274 CLASSICS IX SCHOOLS. 



The second proposition I submit is the fohowing : — 



(2) That in the Matriculation examination both Latin and 



Greek be compulsory, and that the standard in these sub- 

 jects be considerably raised for candidates who want to 

 qualify for a degree in Literature or Divinity ; 

 and together with it ought to be taken the third proposition : — 



(3) That Latin be a compulsory subject, and its standard con- 



siderably raised for candidates who want to qualify for a 

 degree or certificate in Law. 

 I have already stated before that the standard in Classics required 

 for Matriculation at present is ridiculously low, and would hardly 

 pass muster at any University in other parts of the world. But 

 it was difficult, not to say impossible, to change this so long as the 

 same standard was required from all candidates without reference 

 to the line they were to take up at the University. If, however, 

 we recognise the principle that the changed character of the 

 University itself renders necessary a change in the conditions 

 .of admission, and are willing to admit Science students without 

 Latin, on the ground that a knowledge of Latin is not strictly 

 necessary for the line of study they have chosen, then we shall be 

 in a position to ask for a competent knowledge of both Latin and 

 Greek from those who have taken Ancient or Modern Literature, 

 Philosophy, History or Divinity for their subject of study, and seek 

 a degree in one of those subjects from the University on a similar 

 ground, namely, that it is not possible to master any of these 

 subjects without a first-hand acquaintance with the civilisations 

 of Greece and Rome. 



I should have liked to ask the same — a competent knowledge of 

 both Latin and Gresk — from future students of Law. but in a 

 perhaps exaggerated spirit of concession, I have instead added my 

 third proposition by which only Latin will be required from them, 

 but as a matter of course the same amount of Latin which is 

 expected from students of Literature, for how could less suffice 

 in a country where Roman-Dutch Law forms the basis of our 

 Jurisprudence ? 



With regard to the fourth proposition, I believe that the course 

 of my argument has made it clear enough not only that the 

 establishment of two types of secondary schools would be the 

 natural consequence of the introduction of a double Matriculation 

 examination, but also what advantages the measure proposed 

 would bring to both types of schools. 



In order not to make this paper too long I will, therefore, add 

 only one remark to what I have said, and that is that it is not 

 without great regret and without having given serious thought 

 to the question that I have come to the conclusion that we must 

 break with a time-honoured tradition and give up Latin as a 

 compulsory subject in Matriculation for at least one-half of the 

 candidates. I admit that a knowledge of the vocabulary and 

 grammar of Latin is of very great value for the understanding of 

 English, as well as for the study of certain other modern languages, 

 as French, Italian and Spanish ; and I am the last person to deny 

 that the power of reading and appreciating the great Latin authors 



