The It would be hard to explain to a stranger the way in which Oxford and Cam bridge have in the past entered into the life of the whole country, attracting to themselves not only the sons of men of rank, position and leisure, but also poor and able lads likely here after to make their way both at home and in the world at large. It is probable that no Cabinet will ever again be composed almost exclusively of men drawn from these two universities, but it is equally improbable that any Cabinet will ever lack them altogether. Oxford and Cam bridge supply a very large part of that execu tive civil service to which England owes so much, and of which so little is heard. In nearly every country parish the squire and the parson can still exchange reminiscences of a university common to them both, for in the past the size of the country and of the population rendered it possible for two universities to gather to gether, widely speaking, the representatives of the governing and teaching classes. If these young men did not always get much learning, at least they grew from boyhood to manhood in an atmosphere of discipline and among their equals. The influence moreover of the beauti ful buildings set in an environment of groves and lawns and quiet streams, and the associa tion of national history and literature, were a factor in their education which nothing else could supply. Oxford ((as she lies in the moon light, spreading from her towers the enchant ments of the Middle Ages," and Cambridge, her equal and rival, have an influence still reaching deep and wide into the character of the nation.
It must not, however, be supposed that cau tious reforms have not adapted these universi ties to the changing needs of the time. By the beginning of the 19th century examinations were instituted, the best of which have probably done the work possible to examinations as well as it has ever been done. Royal commissions in the middle of the century, and again in 1877 led to the revision of the mediaeval statutes and to the abolition of many obsolete restrictions and priv ileges. All religious tests were finally abolished in 1873. The time has perhaps come round for a new inquiry, but the particular methods of teaching by lectures and by tutorial work are carried out with a thoroughness and care which it would be difficult to surpass. In the past 50
years nine distinct new courses have been added to the curricula both for Oxford and Cambridge graduation, besides new subjects for which di plomas are granted. Museums and libraries, laboratories, institutes and workshops have been freely erected, and only a lack of money prevents further developments. For it is a curious feature of their constitution that in both places eight-ninths of the property belongs to the individual colleges in which the men reside and one-ninth only to the universities them selves.
The Rhildes most striking departure of recent years has, however, been due to a son of Oriel College, Cecil Rhodes, who bequeathed an income of some $170,000 a year to be given in 60 scholarships to the Colo nies, 102 to the United States, and 15 to Ger many, all tenable only at Oxford. The result of this policy it is premature to forecast, but the experiment so far has met with success. Ox ford has welcomed the scholars, and they have at once found their feet and seem cordially to recognize the distinctive character of the bene fits which the university has to offer without being blind to its limitations.
the direct work of the universities, old and new, notice should be taken of their pioneer efforts in de veloping education by means of lectures. This has proved specially valuable in the development of some half dozen university colleges, .of which Reading is the most conspicuous example.
Higher Education of The edu cation of women has met with many difficulties in England, but except for the refusal of de grees at Oxford and Cambridge, practically all desired privileges are now everywhere open to them. In the newer colleges and universities they are received on the same terms as men, ex cept in certain medical courses. In Cambridge they have two colleges, in Oxford four and they are admitted to all such teaching as they require and to all examinations. Degrees alone are withheld and actual membership of the univer sities which would involve a share in their gov ernment. The universities of Birmingham, Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield grant degrees to women; there are five colleges for women in and near London. and three in Wales.