UNIVERSITY OF LONDON REFORM.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " $PECTIT011.”]
SIR,-It will be readily conceded that the movement for making the University of London something less of a Government 'Office and something more of a corporation of teachers or assemblage of Colleges for teaching the higher branches of learning, gives fair occasion for much difference of opinion. But many graduates will protest warmly against the attempt of Dr. Moxon and his supporters to reduce the whole question to a squabble about medical degrees. The London Medical Schools are, it is said, losing their students, because the title of Doctor has a commercial value, and this title can be more easily obtained at a Scotch University than in London. On the other hand, a number of able men have taken the degree of Doctor of Medicine in London, and they do not wish the value of the degree which they have obtained to be lowered. Grant all this ; and is it not obvious that the whole question is merely one of detail, and one which can be just as easily settled by the representatives of the medical profession within the existing University of London,—either as already constituted, or as developed into a body in the government of which teachers shall have a direct voice,—as by any second University or degree- giving body which may be called into existence in London ? It is a mere question of names. If there is a good case for an easier mode of obtaining the title of Doctor of Medicine, surely such a title may be conferred and yet be distinguished from that particular degree which has hitherto been obtained by a more vigorous examination. There would be no more confusion in such an arrangement than in the existence of two degrees of the same title granted by two different Universities of London after examinations of different severity. It is an extraordinary instance of the way in which a large object may be obscured by a small one nearer to the eye, that Dr. Moxon should think the whole movement for widening the scope of the present Univer- sity and satisfying the desire for some centre of collegiate instruc- tion in London, must be stopped on account of the difficulty which he sees in granting an easy medical degree while also maintaining a difficult one. It is equally remarkable that the champion of a party which wishes to prevent any change in the present University should venture, no doubt in perfect sincerity, to bring the charge of obstractiveness against these who are in favour of growth and progress. It is to be hoped that when the subject again comes before Convocation, it will be considered on its merits, and apart from such questions as that raised by Dr. Moron.—I am, Sir, &c.,
[We did not understand Dr. Moron as wishing to stop the movement for widening the University of London, but only as protesting against the attempt of the reforming party to throw obstacles in the way of obtaining for Londoners a new M.D. of about the value of the existing Scotch degree.—En. Spectator.]
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