Alumni Oration

"Rev. J. de Soyres' Address on Behald of Alumni" The University Monthly 9, 7 (May 1890):105-106. (UA Case 67a, Box 1)

After claiming indulgence for the prosaic treatment of a very simple though important topic, the speaker reviewed the various methods which had been tried in other universities to reach satisfactorily the numerous class of young men intended for a business life. The English universities for a long time had provided solely for two classes of students; firstly, those whose aim was to pass three years pleasantly, and secure, if possible, the hallmark of a degree, and secondly, those to whom the attainment of high honors meant the measure of the future career. But the great residuum, the vast number of those whose parents could not afford to pay some thousand dollars annually for an education which would have little apparent or direct benefit, remained untouched. The university was not for them. About twenty years ago, however, great changes took place, especially at Cambridge, and the vitality of the institution was well proved by so wide a reform being accomplished peacefully. The old school of rulers, those "heads of colleges," who as Pope most unjustly said of Bently, "slept in port," were slowly passing away, holding up hands aghast at the changes: First, the establishment of new triposes, or honor examination, embracing subjects which before had been deemed unworthy of such a dignity and only fit for leisure hours. Then came the vast development of the study of natural science; then the creation by Professor Humphrey of an efficient medical faculty. Still later the adoption of the Oxford system of class lists and above all the pursing away the narrow sectarian machinery from her theological school, with its barriers of subscription, once more elevating the study to its true position as the queen of sciences.

These were successes, but two other efforts were failures. In 1869, students were admitted as "unattached" members of the university, without affiliation to any college. They might lodge cheaply, they were relieved of the heaviest fees, all the best teaching was available–and yet, after 20 years, one finds only about sixty names of graduates in the calendar. And when, later, a new experiment was made in Cavendish college, where cheap residence was offered to those of a lesser age than were usually matriculated, the same failure has to be recorded. The truth is, so an experienced tutor declared, that the social difference inevitably conceived to exist, was fatal to the scheme. So long as the average standard of living and expense was comparatively high, no man would willingly live in what seemed an inferior social orbit, and so the other men "migrated" to college life, and left only the weaker brethren to sustain the experiment.

Then, at least, the true solution was found, James Stuart, one of the professors, a man of the rarest moral and intellectual qualities, conceived the idea of sending teachers from Cambridge to the manufacturing centres. Local examination under the direction of the universities were acceptable everywhere, why not duly accredited teachers? A number of important cities were consulted, committees formed, and in 1873 a number of young men, very enthusiastic and very inexperienced, went forth to teach. Mathew Arnold designed to drop an epigram on their path they were "juvenile Gamaliels," and as to the justice of the epithet there was no question. Liverpool and Leeds, Bristol and, Nottingham, Cardiff and Newcastle, were occupied. The speaker described the first labourers in the three cities of South Wales which had asked for lecturers on Geology and English literature. For the form subject Professor Stuart had fortunately secured a man of the highest capacity, though he had never done himself justice in the senate house. But now he found his field. He gathered some three hundred earnest students at Cardiff alone, and he found his reward not less in the ultimate foundation in that city of the now flourishing university of South Wales, than in his subsequent appointment to the professorship of Geology in the university of Dublin.

Oxford joined in the work and sent her teachers into the field. Similar colleges were founded and have taken root at Liverpool. Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham, and thus the problem was solved.

How far, the speaker continued, could the lesson of this successful experiment be of profit in other countries, and under possibly different circumstances? Business was a terrible competitor against the higher education but a treaty of alliance would be of unspeakable importance to us all. One thing is needful to counteract the inevitable narrowness and shallowness of character not inclined indeed to deep passions and grave vices, but to a poverty of mind a lack of reverence a sort of nil admirari far removed from the poet’s graceful affection, but the result of deficient depth, lack of heart, and soul and strength.

One of the remedies must be found in efficient secondary education. The problem narrows itself in this province where you have the foundation laid in the system of common schools, while England is still the prey of conflicting reactions. What is to be the superstructure–what is to fill up the too brief period of time left, as it were unwillingly, to the educator?

The mere retention of the boy till a later age at the day school, will not meet the special want. The public boarding school, or the university with early admission and suitable curriculum; each will have it supporters and its arguments. But a serious fact in the scale is that the province possesses no Rugby or Uppinham, while it does possess a university. Scotland had tried the experiment for centuries, and with success, why should it not succeed here. You will receive our youth, and we must send them. We must raise up our young generation if they are to prove worthy of their loyalist ancestry, and it is by light and knowledge that they will gain strength. This is no local vanity, we bid God speed to the sister institutions in our dominion, and especially to the neighbor about to celebrate the memories of past activity and success.

May we not hope to recall something of the old enthusiasm for learning, for simple living and high thinking, which attracted to the old universities in days gone by thousands from all ranks of society. May not this college be for our province a true stronghold of scientific labor, royally encouraged by our governors for research and experiment, a refuge from the narrowness of sect and party which still beclouds us. Here we can take sanctuary from the jarring elements, and join, not only in world, but in the efforts which shall make the wish a reality, in your aspiration: Floreat simper Universitas Novi Brunsvici