The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-21
RUSKIN HALL AT OXFORD
THE POOR MANS COLLEGE,, 70 UND-
ED THERE

|
ED THERE
by n Number OF American Admirers of
John RusIsin.
Jude Fawley, in Thomas Hardy's re-
cent novel. found that the walls of OK
ford were unassaiable by a working
man. AS "All Sorts and Conditions Of
Men" had its sequel in the Peoples
Palace at Mile End, SO Jude the OBJ
scure" had been even more quickly fol-
lowed by Ruskin Hall at Oxford, al
though / suppose Mr.. Hardy cannot
claim, like Sir Walter Besant, the hon
or of paternity. Ruskin Hall is the out
| come of a movement on the part OF
several American admirers Of the author
of Unto This Last" who were anxious
| to do something to realize in England
! the ideals of their prophet. Walter
| Vrooman of st. Louis, their leader,
came to England about IL months ago
and submitted to the principal labor or
CARNATIONS and their leaders his plans
| for a poor mans college in 1.-The city
of light" They were so favorably re-
ceived that he was prompted at once to
practical action. and the college has now
been at work about six months.
1t occupies house14 ST. Giles street
which has some Ruskinian associa-
tions A few years ago it was the resi-
dence of a distinguished member of the
university, and Mr.. Ruskin was fire.
quently his guest. The house, which
was taken by Mr.. Vrooman on lease
from BalEol college, is rather the worse
for wear, and money has by no means,
l found, been lavished on its furnishing.
But it is pleasantly situated in the
quietude of the broad, classic thorough
fare, and trees and ivy-clad walls For
the rest, it is not--as the visitor is soon
made aware-an expensive philanthrop-
ic fad. The building being provided,
the students themselves do the rest,
nothing but contributions to the library
being asked for from the British pub
lie. Ten shillings a week Is paid by
each man for board, lodging and wash
ing, and 10 shillings a month for lee
lures. AS no servants are kept, every
student is expected to take his share in
the domestic work of the house. 1t
was estimated that this would require
about two hours manual labor, on the
average, every day; experience has
shown that half an hour is sufficient 1t
is the poor mans college, but paid for
in the main by the poor man himself
The promoters of Ruskin hall have
taken as their motto this sentence from
the masters Ethics of the Dust:
Briefly, the constant duty of every
man to his fellows is to ascertain his
own powers and special gifts, and TO
strengthen them for the help of others
From this dictum may almost be said
to follow their declared object not that
a man should rise of his class, but that
leach man, by raising himself, may
help to raise, through influence or pre-
cept, the whole class to which he be-
longs" Accordingly, it is not technic-
al education or professional training
which Ruskin hall offers, although tui-
ton will be given there on any subject
which may be desired. The syllabus
so far, comprises history, political
science, science, psychology, philosophy.
literature, art and modern languages.
A considerable part of the tuition Is
given by Dennis Hird M. A.. the warde-
en-, and G. A. Beard the correspondent,
among the other lecturers being Rev.
w. Downing, A. j. Hacking M A.,
Hugh F. Hail. b. A., and F. w. Cation
Manchester college has invited the Rus
kin hall students to lectures by Rev
j. f. Carpenter, M, A., and Rev. Phillip
f. Wicksteed, M. A. Miss Kedde
(Sarah Tytler) has given a course of
tuition on historical novels, while the
women of the Backworth club have
taken in hand THE Writings of John
Ruskin' and "Art and Architecture in
Oxford" the latter subject being illus
trated by''visits to the colleges, muse
ums, etc, of the ancient city
Ruskin hall can take "a students at
one time, and, so far, there have been
more applicants than vacancies. Nor
al character and ability to read intelli-
gently" are the only qualifications,
there being no age limit or creed test.
A man may go there for week. a
month or year, according to his oppor-
tunites, although it is believed that in .
most cases the stay will extend into
The majority of the present
are artisans from the north of
England, in whom the board school has
nstilled desire for the higher culture,
London being also well represented. In
interest in the matter,
have given them leave Of absence for
to IL months; in other cases, fortified
BY little saving, they have risked the
oss of their employment for the sake
IF abrief time of intellectual luxury.
1t is practically governing lit
lie community. A small committee of
is elected each week 1t
the rota or work, according
20 which A and B cook the dinner,
makes the beds, d washes the floor, and
80 on. 1t likewise buys the food sub
ect, of course, to certain financial
and arranges every other
letail for the welfare Of the inmates.
rhe only restriction imposed excludes
llcoholic liquors, and the warden assur-
Continued on Twelfth Page)