Abstract
SINCE the appearance of the article “The Duties of Provincial Professors” in NATURE, I have daily been wishing to write to thank you for it, but hitherto have been hindered partly by want of a convenient opportunity, and partly by the feeling that all the points brought forward are so absolutely accurate, and the article is so complete, that it leaves nothing further to be said. The warning it contains as to the danger of making true culture subservient to competition is most timely. I have an experience of many years as an officer in a provincial university college, and know, to my cost, how rank is the growth of the spirit of competition with rival colleges, and how widespreading are its roots. And this is at the sacrifice of the best intellects and ability of the colleges. It results usually in the resignation of the most original and brilliant characters who may have sufficient private means to secure a bare independence; while the others remain quite at the mercy of their governing body, who may at any moment—even without any assigned motive—give them notice to resign. This and the very inadequate salaries attached result in constant changes in he staff. Further, the fever of competition induces the different university colleges to take up technical and pedagogical training, adding department after department at a rate greatly in advance of their means, so that no side can be worked to its full development owing to an insufficient staff and an over-burdened exchequer.
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VERITAS The Duties of Provincial Professors. Nature 60, 316 (1899). https://doi.org/10.1038/060316c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/060316c0
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