THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS AT BERLIN. 97 



of tbc board of curators of universities. Tiie "General Laws for the 

 Royal Prussian Universities, February li;3, 1790," provide that applica- 

 tions for jjublic positions can be entertained only of persons who have 

 graduated from the university. 



On January 8, 1803, Minister von Massow submitted his report on a 

 suitable arrangement of the universities, in the preface of which lie 

 says : "It has long been a recognized fact that the universities, considered 

 as establishments of education or at least of instruction, should be im- 

 proved and arranged in a way conforming to their principal object. lu 

 order to realize such project and to remedy the abnormal conditions, 

 remnants of gray antiquity, two principal obstacles have to be over- 

 come, uamely, the dominant character of the scientific man in his one- 

 sidedness (partiality), and the want of funds ; the improvement of their 

 own financial condition will have to be the means to overcome their 

 obstinacy." 



A number of reformatory orders were issued during the following 

 years : A royal order of April 7, 1804, fixed the academic term at three 

 years. This was made public by circular letter of October 12, 1804, of 

 the minister of justice, who adds that the candidates for promotion 

 could be examined only upon proof of their having completed the pre- 

 scribed course of studies. A further order of November 27, imposes 

 that condition on all aliens or foreigners, who were applicants for pos- 

 itions requiring academic education. 



The want of sufficient means too was a source of great complications. 

 The amounts which, at the time of the establishment of the universities, 

 had been ample, now barely covered the most urgent necessaries ; the 

 budgets were iusufiBcient to permit even an approach towards securing 

 the requirements demanded by progressing science. Since the equip- 

 ment of Halle the grants, by the State, to all universities had been but 

 very small, Frederick William II, during tfie eleven years of his reign, 

 having been able to spare but 12,270 thaler ($10,200,) for the combined 

 needs of all the universities, and their number having increased to nine 

 in 1802 the vital question of their existence demanded an early settle- 

 ment. 



A commission appointed for the purpose, decided on the abolishment 

 of a portion of the antiquated establishments. Frankfort's income was 

 increased from 32,840 to 15,314 thaler ($9,035 to $11,485) ; Erlangen 

 from 30,000 to 57,708 florins ($12,857 to $24,757); Halle from 18,110 to 

 30,113 thaler ($13,587 to $27,085). Means of instruction were provided 

 and collections i)urchased for Frankfort and Konigsberg. Halle was 

 enriched by the appointment of }»rofessors of repute, ami the salaries 

 were increased by allowances from the royal treasury. In 1805 the 

 number of students had increased at Frankfort to 307, Kciuigsberg to 

 333, and at Halle to 944. 



The surrender recpiired by the treaty of Tilsit of the Halle University, 

 jiotwithstanding the oppressed condition of the State, demanded ira- 

 H, Mis. 224 ^7 



