The sun., 1903-12-27
10 or II years old when he Is prepared to

after graduation. Supposing a student Is
II years OF age when he enters college. and
he looks forward to work in professional
school of from three to four years.
That period of time, together with four
years at the college proper. makes for him
from seven to eight years of educational
work still to be done by him before, he is
ready to begin his lifework He will then
be from rs to 20 years of age.
at seems to me-and I think many of
the ablest educators are of this opinion
that this is an excessive requirement. AS
general statement, think 1t is safe to say
that young man ought to be made ready
to enter upon his lifework when he Is from
~ to "a years of age.
Now, as l do not favor the curtaiing
of the curriculum of the public high schools
or secondary schools, it does seem to me
that, If curriculum were prepared by
ary schools can obtain two years resi-
dence at college in general study in the
liberal arts and sciences, he is then fitted
adequately and handsomely for the more
technical work Of the professional schools.
Il do not believe that II is a wise method
for student to go directly from the second,
ary school to the professional or technical
school. II he had two years course at a
would be then better qualified for the
specialized study of the technical school.
"On the other hand to insist upon four
years course for student who enters
college at IL or IS years of age is to re.
quire him to postpone the time of his special
studies by at least two years.
Not long ago was invited to make an
address at one of the smaller colleges; and
| then said that before the year 1920 1t would
be difficult to distinguish the college, ex-
ceptinR in one or two instances, from the
high school or academy of to-day.
The college formerly gave four years
course of instruction in prescribed studies:
The student entered at about the age OF
is or le, and was graduated at 10 or 90
He was disciplined carefully in a mar
row intellectual field; but it did him great
good. The ambitious boy who looked
forward to the law, theology or medicine
sought the college training and association
as basis for his later studies and active
career.
"The nation was young and crude in
those days, and il was a noble era of creative
industry. Postgraduate studies we're al
most unknown. The completion of q col,
lege course was the attainment Of liberal
education.
Now, that was the institution which
then gave the American college its reputa.
ton, and which put into the degree of
bachelor Of arts true significance.
.The academic department OF our uni
versities of to-day is the direct descend
ant of the old college. but is unlike its
ancestor. That is inevitable from the
changes and improvement OF the past
aStill, the ideal for which the old college
stood does remain, and that ideal was to
train men thoroughly and we'll for manly
and worthy living; and that, it seeIns TO
me. was as lofty purpose as could pc
maintained among democratic people.
Now, what the old college used to do is
to-day done in part by the new college
and in part by the secondary school. and
vet four years are still required to COM
plete the traditional course of study.
Il want to retain the college IN ITS ideal
tn
for higher education and also to make
1t the thorough equipping medium for
young men whose intent is to finish their
educational work with the college proper.
u want to retain the college. not alone
as the vestibule of the university where
scholars are trained and where men master
the elements of professional knowledge
required in the practice of law, medicine,
teaching, but also as the schoo! where men
are made ready for the work OF life.
If the college proper is wisely guided
for the next twenty-five years, the students
who are looking forward to active business
careers after graduation ought far TO e3-
ceed in number those who choose scholar-
ships, or a learned profession, as career,
eating the notifications of the curriculum
and residence in the college proper, ~
For these students the college Will be al!
school to look forward TO-, The college
will be the one centre of their academic
memories and affections.
But to draw such students and to hold
them in large numbers and so to impress
itself upon the country as effectively in the
future as in the past, the college must be
really a college and must leave off trying
to be a university. This means that 1t
must come back into its own natural and
useful place; and it is to that end that
am agitating the notifications of the col
lege proper which would make it possible
for those who take a professional course.
or postgraduate studies, to obtain suit
able degree after a two years residence in
the college proper.
aFor others who intend to close their
educational work with their graduation at
college there might well be prepared an
other curriculum which would extend the
residence at the college to three or even
four years.