ON ECONOMIC TRAraiNG IN THIS AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 377 



In some of the technical schools, and in all the schools of commerce, 

 instruction in some branch of Economics forms part of the regular course, 

 and, in these latter, an examination is held. In the former, however, the 

 subjects thus taught are distinctly subordinated to the technical sciences, 

 which occupy the chief attention of the students, while in the schools of 

 commerce only those branches receive adequate^ treatment which bear or 

 appear likely to bear upon commerce in its practical aspects. 



HOLLAND. 



The connection between the universities and the legal profession is 

 close in Holland, none but doctors of jurisprudence being qualified to 

 practise as advocates. This is a circumstance which has a material effect 

 upon the study of Economics, inasmuch as this, in its more elementary 

 branches, forms one of the obligatory subjects of the first examination for 

 the degree. Thus, so far as this one profession is concerned, a certain 

 knowledge of Economics is necessitated. 



In the higher administrative service no such knowledge is obligatory, 

 but it is considered that officials who possess the degree of Doctor of 

 Political Science have better chances of promotion. For this degree a 

 thorough study of Economics is required. In certain other Government 

 services demand is made for acquaintance with certain branches of the 

 subject. In the examinations for the consular service the 'General 

 Principles of Economics ' and the ' Elements of Statistics,' chiefly with 

 regard to trade and shipping, form subjects of examination. A similar 

 knowledge is required for the diplomatic service. In none of these cases, 

 it should be noted, is attendance at specified courses compulsory. The 

 subject forms part of the examination. 



The requirements indicated above explain to some extent the position 

 which Economics occupies in the four Dutch universities. It is a neces- 

 sai-y subject for two degrees — the doctorate in laws and the doctorate in 

 political" science. But the nature of the knowledge required differs 

 greatly. In the former it is elementary, not going beyond the first 

 principles of the theory, while in the latter case the examination necessi- 

 tates a really careful and detailed study. In addition to the general 

 course of lectures taken by all, candidates for this latter^ distinction 

 usually attend two other courses, one in capita selecta (taxation, finance, 

 socialism, &c.), and another in statistics. These courses, unlike those at 

 German universities, extend throughout the academic year— i.e. from 

 September to July. For advanced students discussion classes are held, 

 wliere the students, after a previous study of a chosen subject, meet_ to 

 discuss it among themselves and with the professv,-.. Before proceeding 

 to the degree of Doctor a candidate has to write, and afterwards to 

 defend, a dissertation on some branch of the general science which he has 

 taken up. Thus, in the case of political science, the thesis may be on 

 some economic question. Outside the universities the chief study oi 

 Economics takes place in the intermediate schools, where, during the 

 fourth and fifth years of the five years' curriculum, it is taught for two 

 hours weekly by a Doctor of Political Science, or by another teacher duly 

 qualified by a special examination. At the Polytechnic at Delft there 

 is a chair of Economics, but neither is attendance at the course obligatory, 

 nor does it form one of the subjects of examination. 



