Gresham College

Abstract

I TRUST you will allow me space for a short note upon Prof. Lankester's article in last week's issue of NATURE (p. 1), under the above heading. I have no intention of entering into a controversy with Prof. Lankester upon matters of opinion, but I am desirous of correcting statements, made by him in that article, which are inaccurate. In point of fact, the article is based entirely upon a misapprehension as to the purpose and function of the London Society for the Extension of University Teaching, and its position with regard to Gresham College. Prof. Lankester speaks of it as a Lecture Society, and refers to the “innumerable short courses” of lectures given in different halls, Vestry Halls, and others in London. He is evidently here confusing two distinct things. The short courses in large halls are given under the People's Lectures Scheme, which is an entirely different matter, and in connection with which we never use the word “University.” The courses of lectures and classes carried on by the London Society and the Universities Joint Board involve a systematic course of work extending over a full term of ten or twelve weeks. It is a part of the same great movement which is carried on by the University of Cambridge (not by a Lecture Society), and more recently also by the University of Oxford, in different parts of the country.