Cambridge University

one of the great English institutions of learning. It is situated at Cambridge in the shire of that name on the River Cam, about fifty miles north of London. It rivals Oxford. The town has a population of about 40,000, but it is given over chiefly to the university. There are seventeen affiliated colleges. The first, that of St. Peter's, was founded in 1284; the last, Downing, in 1800. The officers, fellows, and students of the entire university number about 4,000. The affairs of the university are administered by a chancellor and a senate. Each college has its private rules and regulations, but, in general, the college organization includes eight orders.

1. The head or master, provost or president, as he is variously called.

2. Fellows,--from twelve to sixty graduates who receive an allowance from the college funds of from $750 to $1,250 a year. They are privileged to reside or to travel. The award is usually for the period of six years.

3. Noblemen graduates,--professors, and masters of various departments who do not receive fellowships.

4. Bachelors of the various departments.

5. Fellow commoners,--students of means who pay large fees. They are entitled to wear silk robes and to dine at the fellows' table. The sons of noblemen and of wealthy men are ranked here.

6. Scholars,--students who receive a small award from the funds of the college for proficiency in scholarship.

7. Pensioners,--the main body of students.

8. Sizars,--needy students receiving assistance from various funds established for the purpose.

A master of arts of Cambridge is called a cantab, an abbreviation for the Latin name of the university.

The students of each college reside within its buildings or in lodgings approved by authority. Each college is governed by its head and fellows. A member of the faculty is not necessarily a member of the governing body. The university library contains half a million volumes. The various colleges have fine laboratories and adequate equipment for the work undertaken. To the American, however, the various rules, and especially the favors accorded wealth, seem very undemocratic and irksome. The atmosphere at Cambridge is decidedly classical. Under certain restrictions women may attend lectures, and, if successful in their examinations, may receive certificates of scholarship, but are not granted degrees. The university sends two members to Parliament. Cambridge, Massachusetts, the home of Harvard University, was named for the old town of Cambridge.