A SCIENCE OF COMMERCE 7 



for a "mere smattering"; and among economists it meets 

 with the same objection as the introduction of linguistic 

 teaching — that the knowledge is only " instrumental," and that 

 manufacturing technique must be altogether subordinate, 

 from the point of view of commercial success, to business 

 judgment. This is very true ; and yet, if the knowledge is 

 likely to be useful, and if it can be acquired during the 

 college course without hindering other and more important 

 acquisitions, surely this is the time for it. Otherwise it will 

 commonly not be obtained at all. But if such studies are to 

 be permitted as part of the work for a commercial degree, it 

 will be necessary (1) to allow them so considerable a place — 

 say as much as a third of his time, if a student so chooses 

 — that a really adequate amount of knowledge can be secured 

 within the three years ; and (2) to allow the largest possible 

 freedom of choice in accordance with the student's previous 

 preparation and future needs. And throughout it must be borne 

 in mind that the purpose is not to train the technical expert 

 — the professional engineer or chemist. Students who look 

 forward to careers of that kind will naturally enrol themselves 

 in the scientific and technological departments of the university 

 from the outset. The " science options " are intended for men 

 who are expected ultimately to take part in the commercial 

 conduct of businesses, but who wish for some general under- 

 standing of the processes that go on in the workshops, some 

 notion of the tendencies of technical progress, some ability to 

 use " experts " without succumbing to them. 



We may pass hurriedly over Commercial Law, merely 

 remarking that the brief course, which is all there will be time 

 for, should come towards the end of the period of stud}*, and 

 that it will not aim at anything so foolish as to make a man 

 " his own lawyer." 



So far we have remained on the circumference of the subject : 

 we have not yet penetrated to the centre, which is the training 

 of the judgment to deal with the actual problems of commercial 

 life. We approach more closely to the essential purpose we 

 have in mind when we come to the subject of Accounting. 

 "Accounting" was a new term when it was brought into 

 England four or five years ago, though by this time it seems 

 to be finding general acceptance in 'the more progressive 

 academic circles. It may conveniently be used to designate 



