ON ECONOMIC TKAINIKG IN THIS AND OTHER COUNTRJES. 391 



Philosophy. At St. Andrews a yearly course of lectures is delivered by 

 the Professor of Moral Philosophy. 



In Ireland, at Trinity College, Dublin, there is a Professorship of 

 Economics. At the Queen's Colleges of Belfast, Cork, and Galway this 

 teaching is combined with that of Jurisprudence, and limited to a very 

 short portion of the year. 



Owing to the great differences existing between the courses delivered 

 at the various institutions, and the entirely diverse character of the 

 respective audiences, it is impossible to give any satisfactory statistics of 

 attendance. From most quarters come complaints. Indeed, with the 

 two possible exceptions of Oxford and Cambridge, it is difficult to imagine 

 a more complete indifference to the scientific study of Economics than that 

 displayed at the present time. 



In addition to lectui'es, more informal instruction is often imparted to 

 more advanced students, but the formation of a seminar in Economics has 

 been undertaken but seldom, if at all. That this is due not to lack of 

 will on the part of the teachers in those colleges where Economic teach- 

 ing is entrusted to a separate teacher, but mainly to the singular deficiency 

 in advanced or even moderately advanced students, is shown by the 

 readiness with which individual instruction, often involving much sacrifice 

 of time, is given to such students when they do present themselves. Such 

 an institution can be successfully introduced only when Economic studies 

 are so i-ecognised as to be able to attract the abler students in a university 

 or college. 



Attempts to develop popular Economic instruction by means of even- 

 ing classes, and separate courses of lectures, have been made by the 

 university colleges and other institutions, and by the Societies for the 

 Extension of University Teaching ; and at some of the former particular 

 attention has been paid to the Economic teaching, noticeably at Owens 

 College, Manchester, and University College, Liverpool. The class of 

 students attracted to these lectures may be spoken of very favourably. 

 From the reports and information supplied by the Societies, it would 

 seem that though the attendance at Economic courses, when given, is 

 good, the demand for them is not very great. The interest shown in the 

 subject in some one or other of its branches is said to be reviving — cer- 

 tainly to be greater than it was some few years ago. There has been a 

 decided increase in the demand for lectures on Economics, and subjects 

 partially economic, during the last two years. 



Economic studies in England require at the present time organisation 

 and encouragement. As to the ability of English Economists and the 

 quality of their contributions there can be no doubt ; but, when compared 

 with Continental countries, England is sadly lacking in the number of 

 Economic students. Where they have many, she has few. As has been 

 said, this is largely due to the unfortunate position to which Economics 

 has been relegated in many universities, and its neglect so far as profes- 

 sional callings are concerned. On the other hand, the revival of interest 

 in Economic matters, so abundantly manifested, makes it exceedingly 

 desirable to provide means and opportunities for sound scientific training. 



