REMARKS OF THE REV. JAMES CONWAY, S. J., OF CANISIUS

COLLEGE, BUFFALO, N. Y.

Mr. Chancellor. I did not expect to be called upon to speak before the Convocation, and must therefore confine myself to very few and brief remarks. And first I must say that I have been highly gratified by the able and brilliant defense of the classical studies, which I listened to this morning, trom men who have grown old and have a record in the noble work of higher education. I express not only my own sentiments, but those, also, of the faculty to which I belong, and particularly of the president, the Rev. Theodore Van Rossum, when I say that I consider the classical studies of the highest moment; nay, that without a thorough knowledge of the classics, Latin and Greek, no one can put any claim to a. liberal education.

Much has been said, and justly said, in praise of the Germau curriculum in this Convocation. Now, I wish to inform the members of the Convocation, whom it may interest, that the curriculum of the German gymnasium has been from the beginning introduced in Canisius College and carried out with gratifying results. Those in charge of the classical department, who are themselves, for the most part graduates, of the German gymnasium and of German universities, unanimously agree, that after six years of study of the Latin and Greek classics, they turn out Latin and Greek scholars fit to compete with the Abiturienten of Germany, who have completed the gymnasium and are admitted to the universities.

Before sitting down I may be allowed one remark more. I should like to draw the attention of the Convocation to the necessity of a more accurate study of the elements of grammar. Without a solid foundation there is no possibility of building up. Now, it seems to me, that there is a tendency to make the work too easy for the student. The consequence is that the desirable degree of mental discipline and development is not attained to, and that what is learned is but imperfectly learned and soon forgotten. I have come to this conclusion from the examination of many students, whom I invariably found deficient in the rudiments, and from the examination of many grammars, both Latin and Greek, and other elementary books which seemed to be in great demand, and which commonly discovered this tendency. These books are calculated to impede, not to promote, scholarship. I was therefore much pleased to see that in the discussion of yesterday the system upon which these books are usually based, the so-called natural system, was almost without a dissenting voice reprobated by this Convocation. I will not trespass any longer on the attention of the Convocation at this late hour of the session.

COMMUNICATION FROM HOBART COLLEGE.

To the Twenty-fourth University Convocation and for the conference upon college education in the State, July eighth, I respectfully present the following views of my colleagues, regretting that I am prevented from attending in person.

REVEREND DEAR SIR.- I am directed to furnish you in brief with the views of the classical faculty of this college on a much debated issue. The question somewhat disingenuously called the "Greek question," though really involving all the ancient languages, may be discussed in two principal aspects.

First. It may be debated without reference to the policy of this college, whether the course of study which leaves out the classics affords that which is justly expected from a "college education." As to this point your classical faculty have seen no reason to change the opinions received from the elders, that the classics are an integral part of the culture which is known as a "liberal education." In their view, the attempt to evolve refined modern culture from a mere accumulation of "useful knowledge," without reference to that ancient culture upon which all that is refined in modern culture reposes, is as unreasonable as it would be to look for the crowning foliage and fruitage of the tree without the intervention of roots and stem to support them. But in this aspect the question is too large to be discussed in a report of this nature.

Second. The question may be regarded from the point of view of the future policy of this college. On this point your classical faculty would briefly report as follows:

It may be said without disparagement of those who honestly undervalue the classics as a means of education, that the anti-classical party owes its numerical strength to those who desire to reduce the cost, in time, work and money, at which they can purchase the social distinction of a "liberal education." If they merely desired the privilege of studying science untrammelled by Greek and Latin, who hinders them? There would be no such clamor as is now raised. But they deem themselves to have nothing, if denied that particular degree of A. B. (which from time immemorial has implied the classics), at the end of a course from which the classics are omitted. Why all this clamor for these two letters of the alphabet, when the other twenty-four are so entirely at their service? The answer is plain. No other letters but these would deceive the public. The degree of A. B. is desired by the multitude simply to cover the nakedness of an education which is not a culture; and there are those among the leaders of that party who, understanding this as well as we do, avail themselves of the degraded and degrad

ing popular demand, to insure the triumph of their own educational theories.

In this state of things your classical faculty believe that the safest policy, in the end, is still that of perfect honesty. They cannot think that what rests upon a fraud will prove durable. Already there are visible signs of a reaction against the violent and hasty "reforms" of the "new education" as it most questionably calls itself. It is not impossible that the very colleges who have been bidding for ephemeral success by these alleged reforms may yet retrace their steps. But what if they should not? To this question your faculty are in no perplexity for an answer.

