OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1923, Page 1

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

It has often been said that it is impossible for one who lias not been an undergraduate of Oxford or Cambridge to appreciate the distinctive spirit of these two foundations. Yet Mr Albert Man-bridge, of W.E.A. fame, is the exi cption which proves the rule. Mr Mansliridge is not an alumnus of either hut he was a member of the Royal Commission of 1919 which investigated the administration and affairs of these universities. The inquiries conducted by that body provided him with the material for a series of lectures which ho subsequently delivered at Boston with the object of “explaining” Oxford and Cambridge to the Americans and these lectures form the basis of “The Older Universities oi England,” a most sympathetic and u ell-in formed study. “The University,” says the author “is one of tiirec symbolic institutions of the city which have been developed by Christian civilisation. They represent, roughly, the threefold nature of man : the Cathedral the spirit, the University the mind, and the Town Hull the body. When the Cathedral has failed to inspire men to live at their highest . . or when the Town Hall has allowed economic barriers to block the way of the scholar, then the University has suffered, the stream of those fitted to serve God in Church and State lias failed, and at times almost ceased to flow.” Mr Mansbridge illustrates his contention from the history of Oxford and Cambridge, with which lie deals minutely. There have been dark chapters in the annals of either, periods of lethargy, periods of intolerance, periods when the staff quite frankly gave themselves up to the pleasures of the flesh, yet there were always some to carry on the torch. It may seem a paradox that out ol these places of gluttony, where ignorance and intrigue were the normal orders of the day, there arose fine scholars and distinguished men m allairs. Act so it was. “Arrogance did not prevent the display of scholarship, and of almost prophetic reforming steal on the part of Bentley, and an inordinate love o) the bottle, seems to bare bad little or no deleterious effect on the brilliant work of Person.”

Right down to Hie beginning of last century these 'universities managed to get on without examinations or “honours." Degrees were awarded for keeping terms. Attendance at lectures was, and still is. optional. Even when Honours Schools were established at Oxford they wore for long only two in number. “I.itorae 11 umaniores” and “Mathematics.” When, in ISoO. two new schools, “Raw and Modern History” and “Physical Science” were authorised, there were stalwarts who objected to the innovation. “I tear the worst,” wrote a bellow (J Oriel, “and I can but think it is a most dangerous step. Denison spoke well, and his ‘Nolitmus Germaniznri - (we will not that the University of England should be (,'erniauUod)--clieited a very hearty cheer. We all Hatter ourselves Unit we are in most conservative trim, but ri'ditlv or wrouglv, we have lalleu into the weakness of yielding to the spirit nf the age.” Conservatism is often said .be the hall-mark of the two universities. pai l ieiilarly of Oxford. But. it should noi he forgotten that even in Oxford courses in such things as economics. agriculture, forestry, geography have been available many .wars lielore they have been provided by universities claiming to be “advanced.’ And if Oxford and Cambrige chose to go their own way wo should remember that, wluu with fees and endowments, they v.-ero self-supporting, asking aid ol none. Now however, the fmamial problem is acute, and Mr Mansbridge thinks that if they are to fulfil the function in the eommumiy which they shouel. they will have to receive grants. “Hi" glorv of the older Kngli-b Universities.” he says, “is their spirit and atmosphere'. Lhe outcome of devotion to tin ideal of learning, which is expressed and in part realised by the masters and scholars, and has been persistent !> nourished end strengthened ihnntgn ei'dil hundred years ol chance and change, own in (he years when the devotion seemed to lad and luxury accompanied by lethargy to in< ream. . .. . If the new democracy is able to see, and

sees clearly, that the Universities. ■ long as they are co.i-ermled to lh< ourpose of scholarship and rescmv.i 111.1st h left free and iiulel ’ eivd 10 no eomplisb i heir ow n work, duly -npßoi i ,„1 ;, n< | trusted bv the coiiiumimy n which thev are then the most gl'»' tons d.ivs of Oxford and ( ambralgi have yet to be lived.”