New-York tribune., 1905-02-12
PREFERRED BY COLLEGE GIRLS.
What Courses Radcliffe Students Elect
Astronomy in High Favor.

Cambridge Mass. Feb 11.-More changes than
are generally realized have In the typical
American girl with the disappearance OF the sweet
sentimentalist'' of the SOS and COS. and the step
ping forth in her stead OF the sturdy self-reant
twentieth century maid. They are changes in
tastes and habit OF mind that make more lasting
impression than even the extraordinary feminine
interest to-day in outdoor life and other wholesome
living as they are judged by modern standards.
Perhaps this development is most plainly to be
seen in that special type that has come into being
in the last thirty years or so--the college girl She
fairly represents the varying conditions of life and
social niu5 Of every part of the country, and
the striking thing about her is that, while she is
as truly feminine in the oid-fashioned sense as
ever Lydia Langush in her day or Ethel Newcome
in hers her interests are growing more and more
like those of her brother. She sezes with avidity
on all manner of serious things that only a few
wears aSo were thought entirely outside her sphere
she enjoys them. not as fad, but because they
really attract her when she gets chance to un-
derstand them.
The contrasts between this generation and the
two or three before can be seen to such advantage
nowhere else perhaps as in Cambridge. There is
chance for direct comparison between the student
bodies OF Radcliffe College. where some five hun
dred girls from all over the country are studying
under university conditions. and Of Harvard. with
which the women's institution is closely afili-
ated be practically OF its departments.
There is absolute freedom in choice Of studies at
both colleges, under the elective system, that
what student In either taxes up is practically a
matter OF personal choice, and the teachers and
their courses are the In both institutions.
1t is much of a surprise to find that literature
and the languages favorites among girls; they
always have been. particularly modern languages.
The university study of English would not be
thought appeal strongly to women great novel
readers they are, TO men; yet comparison
shows that larger number of girls. in proportion.
than of men devote themselves to it. Perhaps that
is why SO many former Radcliffe girls have made
themselves known in recent years writer's of
books plays-girls like Beulah Marie Dix Carrie
A. Harper Josephine Preston Peabody, Helen Leah
Read and Abby Farwell Brown
What is less expected however. is that the TWEEN
tieth century American girl finds fascination in
economics-much more practical than it sounds.
and not nearly terrifying; that government. his
tory, chemistry, and some branches of Tnathe-
matics, particularly those relating to astronomy.
appeal to her strongly than music the fine
arts, which used to play important part in the
finishing school" education. True, the courses in
the musical departments have grown in popularity
in the last few years. and considerable number of
young composers have developed. The singing and
instrumental clubs too. among the most de-
lightful student organizations, and considerable
very creditable work has been done in writing and
producing original opeTettas, some of which have
even attained wide reputation. and more than
girl has gone into professional composition. But
in spite of this growth music has yet somewhat
less influence in the womens college than in Har-
ward.
Sngularly. the fine arts. though courses In the