LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A HISTORY CHAIR FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN COLLEGE.
ITo THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."
Sin,—The Spectator has shown such a consistent interest in South African affairs that you will perhaps allow me to call your attention to the movement to found a Chair of History in the South African College at Cape Town, which, I think, has not yet been mentioned in your columns. The University of the Cape of Good Hope is at present merely an examining body, and the kind of teaching that is generally associated with the name of University is practically in the hands of three institutions,—the (uncle- nominational) South African College, the (Anglican) Diocesan College at Rondebosch, and the Dutch Reformed Church Seminary at Stellenbosch. In none of these Colleges is there any adequate provision for the teaching of history, and the present movement is being undertaken as much in the interests of South Africa generally as of the South African College. It is proposed to found the Chair at this College because it is the oldest, and in some respects the widest, of the three institutions, at- tracting as it does Dutch as well as English students from every part of South Africa ; but the scheme com- mands general support in Cape Colony, where it is felt that the want of historical teaching reflects gravely upon the intellectual progress of the community. The peculiar circumstances of South Africa seem to render history an especially important branch of higher education. The men who in fifteen or twenty years' time will be controlling South Africa are necessarily sent into active life with no adequate knowledge of British or of general European history, and have to trust to desultory reading for their ideas of past events in Africa itself. The Cape Englishman grows up in ignorance of the past record, the religious and political ideals, of his Dutch neighbours ; the Dutchman, it is to be feared, with very biassed views as to the aims and results of Imperial policy. There is in South Africa admirable material for the teacher: those who are competent to judge have formed most favour. able opinions of the ability and industry of Cape under- graduates. Further, the adequate endowment of a Chair of History at the Cape may be expected to have striking results in original research. The importance of the native question
cannot be overstated, and yet—in spite of excellent individual work—there is absolutely nothing in the shape of a history of the Bantu races and their institutions. The governments of the various provinces of South Africa, met, as they are, every day by practical questions of native administration, have at their disposal very little of such information regarding native races as the Government of India may be said to utilise daily. The movement to endow a Chair of History has met with most sympathetic and generous support from the Prince of Wales' and several of the leading political and educational authorities at the Cape are giving warm encouragement to it. By the kindness of the Duke of Westminster a meeting was held on January 20th at Grosvenor House, at which Sir Bartle Frere took the chair, while Professor York Powell, Mr. Fuller, the Cape Agent-General, and Professor Fremantle, of the South African College, spoke on behalf of the proposal. A subscription list has been opened, but much of the necessary funds remains to be collected. The project has no sectarian aims, and is political only in the sense in which any attempt to make men better citizens can claim the title. Professor Fremantle (whose home address is The Deanery. Ripon) will be very glad to communicate with any one who desires in- formation, and hopes that something definite can be settled before he returns to the Cape.—I am, Sir, &c., [The proposal is clearly one which should command the sympathy of all thinking people.—En. Spectator.]
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