THE RHODES SCHOLARS.*

Du. PAnKIN, on behalf of the Trustees who administer the Rhodes scholarships, has written this book to make known to the world in a popular form the motive of Cecil Rhodes in founding the scholarships, the way in which the scholarships may be obtained, and the spirit in which they ought to be held. The book is an extremely interesting account of perhaps the most remarkable experiment that sprang from Rhodes's brain. Dr. Parkin carried out in various countries the inquiry as to how the scholarships could beet be bestowed; and the present system of selection is mainly based on his reports. The experience of the system has proved that to secure the greatest efficiency more publicity is needed. Hence this book. Selection Committees exist in more than seventy countries, States, or provinIles; and as the composition of the Corn- stittees necessarily changes from time to time the book should prove a valuable manual by which new members can inform themselves of the nature of their duties. The book is published in America and Canada as well as in England, and' it is- hoped that it "may find its way into the libraries of the secondary schools, colleges, and universities of the communities from which scholars are drawn."

Dr. Parkin-gives us first a brief biography of Cecil Rhodes, mainly in order to show how the scheme of scholarships fits in with Rhodes's character and ideals. Rhodes-himself never adopted or encouraged the absurd idea that the spirit and teaching of the ancient Universities is useless for a " practical" man or for a pioneer in strange countries. Rather he was convinced that the pioneer more than others needed the flavour and .promptings of ancient learning to sweeten and dignify his life. His own learning was not deep, but he valued the atmosphere of Oxford so genuinely that he went at his own expense to. the University to take a degree after he had already made a career for himself in Sonth Africa. And owing to ill-health and a compulsory return to South Africa., his undergraduate days extended over a period of eight years. He used to tell. his friends that Aristotle's definition of happiness, which Rhodes interpreted as the joy of pursuing a great purpose, had helped him

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more in life than any other sentiment in literature. Dr_ Parkin has drawn on the work of others for the materials of Rhodes's life, and we think we are right in saying that.

there is no new fact in his pages. We are doubtful of the accuracy of one or two statements. But it matters little whether the biography is new or not or invariably accurate or not. The point is that it clearly fulfils its proper function of explaining the foundation of tbe'seholarships. Dr. Parkin says :—

" Rhodes knew both English and Colonial life, the strength anti weakness of each, and he wished the Empire to draw from both, the best they had to give. He sail? Colonial youth made vigorous by the rougher conditions of a new country, by life in the open air, by freedom from conventionality, youth accustomed to ride,. to shoot, to work, to be self-reliant, but somewhat narrowed in view by a provincial life, and missing somewhat the graces of manner and culture which an older society develops, and which promote easy intercourse and open doors closed to those who de not possess them He believed that if he could add the finish and breadth of view that an older society can give to this rougher vigour of the Colonist, ho would be doing what was best for these new lands. He equally believed that the youth of the Mother country, moulded in the grooves of an ancient and conservative social system, would ha benefited by intercourse with these pro- ducts of the wider breathing-space of new continents. He held that if the young men who are to rule the various quarters of the Empire—Canada, Australia; South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom—in the- next generation, could become familiar with each other in their youth, and by an education in common grow into mutual understandinm, it would go far to solve the problem of united action when the need should arise. In planning-7 his Colonial Scholarships his aim was unquestionably to forward. the unification of the British Empire. But in working for this end he firmly believed that he was working for the good of man- kind."

Nothing could be plainer than the working of Rhodes's mind when he planned the scholarships, yet there could be few schemes to which it would be more difficult to give successful effect. According to the terms of his will the scholars are "not to be merely bookworms." Academic attainments, athletic prowess, manliness, courage, chivalry, unselfishness,

and moral force of character are to be compounded in just.

proportions. The task of the Selection Committees has been extremely difficult, and of course there has been criticism, and of course the Trustees desire still better results. All this.

is natural; yet there is no reason to say that Rhodes's purpose is not being accomplished. In the nature of things the results.

cannot declare themselves until those who have profited by the scholarships have had time to plant the seed of the humanities.

in the course of their occupations in ether lands.

One familiar criticism of the system is that the Rhodes. scholars come at too late 'an age to Oxford. It is said that

they are rendered blasé about University life by a previous. experience at some Colonial or American University. The obvious answer is that-the Rhodes scholars, instead of having had a previcus college experience, should come from secondary schools-at the same age at which English public-school boys go to Oxford and Cambridge. Probably this is what Rhodes himself intended. Certainly in the case of the Cape scholar- ships be definitely assigned them for the benefit of boys on

leaving particular schools. But this obvious answer is found in practice to have no validity. At least the Trustees.

and those who 'co-operate with them all over the world have discovered that a boy who .comes straight from. one of the Colonial or American schools is not prepared to take up the work of Oxford or Cambridge with the greatest possible degree of profit to himself. The Rhodes scholars. who have already had a University training in their own countries as a rule have to work strenuously to make their mark at Oxford or Cambridge. Some of them have taken University prizes, but these are the exceptions. The colonial boy on leaving school is not as a matter of fact on terms of equality with boys from Winchester, Rugby, and the other great English . schools. Very likely the best colonial boys might be so, but the general run of boys selected on the- principles laid' down by Rhodes are not. There is another point :If a colonial boy has to work unduly in order to keep. abreast of his competitors he will not have just that margin of leisure which will enable him to assimilate the humanizing- atmosphere of Oxford in the manner imagined by Rhodes. The intellectual attainment required for Rhodes scholarships by the Trustees is the passing of an examination equivalent to Responsions. Rhodes contemplated the possibility of scholars being chosen by' their schoolfellows, but in practice this is generally found to mean a vote for an athletic hero and there- fore an ignoring of the combination of intellectual quality, 'manliness, and character for which Rhodes himself stipulated.

The ages of Rhodes scholars under the existing system range from nineteen to twenty-five. Of those Rhodes scholars 'Rho are primarily athletes it has been said that their age and experience are telling enough to give a permanent balance of advantage to Oxford in athletic sports. Probably the advan- tage is a temporary one. In any case it is not a condemnation of the Rhodes system. Yet another criticism is that the -scholars tend to form a world within the Oxford world, grouping themselves apart in their own clubs. If this tendency became exaggerated it might defeat Rhodes's object ; but Mr. F. J. Wylie, the Oxford Secretary of the Trust, denies that it is a serious danger. If the Rhodes scholars live their Oxford life in anything resembling the spirit described by Mr. Wylie in the two admirable chapters he has contributed do this book Rhodes will certainly be justified of his scheme.