A letter to the Provost of Oriel on university extension.

  • Daubeny, Charles, 1795-1867.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Provost of Oriel on university extension. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    afford the time nor the exj^ense of availing themselves of such a system, as they would be compelled to occupy on the Classics the time that is required for the study of their profession, and also would be entangled in ex- penses which wmuld far exceed their limited means. Now there is some truth in this objection, mingled with a good deal of fallacy. With regard to the studies which would be imposed upon him, it seems to me, that even under the existing regulations, which might not improbably be hereafter relaxed in favour of the medical student, the amount of classical knowledge required is not more than a youth of moderate abilities and diligent habits might readily master during the first year of his under- graduateship, so as to enable him to secure the two remaining ones exclusively for those sciences which are in direct connection with his future profession. And I am by no means sure, that a student would be a loser in the long run by having his mind directed during the early portion of the time he spends at Col- lege to other than scientific acquirements. I am not one of those, whose attachment to Physical Science leads them to disparage the devotion even of the whole period of academical life to classical and mathematical studies, on the part of youths who are able and willing to obtain a full mastery over these subjects. The grasp of mind resulting from this early and severe discipline may often compensate for the post- ponement of purely professional pursuits to a period later than is common. The late Sir Kobert Peel was not the worse states- man, Gladstone a less skilful financier, or Sir Poundell Palmer a less accomplished lawyer, for having liad their ambition during their stay in Oxford limited to