New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-05
AMERICAN RHODES SCHOLARS.
Their Influence Considered from an English
Point of Vieu.
From The London Academy.

From The London Academy.
The Americans who have come to oxford have
EtJle idea OF a thorough education; many have
no standard Of work. The American system Of
education is 10 teach something about every
thing (W1th0ut adding everything about some
1hinsl 4 lady came 10 Somerville with Certifi-
Gates attesting her proficiency In thirty-tTvo
Jectsi Or again, another American, who wished
20 study the history Of the Tudor period, admit
ed that he could not read manuscripts nor did
he know any Of the European Languages which
are essential for the understanding Of that age.
for his frst vacation; and soon received a let
ter from the budding historian TO say that he
had not learned much Italian, but had met
most charming young lady.
Another influence which must be fought is the
tradition Of German education, the pedantry
and theses: the ordinary course for an American
scholar is TO obtain his Pm. D. either in Ger
many or IN America at q very early age, and
then 70 go back to his university a lecturer.
Hence the ridiculous theses. The head Of a col
lege is said TO have been confronted by young
American who declared that his special subject
was the 'Synthesis Of the Universe"
What then, viii be the ultimate effects Of the
Rhodes scholarships? The Americans-and
probably this applies equally to the CoIonisls-
have been received with great friendiiness
which is one Of the natural peculiarities of Ok
ford, but which has appealed very strongly 10
them This hospitality has bred much good feel
ing. which is bound to affect the general atti-
tude 81 Americans toward Englishmen. One Of
The former recently made a fine harangue in a
college debate on the subject Of Anglo-American
jriendianesS; he dWelt at some length on the "
'reuce with which his cOuntrymen regarded the
old country. the affection. the faithfulness and
The loyalty Of ali Americans. Then he paused
for . moment: But. gentlemen let me be
frank with you; there may have been, there
have been, times i'm the pastor the Fourth OF
July for instanCe-when have yentured TO twist
the Lions tail; but that was only In jest"
Yet further than the international cordaIitv
which the practical author Of the movement
Doubtless intended primarily TO encourage we
may without rashness predict "a great influence
On American literature arising from the scholar
ships. II Is sometimes suggested that the pres
ent cessation Of literary activity Of a high or
DER In America is due to the gradual weakening
Of the ancient respect for European tradition
II mere is a want Of standard IN American edu-
cauon' II is most noticeable in this. The profes-
hyr OF literature at prominent Western uniyer-
sity tand Il is mainly from the West that the
6nones scholars Gomez asked by New
York publisher TO edit four books Of paradise
Ios' as volume in a series OF classics he
nc herer Fcda a. However. he mastered those
four books during the railway tourney f-ono
AeW-fork, some five hundred miles and wrote
N, notes on MS arrival. So extreme an instance
a. rms serves 10 show the contrast betuyoen
American university life and ours