"THE WESTERN ORTHODOX UNIVERSITY "
Snt,—Your journal took -a very effective share in countering the activities in this country, some four years ago, of certain bodies calling themselves universities, the titles used being the "Intercollegiate University" and later the "Sulgrave University," these names apparently covering the same body of promoters. They purported to give "degrees," the principal requirement being the payment of considerable fees for graduation. In both cases the Rev. S. E. P. Neadham was named as registrar and was described as M.A., D.D. of the Intercollegiate University. This gentleman has come out again as registrar of a new venture calling itself the "Western Orthodox University," prudently' operating from Brussels, but with headquarters in this country, an address in Newbury, Berkshire, being given as that of the registrar "to whom communications should be addressed."
I have been furnished with a prospectus of the Western Orthodox University for 1946-7. It offers degrees (including doctorates) in arts, theology, literature, philosophy, law and music. On the first page of the prospectus, it is stated that the "Western Orthodox University does not impose curricula, and candidates may prepare for examinations in the manner best related to their circumstances and inclinations." An inspection of fees charged shows that Bachelors cannot achieve their degrees without a payment of fourteen guineas, a Master must pay an additional ten guineas, and a Doctor fifteen guineas, "all fees being payable to the Registrar."
Much attention is paid to the "academic dress " for each faculty, a pleasing variety of colours being prescribed: divinity—crimson ; arts— peon red ; music—lavender ; philosophy—cerise ; literature—old gold ; law—dark blue, the shapes of the gowns being modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge design. Fellows are accorded gowns of "Virgin blue cloth lined with peon red." The Western Orthodox University claims to derive its charter from the "Archbishop and Metropolitan of Glaston- bury, and Catholicos of the West, in exercise of the plenary authority vested in him by the Constitution and Canon Law of the Western Orthodox Catholic Church," the Charter bearing the date 1st August,
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