i 4 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



as those who have risen in the social scale, as a rule, have 

 had brains. The writer's experience and it is a considerable 

 one would lead him to conclude that poor scholars are too often 

 those who can be crammed to pass an examination but who are 

 incapable of making any serious effort on their own behalf. 

 The opinion is already gaining ground, apparently, that 

 Mr. Carnegie's countrymen may have occasion to deplore his 

 generosity in establishing scholarships for all and sundry. It is 

 clearly undesirable to multiply unduly the number of those in 

 attendance upon University courses — the practical training of 

 the world is probably a far better discipline for the majority. 

 Serious injury to the community may be done — is done — by 

 placing a superficial veneer of University training upon those 

 who cannot properly avail themselves of their opportunities- 

 such men only degenerate into being inefficient teachers and 

 then become in turn promoters of the failure of those who are 

 committed to their care. 



Some better system of selection is required — one which will 

 make it possible to attract not mere learners but active-minded 

 youths capable of being developed into thoughtful useful leaders. 

 It may be questioned whether some form of probationary system 

 should not be tried. To avoid undue specialisation at school, 

 the examination might be of a more fundamental and general 

 character, proper allowance being made for the prospective 

 scholar's proclivities and aptitudes and the recommendations of 

 his teachers. The final award of a scholarship might be made 

 dependent on proof being given during the first year of study 

 of more than ordinary ability in some one or other special 

 direction. Really capable scholars should be allowed to continue 

 their studies until qualified — in many branches of Science, for 

 example, few become of any value as independent workers in 

 less than five years. Such a system would throw great responsi- 

 bility on teachers — but the office of a teacher should be a 

 responsible one. 



Not only the entrance but also the final examinations need 

 reforming : at present they encourage little else but cram and 

 the attitude which was fatal to Lot's wife ; they should be 

 modified so as to encourage a forward and independent outlook. 

 And the German example should be followed of trusting the 

 teachers to examine those whom they have taught, so that 

 justice may be done to the students' efforts. 



