The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-11-09


Island branch Of the association OF col
Iegiato slumnae was held in the Elolse,
II Franklin street At 1880 o'clock this
morning.
Dean Emery of Pembroke was In the
chair and presided with characteristic
grace and dignity. and since the gather
ing wss characterized as Brown Day
an unusually large number OF Pembroke
graduates was present.
The address was by Prof William Nc
Donald OF Brown and dealt with some re-
cent changes IN college methods and
aims.
In beginning the speaker referred Ca
the vast amount or discussion which had
gone on in educa tional circles every
where. OF late, regarding some or the
methods OF college work and called at
tention TO the fact that these changes
had not been confined 20 any one insutu-
ton.
The first of these changes. upon which
the professor dwelt. he considered OF
great Importance. namely, the introduc-
ton of the elective system and the eNten-
sion OF this principle as a method OF
study.
The speaker asserted that he believed
that the effect OF the introduction Of the
elective system was to destroy the college
curriculum 10 certain extent. In all The
colleges that have adopted H.
The dominance OF anything like a seri-
Gus college curriculum, the speaker be-
lieved to have been seriously impaired by
the Introduction OF this custom.
At this point Prof. Mcdonald referred
10 the wide range of subjects which the
rfsCrfve sysrFm nau beFH tHstrUmTUtHt IN
introducing into the college course.
The effect OF all this he declared.
has been 10 change the relation of the
departments to each other The elective
principle is now being extended To pre-
paratory schools and is there mskins
very profound changes These changes
are to be found in the high schools and
IL the high school Is 10 he allowed al
elective system, AZ follows that the col
lcee must have similar system for you
cannot divorce the two.
ITO follow the effect still further,
contiued the speaker we note the
growing cordiality between the colleges
and the -rref,er+.t f-s-sel4ee.l-7 Il
The second change enlarged upon 10y
the speaker was the great classical con-
troversy'' or the controversy between the
classical and the scientific methods OF
Tho higher Institutions Of learning. THAT
controversy" declared the speaker lis
now practically settled with the victory
OF science. hut" said he the services
Of classical learning should be hy M
means underyalued.
Another great change, upon which the
speaker dwelt at length. was the
modern tendency among the colleges e
substitute the lecture for the old fash
ioned recitation.
The old fashioned teaching the per
sonsl influence and power of the college
professor of 10 years ago that sort q
teaching has absolutely disappeared.
said the speaker. "and ia its place todal
we have the lecture and the laboratory
AS result OF this change IL follows
that scholarship depends upon the ex
amnatons
To-day the examination IL the yer,
first essential OF college work. Il hold
the key 10 the whole situation. an,
wherever YOU have the lecture system
with the attendant examinations. yo
tho "standardizins process. as he calle
have the best efforts OF the student"
Professor Mcdonald next dwelt upo
the "standardizing process" as he calle
II and how far the standardizing pro
cess Is compatible with what t. know
as college Individuality"
The especial point made lust there wa
rfTst- rTv tt11T b.rwc6H INSTITUTIONS II be
coming more and more sharply drawr
aud that this especially applies to th
line between the college and the univci
siiy.
'In The average small college" he sai
IRON one-third 10 two-thirds OF a
studies taught are taught in our be-
high schools
The speaker next touched upon the 81,
tns of athletics IN the modern collie,
~ today. Il am incliued Co think
said. that college sthletlcs are on A
wane, and in these days ~ is an q falla,
10 think that good football team or
good baseball nine helps tho standing OF
college. There should be = tolersbly cor
pcte divorce between the college an
athletics and there II q disposition tod,
20 curtail the privileges of the coIel
athlete"
Among other changes noted by II
speaker was n revival % the literary n
in the colleges. an increase IN the lite
AIRY courses in the college curriculum
The last change upon which tho spea
~ dwelt was The "CharaCter or the e,
icEe Constituency"
Referring to the fact that the collie
va. originally founded 10 Train mini
ters. LAWYERS. and teachers snd q
country boy was always largely in e'
dance. the speaker said. we are lost
The country boy now. the poor boy th
works his way
I'VE have many men who work th'
wsy today, but not many who are dow
right roor The direct professional aim
not nearly 30 prominent ~ of yorc.
What are we getting iu pisce of q
minister. the country boy and the teac
err
An Increasing number of yourr nv
and women who represent families "
ere toirrably well 10 DO. The larger. nui
her oF our present students o. not cof
70 college, thes arc sent We arc gcttL