means included in the church organization, and, in fact, even without it, and in some cases in direct rebellion to its demands. "It has been the mainstay of orthodoxy, and yet also the chosen haunts of heresy. A firm supporter of the Roman Church and in turn the English Church, yet she gave birth to Wycliffe and Lollardism, and Wesley and Methodism." Firmly rooted in her faith, yet she produced Gibbon and Shelley. "Free thought on most sacred subjects-proscribed elsewhereflourished here.” Her influence was greatest when her destinies were managed by the heretic Wycliffe and his persecuted followers. Says Henson, "If Oxford must wield in point of antiquity to Bologna and in that of cosmopolitan influence to Paris, yet it may claim to be more truly national than either. Of English institutrous there are few that have entered so deeply into the national life as the University of Oxford. For centuries past it has mirrored that life, alike in greatness and shame, in faith and sin, with unvarying fidelity. To Englishmen, then, the history of the university must always be interesting," and I may add with equal truth, to

Americans.

In the contest against Henry III the students of Oxford were on the side of liberty, and on one occasion that king found them so troublesome that he threatened to hang them all, and was with great difficulty persuaded from doing so. The new learning was at first warmly received in Oxford, but conservatism got the upper hand and the movement passed from Oxford to Cambridge under Cranmer. During the civil strife of the seventeenth century Oxford was Jacobean.

Summer lectures.-With such historical associations is there any wonder that English people and Americans go to Oxford during the summer meeting, when the university anthorities throw wide open the doors of the institution? I met some old-fashioned university students who believed in the "sacred solitude of Oxford during the 'Long"" who sneered at the presumptuous outsiders who tried to create a little term of their own during the absence of the regular university inhabitants. But truly a sneer is not the proper comment even on those who go there for a holiday, and surely not on those who go there to get knowledge and to work faithfully during that stay. Even in the case of the mere visitor enjoyment is tinctured by some intellectuality. There is a certain amount of intellectual ozone in the atmosphere that even the most frivolous unconsciously breathe; and who will deny that even the most careless is strongly influenced by the historic associations of the place? Much of the adverse sentiment and hostile criticism to these summer meetings arise from the mistaken notion of what they attempt to do. These mistaken views, I am led to believe, are held chiefly by overzealous supporters, and are circulated by too enthusiastic, sensational, or badly informed newspapers. Our own newspapers are often accused by our English critics of being sensational and “jingoistic," and I sincerely believe the charge is deserved. Yet we are not the only sinners in this respect; even some of the best English metropolitan dailies err grossly. Read what one of them says about the Oxford summer meeting: "There is something peculiarly gratifying about this year's summer meeting in Oxford of the universityextension students. One is thoroughly convinced that this is a real university course in miniature. Here for a few pounds one may spend a fortnight under the tuition of our most esteemed teachers at the very season when the fairest of our cities is seen in her glory. The work of a term may be compressed into the space of a week, and what the student loses by lack of leisure for meditation he gains in an immediate survey of the whole scheme of such subjects as he is studying, and the details of which he may spend the winter months in mastering." "A real university course in miniature!" "The work of a term may be compressed into the space of a week!" It is expressions like these, uttered by friends or foes, that do the movement harm. The aims of the summer meeting are modest, and the hopes of its most active supporters are not excited. The meeting was, however, a success, even from the point of view of mere lectures.

The meeting, as in previous years, was divided into two parts-the first lasting from July 31 to August 11; the second from August 11 to August 25. The main Bequence of lectures was "The history, literature, art, and economics of the revolitionary epoch, 1789-1848." This course was a continuation of those given at the summer meetings of 1891, 1892, 1894, and 1895, and was so arranged as to be available for those who had not been present in previous years. Various other Courses of lectures were arranged: (1) "Natural science," including chemistry, botany, elementary physics, anthropology, zoology, astronomy, and bacteriology; 2) History and theory of education," with special reference to child study and the kindergarten method, and with a lecture on the teaching of geography and classes in the history and theory of education; (3) a special class in the English language" was intended primarily for foreigners; (4) The study of architecture," with special reference to the buildings of Oxford and its neighborhood, and with special architectural excursions illustrative of the lectures; (5)" Greek and Latin;" 6) French language and literature," a course conducted in French on the romantic school, Victor Hugo, Balzac, George Sand, and on original authorities for the study

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of the French Revolution; (7) "Theology," and a course of six lectures on "Ethics," given by the London Ethical Society.

