240 ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN GERMAN UNIVERSITIES. 



the feature in their arrangements which we must seek 

 to retain as a precious jewel, and where, on the contrary, 

 we may give way when changes are required. I consider 

 myself by no means entitled to give a final opinion on 

 this matter. The point of view of any single indi- 

 vidual is restricted; representatives of other sciences 

 will be able to contribute something. But I think 

 that a final result can only be arrived at when each one 

 becomes clear as to the state of things as seen from his 

 point of view. 



The European Universities of the Middle Age had 

 their origin as free private unions of their students, 

 who came together under the influence of celebrated 

 teachers, and themselves arranged their own affairs. 

 In recognition of the public advantage of these unions 

 they soon obtained from the State, privileges and 

 honourable rights, especially that of an independent 

 jurisdiction, and the right of granting academic de- 

 grees. The students of that time were mostly men 

 of mature years, who frequented the University more 

 immediately for their own instruction and without any 

 direct practical object ; but younger men soon began to 

 be sent, who, for the most part, were placed under the 

 superintendence of the older members. The separate 

 Universities split again into closer economic unions, 

 under the name of ' Nations,' ' Bursaries,' c Colleges,' 

 whose older members, the seniors, governed the com- 



