New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-17
AMERICAN RHODES SCHOLARS AT
OXFORD.

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1t is interesting to observe what use the
American students making of their special
advantages for study at Oxford. OF the forty
three representatives of as many States of the
Union thirteen have entered for law, nine for
classics. eight for history. ancient modern
three for science. four for modern languages
three for English studies, one for theology. and
two are undetermined with trend toward law
The preference shown for law is a proof of the
instructive American leaning toward the pro-
fesson which is the main avenue leading into
public life 1t is also tribute to the fine equip
rnent of the Oxford school of law. Professor
Dicey and other broad minded Oxford men have
been insisting for many years that the uni
versity is the greatest school Of law in the
world, and they have the patronage Of nearly
one-third of the Rhodes scholars from America.
Classics, or litera humaniores. take the sec
ond place: and this must encourage the willy
Greeks. who have been fighting their battle
with the modern revolutionists during the last
week both here and at Cambridge What Is
true without dnuht- Is that English school
masters know how to teach Latin and Greek,
and really they ought to, when the two uni
versites have set the style for a thousand years
and made the classics the foundation of a lib
eral education; and the fact that nearly fifth
of the American scholars have selected this
course is a proof that the reputation Of the
university as a great classical school is appre-
ord IN 10 ost
as good being eight against nine; and this Is
also a true index of values, for Oxford is
stronghold Of historical study. and American
students who have exhausted the resources of
their universities can take postgraduate
courses here most advantageously. When these
three schooIs-law ltera humaniores and his
tory-have claimed their recruits a remnant OF
less than a third of the American students is
scattered among modern languages. science
English literature and theology. The unpopu-
larity Of these studies shows that the dangers
Of modern invasion are less serious than the
fanatical Greeks have imagined. There is not a
single candidate for mathematics: and the frac-
tons entering for either science modern lam
guages are small English literature attracts
more German than American benefcfares of
the Rhodes trust Possibly the crafty German
Emperor is using his nominations for the pur-
pose of giving candidates for the diplomatic
service practical training in English. Certain
ly, the American students set little store by
their privileges for studying English literature;
and this ought to crafty the classical extrem-
lists. for they hold that Greek is the perfect in
strunent of expression and that when it is
mastered It is of little consequence whether a
list of English authors be filled out. or the
use of shall" and will rendered automatic. AS
for the solitary student in theology, his splendid
isolation is a distinction glitterins that do
not venture to name him.
The American students. approaching their In
debtedness to the great Engshman who found-
ed the scholarships. have not entered upon their
work at Oxford in critical spirit. They are
here for work. and. with few exceptions they
do not take too serious view OF themselves
but are modest and are willing TO take the
oxford academic system they find 1t and TO
get what they out of 1t. Like all sensible
Americans. they looking for results. and
theories of education and dialectics over the I'M
falling efficacy of Arstote's ethics do not deeply
interest them. They find here picturesque en-
vironment of the hoary. stored past. and 1t is
source of inspiration for them and a strong
stimulus to intellectual effort They perceive
also the advantages of a system which pro-
notes development Of character and improve
ment of mind by direct contact with tutors and
instructors. II is paternal. and IL is also help
full and practical When they attend the Union
and listen to the debates they likely to
speak contemptuousy Of the English art or
public speaking. They do not have to wait
long before finding out that students at Eng
fish universities do not learn to think on their
feet as American students do in recitation rooms
and debating halls. Yet they have the good
sense to conclude--and from such talks as
have had with them think that most of them
have already found out-that there are some
Intrinsic virtues In the oxford system. It may
No, helm 10 make men fluent in talk, but IT may
nrouote habits of thought. The American stu
dents already are beginning to understand this
when they are attending many lectures and
having only a single recitation week. and
when they have tutors and literary advisers be
hind them TO direct their reading and to softer
the asperities of their manners by thoughtful
counsel have not been long enough in Eng
land 10 forget my American birthright or to
take nride In the superior resources of the