For the most part this comprehensive and rather ambitious programme was carried out, although several of the courses were conditional upon a sufficient number of students subscribing to them. The inaugural lecture was delivered by the Bishop of Ripon on "The romantic revival in English literature." The vice-chancellor of the university, the Rev. J. R. Magrath, D. D., provost of Queen's College, presided and welcomed the students. He said that he desired, on behalf of the delegacy and the university, to welcome students to this summer meeting, and especially those who had come from other lands. During the happy and eventful year, when Englishmen had been celebrating the termination of the sixtieth year of the Queen's reign, they had had the pleasure of welcoming many distinguished foreigners, who had helped them in doing honor to the occasion. Oxford had been able to welcome some of these visitors and had derived very great pleasure and satisfaction from so doing. It had now great satisfaction in welcoming those who bad come, not, as he understood, to celebrate any particular occasion, but to give a fortnight or a month, as the case might be, to studies in Oxford. To those who were most interested in the study of history he would say that this year the programme was completed. In previous summer meetings students had been taken through the earlier stages, and those who had been here before had derived benefit from them. But he would not like to discourage those who were present for the first time, because a very eminent historian and historical teacher, Professor Seeley, was of the opinion that we should begin the study of history with the history of our own time. He trusted that every arrangement had been made under the diligent and energetic action of the secretary, Mr. Marriott, for the convenience of those who were going to study at Oxford. If there was any branch of university life which was not open to them as they wished, they should make an application to Mr. Marriott. The usual facilities would be offered for visiting the various colleges and using the laboratories for scientific work. Of all the men connected with the summer meeting the vice-chancellor is one of the two who impressed me most. The reserved, scholarly, patriarchal-looking Dr. Magrath, provost of Queen's College and vice-chancellor, and Professor Caird, master of Balliol, were the most prominent men at Oxford. Their faces, stamped with great intellectual strength, yet with modesty and simplicity, impressed every beholder. Among the lecturers, the following deserve special mention: Mr. M. E. Sadler, on the "Educational struggle;" Rev. Canon Gore, on "Crabbe;" Prof. A. V. Dicey, on the "English constitution under George III;" Mr. W. A. S. Hewins, on the "Economic policy of Pitt;" Prof. R. G. Moulton, on Faust;" Mr. Graham Wallas, on "Reform in England;" and Mr. W. H. Hadom, on "Schubert and Chopin." Considering the lectures apart from the question of whether or not they were particularly adapted to the wants and intellectual capacity of the average summer student, there is little room for criticism; but as to the adaptability of most of them to the needs and understanding of the hearers I have grave doubts. In fact, some of the best lecturers, according to the usual standards of measurement, were least adapted to the abilities of the attending students. For instance, I heard the two admirable lectures of the master of Balliol on "Hegel." The large hall at Balliol College was crowded to overflowing with school teachers, ranging from tender to doubtful years. There were probably not over a half dozen men in the audience. These school teachers sat upon tables, chairs, and window sills while the famous master of Balliol lectured for an hour on the abstruse, metaphysical teachings of Hegel and his relation to other philosophers. It was one of the ablest lectures given during the course; but whether those pupil teachers understood anything the master was saying is very doubtful. Many of the younger students looked tired before the hour was half over, and the moral effect was shown next day when the attendance fell off one-half.

I use this illustration, not as an isolated case, but as representing largely the character of many of the Oxford lectures. I do not believe they were adapted to the needs and capacities of the average summer-meeting student. Yet, on the other hand, the criticism of the London Times seems to be rather severe, although containing an element of truth: "In the account of such a gathering as this, the first thing that strikes us is the extraordinary variety of the intellectual pabulum provided for these students, who we presume are young men and girls (possibly a majority of the latter) from provincial towns or country districts, such as usually attend University Extension lectures, with perhaps a sprinkling of elementary school teachers. For such as these the programine seems unusually ambitious, and if it really represents the practical work of university extension in the provincial conters there would be some reason for the charge that this movement is not a very serious educational force, and that the best it can do is to overlay provincial ignorance with a thin veneer of culture that will soon rub off. We do not assert that the charge is true, but neither do we think that the proceedings of a suminer meeting go far to disprove it."

