Page:A Catalogue of Graduates who have Proceeded to Degrees in the University of Dublin, vol. 2.djvu/30

 xxiv INTRODUCTION. plete course of iustructiou in Arts aud Faculties is to bo provided. Arts, according to tho scholastic meaning, nia}'- be taken to include every description of knowledge that contributes to train the mind and faculties of man. Hence it has been said, ** Uni- versitas fundata est in artibus." In this department regard is had to the training and development of the capacities of the student ; he is dealt with as an end unto himself. In the pro- fessional departments his education is regarded as a mean to- wards an end that is ulterior to himself. The undergraduate course is, naturally and properly, a tutorial preparatory system, with an exact discipline for training the studiosi. It has special and appropriate studies, and progress is tested by periodic ex- aminations. The student, trained and disciplined under the tutorial system of the College as the fit preparation for the special studies of a profession, may afterwards store his mind in the schools of the Professors of the University. In the course of his collegiate and tutorial training, a selection of studies has been made, with a view to the proper purpose of this preparatory discipline ; and when he emerges into the pro- fessorial system of the University, provision is made for his progress. In both, the fulfilment of the prescribed conditions of graduation reqmres to be tested by examination or by other means that are suitable and practicable. "A Tutorial system" (says Sir W. Hamilton), "in subordi- nation to a Professorial, we regard as affording the condition of an absolutely perfect University."* He had spoken of Degrees as " solemn testimonials that the Graduate had accomplished a regular course of study in the public schools of the University, and approved his competence by exercise and examination " ; but that this had declined. He complains of the retention of privilege, where the distinction is nominal. That the foundation in Arts has been well and truly laid,
 * Discuss., pp. 417 and 405.