NATURE'S INSURGENT SON 51 



the great edifice of Nature-knowledge, happy in the 



conviction that his life has been worth living, has 

 counted to the good in the imperishable result. 



20. THE INFLUENCE OF OXFORD. 



If I venture now to consider more specifically the 

 influence exercised by the University of Oxford upon 

 the welfare of the State and of the human community 

 in general, in view of the conclusions which have been 

 set forth in what has preceded, I beg to say that I do so 

 with the greatest respect to the opinions of others who 

 differ from me. When I say this I am not using an 

 empty formula. I mean that I believe that there must 

 be many University men who are fair-minded and dis- 

 interested, and have given special attention to the 

 matter of which I wish to speak, and who are yet very 

 far from agreeing with me. I ask them to consider 

 what I have said, and what I have further to say, in 

 the same spirit as that in which I approach them. 



It seems to me and when I speak of myself I would 

 point out that I am presenting the opinions of a large 

 number of educated men, and that it will be better for 

 me to avoid an egotistical attitude it seems to us 

 (I prefer to say) that the University of Oxford by its 

 present action in regard to the choice and direction 

 of subjects of study is exercising an injurious influence 

 upon the education of the country, and especially upon 

 the education of those who will hereafter occupy 

 positions of influence, and will largely determine both 

 the action of the State and the education and opinions 

 of those who will in turn succeed them. The question 

 has been recently raised as to whether the acquirement 

 of a certain elementary knowledge of the Greek language 



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