Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-07-24

gentleman, Wilkie Calvert, brother Of
Prof. Sidney Calvert, of Columbia.
Hence the two days which we passed
at Oxford gave US a most delightful
glimpse into Oxford life, the ways Of
undergraduates and the customs Of
English students.
THE ORGANIZATION OF OXFORD.
Oxford University differs materially
from both the American and German
Universities. Established in the
twelfth century it has a hold upon
English life which no other institu-
ton has, except possibly its sister-uni-
versity at Cambridge. "Why should
not Oxford express its opiniong. asked
its Chancellor. sOxford is as much
an institution OF England as the king
or the commons and has as much
right TO its opinion" The University
is composed OF about twenty separate
colleges. The colleges are not col
leges in the same sense as the term is
used in the United States, meaning
thereby schools for some particular
purpose as law or medicine. They are
really boarding houses with teachers.
Originally they were started as inns
where the students continued to Sc
cure the services Of an instructor.
Many Of these colleges are richly en-
dowed. Some have a higher standard
than others. The college affairs are
managed by its own officers, a Princi-
pal or Master and Fellows. All I'M
dergraduates, members Of any partic-
ular college, must live in the college
building, where two rooms are assign
ed TO each student, or he may, after
two years. residence in the college,
live in the town in rooms approved by
the college authorities. The students
dine together in the college hall, at
tend religious service a prescribed
number Of times each week and must
not remain out Of their rooms after 0
O'Clock at night, without a special
reason. The undergraduates wear
the Oxford cap and gown at all col
lege occasions
The college system has created a
strong and healthy rivalry to secure
the best men. Some colleges hold a
higher rank than Others, and have
more applicants than they can admit.
The most noted are Balliol, Christ
Church, Corpus Christi, Oricl, New
College, Brasenose and st. Mary
Magdalen pronounced Mandolin Each
college remembers with special pride
its graduates and their pictures adorn
the dining hall or other conspicuous
places.
The architecture OF Oxford Is in
keeping with the community, and
adds to the general charm which af-
fleets all who come to this University
town. The colleges are built around
central courts 50 that the rooms have
fine light and ventilation. Small
gardens or larger meadows and parks
are the property Of each college and
adjacent TO it. Every surrounding
tends TO quiet study amid the most
pleasant places.
The Oxford undergraduate has fine
care taken Of him, a care which does
not in any way lessen his independ-
enee. The college officials dine in the
hall with him though at what is called
'the high table" on a raised floor at
the end OF the room. He is required to
report at the college at s o'clock in
the morning. He must not wander
on the streets at night. At 8 O'Clock
the college bell sounds a warning and
If be Is out after twenty minutes later
a small fine is placed upon him. Sew
eral fines cause him to be brought up
before the Principal. The Oxford
Union Club is an organization special
ly by and for the undergraduates. The
University Of Pennsylvania sent over
70 Oxford 10 make a study Of this
organization and wisely concluded to
establish a similar one at Philadel-
phia. 1t il a building with reading
rooms, debating halls, path rooms,
restaurants and all the comforts Of a
city club. 1t forms a fine recreation
place for students and Is extremely
popular.
Stress is laid at Oxford upon mak-
ing men out Of the undergraduates,
not mere machines. 1t is not sought
50 much 10 teach businessas toencOur-
age good citizenship. Emphasis is
strongly put upon the obligation
which every educated man owes to
the community in which his lot Isl
cast and Oxford plans also 70 make
its graduates better fitted as well as
more willing TO meet this obligation.
This is a. noble ambition for any
the making OF men who will
hold their scholarship In trust for the
tate.
Oxford exercises a proper control,
adici0us but effective, over STUDENT
ife. 1--WE are concerned with the
and the souls Of oxford men as
veil rs their brains" said a wise
''for what would It profit Ok ,
ord OF the Empire II our men vent
ut brilliant rascals or physical wrecks
Nth heads erammed with faelsSH J
indeed there seems 10 be les atten-
lon paid at Oxford BE- textbooks and
10 what Is not in any books than
ne would dare hope was true IN anyI
reat University.
ow OXFORD HEARD THE PEAcKl
NEWS.
We we're dining at the great han at
alliol College when the peace tele :
rams from South Africa came. The !.
ght vas one 20 stir the blood The I
'ng tables down the center Of the Q
~ were hlled with students. some ?
70 hundred OF more. At the f'hlgh :.
BILE sat the onicials Of the college, !
r central figure being Principal a
lird distinguished for his attain 3
ents IN philosophy Ehite-bezrdod
ID pioasant-featured. He vas re !
lived with wild applause As be made S
e simple announcement 81 the .
ace. The applause Of the English
Idience Tor the speaker is ia shouts Of =
Hear, hear. but the Oxford halls q
i've q different method q expressing e
cir approval. The students knock