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in doubt not, [li?] reformed, if
they knew how to do it, without
interfering with the fundamental
principle of {elective studies]}. {[illeg.]}
the system - which is that each student shall elect
the studies to which he will devote himself

A comparison with other colleges is
fallacious because they employ {} a
regular + uniform curriculum of study, +
it is easy + proper to adopt a gene-
ral standard of knowledge for
admission. But how can this be done at this University?
In most other schools, as in those of Moral Philoso-
{each Student selects the school, he}
phy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, {the school}, Med-
{could attend in most of which no?]}
icines + Law, no
Special preliminary institution
can be exected
{is practicable.]} In the schools
where such previous instruction
is practicable, as in those of An-
cient languages, + Mathemat-
ics, especially, the necessary
knowledge is executed. When
a student wishes to learn Natural
Philosophy, why should he be expected
to posessess any
acquaintance with Latin or if

he prepares to devote his attention
to Chemistry, why must he un-
dergo an examination upon
Mathematics? The system of
elective studies which upon the whole has proved
so immensely beneficial, has there-
fore incident to it, + no fear in-
separable incident the draw-
back of tempting ill advised
young men to occasionally to
embark in studies for which
they are unfitted by [previous?[
discipline; and yet we greatly
doubt whether any instutiton
of learning, if any grade, in-
hibits a larger proposition of
diligent + empowering students,
and [illeg.], we apprehend, so
many young men thoroughly in
stunted in the particular handles
of knowledge to which they have applied them-
selves.