RHODES SCHOLARS UPHELD BY CORRY

The following article, the last of a series of six, was written for the Crimson by Andrew Vincent Corry '26, a Rhodes Scholar, now in his second year at Merton College, Oxford.

Criticism has been directed at the Rhodes Scholarships and Rhodes Scholars from friends and enemies for some time. It is inevitable that such criticism should arise. For an idealistic plan, such as Rhodes conceived, must appeal to the imagination of most people. But it will be difficult to find many who would agree on what the qualifications of the ideal Rhodes Scholar should be, and what the Rhodes Scholarships, should accomplish. Consequently, there is criticism.

Critics usually fall foul of the Rhodes Scholars for their failure to approximate the vision of Rhodes Scholars which exists in the minds of their critics. Much obviously unfair criticism has been directed against the Rhodes Scholars for their failure thus for to lead the world, or at least the English-speaking world. To destructive critics who take this position, one would like to suggest that it is just as fair to condemn education in general because educated men recently made such a mess of guiding the world in the ways of peace and civilization. The Rhodes Scholars have the will to serve society as well as they can, but society must be willing to be served by them. To our friends the constructive critics, one would like to say that they must exercise patience. Three years at Oxford cannot turn even an able and gifted man into a world-conqueror. It can make even a dull and prejudiced man realize that national animosities spring from misunderstanding and unwillingness to entertain a more humane view of international relations. An Oxford education turns out thoughtful men able to help, not doctrinaires with a bagful of remedies for the world.

Differences in customs, and even in language, are sufficient to mark the American Rhodes Scholar off as a foreigner at first. Yet he, and his colleagues from the Dominions, soon adapt themselves to the ways of Oxford, and, on the whole, fit well into the life of the University. Naturally the differences in native ability, temperament, and training make for differences in accomplishment. Some Rhodes Scholars have had a very successful. Oxford career, although their accomplishments would not look like much on paper. They have done well in their Schools, they have taken an active though unobtrusive part in the life of their College. Such a man may well contribute as much to his English friends in human values as the most brilliant First or the flashiest Blue.

Yet the Rhodes Scholars have accomplished much that can be reckoned on paper. Last year, for example, nine Rhodes Scholars received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy; seven were awarded a B. Litt; five a B.Sc.; 4 a B. C. L., all of a high class. There were five Firsts among the B. A.'s, and twenty-seven Seconds. A number of University distinctions were won by the Rhodes Scholars of last year. Thirty-two represented Oxford in various sports against Cambridge. In other University and College activities, the Rhodes Scholars have taken and are taking a prominent part. For example, the O. U. D. S. have broken a precedent by making an American Rhodes Scholar, an undergraduate resident in college, producer of the Winter Play, "Othello". The names of Rhodes Scholars may be seen in the roster of many clubs and societies in which they are active and prominent. The success of the group as a whole augurs well for the future. Time out to be allowed by their critics. The historians of the next century may be in a position to judge of the accomplishments and successes of our days