The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-11-23
COLLEGE, EDUCATION.
3l133--GGe<
Its Real and Its Imaginary Value.

even princes of the royal
blood are not exempt from this rule.
The, German kaiser and his brother
Henry, for instance, absolved their
studies at the gymnasium at Cassel
before they entered the university at
Bonn, and the kaiser's sons are follow
ing the same course. An exception,
however, is made in favor of Ameri-
cans and other foreigners who wish to
attend certain lectures at European
universities, as it would be impossible
to estimate accurately the knowledge
they have acquired at their home in
stitutions.
In this country conditions are vastly
different. We have over four hun
dred institutions which call themselves
universities OF colleges; most of which
confer degrees just the same as uni
verslties. Some of these institutions,
among them most state universities,
are excellent; many are Indifferent;
oAo iuohy wv NV CVOh uOoOL w CuS
high-sounding names they have given
themselves. A few of the universities
and colleges have been very richly en-
dowed with funds by philanthropic
capitalists and others are in part sup
ported by their respective states. But
the large majority are private concerns,
depending entirely on tuition fees.
For them it is case of necessity that
their lectures should be we'll attended
by pupils able to pay such fees. In
order to secure such an attendance.
most of the institutions have to cater
largely to the demands and to the ex-
pectations of the pupils and their
parents.
That is very unfortunate. For the
average American parent and his off
spring, tho very solicitous for a
college education, demand and expect
that such an education should be ac-
quired in the shortest possible space of
time; in five or six years, including the
preparatory course, at the utmost.
Americans have been far too much in
the habit of doing everything in a
hurry, and many institutions are
nolens volens, forced to cater to this
habit; for if they don't do it, there are
plenty others only too eager to turn
out full-fedged scientists with diplomas
and degrees at wholesale, and in ri.
diculously short time. 1t sounds all
very we'll to talk of time being money
but you cannot use this proverb in re-
lation to higher education. You can
not put a funnel into the mouth of &
pupil, and pour down his throat
wisdom, science and languages by tht
pint and quart.
1t is not so long ago when our young
men sought college education onl!
} when they intended to make theology
philology, medicine or law their regu
lar profession. This has greatl,
changed in late years. 1t now seem
7 as if a college education was one o
the principal attributes of gentleman
or lady. And it is, provided it be
, college education worth speaking OF
!, Many parents think, and not uDjustl
so, that it lends to their children cer
: tain nimbus, and vastly increases thei
3 standing in fashionable society, whel
their sons have been educated at Yale
Harvard, or some other university, an
: their daughters at one or the other o
: the more prominent female colleges
!, For this reason college education
! such as it is, is given to many youth
9 who have no intention of ever becom
q ing a clergyman, or teacher, or lawye
t or physician. Even most of those wh
c intend to enter any of these profession
study only such branches as they thin
S absolutely necessary. Lawyers an
It physicians need but very sligt
knowledge of Latin, and less of Greel
: in their practice. Therefore man
Q study these branches very superficial.
e and forget all about them, except th
: little they use in their profession, 500
/ after they have left the college. An
Q as it is with Latin and Greek, SO it
+ with other sciences.
nj Persons who go to college merely #