New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-28
UNDERMINING OXFORD.
Lord CurzOn's First appearance as
Strenuous Beggar.
London, May IS.

London, May IS
An unauthorized degree has been conferred
uopn the ohanceors Of the two great UNIVERSE
Ties Each is an S b.. or Strenuous Beggar The
r1uke Of Devonshi:e is appealing for Il. 100000
70 complete the educational equipment of Cam
bridge so that the university can be effectively
undermined; and Lord Curzon. on receiving the
highest honor in the gift Of Oxford accepts the
commission and rushes into the highways to beg
for an additional capital of $3.50 600 Each chan
color has the same story TO tell OF an impov-
erished university, which lacks resources for
varying courses Of study and increasing facili-
ties for research work and specialization. While
individual colleges have been and still are rich,
neither university is adequately endowed nor
constantly enriched by private benefactions like
American educational institutions, nor supported
generously by the state, IN Germany Both
universities are poor. not because there has been
Encouragement OF endowments or shrinkage of
Investments. but because they never have been
released from dependence upon the colleges,
which seldom have money to spare for new pro-
fessorships and buildings The colleges with
which Oxford Cambridge men have been in
tirnately connected command their affections
through life. and the universities themselves, in
their corporate action with their examinations
degrees. lectures. libraries and laboratories have
languished from insufficient support and have
been forced to halt while the world is moving
Each chancellor now acts as drum major for
the begging brigade, and hats and subscription
books are passed around to the accompaniment
Of fife, trumpet and drum. Affecting appeals
are made in this way to the loyalty and graft
tude Of university men in the hope that por-
ton Of the surplus wealth of the country may
be diverted for academic use before the Dead
Hand at Somerset House has a grip upon It
Lord Curzon in opening his campaign for the
re-endow1nent Of Oxford referred TO two classes
Of Disconnected alumni, who asked to be excused
from contributing to the work One was the
jealous band OF reformers who did not consider
Il expedient that the study of a dead language
should be a compulsory condition for obtain
ing degree. and the other the noble army
Of conservatives who rallied 10 the defence of
the humanities and turned their backs upon
utiIitarian standards. With diplomatic agility
he strove TO carry water on both shoulders by
declaring that Oxford must be kept in touch
with the requirements of the time and progress,
and at the time be allowed to remain the
stronghold and fortress OF the old learning.
There was consolation for Greek and modern
blended so sldlfully that the appeal started off
with the promise of a subscription of $4,000.
The Archbishop of Canterbury's face was fairly
aglow with satisfaction when the chancellor
proclaimed that the fumes of a hundred labora-
tories must never be allowed TO extinguish the
broad and liberal culture of the halls and quad
rangles. and If Mr.. Asquith frowned and looked
uncomfortable Lord Miner nodded approvingly
when the Rhodes benefactions mentioned
and the differences drawn that oxford must
give 10 her new clientele what the new Glen
tele demands" and in this way justify her right
10 be considered the leading university Of the
English-speaking world. BY clever management
the armed between Greeks and reVOlu-
tonists is not broken by the beating of the
drum and clashing OF cyInbals for subscriptions.
TIE aggregate endowment asked for is eQui-
tsbly apportioned for buildings, the Bod
LEAN science, modern languages and history,
and equal stress is laid upon the glorious tradi
tons OF the past and the commanding opportu-
mites OF the future in this appeal Tor an an
iarged university equipment The aons whom
Mr.. Ahodes described as 'cniIcren n CONNER
cal matters" now practica! and adroit
the managers OF any political campaign fund.
Whatever may be the fate OF the larger sub
scrtption asked for by the Duke OF Devonshire
for Cambridge. 1t can hardly be doubted that
Lord Curzon Will succeed IN raising E250,Ooo
fer Oxford. Committees are to be organized IN
the colleges, and every effort Is 20 be made to
complete the endowment within Ave years. The
Rhodes Dequest is bringing more money after II.
AS soon the university wes opened 20 a picked
body OF 200 foreign and colonial students there
a vast increase Of prestige and influence.
Oxford was suddenly uplifted from , vale OF
academic rest and the slough Of lest causes 10
a site On hill where Il was exposed 10 criti-
oal inspection. The lack OF facilities for adj
Venced specialized work became apparent ana
the necessity for improving and multiplying
courses of instruction could not be concealed.
The Rhodes trust has effectually advertised Ok
ford as the educational centre or the Anglo
Saxon world. The dons longer shrug their
shoulders and declare that foreigners are not
wanted there. The foreigners and colonials are
already there and the university must be mod
ernized and re-endoweL for their benefit, so
that students may be attracted for post-gradu-
ate and research work from every quarter Of
the world. II Mr.. Rhodes had left his money
directly 20 the university as endowment IL
would not have been as helpful as the actual be-
quest which has forced the heads Of colleges to
wake up and bestir themselves. Oldtirners are
frightened by the glimpse Of two former Vice
roys the Archbishop Of Canterbury and tho
Chancellor Of the EXchequer as trumpeters Of
the strenuous university beggars. What has
become Of the dignity OF the old seat OF earnng?"
they ask pathetically. II is like the substitu-
ton Of Salvation Army squad for the choir in
Christ Church the May Day singers Mag
dalen tower. Yet oxford VIII be the better for a
thorough shaking up l. n. r.