New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30

women the titles their work nau ehrneu-''
threatened radical departures from the old line
of development Cambridge was perfected az
/ n mans institution. ard nobody could tell how
the changes which must follow the proposed con-
ccssion would affect It's position as man IN
stituion Our London correspondent THIS morn
ing points ont how anxious the undergraduates
were lest the athletic standing Of the University
! might suffer. True. any snch suffering would
he due 10 prejudice. bur those Interested have n
right TO consider popular prejudice ms 1t may
affect the prospects Of their University. Ihey
have right also TO speculate on the logical
consequences Of n step which In Itself might DE
unobjcctionabIc The feeling undoubtedly pre-
vailed that the granting Of t.tular degrees wonld
not at all end the feminine advance. but that
the next step would be n demand for equality
In government. And That equality could not
long he denied after the other had been con-
coded An institution educating men and won-
en- and governed by men and women hny DO
most desirable in the abstract but II was hardly
to be expected that n majority even of those
holding this view would be ready 10 apply that
system to an institution Of great vested inter
esis and long-scttcd habits Of an utterly differ
ont character Still less was it to be expected
when il was "A question of Englishmen depart
ing from their traditional conservatism.
Accordingly. the defeat Of the proposal In
wolves no more than the determination OF Cam
bridge not to depart from its traditions for the
sake Of an equality which, however just ana
desirable. might in the end bring revolution
in the character Of the University. The dons
can hardly be blamed for a conservatism which
Is perhaps narrow in the administration OF a
trust so ancient and hitherto so essentially mas
cune in It's scheme of existence They answer
the charge of bgotry with the suggestion that
they are willing to help found a new university
where women shall have all they ask. only they
do not wish to experiment with the old founda-
ton OF course this offer Is not satisfactory 10
the feminine applicants for Cambridge degrees
No new university could have the history ana
the atmosphere Of ripened culture which are
among the most precious features Of the ancient
seats of learning Yet IF the institutions which
now offer degrees TO women in England do not
meet their wants, It may be best for them 10
accept the disadvantage incident to the higher
education of women being comparatively new
thing. and start university which will have its
own traditions for the next generation Here
In the United States we have had the same prob
lem and the old colleges have shown the same
reluctance 10 vary their settled mode Of life
Turning from them women have found their
chief opportunities in colleges Of their own. all
OF recent growth, but all even now beginning
to offer the advantages which can only be given
in perfection with age. The Cambridge non
placets may have brought a blessing in dis
guise If they lead Englishwomen from knock
ing at the doors of masculine institutions TO the
upbuilding of great English university for
women.