New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-17
T AN ACADEMIC FETCH
The Senior WrangIer at Last
Knocked Out.

been hunted down by the Cambridge reforner.
Having $50 years OF tradition, he has found
abundance Of cover and has given the pursus-x
a fairly good run. but the fox has at last bean
captured with the hounds IN full cry. Ths
resident graduates OF the university were abous
equally divided on the question OF reforming tbs
mathematical Tripos, but the non-residsrt
masters OF art have supplied substantial ma.
jority for Transforming the houors examinations
from top 20 bottom. The conservatism OF Cam
bridge has been overcome when the proposed
changes have been supported by every professors
and lecturer IN mathematics. Lord Kelvin was
against reform. as he was also opposed to
changes IN classical studies few years ago
but the progressive men. with Mr. BaIfour, SIP
R S. Ball. the Bishop OF Ely. Sir G. H. Darwin
and the masters OF the principal colleges leading
them, have condemned the narrowing effect OF
the order OF merit and opened the way for ad-
vanced work and specialization Three years
are allowed for the rearrangement OF the Tripos
and the accommodation Of teachers and Isctur-
ers 70 the new system The Senior Wranglsr,
with the blue ribbon Of the greatest school Of
mathematics in Europe. viii then disappear. and
with him will so the amusing farce OF bestow-
Ing the wooden spoon on the most unfortunate
duIlard.
The Senior WrangIer would have been sass
II he had not put aside his Greek and general
scholarship and had not assumed to be prod
ICY OF learning exclusively in mathematics. Es
has fallen because the tests were artificial and
involved prolonged study and Iabortous cram
ming IN elementary mathematics. In order 70
carry off the coveted prize and 20 be proclaimed
and photographed as > marvel OF scientific az
curacy. he has been forced 70 devote three years
TO a competition for honors. After heading tia
list and demonstrating his superiority IN els%
uentary work. be has had a single year for sd-
vanced studies. The exaggerated value OF ths
distinction has been shown whenever a list of
senior wranglers has been complied Tiers
have been honorable exceptions. but as a ruis
they have not justified IN after life the reputa-
ton acquired by the highest gift bestowed By
the university. The effect OF hOnors exarnina@
lions IN the order OF merit has been encourages
detailed drudgery IN the lower branches oe
mathematics. The university has superior re-
sources for conducting advanced studies IA
mathematics. but these have been neglected be-
cause rank in the elementary work was consid-
cred OF paramount Importance. The reforms
which are now TO be introduced viii raise tbs
level OF work There will be examinations az
the end Of the first or second ysar in elementary
studies, with alphabetical lists OF successful
candidates. and there will be more advanced
tests for progressive work II the third and
fourth years Instead OF q competition for
places and numbers in q low grade OF studys
there Will be specialization IN accordance with
individual taste and the broadening OF courses
OF reading and instruction II cannot be doubted
that the examinations FOR order OF merit have
been q hindrance to advanced study worthy OF
the best traditions OF the university. Scholar
ship has not been raised and broadened by them
but graded downward
similar effect may be produced Il students
IN American universities concentrate their ef-
forts during their four year courses upon pass
ing examinations for Rhodes scholarships at Ok
ford. Those examinations are essentially el1-
ruet-taEy. but in order to pass them when there
are many competitors from the same state thers
must be detailed knowledge. especially IN cIassi-
cal studies, which can be secured only by per-
sistent examining. The scholarship. carrying an
annual grant OF $500 for three years and ths
privileges OF residence in an Oxford college. 10
something worth striving for: but American
students viii hardly be justified IN neglsctlns
the courses Of instruction IN their own universts
ties for tho sake OF continuous cramninS FOR an
entrance examination OF low grade- there
were a OF applicants from Harvard o.
Yale for Rhodes scholarship It would operate
like the honors OF Senior Wrangler to lower the
standards OF university study and 10 narrow
academic activities. The successful compsttor
might make full use OF his opportunities at Ox-
ford; but there would have been sheer waste Of
limo and energy II three or four years IN tbs
American university had been preoCcupied with
painstaking preparation for entrance exam
inadon under artificial tests FOR a Rhodes
scholarship. On the other hand. examinations
in advanced studies. which have been taken In
American colleges might be uads most helpful
in stimulating zeal and broadening activities u
these were to involve the privilege OF postS
graduate courses at Oxford. It Is one Of the
anomalies Of the Rhodes Trust that American
students over twenty-five are brought into closA
association with EngGshn,en three or four years
younger than themselves.
Academic traditions have extraordinary Vfta4s
ity In English universities. Veneration for the
Senior WrangIer has been sort OF scholastic
fetichisn- Old fashioned dons viii hardly feel
at homo there when the stuffed idol Of the crani-
ming process disappears. 1t has been Cam
bridge institution. and conservative masters o.
arts will be convinced that the university has
degenerated II youthful prodigy Is produced
once year embodiment OF pure mathe-
MATES and abstract analysis. They have talSs1
about the blue ribboned mathematician Gs SOL
.emnly the Greek professors have referred %
Aristotle's ethics the foundation OF a hoerA
education for English gentlemen. The time has
passed when headmasters OF public schools m
sist upon having boys OF fourteen write Lauh
and Greek verse as an elegant Accomplishment
essential to good manners; and IL IS fresh sisH
OF adaptabillty to modern conditions tE2t tns
Senior Wrangler has been condemned as an
anachronisnl srd the mathematical conrsi
opened 70 students C engineering and physics
who have no leisure for competing for ho1oEs =
elementary work. ! ~ a. :