New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-19
RUSKIN NAIL.

THE POOR MANS COLLEGE AT OXFORD.
From The Sketch
Jude Fawley in Thomas Hardy's recent novel,
found that the walls Of oxford were unassail
able by working man. As "All Sorts and Con-
ditiOnS Of Men had its sequel in the Peoples
Palace at Mile End so Jude the Obscure" has
been even more quickly followed by Ruskin Hall
at oxford, although | suppose Mr.. Hardy can
not claim. like Sir Walter Besant the honor Of
paternity. Ruskin Hall IS the outcome Of a
movement on the part Of several American ad
mrers Of the author Of Unto This Last" VINO
were anxious TO do something to realize in Eng
land the ideals Of their prophet. Walter Nroo-
man, OF st. Louis, their leader, came to England
about twelve months ago and submitted to the
principal labor organizations and their leaders
his plans for a Poor Mans College in the city
Of Light" They were 50 faVOraDly received that
he was prompted at once to practical action and
the college has now been at work for about six
months.
1t occupies house-No. II St Giles-st-which
has some Rusknian associations. a few years
ago il was the residence of d distinguished
member of the university. and Mr.. Ruskln was
frequently his guest. The house, which was
taken by MIR NIOOman on a lease from B3l.lOl
College IS rather the worse for wear. and money
has by no means, / found, been lavished on It's
furnishing. But it IS Pleasantly situated in the
quetude Of the broad. classic thoroughfare.
amid trees and ivy clad walls. For the rest Il
IS nUt-as the visitor Is soon made aware an
expensive philauthropic fad. The building being
provided the students themselves do the rest
nothing but contributions To the library being
asked for from the British public Ten shllllnSs
a week is paid by each man for board, lodging
and washing. and ten shiIlings month for lrc-
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
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 70
strengthen them for the help Of others From
this dictum may almost be said to follow their
declared object, not that man should rise out
Of his class but that each man by raising him.
self. may help to raise, through influence or pre-
cept, the whole class 70 which H. belongs" Ac-
cOrdingly. IL IS not technical education or pro-
fessional training which Ruskin Hall offers,
although tuition will be given there on any sub
Jet which may bc desired. The syllabus, so far.
comprises history, political science, science
psychology philosophy literature art and mod
ern languages. \ considerable part Of the tuition
is given by Dennis Hird, NJ. A., the warden, and
G. \. Beard, the correspondent among the other
lecturers being the Rev w. Downing. A }.
Hacking NJ. \. Hush F. Hall. = a. and 7. w.
Cation. Manchester College has invited the
Ruskin Hall students to lectures by the Rev. j.
T.. Carpenter. NJ. A.. and the Rev Philip f.
Wickstccd NJ A. Miss kedde Sarah TyutD
has given course Of tuition on historical novels,
while the ladies Of the BackWorth Club have
taken in hand The Writings Of John Ruskin"
and Art and Architecture in oxford" the lat
ter subject being illustrated by visits 10 the COLI
legee museums. etc. Of the ancient city
Ruskn Hall can take twenty-four students at
one time and. so far, there have been more APP
plicants than vacancies. Moral character and
ability 20 read intelligeutly" are the only quail
fcatiaus there being no age limit or creed test.
man may 60 there for a week a month or
year. according 10 his opportunities although TX
is believed that in most cases the stay Will eX-
tend into months. Tne majority Of the present
students are artisans from the North OF Eng
land in whom the Board School has instllled
desire for the higher culture, London beng
also well represented. In some cases their en-
blowers taking sympathetic interest in the
six or twelve months, in other cases. fortified py
a little saving they have risked the loss OF their
auplovmcnt for the sake of brief time Of intel
lcctual luxury.
II is practically a sof-governing little com
munitv. 4 small Committee If Management is
elected each week. IT arrange the rota Of work.
according 10 which 4 and Il TX the dinner,
makes the beds j washes IL floor. and 50 on.
II likewise BUYS the food. sui 'ct. of course. To
certain financial limitations, and arranGes every
other detail for the welfare Of the inmates. The
only restriction imposed excludes alcoholic
liquor and IN" warden assured me that the az
fairs Of no household could he more smoothly
regulated Every man passes the time as he
rIeascs and his only complaint Is that some Will
read too much. In accordance with the oxford
practice. the Afternoon should be sacred 10
rrvslcal exercise. and most Of the students 90
spend IL i'm playing football rowing or waking.
At the time Of my visit. tea was taking place IN
the garden Of Ruskn Hall. and the talk APP
ueared To be partly Of the afternoons recrca-
lions one or two students. ! learned. We're
reading for a degree and they often had 10 he
reminded that the body as well as the brain re-