PROFESSOR FAWCETT ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2140, 12 November 1875, Page 4

PROFESSOR FAWCETT ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

Professor Fawcett, MJ?., was present \ at, tbe late distribution of prizes in cpnneotion with Oxford and Cambridge local examinations at Salisbury, and delivered an address, in which be deprecated the practice of studying to many subjects; but, while pointing out the danger. of overtasking tbe brain, strongly recommended the encouragement of mental activity. He also warned the public against any attempts to revive patronage at the expense of competition. Probably, ho said, the most serious, attack which will be made upon the;: ■examination system, which has extended with such j . remarkable rapidity during the past few years, will come from the privileged classes, who are beginning to perceive,that these examinations will be an ragency by which, the people will be alile effectually to attack the stronghold of patronage. Signs are not wanting that a vigorous effort will be made to return to the old days, when appointments in the army, in the navy, and in the civil service were .not open to the whole nation, but were obtained through family influence and political favor. The old state of things has already been, to a certain extent^ restored in the navy, where appointments are no longer to be competed for ; what has been done in the navy wi)l also be done in the army and.the civil service, if the people are not sufficiently, watchful. The simple principal for which we ought to contend is this, that these appointments, held for the public advantage, paid for by the public money, ought not to be appro- • priated to particular classes.or to, particular families, but;that they should be held by those who are most fitted to discharge their duties.. I should.be prepared to admit as freety as any one, that an examination is not an infallible test of fitness,^ _— ba&hewevev highly thejmperfectioas ofthe j ■^Ttfest may~ lEe~estimated, it may with confidence be maintained that as' a teit of fit-; ness it is incalculably more accurate .than, when men are selected either by political | favor or for family connection. One<v;evy : important advantage musfc undoubtedly 1 result from the spread of these tJniversity j examinations, and from the gradual extension to the entire country of that system of University teaching which is now being carried out with such marked success in . many of our large towns. No one,.Jj think can deny that a very powerfni j stimulus'will then be given to higher j edncationi K ot only will instruction of a superior kind be brought within the reach of many who will otherwise not be able to enjoy it, but great numbers in every class of society will be- encouraged to continue their studies when they know

that the knowledge which they may acv - quire will be fairly tested by some of the ablest men in. the country. It cannot be too constantly borno in" mind that the great promblem of national education will n,ot bo solved by simply securing the elementary instruction of the people. We should not rest satisfied until the vast educational and other endowments possessed by the nation are so administered that the children of the humblest and the poorest shall have an opportunity of continuing their studies.af they possess such special faulties as to enable them to profit by high education ."and, to attain intellectual distinction. ■

BBAiNlEss.^Said a saiicy beauty to a foppish 'fellow who bored her.with his compliments: —" Your presence and conversation are vastly agreable> and what" is reiaarfcable. your, attractiveness tloftsn't seem.to depend upon brakis at all. 1'