TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION 43 



not often publicly discussed, but it constantly comes before those 

 who are concerned with the organization and management of 

 higher education, and there is no doubt that it gives rise to 

 a good deal of strong feeling. We are constantly thrown back 

 upon a consideration of the legitimate functions of a university. 



On this subject much has been said and much may be said ; 

 but if we desire to be brief and summary, I do not think we 

 shall easily find a better declaration than is contained in words 

 used by our Chairman. Speaking of a university, he says, 

 * A fourfold duty lies upon it : to provide the best teaching 

 over the entire field of knowledge of which its own resources and 

 the progress of science may admit ; to offer this teaching to 

 the widest range of students ; to mould and shape them not 

 merely by the training of intellect, but by the discipline of 

 spirit, so that, wherever they go, they may be worthy citizens or 

 worthy servants of the State ; and to extend by original in- 

 quiry the frontiers of learning.' (University Reform, Lord 

 Curzon of Kedleston, 1909, p. 210.) 



These words are used expressly in relation to * a university 

 so historical in its character and so majestic in its influence ' 

 as Oxford. But I think we shall say that they define the 

 proper functions of every university, and that any corporation 

 styling itself a university, which does not mean to abide by 

 every one of these articles of faith, is guilty of taking a name 

 in vain. The newer universities, so far as I know them, are 

 just as ambitious, and just as high-principled as the old ; and 

 they would scorn with equal fervour the worship of false gods. 

 They are, it is true, young, and for the most part small and 

 greatly lacking in amenities ; yet universities they are, and 

 each one of them hopes, I imagine, under the blessing of 

 Providence, to become in good time a mighty instrument of 

 wisdom and enlightenment. 



It is therefore no solution of the question of the fitness of 

 doubtful studies for university recognition, to suggest that 



