needless 10 add. was an
Oxford student What was then sad
about the early years OF Oxford may
not inaptly be compared with the express
sious IN this volume. A summary Is
given on page 81: In England for the
mother university. that Of oxford, there
was a slow and progressive preparation.
Here we have not 20 60 back 70 the re-
A.. vetQ .H
IL the eighth century by the celebrated
Bele, Of whom an English writer has SAID
that IN his tomb science was ensiroudei
during four centuries nor 10 the part
played by Alfred the Great, and the efforts
. recoue1ato studies III ms realm which
lcmade in the ninth century IN imitation
q Charlemagne. | need only saw that at
tina. epoch Oxford possessed flourishlnG
schools. They were twice pillaged ana
DESTROYED los the Danish luYasiOns, but by
tho eleventh century they had regalnei
their old position. The rhetoric OF Cicero
md the logic Of Aristotle were studied
there. After having suffered further loss at
the time Of the Norman conquest, oxford,
thanks 70 the protection of Henry l.,
third son ana second successor OF William
the ConQuerOr, again became centre OF
studies With tins period really begins
the authentic history of oxford, ana All
that goes before is buried III dim tradi-
ton.
The relations between Oxford and Paris
Rre clearly brought out. toi among the
celebrated Oxonians educated AT Paris were
Robert Grossetctc. Bishop OF Lincoln.
patron Of letters and Roger Bacon. VII"
became SO learned as 10 be accused by MS
ignorant aye OF magic. .
The original conception of university
the author makes clear, Il not the uni
Verslty Of Srluca, but simply the university
Of ps1-sl1s. teachers. and students together
engaged IN any group of studies; hence
university" merely signifies associa-
ton or corporation" We pass over
the discussion as TO the government ana
systems in vogue. the course OF study In
the four faculties of arts theology,
law. and medicine. The last part,
treating of the manners and habits
of students and teachers, Is far more en-
tertalning. Especially important have been
alWavs the universities OF Europe as po-
hucal and social factors. Nearly oil move
ments of reform have begun IN the uni
versltv, many of the most notorious SOCIAL
1sts of Germany having been Professor-So-
cialists That the universities foster the
shirt of liberalism and hatred OF oppression
and tyranny has been proved time and again
by the action and policy OF the Russian
government towards such institutions.
And indeed II would be sad day for our
Schools of learning the world over. If those
places where the youth are taught were
not open TO the more forward movements
OF the dav. -,
A vast deal Of compact information will
be found in this little volume. The author
has this to say of his book and of himself !:
~ trust that nv readers may find asmuch
pleasure in running through this little
book as | have had IN writing II. trust
also that the literary dictionaries OF the
future. If they should grant me place IN
their pages, will have the goodness when
they mention nay name 10 follow ~ with
this notice: Gabriel Compare, a French
writer, whose least mediocre work. trans
lated into English before being printed.
was published IN America"
I,,nq,aic Ilrcdihing and Harmonic Gymnas-
hes. A Complete System OF Psychical,
Rsthetic. and Physical Culture. BY
GKNKyIRvE STEBBlNs, author of The
Dolsarte System of Expression" Socie-
Is Gymnastics." etc. New York; EDGAR
s. WFRNER 1898 Pages l55. With por-
trait of author. SL5Q.
The author is well known as an expo
pent Of the Delsarte system Of yoice-cul-
ture and gymnastics and has given many
wears 10 the study and teaching of the
subject Her system Is based upon the
Importance Of breath 10 life, and the con-
tiyity between different paris Of the body.
So much for theory. This volume Is in
tended as practical exposition of this
theory and Is adapted for use IN class and
for self-instruction. How to breathe
properly" Is the great problem set al
though breathing is the most frequent act
OF lite The last four chapters are espe-
peclally instructive in their directions and
suggestions, consisting OF exercises IN
breathing, relaxation, energiZing, and
physical culture.
An appendix follows on Fashion in De-
tormity," calling attention, both by argu-
ment and illustration, TO the deformlty
arising from lack of breathing room at the
waist. and from the cramped position of
the foot IN many shoes both distortions
resulting from extremes III fashion" The
works provided with full index.
The Son (ASdre Cor7,ehs) BY PAUL BoUR-
or, author Of Loves Cruel Enigma"
The Disciple" The Promised Land"
New York; Copyright 1898, by the
MaveIly Company. 81 10 65 Park Row.
This book ~ by celebrated French
luthor, youth arriving az maturity finds
lhat his stepfather Is the murderer Of his