5+ 8 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



superstition. The surprise, however, will disappear on reflection. It 

 has its origin just where reverence for kings, priests, and popes has 

 its source in the supreme need of mankind in early times for agen- 

 cies maintaining social order and coherence. 



This, however, is not a complete answer to the question, What is 

 the substitute for endowed schools ? But it renders the objection 

 much less forcible than it might otherwise be. But if, notwithstand- 

 ing the small share that institutions of learning really have in our 

 national life, it still be thought that greater provision for them is 

 necessary than commercial motives would lead to, it should probably 

 be said that the best method of support is by direct annual grant from 

 the state governments. Rough as is the relation thus established be- 

 tween a social structure and its function, it is clearly better than com- 

 plete irresponsibility. Observation of institutions where this system of 

 support is in vogue as, for example, the University of Michigan will, 

 I think, strengthen this view. But I do not think there is any evi- 

 dence whatever that education needs or can profit by artificial aid. 

 Our colleges can be supported as our churches are supported ; and, 

 under a free and active business competition, there is quite as much 

 reason to expect educational improvement as there is certainty of the 

 superiority of our free churches over state establishments. But col- 

 leges are really an insignificant factor in education. Commerce, travel, 

 newspapers, and books, spontaneously chosen, are the real educators. 

 Whether in general literature or special science, the public is being 

 served by periodicals printed for profit, and by voluntary societies of 

 vast efficiency ; and I think both newspapers and magazines might be 

 named as exerting a greater educational influence, both from a public 

 and from a personal point of view, than all the colleges in the country 

 put together. Still further, schools are everywhere springing up on a 

 business basis, because the most efficient men find they can make more 

 money in this way than by bending to the dead level of existing insti- 

 tutions. And, surprising as it may seem at first sight, some of these 

 schools might be named as not only giving better instruction, but as 

 giving it at a smaller cost to the pupil, than endowed colleges, or those 

 maintained by legislative grants. Business-colleges, lecture-bureaus, 

 circulating libraries, magnificent art-stores, are fast supplying public 

 wants, and would do so much more rapidly but for the prestige of the 

 established system. And the genius of commerce, which fills our land 

 with wonders despite foolish legislation and adverse public opinion, 

 will surely triumph, like the Cinderella of our childhood, over her 

 haughty sisters, who are vain rather of their age and status than of 

 their works. 



With the instinct of self-preservation, colleges have lately been 

 adopting the elective system. The practical result of the elective 

 system is that only those studies are chosen which fill some want, 

 real or imaginary, and are offered by an agreeable professor. The 



