The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-28
GREEK OR NJ GREEK At OXFORD.
Extent or the Change Proposed--Argu.
nients offered ON Both Sides

In house OF SIS, this revolutionary mo-
tion war rejected by only % votes when
next II appears, AZ appear again it must
though probably in different form. il seems
certain that IL will go through Then for
the first time will be seen Oxford graduates
! who Inv. never known even the elements
! Of Greek.
II Is unnecessary 10 enter into the broad
arguments for and gainst Greek which are
of course, always brought forward when
school and university curriculurs are dis
GUESSED. They are too we'll known But
| the question of Greek or no Greek when
applied 10 Oxford brings other considera-
| lions in It's train
hsponsions, or "Snlalls" as the under
| graduate says. IL the first examination put
before the student by the university IL is
a harmless, easy little examination In
the statutes of the university you read:
The subjects of examination shall be
the Greek and Latin langus ges, arithmetic,
and the elements Of algebra and geometry.
Every candidate shall ofer one Greek and
one Latin book. and shall be examined
therein in such manner as to test especially
| his know ledge Of the grammar of these two
| languages lie shall also be required to
translate from English into Latin Every
candidate shall be examined viva voce in
some part at least of the subjects offered
| 10y him"
The amount Of Greek required for this
| examination is so modest that unless a
candidat" has proved himself up to honors
form in modern history. science or mathe-
MATES. college will not accept him unless
his Greek and Latin and mathematics are
Tar stronger than anything the require
rncnts of Responsions demand
From the words of the actual motion,
quoted above. it would seem that the in
tention Of its supporters was 10 admi,
freely to the university students who had
no knowledge Of Greek. This, however,
L. not exactly the case
Had the motion passed, other regulations
would have been drawn up arranging under
what conditions the no-Greek student
might he admitted. Nothing. perhaps,
except personal knowledge il able TO make
quite clear the vast difference between
the pass and the honor courses at Oxford
1t is not too much TO say that at the begin
ming Of his course the student who is going
to take good honors degree knows enough
To teach for q long time the man who has
already taken his pass degree, provided, of
course. that a pass degree Ii the proper
measurement Of the latters attachments.
The desire Of the reform or revolutionary
party In Congregation is to retain Greek
Tor the pass man. but 70 abolish il as a
compulsory subject for the honors man II
Is argued that the French or German that
would bc substituted in the case Of pass
men for Greek would not serve the same |
purpose educationally
French and German taught In English |
schools amount to little. and there is no |
confidence that the standard would be
improved If these languages were made |
part OF responsions. And for the con- |
v"rsational knowledge of a modern Ian
g'ia3e so easily acquired by a period Of
residence abroad Congregat ion cares moth
ing.
Tho idea, then, is TO let the pass man
continue to struggle with his little Greek
Year by year the encouragement given to
pass men at Oxford grows less
With future honors men. however. the
question 10 different. Specialization begins
IN very early days az school. Constantly
the boy who has gained an exhibition or
scholarship for natural science. modern
history, or mathematics, is held up by the
small amount Of Greek demanded by re-
-ponsions
He then has to turn from his own subject,
In which, subsequently, he may take first
class honors. and "rung up enough Greek
for "Smalls. This the advocates OF the
change urge, il a waste of his time
such man may have truly liberal edu-
cation without knowing anything Of Greek,
therefore, the vexa'ious impeachment to his
true line Of work should be removed, and
the result would be that modern languages
and the study 81 subjects other than the
classics, would receive better treatment in |
the schools
On the other hand the conservative party
fear that this modification introduced In
favor OF candidates who are qualified TO
read with profit for honors in other subjects
would create precedent which would lead
TO general relaxation In responsions, and
hereby to general reduc,o ion Of standards
which are already low enough
MIR. Phelps, fellow of Ori,l, in opposing
the resolution quoted the statement that
nothing practically kept Greek alive in
the public schools except the action Of the
The moment they abolished
Greek as necessary requirement for the
universities there would be a pressure on
the public schools TO open their entrance
scholarships without requiring Greek and
{ he opening Of those would carry with il
he entrance examinations.
They would have "a larger and larger
body OF boys, every year, coming into
llubhc schools without any knowledge of
Greek, and as they passed up the school
tho time must infallibly come when the
leading exhibitions We're open TO persons
who had no knowledge Of Greek and when |
those exhibitor ne were open to persons |
without Greek, would anybody in his senses
Ieil them they could restrict their scholar
ships AZ oxford To those who had a knowl-
7dgo Of it?"
In short he argument IL that FOR Oxford
% abolish Greek as a compulsory subiect
would mean the steady deterioration of
.ireek study throughout the Kingdom, |
and logically, therefore, a corresponding |
i"terloration OF the study even in Oxford
herself.
TWIN MEN IN PETTICOiIS.
Paraded broadway In safety TIL bet cctiyes
EaxsF Tl,..Ir