ENGLISH AND COLONIAL UNIVERSITIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 17, 27 April 1907, Page 19

ENGLISH AND COLONIAL UNIVERSITIES.

THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS have drawn attention to the relative advantages of HngSsh and colonial universities. It

has been objected by many that the plan at present pursued of sending ns scholars only those who have already obtained distinction at some other seat of learning is defeating the main object of the bequest, the formation of character. The men, we are told, are older than the average Oxford undergraduate, and past the age when character can be most readily moulded, and already they show a tendency to hold aloof from the life of the place. In this objection lies the gist of the whole difference between Oxford and Cambridge and all other universities. If the object of the scholarships had been merely to enable those who had distinguished themselves in the class lists of one country to still further distinguish themselves in the class lists of another, the objections mentioned above would have no weight. Bill Cecil Rhodes wished tha Oxford might give to the most vigorous of our young colonials some.of her own ineffable charm and romance, and that our colonies might in turn give to her something of their own youth and vigour. The genius of our own university is essentially different from the genius of eibe'r of the great English universities. A New Zealander says that he has got a 8.A., or an M,A.. or a 11.8 c.: an English graduate says he was at Magdalen, or New. or Trinity, or King’s. To him the social life of the college is every thing—t he degree is a . comparatively minor affair. We may readily concede that a New Zealand pass degree represents more book learning than a similar degree at home, that a matriculation represents a higher standard than the “little-go,’’ and yet we may infinitely prefer to send pur sons to Christ Church or Trinity rather than to the Auckland University College. . The great charm of the English system lies in its college life, and the unrivalled opportunities of meeting men of differing tastes and pursuits. The average undergraduate does most of- his reading during the vacations, and devotes most of his time, whilst he is in residence, to lectures and the social life of the place. Most men read in the morning, no one reads in the afternoon, a chosen few read at night. But' all the same, you

are always. learning, and learning, not from books, hut from the higher source of human intercourse. Could any number of dusty tomes leach one as much as those delightful little, “coffees after

hall.” when you meet on terms of perfect friendship and equality those who will some day be amongst the leading men of our nation, and you listen while they discuss in lighter vein some of the great social and intellectual questions of. the day? You get all that enlargement of spirit that comes from belonging to a great and historic foundatioh, and you leant the meaning of loyalty. ami the value of comradeship. You Cannot fail to carry, with you into after life something of the spirit of the place.

r People often ask what: is the cost of *■ education' at 'Oxford or Cambridge,

meaning what is a fair and reasonable sum which would allow of a young fellow enjoying the social and educational life of the University. This is rather like inquiring what is the cost of a lady’s hat. Here, however, are the items of an actual tutor’s bill at Trinity College, Cambridge, showing the cost of fixed payments. The account is for one term, and there are three terms of eight weeks each in the University year.

Bedmaker £3. examination fees £2 2/. rooms £B, dinner in hall and University fees, £lO ”/, college tuition £8: total £3l 9/. I notice that milk cost £2 2/9, college kitchen (breakfast and lunch). £9 10/8, grocer £8 5/10, and that a person described as a shoe-cleaner received 6/ as a reward for his services. I have

known many men manage very comfortably on £2OO a year, and I have known a few who only had £l5O. The absolutely necessary cost of board, lodging, and .tuition mav be set down at £l2O,

and a man’s tastes and disposition must laigely guide his other expenditure. The average alTowanee of the men at Trinity would be about £3OO a year. Expenses vary at different colleges, more so al Cambridge than at Oxford, but it is a greatmistake to choose a small college if you can possibly avoid it. For those who do not care to go to great expense and yet want a thoroughly good, keen college, Clare has many advantages. A man can lite there very' comfortably and enjoy.all the social life of the place on £2OO a year. But what we really want is to model our own University more on the -lines of fhese English colleges and yet allow it ,to keep its distinctive features. \Ye want our men to speak with pride of their college, and not merely of their degrees. I am not one of those who perpetually extol the manners and cus-toms-of other lands in preference to our own. but on the other hand I am not one td believe that we have nothing to learn from others. If the older institutions represent the genius of the older country, why should not the newer institution represent ‘the genius of the newer country? Let us take what is best and make it better still by replacing much that is outworn with our own fresher, freer and more vigorous life.