New-York tribune., 1906-11-11
a PROBLEM MET.

rrs--uetc-s might deplore this state Of affairs.
periodically warn and advise students TO make
the most OF college life but in the absence OF
the necessary practical machinery 10 realize the
purpose their words had a touch Of absurdty.
The concrete allurements Of games and amuse-
ments needed 10 be balanced by a definite pro-
gramme Of extra work. In fact. the problem
was largely TO get more work out Of the student.
but IN q somewhat automatic manner and with
out the compuIsions OF q required course. In the
light OF tGt0rial success. the moral eXhortatonS
and laynents OF past educators over the lack OF
scholarly diligence bear a very unscientific as
pect a course Of collateral reading, virtually
G recreation in comparison 20 textbook study,
fills up the students spare time, and thereby
dscoUraEes card playing and dissipation more
eHectua.y than any sermon. Loafng and eX-
cessive athletics are attacked at their roots.
Il is evident that IN Teviving primitive form
the modern idea Of university liberty and re
Ngious non-interference should be sustained.
Therefore. the preceptor has no Office Of spy
upon the actions OF the students and he IS not
delegated parent who gives instructions in
morality and etiquette in the old style.
The tUtorial system Of Princeton University is
modification OF that at oxford, and was an
nounced a desirable thing by President Wood
VOW Wilson at the outset OF his administration.
four wears ago. President Hadley Of Yale IS
among the educators who favor its extension
and await only the financial foundation
Or. A F West dean OF the Graduate School
at Princeton. who has been an enthusiastic pro-
Iaoter = the new system. said the other day 10
A-4- 4----lir IrI 'JflFI-
The priceless advantage Of the old fashioned
small college was the individual contact of pro
fessor with student. There was small aca-
demic household. For this close contact there
are many substitutes. but no equivalent. II is
the meeting OF man by man or in small groups
that makes possible the very best education
from childhood to the most advanced period ol
study Take il all the way UP. from the child
with ts mother 10 the seminar work III German
universities. But the close contact has been lost
with the rapid growth Of large colleges and the
students have been handled in herds or masses.
lectures have been delivered 10 two hundred oT
The large college has gained In scope and cos
mopotausm. hut lost the intimate. Irresistible
Influence. II IS 10 remedy this condition and
regain for the large university the advantages
of the small college that the Princeton precep-
tor.al system was introduced.
This system the credit for the introduction
Of which inro this university belongs 10 Presi-
Gent Wilson. IS q modification OF the oxford
method. itsolf old in principle but new in ac-
uon. Professor JOwett. the translator Of Plato
ana af1erWard master of RalliOl College, intro
cnced g. and IL was gradually adopted by all
ne twcuty-ole colleges that compose Oxford
university Every undergraduate there has one
hoCr a week with his tutor for a discussion Il
al features of his work his strong and weak
points in language, philosophy, science and 50
on i is like the private work in the gym
nssium, finding the weak muscle and exer-
cising Il; correcting defects which the general
training VIII not reach; an effort 10 find the in
clvldual aptitude OF the student and develop H.
This IS the base but adapted 10 American con-
cluons. At oxford the tutors are all around
men. who supervise instruction IN a dozen
nfanches. but here naturally they are special