THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY. 15% 
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printed. (3) An oral examination in one major and in two minor subjects. 
There is not, however, uniformity in Germany. At Heidelberg no disser- 
sation is required. At other places the dissertation need not be printed, 
out the manuscript becomes the property of the university. In Berlin 
she candidate must be prepared to discuss his dissertation publicly, and to 
Jefend the theses appended. There are also other differences of less value. 
[f Professor Mommsen’s charges, published in the Preussisches Jahrbuch 
(April, 1876, page 335), are true now, the degree can be procured from 
aniversities, which he names, merely on payment of the usual fees. Per- 
haps the following anecdote in circulation among German students con- 
irms this: The birthday of Herr Johann Schmidt was approaching. 
His wife was determined to make the occasion memorable, and to this 
ond carefully saved up her pin-money. On the morning of the day, she, 
{ollowed by the household, took her husband by the hand and led him 
ato the corridor. Exultingly, yet with certain solemnity, she handed 
aim a ponderous document, and pointed to a new door-plate on which 
was engraved : ‘“ Herr Johann Schmidt, Doctor der Philosophie.” We 
should suggest that the conditions already mentioned be modified as 
‘ollows, and be required by all institutions conferring the degree : (1) 
The candidate must have received a Bachelor's degree. (2) A residence 
of two years. (3) The presentation and acceptance of a dissertation in- 
volving original work. This dissertation, if accepted, must be in every 
case printed, bearing the names of the professors by whom it had been 
accepted. (4) An oral examination in one major and two minor subjects, 
to be conducted by at least three professors. 
Two years’ residence should be considered as the equivalent of the Ger- 
man triennum, for our college graduates are at least a year in advance 
of those leaving the German gymnasium ; and, moreover, American stu- 
Jents take the degree in Germany in three years without great difficulty, 
although they may have gone thither without any previous knowledge of 
‘he language. In reality they may not have been able to devote more 
shan two years to their special studies. 
In the third condition, it should be insisted upon that the dissertation 
se printed with the names of those who accepted it. This last, we think, 
ought never to be omitted. A professor can shield himself behind the 
college or university and deny responsibility. This cannot be done if the 
dissertation bear his name. It will make a great difference to many a 
professor, as to the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript, if it is to be 
deposited in the archives, or given to the world with his indorsement, 
[nasmuch as the degree Ph.D. has been for a long time given for attain- 
ments in philosophy, language, or science, it is not a good plan to increase 
the number of degrees by such additions as Doctor of Science and Doctor 
of Letters. 
Several questions suggest themselves in connection with the fourth con-