ANUARY 10, 1907 | 
NATURE 
261 
ese languages. Portuguese, Russian, and modern Greek 
re no longer optional languages. The maximum marks 
o be obtained in each subject are, as a rule, 500 or 600, 
ut 1200 may be scored in each of the two extensive 
iy sions of mathematics included. 
“ ‘ough candidates for the appointments in the Foreign 
ffice and the Diplomatic Service may make a selection 
rom the long list of subjects referred to, the number of 
apers taken must be such that the maximum of marks 
at can be obtained from the subjects chosen is limited 
to 4000. Under the new conditions, the man who attempts 
to train himself by attendance at a cramming establish- 
ment, for the sole purpose of succeeding in the competi- 
tion, will have a much smaller chance of success than 
a candidate who has graduated in honours after a uni- 
versity course. The student who has made himself master 
of any of the great divisions of knowledge will be able 
to acquit himself with credit. For example, 2400 marks 
may be gained in science, 2400 in mathematics, 1200 in 
Berench and German, 1800 in Latin and Greek, 1000 in 
Greek and Roman history, and 1300’ in English and 
‘general modern history, but in any case the total number 
of marks attainable in the subjects selected by a candi- 
date must not exceed 4ooo. The underlying principle 
seems to be to obtain somehow students who have benefited 
by a thorough study of at least one department of know- 
ledge, of whatever kind; apparently the intention is to 
secure men of high attainments, no matter in what sub- 
jects they have specialised, and to insist upon a good know- 
ledge of French and German from all candidates. 
_ The schedule of subjects is sufficiently comprehensive to 
fford all ordinary students a fair opportunity to dis- 
inguish themselves. The candidate who has made science 
the staple subject of his university course will compete on 
almost equal terms with one who has studied classics and 
classical history, while the candidate who has specialised 
in modern languages and history need be at no dis- 
advantage. 
The comprehensive subject of geography, however, which 
is at present obligatory, is not included among the subjects 
from which candidates may, after July 1, make their 
selection, and it is this omission which has given rise to 
much discussion and many protests. In reply to a question 
on the subject in the House of Commons, the Foreign 
Secretary said :—‘‘ Although a knowledge of geography is 
no doubt very useful, it is a subject with which men of 
general education are generally acquainted, and which is 
easily acquired after entry into the service.’’ Distinguished 
geographers have since shown how far this is from being 
the case. Sir George Goldie, in an address to the Royal 
Scottish Geographical Society in Edinburgh, published in 
the Geographical Journal for the present month, relates a 
notable instance of the difficulties to which a want of 
geographical knowledge may give rise. ‘‘A good many 
years ago a territorial arrangement with France was in 
discussion, and I was invited to consider it. The French 
proposals appeared to the Foreign Office satisfactory ; but 
I found that they were expressed, as might have been 
expected, in longitudes reckoned from the meridian of 
Paris, while the map with which our Foreign Office had 
considered these proposals was made in Germany and 
reckoned its longitudes from the meridian of Greenwich. 
The arrangement in question was never completed.”’ 
Mr. Douglas Freshfield, in his address last Friday to 
the Geographical Association, of which he is president, 
dwelt upon the same point, and said he could give similar 
instances to that related by Sir George Goldie. Mr. 
Mackinder has shown in a recent letter to the Times that 
Sir Edward Grey’s description of geography is that of the 
subject as it was studied twenty years ago, and not as it 
is now understood and taught. Substantial reasons have, 
in fact, been given for the inclusion of geography among 
the other branches of science from which candidates may 
make their selection. 
It is hardly necessary to remind readers of Nature that 
geography has in recent years taken its place among those 
branches of knowledge which are studied on scientific lines. 
No geographical teaching is now recognised by the Board 
of Education as satisfactory in secondary schools unless it 
has a basis of practical exercises and follows scientific 
NO. 1941, VOL. 75] 
methods. The subject has obtaine--university recognition, 
and is now taught by practical, -ork in the laboratory 
and the field. As Mr. Mackindg: ‘pointed 6ut, ‘ geo- 
graphy has its own modes of tho.,;, and-its own points 
of view which are not to be obtained in a hurry.” Mr. 
Freshfield was able to point out in ‘his address” to which 
reference has been made, that there is evidence that the 
Civil Service Commissioners are beginning to reconsider 
the matter, and that it will not be long before the claims 
of geography will be fully recognised by the inclusion of 
the subject, dealt with in accordance with modern scientific 
methods, as one of those in which candidates may present 
themselves for examination. 
INTELLIGENCE. 
Oxrorp.—The natural science board has issued a 
certificate stating that the work submitted by Mr. G. F. 
Herbert Smith, New College, is of sufficient merit to entitle 
him to supplicate for the degree of Doctor of Science. 
We learn from Science that Columbia University and 
Barnard College will receive 2000l. each under the will of 
Mrs. Annie P. Burgess. 
Sir W. T. Lewis has promised r1oool. toward founding 
a chair of mining at Cardiff College, University of Wales, 
provided 30,0001. is raised in contributions from coal 
owners, royalty owners, and workmen. 
Pror. Orto Bennporp, professor of classical archeology 
at the University of Vienna, died on January 2 at the 
age of sixty-eight years. He was well known owing to 
his works on archzological subjects, and to the excava- 
tions he conducted in Asia Minor. 
ADDRESSING a gathering of science and art students at 
Gravesend on January 2, the Earl of Darnley is reported 
by the Daily Chronicle to have made the following con- 
fession :—‘‘I place myself before you as an example of 
deficiency in education. I went through the ordinary 
public-school course, and received a university education. 
I found myself at twenty-two a B.A. of Cambridge, with 
a certain knowledge of Latin and Greek, which I have 
never found of any particular use, but without any know- 
ledge of French, German, or science. From my example 
I hope you will glean some benefit by securing that know- 
ledge which it is now too late for me to acquire.” 
Pror. A. Scnuster, F.R.S., has resigned the position as 
Langworthy professor of physics and director of the 
physical laboratories in the Victoria University of Man- 
chester. Prof. Schuster’s connection with the University 
dates from 1871, when he entered Owens College as a 
student. In 1873 he held the post of honorary demon- 
strator in physics under Prof. Balfour Stewart, and in 
1881 he was appointed to the newly-created chair of 
applied mathematics, which he resigned to become professor 
of physics in 1888. Both the Council and the Senate have 
placed on record by formal resolutions their regret at Prof. 
Schuster’s resignation, which is to take effect at the close 
of the present session, and their sense of the very great 
services which he has rendered to the University by his 
work as a teacher, his direction and administration of the 
physical laboratories, his contributions to the advancement 
of science, and the prominent part which he has taken in 
relation to the re-organisation of the University. A general 
hope has been expressed that Prof. Schuster may still re- 
main in close connection with the University, and take 
an active part in its affairs generally, as well as specially 
in connection with scientific research. 
Pror. E. RutHerrorp, F.R.S., Macdonald professor of 
physics in the McGill University, Montreal, has been 
appointed to succeed Prof. Schuster. as Langworthy pro- 
fessor and as director of the physical laboratories in the 
Victoria University of Manchester. Prof. Rutherford is a 
native of New Zealand. After a distinguished academic 
career in the New Zealand, University he proceeded to 
Cambridge as an 1851 Exhibition scholar, and entered 
