220 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



London. 



Here the question, is far more complicated. It is confessed by most 

 of those who have expressed an opinion that there is a great deal 

 of overlapping between the Matriculation and Intermediate stages. 

 The External system of this university renders it possible for the Inter- 

 mediate and even the Final examination to be taken from school. It 

 is therefore to be expected that there is more university work being 

 done at school than school work at the university, so far as London is 

 concerned. Moreover, the situation is different from that at Oxford and 

 Cambridge even for Internal students, for many of them come to the 

 university at a younger and many at a more advanced age. Further, the 

 evening students in London form a distinct class of considerable magni- 

 tude who are working under different conditions. 



A considerable amount of preparation for Matriculation takes place 

 at the colleges in London. At one college about 100 day students are 

 taking Matriculation classes ; at another college about thirty day students 

 and forty evening students are doing so ; and there are probably some at 

 most of the colleges. Some Intermediate students are attending Matri- 

 culation classes. Opinions are very much divided as to the desirability 

 of allowing Intermediate work to be done both at school and at the 

 university. Some think it a good and others think it a bad plan. 

 Some hold that the Intermediate students are a good element at schools 

 and correspond to post-graduate students at the university. At one 

 of the Women's Colleges connected with the university it is stated that 

 about 20 per cent, of the students working for the Final courses took 

 tbe Intermediate before they entered, and the number is increasing. 



Among the criticisms that have been received from various indi- 

 viduals are statements that the French, German, and mathematics for 

 science students is largely schoolwork; that the first year's science 

 for engineering students should have been done at school ; that 

 elementary Greek has to be taught for the Intermediate Arts to those 

 who have not taken it at Matriculation ; that work in the higher forms 

 of Public schools for boys and girls in classics and mathematics is 

 often up to Pass B.A. standard; that the Pass B.A. really corresponds 

 more to work of the Ober Gymnasien and Ober Eealschulen; that it 

 would be better for clever boys who intend to be medical students 

 not to do any science at school; and, finally, that those who have done 

 their Intermediate science at school do not do so well as those who 

 have done it at the university. 



The problem in London is complicated by many special circum- 

 stances. Evening students are often of an advanced age, and must be 

 provided with elementary teaching. Day students who enter colleges 

 between the ages of fifteen and eighteen are not always really prepared 

 for the university. Students who are training for the ministry often 

 come to the university too old to get elsewhere the elementary training 

 which should have been done at school. Many women cannot afford 

 to stay more than three years at a residential college, and therefore, 

 if they wish to devote three years to their final course, they are forced 

 to take their Intermediate examination at school. 