Mr. Marriott, the secretary of the Oxford University Extension, does not seem to answer a part of this criticism when he states that it is true there was a sprinkling of elementary school teachers, and these were men and women of all ages, but of the teachers who were present the vast majority came from secondary schools, with a considerable sprinkling of teachers from foreign universities. The question still remains whether or not it is the province of the summer meeting to provide an intellectual bill of fare suitable to the tastes of teachers from foreign universities and their like. Nevertheless it must be said to the credit of some of the lecturers that they showed good judgment in their choice of subjects and mode of treatment. Conferences.- A most interesting feature of the summer meeting was the conference. Five were scheduled: “The relation between University Extension and the cooperative movement,” “The training of pupil teachers," "Relation between University Extension lectures and the National Home Reading Union," "Local finance," and "Relations of poor law and charity.” I attended the first three and found them exceedingly interesting. It seems to be the object of the University Extension delegacy to conduct conferences on all movements in any way associated with UniVersity Extension. This policy seems to me to be perfectly legitimate, for it is pursued with the evident intention of creating and of increasing interest in the extension movement on the part of the laboring classes, and of making more effective the work that is already being done. Yet it is upon this very policy that the severest criticism falls. Critics hold that it is the tendency to identify University Extension with objects which, however good in themselves, have very little to do with a mission to extend university teaching, properly so called. They hold that the cooperative movement is no doubt an excellent thing, aud brings benefit where it takes root to the wage-earning classes; but what in the world, they say, has cooperation to do with the igher education, which is the special province of the universities? Ii, as others appear to think, the ideal of University Extension lectures is that they should embrace a sort of propaganda of cooperation, the movement is not likely to be very popular among a class which eminently needs the enlightening influences of higher education-the trades people in country towns and their families. Cooperation is a good thing, but is it the business of the universities to preach it?

The next point of criticism seems to me, however, to be better taken, namely, concerning the rather pretentions claim of the summer meeting to be an international conference on educational matters in general and the dragging in under that claim of the conference upon the training of pupil teachers. The training of pupil teachers is undoubtedly a most important question in elementary education, but what has it to do with the extension of university teaching? The Times remarks that the claim of this harmless and agreeable summer meeting of extensionists, that it should take rank as an international conference upon educational matters in general, reminds one of the frog in the fable, who swelled himself out to look as big as the ox and urst in the effort.

I fail to see, however, wherein any of these conferences will be of harm to the University Extension movement, and I can see wherein they will do good, although there may not be any organic relation between the subjects discussed. These conferences are, to say the least, interesting and probably instructive to those who attend. Much good may come from them, and I should dislike to see them excluded from the programme. The conference on the relations between the University Etension and the cooperative movement was the most interesting. The very democratie Marquis of kipon presided and called vigorously "Hear! hear!" during the speeches of seve al of the workingmen delegates It was voted finally that the delegates were in favor of some organized attempt being made to secure a larger attendance at the University Extension summer meetings of students drawn from the wage earning classes, and more especially from the ranks of cooperators. The conference upon the training of pupil teachers was an effort, first, to encourage pupil teachers to attend, where possible, University Extension lectures, and second, to give the lecturers expert advice as to how they should be of the greatest possible help to these pupil teachers. In the conference on the relations between University 1xtension lectures and the National Home Reading Union it was suggested that the latter might do a very valuable work in continuation of and preparation for organized courses of University Extension lectures; that it should prepare students for the extension courses and should guide them after the lecturers had left; that it could deal with individual students scattered throughout the country and stimulate reading; that it could reach boys and girls just leaving school, whereas University Extension students must be over 16; in short, that the Home Reading Union could admirably supplement the work of the extension lecturers.

