Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-05
THE PRINCE OF
WALES AT OXFORD
Will Never Be Bookish, but Few
Undergraduates Get More
Out of the University-His
College Course Cut short by
the War.

London, Nov 23.--The Prince Of
Wales career at Oxford-his studies.
his sports, his friendships-are de-
scribed in a statement given out by DR..
T. II. Warren, president of Magdalen
College, oxford.
"Bookish the Prince will never be-
says DR.. Warren, mot a Beauclerk,
still less a British Solomon. Kings,
perhaps fortunately. seldom are this
last. But the Prince will not want for
power of ready and forcible presenta-
ton, either in speech or writing. All
the time at oxford he was learning
more and more of men, guaging char
acter, watching its play. getting to
know what Englishmen are like, both
individually and in the mass
The Prince finished his second year
at Magdalen and was to have returned
for at least one more term had not
the war cut short his course. He ar
rived at Oxford at Is years Of age.
DR.. Warren continues:
He was we'll forward in the studies
and training of the navy, but naturally
somewhat newer to, and less directly
prepared for university life and stud
les than the public school boy. In a
very few weeks he began to find his
feet and develop rapidly. From the
first he took his own line. with equal
modesty and firmness, determined that
he would be really an equal among
equals that he would seek and accept
no tribute except on his merits, that
he would take as habitual and assid-
uous trouble to avoid Difference or
preference as others take to cultivate
1t. His natural dignity and charm
and the good sense and good feeling
of his college companions. enabled him
to go far in this resolve without mis-
hap.
He made a wide acquaintance. His
rooms were more and more open to
his friends and his friends friends.
He played football. tennis, golf, rae
quets; he motored; he ran with the
college boats; he ran great deal with
the beagles; he shot at various coun-
try houses round oxford; he rode, for
exercise, and to hounds. In this last
accomplishment he started at dis
advantage, but by real perseverance
and pluck soon made up for 1t. He
was withal a punctual and diligent
Training Corps. He drilled, he
marched, he went into camp like any
other private.
LAS to his set studies, his time was
short; the career for which he was to
prepare was a unique one. Strict edu-
cational economy had to be practiced.
French German and English, espec-
tally the command of literary express
sion in his own language, were neces-
sary for him, History, political econ
omy, political science, and constitu-
tional law were desirable.
For this last study he was singu-
larly fortunate in having at hand one
OF the first living authorities In the
late Sir William Arson. Sir William
at once put the Prince at his ease and
there sprung up between them a
friendship which grew and strength
ened every term. Together, beginning
with the British system, they went
through the Constitutions Of the world,
the Prince reading and writing and
taking notes, and Sir William talking
and expoundng.
side by side with this, the Prince
attended lectures on history, political
economy, and political science. He
also had many special hours Of in
struction with the University teachers
Of French and German. He went for
special tuition in history to the college
tutors In that subject, and every week
he wrote an English essay for the
President. Lectures he chiefly attend
ed In the earlier part Of his career.
More and more as time went on he
found that he preferred the Oxford
system Of private and Individual in
struction."
OF the Princes work in English
composition. which DR.. Warren him.
self supervised, his teacher says:
His essays, which at first were con-
scientious reproductions and compil-
ations became more and more his own,
both in thought and expression. In
the end, though not yet 20 and only at
the age when many boys are just be-
ginning Oxford, he acquired a consid-
cradle mastery. Gifted with a good
verbal memory. freshness Of view,
and decided independence Of character.
his. essays. IL not exactly literary be-
came more and more interesting and
eloquent or striking, If only In their
genuine sincerity and simple honesty.
Those who knew him well will agree
that few undergo aduates, taking things
all around, get more, IL 60 much. out
OF two years. Oxford migha have
given him a little more. The eumula-
tive influence Of her studies and her