The debasement of the degree of arts by those to whose keeping its administration has been confided may be compared to the issue of irredeemable paper money. As this does not represent value, it soon loses credit; and loses it in spite of the most stringent penal laws. Such must undoubtedly prove the fate of the debased A. B. degree, if the theories of the anti-classical education shall ultimately prevail. It will fall into general disrepute; and, in the course of a generation or two, it will have ceased to deceive the public and will therefore be of no further value, even to those who now clamor for its debasement to their own level.

nay

it

But when the worthlessness of an irredeemable currency becomes apparent the true coin has suffered no diminution of value his gained a fictitious value above par on account of its scarcity. It will be so, sooner or later, in this matter of education. The public will discover that the A. B. of certain colleges does not imply real culture. The public though too easily satisfied, for a time, with names, demands realities in the end, and rejects sham. When that time comes, it will turn to those colleges where the tradition of true culture has been handed down undefiled and in its integrity.

In view of these facts and forecasts, the classical faculty of Hobart College are of opinion that no change should be made in the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

On behalf of the faculty of the Classical Department.

FRANCIS PHILIP NASH,

Hobart Professor of the Latin Lang. and Lit.

I heartily indorse the preceding statement of my classical colleagues.

H. T. SMITH,

Professor Nat. Phil. and Astronomy.

The Rev. E. N. POTTER, S. T. D., LL. D.

President of Hobart College.

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XV.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NECROLOGY.

By Assistant Secretary ALBERT B. WATKINS, Chairman.

It is the mournful duty of your Committee to report a large number of names of former members of the Convocation who have, during the past year, gone to their final reward. The list is notable in its personnel. Early in the year Vice-Chancellor George W. Clinton suddenly and peacefully departed this life, leaving behind him a merited reputation for integrity and ability and true culture, and a record in the hearts of all who knew him well, made by a life of singular purity and sweetness.

The death of Principal Fred. N. Wright removed an energetic and successful teacher from a new and promising field of labor and a representative teacher and principal from what had promised to be a long and useful career.

Esmond V. DeGraff, although formerly principal in the public schools in the State, was best known as a very successful instructor in teachers' institutes, possessing wonderful enthusiasm, in inspiring young teachers with a love for the work upon which they were entering.

In the death of Dr. J. Dorman Steele, every member of the Convocation will feel that he has met a personal loss. His genial, social nature; his wide and successful experience as a teacher; the extensive use of his text-books, made his name a household word throughout this and other States. None will be more missed among our number, and no vacant seat will recall a kinder heart or more precious memories.

To these we must add ex-Regent Augustus C. George, and Principal George H. Barton who had done faithful service in this State, but more recently had been taking high educational rank in a neighboring State; Principal James Gilmour, who for many years fulfilled the duties of principal while struggling with disease; Principal A. K. Goodier, for many years principal of an academy; Principal Henry Arthur Smith, who had but just began with energy and enthusiasm his chosen life-work; Professors John C. Draper and S. J. Armor, well-known in the medical world for their ability and success in their chosen calling; and the venerable ex-President Joseph Alden, who so long and so ably, in various educational positions, did such faithful and valuable work, but especially as a writer of text-books and as head of the Albany State Normal School.

A suitable memorial minute in regard to Vice-Chancellor George W. Clinton was prepared by Regent George William Curtis, and read at the annual meeting of the Board of Regents in January last. The addresses made upon that occasion, together with the minutes, will be included with the necrological notices prepared for this Convocation, and all will be published with the proceedings of the Convocation.

VICE-CHANCELLOR GEORGE W. CLINTON.

[Extract from the minutes of the Board of Regents.]

January 14, 1886, 8 p. M.

Annual meeting of the Board held in the Senate Chamber.

The Chancellor arose in his place and said:

Regents of the University.-You have elected the present officers for the ensuing year, but there yet remains a vacancy, most conspicuous, indeed I may say, unique.

In September last, after attending to his duties, until the cool of the day, George W. Clinton, the Vice-Chancellor of this Board, entered into his rest, amid flowers and fragrance, he was gathering for instruction and amusement. As a Regent, as an editor of the Clinton manuscripts, as Vice-Chancellor, he had no peer. Since 1881, when he came from Buffalo to this city, to take upom himself the work of arranging and indexing the George Clinton papers, his presence had emphasized his work as Regent from 1856, and as Vice-Chancellor since 1880, and we grew familiar with a character hitherto veiled by a natural reserve and modesty, but yet known enough to be always respected and admired. He was a rare man. His tall lithe form, his graceful and pleasing manner, his keen eye and sagacious judgment, his wise and prudent counsel, and his artless and ingenuous companionship made him a most valuable friend, officer and counsellor of this Board. He had few equals; certainly no superior.

I dare not venture to pronounce his eulogy, that will be left for others. It was expected that Regent Curtis would perform that duty, but I have just received a letter announcing his illness and sending me a minute, which I will now read to the Board.

"The Board of Regents of the University desire to place upon their records a permanent memorial of their warm affection and high respect for their late associate, counsellor and friend, ViceChancellor George W. Clinton.

"Judge Clinton belonged to one of the historical families of New York. The son of DeWitt Clinton, the grandson of James and the rgandnephew of George Clinton, and on his mother's side the grand