THE OLD UNIVERSITIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THY " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Some of the remarks made by " Doctor Oxon " in last week's Spectator require emendation on account of the erro- neous impression which they may convey to a mystified public. For instance, the writer leaves one with the impression that there is something wrong with the classical and historical teaching in the University, and he actually states that classical and historical teaching is arranged by the Colleges. lie has evidently not seen the combined College classical and historical lecture lists which are issued every term. Dors "Doctor Oxon " imply that the present arrangements, the result of some forty years' experience, are not the best possible ones so long as Final Honour Schools exist? Is he aware that Mr. Fisher hint- self was one of the most popular and successful teachers for the Modern History School and one of the staunchest supporters of the present system ?
The fact is that if the College history tutors were styled Pro- fessors the public would be satisfied. Edward Freeman always resented being styled Professor, and in one's young days the term Professor was usually associated with Professor Anderson, who produced plum puddings out of tall hats. But the hideous term Professor has come to stay, and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge will have to give Professors the posi- tion which they hold in the Colonies, in Wales, and elsewhere. That is to say Professors will, for the main part, be merely College tutors with a title.
In Oxford at the present moment, and under the new order of things, tutorial work is more important than ever, for though industry has increased and is increasing the general ignorance of the would-be historians is appalling. For such men lectures for which the general public have so great an affection are of little use unless supplemented by careful tutorial work. There are possibly many reforms which are required in our Univer- sities, but if the catherine-wheel attitude of " Doctor. Oxon " was converted into action an infinite amount of harm would be done to those parts of the Oxford machinery which are working
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