Worcester College.-A limited number of men students were received at Worcester College. Women students were cared for at Somerville College and Lady Margaret Hall The gates of Worcester were thrown wide open to those who secured quarters. Those of us who were fortunate enough to make that institution our home were in a position to enjoy some of the pleasures of student life. Worcester is situ

ated apart from the other Oxford colleges. As you enter the gate at the porter's lodge you are struck by the contrast the buildings present. Upon the right are the "spacious and dignified but somewhat monotonous erections of the eighteenth century; on the left are the mansiones, among the most picturesque things in Oxford, which belonged to Gloucester College." Antony Wood admirably describes these old monastic buildings. They are divided by particular roois, partitions, and various forms of structure, and known from each other like so many colonies and tribes, by urus and rebuses that are depicted and cut in stone over each door." Most of these emblems are now defaced, the one over my staircase being entirely obliterated. But over the door at the southwest corner of the building is a shield, on which the "W" some say refers to Windicombe Abbey. These interesting old mansiones carry us back to 1283, when John Giffarde, baron of Brimsfield, donated the site on which was founded a house of study for thirteen monks. Within ten years all Benedictine houses were allowed to send students, whose expenses they defrayed. In one of these old thirteenth-century mansiones, staircase 9, second floor, I was domiciled. Two rooms make up the section, a small bedroom or “* camara and a large sitting room, both of which look out upon the wonderful beauty of Worcester College gardens. My study commanded a full view of the beautiful green "Quad" and the stately though plain buildings of the eighteenth century. Adjoining the sitting room, in staircase 10, are the rooms which De Quincey occupied.

Here in these college dormitories dwelt 50 summer visitors-25 Englishmen, 7 Germans, 4 Swedes, 4 Americans, 3 Frenchmen, 2 Danes, 2 Austrians, 2 Dutchmen, and a Scotchman. All were members of the Cosmopolitan Club, a temporary organization of the resident students. designed to cultivate good fellowship and especially to make foreigners feel at home. Especial efforts were necessary in this direction, as a number of the foreigners did not have a very good command of English. The sessions of the club were held every other evening immediately after the lecture. A permanent secretary and treasurer were elected, but a different chairman presided at each meeting. Each nationality contributed to the programme something characteristic of its own university life. Some of us, on being called upon suddenly to give something characteristic of American-college life and not being at all accomplished in musical or dramatic arts, were compelled to resort to the Johns Hopkins University yell, which we gave with a hearty good will. Imagine our surprise at the great sound of applause with which it was received! Many declared it was the most characteristic college custom yet given.

As the foreigners were mostly university men, this club soon became a kind of international clearing house of ideas. Very pleasant were the discussions that often occurred between. students of different nationalities, Usually it was a German versus an Englishman, or a German versus a Frenchman, or a Frenchman versus an Englishman. We Americans were not, as a rule, considered foreigners. Meals were served in common in the college "hall." This was different from the custom in term time when dinner only is served in common, breakfast and lunch being served in the students' rooms. The daily routine was sometimes varied, but was usually as follows: A plunge in the public baths or the river in the early morning; a lecture or two; then an afternoon of boating, bicycling, sight-seeing, with tea drinking.

One event from which three of us derived more than ordinary pleasure was an afternoon tea given in my rooms to our young lady friends from Baltimore who were resident at Oxford at the time. After tea had been served, we visited the college chapel and grounds. It so happened that a certain military organization was giving a band concert in the garden at the time, which lent interest to the occasion. The freedom with which the townspeople are permitted to enjoy those beautiful gardens was an agreeable surprise. At Worcester College I met Mr. Ashworth, of Todmorden Hall, Lancashire, who has attended every summer meeting except one The fact that he had met Prof. H. B. Adams, of the Johns Hopkins University, at the summer meeting held at Cambridge the year before (1896) and had there exchanged ideas with him, was a sufficient introduction for us. Mr. Ashworth gave me more new ideas of English people, customs, and institutions than I succeeded in getting from any other man. I look back upon the four weeks spent at Worcester College as the brightest of my experience in England.

