an honest zeal, with the object of substituting, as they conceived, a better kind of mathematics in the place of a worse. But their success in this respect was a source of considerable inconvenience to the University, with regard to her Educational System. For the standard of her mathematics being again unsettled, while her main machinery was mere Examinations, she was driven towards the peculiar evils belonging to such a combination;-the reign of manuscript treatises, or of printed books quite as transient in their circulation; and the universal dependence upon private Tutors. Moreover, the nature of the new kind of mathematics, addressing itself, as analysis does, to the eye, and difficult to express in an oral form, made the disputations in the Schools much less intelligible and interesting, and gave an increased importance to the paper Examinations. 217 We have, in the following Grace, an indication of a tendency to some alteration, as early as 1818; although the great change did not take place till nine years later. 1818. Dec. 4. "Placeat vobis ut Ds Procancellarius, Regii Professores Sacræ Theologiæ, Legum, Medicinæ, et Græcarum Literarum, Prof. Calvert, Prof. Sedgwick, Mr Bridge, Mr Woodhouse, Mr Turton, Mr French, Mr Griffith, Syndici vestri constituantur, qui deliberent annon examinationes pro Gradibus novari et amplificari expediat ; et si illis aut eorum majori parti (quorum unus semper sit Procancellarius) videatur bonum, qui regulas ad vos referant quibus nova examinatio administretur." In the Syndicate thus appointed, there prevailed great diversity of opinion upon some particulars; and, through an anxiety felt by the Syndics to satisfy every scruple entertained in the University, the Proposal resulting from their deliberations, fell far short of the general expectation, and did not reach the views of the Syndics themselves, as one of them* informed the public. 218 In the course of a few years, the Examinations became the only part of the University exercises in which any interest was taken: the disputations, as I have already said, fell into neglect. At the same time the evils of the want of a Standard of study, fixed and known, were felt; and the old evil so forcibly described in the Grace of 1779, was still complained of;-that students, neglecting the Elementary parts of Mathematics, sought to obtain distinction by lucky hits in the higher portions. The Grace by which it was attempted to remedy these evils, may be considered as the foundation deed of our present system. In order to understand it fully, it may be mentioned, that there had been much discussion in the University respecting the advisableness of introducing other subjects, as well as Mathematics, into the University Examinations. In 1821, Dr Wordsworth, the Master of Trinity, then Vice-Chancellor, proposed a plan for examining the students in Classics and Theology, which met with considerable support, but was rejected by the majority of voices in the Non-Regent House. But in 1822, the "Classical Tripos was established, as I shall afterwards have to mention ; and in this same year, it was also directed by a Grace that those who were not candidates for mathematical honours, should be examined on the fourth day, in the first six books of the Iliad and of the Eneid. It is to be recollected, also, that in the mathematical examination for honours, as then existing, certain hours for each class were assigned to the solution of "problems" proposed on paper, and certain hours to the answering of questions from books," which questions were pro 66 * Dr Monk, in a pamphlet published under the name of Philograntus. posed vivá voce, though the answers were given on paper. The previous classes determined, at least in supposition, by the exercises performed in the Schools, were at this time six in number. 219 I proceed to give the Grace of which I have spoken and the concomitant Graces. 1827. Mar. 30. "Quoniam experientiâ recentiore compertum sit quod examinationes pro gradu Baccalaureatûs in Artibus minus commodè constitutæ sint, tam propter hodiernam Academiæ frequentiam quam propter studiorum ipsorum mutationem: "Placeat vobis ut Ds Procancellarius, Dr Wood, Dr French, Domini Procuratores et Moderatores, Mr Peacock, Mr Gwatkin, Mr Whewell, Mr Graham, Mr Chevallier et Mr King, Syndici vestri constituantur, qui de his examinationibus ordinandis consulant et ad vos intra tres menses referant." Jan. 30. The Syndicate was continued: and was directed to report before the end of Lent Term, 1828. Nov. 14. The Report of the Syndicate was confirmed; To this effect: Two days to be added to the Examination: five hours added to the time employed in answering Questions from books: the time for Problems unaltered: : Four previous Classes to be made instead of six the Examiners enabled, when they think fit, to give the same examination to all: the first two days to exclude the higher and more difficult parts of mathematics: the Grace of 1779 is referred to. The Examinations on Friday to exclude the Differential Calculus: on Saturday, to include the simpler applications of the Calculus. The Questions hitherto proposed vivá voce to be printed. It was hoped, as the Syndics stated, that by this means, the questions might be more generally known, the students better directed in their reading; the studies of the University become more fixed and definite; and an opportunity be afforded of seeing that all the subjects were duly introduced. The vivá voce part was to contain only propositions contained in the mathematical works commonly in use in the University, or simple examples and explanations of such propositions. Examination papers were not to contain more than can be done in the time. There was added a Table of Times: the Table of Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, dividing the Examinations of the Four Classes among the two Moderators and Two Examiners. Wednesday, Vacant. Thursday, "as at present." Friday, Brackets. The Report was signed as follows: CH. WORDSWORTH, V.C. W. FRENCH. J. TOMKYNS, Senior Proctor. R. GWATKIN. W. WHEWELL. HENRY CODDINGTON. 220 1828. March 5. The Bishop of Lincoln, Dr Wordsworth, Dr Turton, Mr Coddington, Mr Maddy, were added to former Syndicate. May 21. Report on Examination for Ordinary Degrees that is, those of the Polloi:-the Examination to commence the same day as the Examination for Honours: The Examiners' provinces divided: Examination of two equal divisions at separate times. Subjects, Euclid, Arithmetic and Algebra. Homer, Virgil, Paley, Locke: The Examination to be by papers: The Questions to be elementary: Euclid papers to contain twelve propositions 221 each Trigonometry and Natural Philosophy at the discretion of the Examiners. Further alterations were soon made. 1831. Mar. 18. “Placeat vobis ut Ds Procancellarius, Dr French, Dr Graham, Prof. Whewell, Mr J. Brown, Mr Gwatkin, Mr King, Mr Cape (Clar.), Mr Bowstead, Mr Hall, Mr Challis, Mr Hanson, Mr Miller, Syndici vestri constituantur, qui consilium ineant et deliberent utrum aliquid in modo Questionistas examinandi qui Academicos honores ambiunt mutari debeat necne, quique ante 26 Maii ad vos referant." June 1. The Syndicate was re-appointed, to report by the end of next term. Nov. 16. Mr Martin was added to the Syndicate. Dec. 6. The time was extended to end of next term. 1832. April 6. Their Report confirmed: The Exa mination for Honours in Mathematics to be five days instead of four: four hours and a half added: four hours to Questions from books: half an hour to Problems: during the first four days of the Examination the same questions to be proposed to all the classes: the first day to exclude Differential Calculus : the second and third day to include the simpler applications of that Calculus: the fourth day, subjects of greater difficulty with some lower questions: the fifth day, the Classes to be divided between the Two Moderators and Two Examiners. 222 1836. "Placeat vobis ut Ds Procancellarius, Dr French, Dr Graham, Mr Peacock, Mr Whewell, Mr Hughes (Joh.), Mr Bowstead, Mr Smith (Caius), Mr Philpott, Mr Phillips, Syndici vestri constituantur qui inter se consulant utrum expediat immutare aliquid in Examinationibus Sophistarum Juniorum et Quæstionistarum.” 1836. July 2. The Syndicate was re-appointed, to report by the end of next term. |