UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON 121 



as in Oxford or Cambridge ; many suppose the primary function 

 of a University to consist in bestowing degrees after a certain 

 course of study ; while others advocate the claims of a ' Univer- 

 sity for the People/ where weekly evening lectures should lead 

 to recognition of the students as eligible for an associateship or 

 for a degree. There are yet others who imply that the function 

 of a University consists in examination only, and who uphold 

 the University of London as an ideal institution. 



In this state of public opinion it is well to cast our eyes abroad, 

 and to enquire what conception of a University is held by the 

 nations of the Continent. Before beginning an experiment it 

 is advisable to study the literature of the subject, for thus only 

 can errors be avoided and a reasonable prospect of a successful 

 issue secured. This is the invariable prelude in these days to all 

 scientific inquiry, and surely the most important of all is How 

 can knowledge best be increased ? " 



Ramsay was less interested in questions relating to 

 University organisation and government than in the 

 regulations under which degrees are obtained. These 

 are the questions which affect most directly the system 

 of teaching and which have probably had as much to 

 do with the tendency on the part of English and Ameri- 

 can students to seek admission to continental univer- 

 sities as the eminent reputation of the professors in the 

 majority of these institutions. 



Though these articles were written twenty-five years 

 ago they still represent the constitution and operation 

 of the universities referred to in all respects which may 

 be regarded as fundamental, though in some details 

 there have been modifications. 



The continental universities agree in their conditions 



