380 REPORT— 1894. 



RUSSIA. 



The conditions under which Economics is tauglit in Russia bear a 

 superficial resemblance to those prevalent in the Latin countries, where it 

 is annexed to the study of law, and pursued very much as a subject of 

 secondary importance. Here, too, it forms part of the regular training 

 through which a jurist must pass in his four years' curriculum. There are 

 three economic courses which he must attend, and in the subject-matter 

 of which he must display sufficient knowledge in the May State examina- 

 tions. These are on Economic Theory, Statistics, &c., and Finance. In 

 .addition to formal lectures, the professors in charge of the subject may, 

 and sometimes do, organise classes, discussion societies, or seminars, 

 though attendance at these is not obligatory. 



The provision for further and more detailed study is considerable. 

 A student who has finished his law studies with a diploma of the first 

 degree can remain in the university, if he wishes, for more special research in 

 one or other subject (Roman Law, Political Economy, Private Law, Financial 

 Law, &c.), under the supervision of the sjiecial professor or professors. Such 

 a student is examined, and, if successful, obtains the title of Magistrandus 

 of the subject in question. Then he must present a dissertation and 

 defend it, after which he obtains the degree of Magister. After a second 

 dissertation and disputation ho attains the higher degree of Doctor of his 

 special subject. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The conditions under which the study of Economics is carried on in 

 the United States of America are widely different from those which pre- 

 vail in the countries of Continental Europe. On the one hand, there is no 

 inducement held out to students by its inclusion among the subjects of 

 State or professional examinations. On tlie other, there is evidence in the 

 importance which such subjects have assumed at the universities and 

 colleges of a strong public sentiment in favour of their careful study far 

 exceeding that in existence either in these countries or in the United 

 Kingdom. In one respect the regulations of the colleges have had an 

 important effect, independent of the action which they have taken in re- 

 spect of the strong public demand. Owing to the freedom of the students 

 in most of these institutions from prescribed and compulsory courses of 

 study in most stages of their career, Economics has escaped being rele- 

 gated, as, for instance, in England, to the position of a subject outside the 

 usual curriculum, and optional only in some one or, perhaps, two stages. 

 Where such prescription does exist it is not deemed a subject necessarily 

 unfit to form part of a compulsory general course. Its inclusion, to some 

 extent, would probably be demanded by the strong public opinion which 

 has grown up during the past twenty years. 



The causes of the popularity of Economics are stated with fair unani- 

 mity by various writers, though their respective importance is very 

 differently estimated. In the first place, the very novelty of economic 

 studies is itself in favour of their ardent prosecution. Till comparatively 

 recently, it has been said till between 1870 and 1880, they were disre- 

 garded because unknown. Now they are seized, studied, and followed 

 because they offer, or seem to offer, an explanation of the vast and com- 



