LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE CAPE UNIVERSITY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The writer of the interesting article that appeared in the Spectator of February 12th under the heading " What is a University ? " has made a mistake in saying that " Cape- town " (he means Cape Town) possesses a University of a character similar to those of Sydney and Melbourne. The Cape University is to some extent a replica of the present London University; its functions are limited to the holding of examinations and the granting of degrees. It does not teach. So far as higher education is carried on in Cape 'Colony, it is performed mainly by four "Colleges" which partake of the nature of schools, and prepare their pupils for the University examinations. These are the South African 'College at Cape Town, the Diocesan College at Rondeboach, :St. Andrew's College at Grahamstown, and the Dutch College at Stellenbosch. From the " Professors " of these 'Colleges the Governing Body of the Cape University is mainly drawn. But there is a growing feeling in South Africa in favour of the establishment of a Teaching University, and last year a movement in this direction led by Sir Henry de Villiers (Chief Justice of Cape Colony) excited general in- terest. Unfortunately the difficulties in the way—financial, .geographical, and professional—proved too great to admit any immediate action. Still, the idea has been mooted, and it is to be hoped that South Africa will before very long be able to "redeem itself from the reproach of mere materialism in life and thought."—I am, Sir, &c.,
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