One hundred years ago
CAMBRIDGE was full of country grad- uates on Thursday to vote against the proposal for an inquiry whether or not Greek ought to be compulsory at the "Little-Go" on all candidates for Cam- bridge degrees. The inquiry was rejected by no less than 525 votes against 185, — majority, 340, — a veto of very nearly three to one. We do not believe that the vote can be long maintained, even if it be untrue that a certain class of Scotch students are already allowed to substi- tute an examination which does not include Greek, for the classical portion Of the previous examinations. Science is becoming so popular a study, and is, in fact, one so much better suited to a con- siderable class of students than either language or literature, that before long it must be admitted (especially in Cam- bridge, where mathematics have so long held their own) that science-students Shall be recognised as having undergone a most valuable intellectual discipline, even though they have not learned any- thing of the Greek language and litera- ture. But, as we have urged elsewhere, the true remedy is to name the science degree differently, and not any longer to miscall it a degree in Arts. The Spectator, 31 October 1891
Previous page