Case of Joseph Owen.-Perhaps one of the most interesting facts in connection with the summer meeting of Extension students was the attitude of the university and some of the colleges toward the education of the working class. In connection with a conference held during the summer meeting, what is described as “A University Extension romance" was current. Two years ago Balliol College broke through many of its regulations and made special provisions to give a student workman an opportunity of studying at Oxford. At present one of the Brackenbury scholars of the college is Joseph Owen, of Oldham, the son of a Lancashire artisan, who himself at one time worked in an Oldham mill. At 13 young Owen left school, after which his chief means of education were free libraries and University Exten

sion lectures. For a number of years he showed special persistence and aptitude in following the work outlined by Extension lectures. In 1895 he was advised to go up to Oxford. There were many difficulties. He was 23 years of age, married, and had no knowledge of Latin or Greek. Nevertheless, the college admitted him on the strength of his University Extension work, and by the generous help of friends and by a special exhibition from the college of £50 a year he and his wife were able to take up their residence in Oxford. His career has been remarkable. Six weeks after his entrance he won in open competition a scholarship of the value of £80, tenable for four years. Within eighteen months from learning the Greek alphabet he had passed all necessary examinations, and is now embarked on an honor course in history, with every prospect of a brilliant degree. He has been well received by the men, and takes his part in the life of the collego. What is said to be the most refreshing feature of his wonderful success in his college is that he does not regard education at all as a sure means of rising in the world. He has no desire, it is said, to leave the working class from which he sprung, and intends at the end of his four years' residence to return to his former pursuit at Oldham, to be of service to his fellows in the "discussion and solution of those grave problems of industrial life with which the twentieth century, even more than the nineteenth, will in all probability be occupied."

The Concersaziones.-The termination of the first part and the inauguration and close of the second part of the summer meeting were observed by two large conVersaziones in the evening at the schools. These functions were attended by a merous company of students, while prominent supporters of the movement, among others Prof. and Mrs. Max Müller, attended in considerable numbers, many coming from a distance to participate in the proceedings and to hear an account of the progress of the cause. At the first conversazione, while the guests were arriving, an exhibition of the cinematograph was given, after which the company adjourned to another hall for refreshments and to hear short addresses on University Extension, past, present, and future," by Mr. M. E. Sadler, Miss Montgonery, and the Rev. W. Hudson Shaw, respectively. These gatherings, although large, were very interesting.

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Recreation. Certain days were set apart for excursions to different places of interest in the vicinity at Oxford. One Saturday afternoon was devoted to Blenheim, in response to an invitation by the Duke of Marlborough. Some 360 students left Oxford by special train at half past two, and, arriving at Blenheim half an hour later, divided into several parties, some proceeding direct to the palace while others, like myself, made a tour of inspection of the gardens. In the course of the afternoon all the students were shown over the various rooms and were entertained in the long library with an organ recital. Tea was served in a large tent near the lodge. It was a beautiful day and all were pleased with the trip. Other excursions were made to Nuneham Park, Compton Winyates, Stanton Harcourt, and Dorchester. With the exception of the Blenheim excursion I did not go with the students, as I found the crowd too large for pleasure and preferred to go more leisurely, in a small company.

Visits were also made to the principal colleges and places of interest in Oxford. Usually a university official in cap and gown accompanied the students to point out the things of particular interest. Some of us were fortunate in having the master of Balliol point out the objects of interest in the Balliol library and hall. Every student was doubtless remembered in invitations to teas and garden parties. One of the most memorable of these was given by Prof. and Mrs. Max Müller. The invitations were extended almost exclusively to foreigners, thus making the gathering very cosmopolitan. Mrs. Max Müller is an ideal hostess in that she can converse with her guests in English, French, or German with equal facility. We Americans had an interesting chat with her and were introduced to the Professor. One of the Baltimore young ladies asked Mrs. Max Müller why the Professor has not visited America, and was somewhat surprised to receive the answer, "The Professor is afraid of American hospitality." At this garden party twelve distinct nationalities were counted, besides representatives from three of England's largest colonies. Among the foreigners were several teachers who held scholarships given by their respective governments. Another memorable garden party was given by our Baltimore young ladies to a number of their friends. Garden parties and afternoon teas were a delightful part of the summer's recreation.

During the first week of the meeting a congregation was held in the Sheldonian Theater for the purpose of conferring degrees upon the "honor men." There was a large audience present, and the ceremony was particularly interesting to foreigners, The ancient custom from which the expression to be "plucked" is derived is still continued. After the list of names is read out the proctors walk up and down the hall. Originally a creditor of any of the candidates could "pluck" the proctor's gown as he walked down the hall, and in this way prevent the degree being given until the debt was paid.