Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-02-07
AMERICAN RHODES SCHOLARS.
Their Influence Considered From an
English Point of View.


The Americans who have come to
Oxford have little idea of a thorough
education; many have no standard Of
work. The American system of edu-
cation is to teach something about
everything without adding every
thing about something). A lady came
from Somerville with certificates at.
testing her proficiency in 32 subjects.
Or. again, another American, who
wished to study the history of the
Tudor period, admitted that he could
not read manuscripts, nor did he know
any of the European languages which
are essential for the understanding of
that age. His history tutor advised
him to go to Italy for his first vace
ton, and soon received a letter from
the budding historian to say that he
had not learned much Italian, but
had met most charming young lady.
Another influence which must be
fought is the tradition Of German edu-
cation, the pedantry anc theses; the
ordinary course for an AI5srican schol-
ar is to obtain his Pm. d. either in
Germany or in America at very
early age, and then to go back to his
university as lecturer. Hence the
ridiculous theses. The head of col
lege is said to have been confronted
by a young American who declared
that his special subject was the Syn
thesis Of the Universe
What, then, will be the ultimate ef-
fects of the Rhodes scholarships? The
Americans-and probably this applies
equally to the colonials-have been
received with great friendliness, which
is one of the natural peculiarities of
Oxford, but which has appealed very
strongly to them. This hospitality has
bred much good feeling, which is
bound to affect the general attitude
of Americans toward Englishmen.
One of the former recently made a
fine harange in a college debate on
the subject of Anglo-American friend
illness; he dwelt at some length on the
with which his countrymen
regarded the old country, the affec-
ton, the faithfulness and the loyalty
of all Americans. Then he paused for
a moment: But, gentlemen. let me
be frank with you; there may have
been, there have been. times in the
pastor the Fourth of July, for in
stance-when l have ventured to twist
the Lions tail; but that was only in
jest"
Yet further than the International
cordiality which the practical author
of the movement doubtless intended
primarily to encourage, we may with
out 'rashness predict great influence
on American literature arising from
the scholarships. It is sometimes
suggested that the present cessation
of literary activity of high order in
America is due to the gradual weak
ening of the ancient respect for Eu-
ropean tradition. If there is want
of standard in American educations it
is most noticeable in this. The pro-
fessor of literature at prominent
western university land it is mainly
from the west that the Rhodes schol-
ars Gomez was asked by New York
publisher to edit four books of Para
disc Lost" as a volume in series of
classics. He had never read 1t. How
ever, he mastered those four books
during the railway journey from New
York, some 500 miles, and wrote his
notes on his arrival. So extreme an
instance as this serves to show the
contrast between American university
life and ours.-London Academy.