The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-03
INVITES AMERICAN STUDENTS
INCREASED FACILITIES FOR STUDY
OFFERED IN FRENCH UNI
VERsITIES.

Better Than Germany NOW-ChanEes
Made by a Recent Decree-Advan-
tages offered 10 the American Stu
dent of Both sexes-The Present
Organization.
TO the April number of the American
University Magazine Prof. Muzzarelli
contributed an interesting article, point
ing out the history of the Franco-Ameri-
can University movement and the nature
of the success that has attended it, of
which the following is but a brief digest
A decree has passed the "Conseil Su-
pereur de INSTRUCTION publique, opening
the French faculties of science to Ameri-
cans, on very advantageous conditions
This new decree introduces all the best
features of the German system into the
French faculties of science, and we are
confident that within few months a
similar arrangement viii be adopted in
the case of letters. Hereafter a student
will be admitted to these faculties on an
American bachelors degree, and will be
permitted to choose his studies After
pursuing any scientific course a year he
can, if he wishes, apply for an examina-
ton in this branch, and if successful. OBJ
tain a "certificat d'etude." Three such
certificates taken, for instance, say, in
calenlus. pure mechanics and astronomy,
Will make him 'licencie" and he can then
secure the French decorate, which is de-
.cidedly much superior to the German, up
on the presentation of a satisfactory the
sis. If the student has the ability. and so
desires, he can discharge all three sub
jects the same year; or, if he prefers to
do so, he can do it in successive years
migrating, if he wishes, from one uni
versity to another, and studying at the
same time whatever other subjects he
may choose.
The French system now possesses one
distinct advantage over that of Gemanv
1t is this: That after three years study
the student presents his thesis first, and
if this is accepted, he is admitted to ex-
animation. Everything hangs upon one
chance. He receives the Phi. D. or moth
ing.
In France, on the contrary, the exam
ination coming first, each step is punctu-
ated, the student receiving Independent
credits for every portion of his work
If he acquits himself in one branch only
he still has his "certificat," while three
as has been explained, gives him the
'hcence." If interrupted in his work be-
fore securing a degree, he can withdraw
with honorable credentials for at least
that portion of the work which he has
accomplished, returning home if he so
chooses, TO prepare his thesis at his leis-
ure.
a vague idea of what is offered by the
L IeIcn faculties OF science may be gath
cred by considering that in mathematics
and chemistry France leads the world at
present. Hardly less can be said for her
in many other branches. As concerns
material equipment the department of
natural history in the Sorbonne alone rep
resents an outlay of over 100 900, 600 francs
The French stands are open to women
as well as to men, and the postgraduate
course may be pursued at the special
schools as well as in the universities
While cOngratulating ourselves on what
T,a- hea a1r Ae,1rr aohf Cd
forget that something still remains to
be accomplished. However, the official
declarations that have already been made
give good reason for the confident hope
that the various courses of literature
viii soon be thrown open to Americans
on terms equally advantageous. And it
win be found that here, too, French meth
DDS are worthy of study. The orientalists
and philologists of France have OBJ
tanned deserved distinction for what they
have done in their various departments
And so far as pure literature is concerned
France has good reason to be proud of
the men upon whom she has conferred