New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-01
LONDON NOTES.
University Poverty-Mr. Campbe1ps
Book-Mr. Tree.
London. March ,n

f1,50e.00O 20 complete the educational eouln,r.~.
Of Cambridge. Oxford does not Advertise -
poverty with the same stark naked eard,- -
IT needs additional capital and is asking -.
i25O.OOO. OF this amount 100000 IS requires 20
science, as much for modern languages. hlsfor,,
and the BOdIeian and $4,000 for new buildIrss
Individual colleges may be well endowed ~.
both universities poor and lack resouroa,
for varying courses OF study. multiplying -
fessorships and increasing the equipment -.
research work and specialization. Each - =.
preached for being old fashioned and bshIna a..
times, but inertia is not caused by conservasIx-,
and unpTOgressive spirit Neither universisv a.
adequately endowed. and there is no unonAv a.
reserve for modern improvements and exss,
sions- The American universities ara COS.
stantly enriched by private benefactlons: ira
German universities are supported HberalIv ~
the state; but Oxford and Cambridge ara hsn.
pered and crippled by poverty and forced -
stand still while tho world Is moving Ear,
English university has resolved to make known
its urgent needs and 70 appeal to tts own sens
for generous support. The miIllonaires da NJ.
remember them in their wills; and why shoula
they. when eighth Of their surplus wealth T.
dropped into the national treasury IN death ana
succession duties?
Mr.. Rhodes did not forget Oxford vh.n IA
disposed Of his fortune. but the conditions nm.
der which the scholarships were founded hava
increased the embarrassments OF the university
II the dOns. whom he described as children IN
commercial matters had been consulted thew
would have preferred an increased endowmant
Of the university so that facilities might bs en-
larged for advanced specialized work. which IA
the requirement Of modern educational pros-
esses. They would not have excluded English
men. Welshmen. Scotsmen. nor even Irishmen
from the benefits Of the bequest. nor have un-
dertaken a missionary enterprise for converting
Germans. Americans and coIonials into svmua-
thetic AnslO-Saxons. They would have consia-
cred it wiser and safer plan to endow the
university heavily and to enable II 20 improve
and multiply courses Of instruction. so that stu
dents would be attracted for postgraduate and
research work from every quarter Of the world
They were forced TO carry out the Rhodes be-
quest without being In sympathy with its aims
and methods. and they have displayed fexi-
bility and spirit OF accommodation in adapt
ing themselves TO a situation which they did
not like The university has kept most honora-
bly, all its engagements with the Rhodes trust
and the dons have awakened TO the truth that
Oxford in consequence OF the beQuest has been
brought out as the educational centre OF the
Anslo-saxon world There has been vast In
crease Of prestige and influence. If Oxford was
C%4~~
vale Of rest for Heuenists and medieval dream
ers-it IS now a university set on hill where
IL can send out it's light far and wide The
Rhodes scholarships have modernixed It by
opening 1t 70 picked body Of two hundred for
eign and colonial students. The Anglo-Saxon
mission created by the tranquil sleeper among
the lonely. majestic 1fatopDos has increased ten
fold the University's obligations 70 Improve It's
educational plant. An enlarged endowment Is
more urgently needed than ever before The
poverty OF the university has 70 be Haunted IN
the face OF the world
Mr.. Campbells book on "The New Theology
Is regarded by English literary critics as
crude and hastily improvissd enlargement Of
his sermons. While it contains much that IS
accepted by advanced thinkers IN many churches
and communiOns. It lacks precision OF state
rnent. knowledge OF theology and philosophical
treatment. The conventional critics unite IN
disparaging IL; but in justice 20 Mr.. Camp
bell It must be added that he has not
designed the book 20 meet the require
ments Of scholars and theologlans, but to
convince plain Iaymen and perplexed working
men that there IS great deal OF dead wood
which must be cut away from the religion. Of
the time before It can be adapted to modern
progress His sympathy with Mr.. Kerr Ha-dis
and the leading men Of the labor party ex-
poses him to attack as a socialist masquerading
in the rags and tatters OF theology. It is notice
able that while he rejects the Inspiration OF the
Bible. considers the Old Testament interest,"
ing bit Of literature. and reads the New Tesla
ment in most critical spirit. he takes literally
whatsoever he finds IN the Gospels and Acts
bearing upon communal couectivisrn and Chris
tian Socialism His opponents condemn the pol
itIcs OF the book as tarred with Mr.. Hardis's
Socialist brush. That Is a singular indictment
to frame against new treatise on theology!
This is. however. a period when partisanship
taints public thought II Is not easy Tor Eng
fish critics. lay or clerical TO look at anything
without putting their political spectacles. and
they seldom take the trouble 20 wipe or the dust
from the glass.
Mr.. Tree is at his best In the two poor plays
now running at His NIa5esty's Theatre. His
chief resource is grOtesQue byplay, and II Is
helpful IN imparting realism and humor 10 two
highly artistic representations. The Ke3
Lamp is an old fashioned, theatrical study OK
Russian Nihilisrn. ending so crudely with double
assassinations as 20 be cOnical rather than el-
fective; but the quaint. artless Demstrius sus-
picious OF everybody around him and uncoh-
sciOusly convicting himself OF shallow knavefy
when he fancies that he is subtle and inscrut-
able. is a stage figure never to be forgotten M
Tree loses himself completely in his part, anu
every detail Of the by-play reveals enaIS .sSIs
IL IS so fine performance with 50 refnsfSao-'
a makeup that the play ought TO be rSeSE-
structed and mOdernlzed. so that ne ca" %
often seen as the delightful old detective
The other part is in Mr.. COsmO Gordon Len
nOxs adaptation OF a French farce. NJ germ
cues I'm Peu de NlusiGue" 1t Is the nv nv
mean little art collectors fat TO thank nm ~
saving his life by playing sonata ne IlS'' "a
his hosts vanity. admtreS the curlOS anu -
masters. becomes more and more eNcitaoie - 49,
hcV q