42 THE RELATION OF UNIVERSITIES TO 



lest the committal of their interests to the academic govern- 

 ment of a university might mean the loss of their own influence 

 and the sacrifice of a vital element of reality in the studies 

 themselves. 



On the other hand, the universities cannot fail to recognize 

 the growth of new studies and new demands, differing in no 

 easily definable way from those they have already recognized 

 and met. Yet the number of these new studies and demands, 

 the particular character of some of them, and, above all, the 

 prospect of greater intrusion of the outside world in the 

 regulation of university studies, give cause for reflection, 

 hesitation, and, it may be, alarm. 



I think there is no doubt -that amid much activity in the 

 institution and recognition of technical studies by our uni- 

 versities, there still lingers in many minds a doubt as to the 

 validity of the claim of applied science for a place beside more 

 ancient subjects. This doubt, when it exists among the 

 representatives of the traditional humanities, is not nearly so 

 serious an obstacle as when it is entertained by the votaries of 

 pure science ; for whilst the humanist will frankly avow his 

 dislike of these 'utilitarian' studies, the man of science may 

 declare his entire disbelief in u their utility, and claim that the 

 industrial arts are sufficiently served by the unpolluted streams 

 of pure science. A change of opinion is, however, taking place, 

 and the exclusive man of science is being forced to recognize 

 that there is a whole realm of specialized knowledge, lying 

 immediately outside his own domain and in close juxta- 

 position to the industrial arts, which may fitly engage the 

 highest intellects to explore, to extend, and to impart, and 

 which in every respect has earned its title to university 

 recognition. 



In discussing the present situation, I think it will be best to 

 face at once the fundamental question : What constitutes the 

 fitness of a study for university recognition ? It is a question 



