A HISTORY CHAIR FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN COLLEGE.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Slit,—Your correspondent, Mr. M. C. Seton, in a letter relating to University affairs at the Cape appearing in the Spectator of February 15th, makes the following statement : " The kind of teaching that is generally associated with the name of University is practically in the hands of three institutions,— the (undenominational) South African College, the (Anglican) Diocesan College at Rondebosch, and the Dutch Reformed Church Seminary at Stellenbosch." Will you allow me to correct a misapprehension under which your correspondent labours? He confuses the Theological Seminary of the Dutch Reformed Church with the undenominational institution to which her late Majesty formally granted permission to use the style and title of the Victoria College of Stellenbosch. The Theological Seminary is an institution for professional educa- tion, supported by its own Church and entirely independent of State and University control. The Victoria College, like the South African College, is one of the Government institutions for higher education under the Colonial Act of 1874, and as regards the admission of students, the appointment of pro- fessors, the receipt of Government subsidies, and the relation it bears to the University, it is on exactly the same footing as the South African College. Reference to the lists of success- ful students published in the University Calendar will show that the Victoria College occupies no unworthy position with regard to its sister Colleges. I welcome your correspondent's letter as showing that people at home are awaking to an interest in the conditions of education at the Cape. I shall be glad if he will accept this small contribution in supplement of his present information on the subject on which he has sought to enlighten the public.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. H. MACKENZIE, M.A. Cantab., Chairman of Senate, Victoria College, Stellenbosch,
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