University Reform. 319 



have an obvious analogue in the usage of our an- 

 cestral institution in England. We allude, of 

 course, to the triposes of the University of Cam- 

 bridge, so called, not from anything triple or 

 tripartite in their structure, but because of the 

 " stool or tripos on which the bachelor of the day 

 sat before the proctors during the disputations on 

 Ash- Wednesday." Along with the course of 

 required studies, remodelled according to the 

 principles here laid down, a series of triposes 

 should be instituted. The classic languages, with 

 ancient history and ancient philosophy, would 

 naturally constitute one tripos ; a second might 

 be made up of pure and applied mathematics ; a 

 third, of chemistry and the organic sciences; a 

 fourth, of psychology, logic, and the history of 

 philosophy ; a fifth, of modern history, political 

 economy, and elementary law ; while a sixth might 

 be assigned to modern languages and general phi- 

 lology. At the beginning of the Sophomore year, 

 when, as we shall presently see, matriculation 

 should be granted and the proper university course 

 should commence, the student should be al- 

 lowed to select one or more of these triposes, in 

 which to pursue his studies until graduation. As 

 in each tripos the degree of proficiency requisite 

 in order to graduate with honour should obviously 



