New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-13
LONDON NOTES.
The Cambridge Battle Orer Greeh,
-Cobden's DeUoted Daughter.

dlte scholar with the gtft of inspiring enthusi-
asm for the study of ancient languages but he
IS also close reasoner and fine debater with
sense OF hunlor. He opposed the syndicates
report IN favor OF making Greek optional
study for all candidates for honors as a sweep
Ing and drastic proposal which would drive
classical education out of the lower schools He
cited the testimony OF headmasters in proof of
mis- assertion that the syndicate was bent upon
Killing OF classical study. and quoted Lord KEEL
Vim as saying that 1t useful for men OF
science TO know Greek. He rejected the idea
that inferior French or German could be
substitute for Greek, which was the most per
feet vehicle of expression the world has ever
Known 1t was not, however until he began to
depict the horrors Of Greekless generation in
a Greekless land that he turned the laugh
against the scientific barbarians and won the
sympathies of the learned dons He gave
pathetic account OF a Greek professor In New
Zealand. who was called upon to mourn over
an old friend disguised as Andromash, TO infer
the identity of one Of the parties IN the story OF
Cuplu ana sich 10 read a poem with Hero
dotus rhyming with lotus and to hear Bottles de-
graded into Boots at astronomical observa-
tory. The university dons received these ouips
with outlaws OF laughter, but the could hardly
nave been convinced that classical names would
educated
Greek were an optional study for poll" or
pass" men and French or German were thor
oughly taught in its place. A Greekless land
where the most delicate instrument of huma MIS-
tic expression is neglected and obscurantism Is
substituted for the work of the Renaissance is
a fiction disordered as gentle OpheIia's
dreams. II is quite credible that the reforms
suggested by the syndicate may be adopted at
both Cambridge and Oxford and that both clas-
steal studies and modern literature and natural
science will be more sympathetically taught and
higher educational standards established. Yet
so impassIoned was Sir Richard Jebb's plea for
Greek "a the foundation Of liberal learning that
some Of the progressive men, who had signed the
syndicate report must have had searchings OF
heart and wondered whether they had set back
the hands of the clock and given a signal for
a plunge into the medieval night, out of which
there could come hope of second Renais-
sance.
The reformeTs, however, were not sIlenced.
The master of Trinity. DR. Butler. contended
that while Greek was a superb training for boys
at public schools, it had been proved by long
experience that it was too heavy a burden for
many students to carry when It added to
other studies. II Greek a compulsory re-
quirement were lettering many from obtaining
a university education, the conditions must be
relaxed; and at the worst Engishmen could be
made 10 respect the classics through really good
TRANSACTIONS. and the women Of the future might
teach their children love of Greek culture, which
the mothers of the past had been unable TO i'm
part. Professor Maitland said that Greek was
useless and did positive harm. Professor
Westlake and DR.. Mcclure argued strenuously
that the proposed changes would promote eff
cheney in higher education and ridiculed tho idea
hat S+Ifdy ~ he ed
The master of PeterhOuse considered Greek
uneQualled instrument OF culture, but not
prepared to make II the only test of a liberal
education. He contended that the university
scholars were not justified in forcing Greek upon
all students when there a public demand
for a change DR.. Chase, the president OF
Queens. advocated the institution of de-
grees, which should recognize what he defined
the bifurcation of studies" All students
from whom Greek was required should have the
degree OF Bachelor Of Letters. and science stu
dents. dispensing with the Greek foundation,
should have the degree of Bachelor OF Science.
Professor Allbutt frankly admitted that the
pass" men knew hardly any Greek and Latin
very indlfferently, and he supported the report
the ground that optional studies would pro-
mote efficiency. The Conservatives also stood
CALAMITY by their guns. DR.. Dow. the head
master of Westminster School. sounded warn
and asserted that in the grammar schools par
objected every subject IN turn as not
likely to be useful in later life" Once let
Greek cease to be compulsory at the universities
and it would go altogether, and that, in his
judgment, would be a terrible catastrophe since
all that good and promising In the schools
came from the classical boys and all that was
bad from the uneducated moderns! Professor
Mayor equally enthusiastic over the virtues
were taught in the right way, and he had a fine
ride on pet hobby of his own,
The Cambridge reformers have had az least
the advantage of being logical and practical
They began their campaign two years ago In an
inconclusive way by raising the question
whether certain classes of honor men should be
relieved from the obligation of passing In Greek
Originally they suggested that French and Ger
man could be accepted as an alternative IN
Greek. They now propose that either French or
German should be taken as an offset and exnose
themselves to the reIroach of reducing their
alternative one-half. They do not however re-
peat the mistake Of the Oxford reforrners in re-
strioting exemption from Greek to students Of
mathematics and science They bring forward
comprehensive proposal that a smsttertns -
Greek shall not be essential in passing the nrevi
Gus examination. Familiarity known the Little
Co; ana they advocate the change on the
ground mat the number OF students is not In
creasing at the university and that elasticity Ga
indispensable in applying educational tests n
modern progress. DR. Ward, one Of tho mos,
outspoken defenders of the syndicate's report
descFlDeo IL as a compromise with the future
rather than the past and contended that Greek
stood In the way OF certain careers and that
SUBJECTS which were aids rather than hindrances
would DE more stimulating TO many students.
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