Page:The study of history in Holland and Belgium (IA studyofhistoryin00frrich).pdf/28

 years. In the first year it treats of subjects of general history. M. Rogge explains the methodology of history, neglecting the matter, and indicates for each period, summarily discussing them, sources and principal works. Twice a week he gives a lecture of two hours, with an intermission of fifteen minutes, during which the students rapidly look through the books of which the professor is going to speak and which he has had laid out for them upon a large table. As the course is given in the library, this is easy to arrange. The students thus make immediate acquaintance with the works whose value they are to learn—an excellent way of vivifying the bibliographical information which it is so difficult to fix in the minds of students. They turn over the leaves curiously, look through the table of contents and do not forget so easily the books they have had in their hands.

The second year M. Rogge goes more deeply into certain periods of universal history, for example: The Peloponnesian war, the Ottos, the emperors of the Holy Empire, William III of orange in Holland and England, Frederick II of Prussia. At each lecture, after a brief statement of certain great facts, he gives details of the principal sources, names the great works, compares the methods followed by modern historians who have treated the same subjects, cites characteristic pages of their works, refers to important discussions which have appeared in special reviews, etc. During a pause of quarter of an hour the books and articles mentioned are again put within reach of the students. This system inspires them with a taste for historical reading, and they are all constant habitués of the library.

M. Rogge explained his original plan of procedure with quite youthful enthusiasm. I am convinced that he must exercise a strong influence upon his students, and that his course renders them valuable service.

Of the four Dutch universities, that at Amsterdam alone, has any complete geographical instruction, with a special titular professor. This professor is M. C. M. Kan, who gives to