The difference is here very inconsiderable, the greatest being only a year and a half, the least a small fraction of a year.

The subject of this paper admits of being pursued much more into detail, and would doubtless repay any labour that might be bestowed upon it.

It would also be interesting and instructive, to institute a more extensive comparison between the present averages and those obtained by other statists at home and abroad; but it has appeared more in accordance with the objects of the Society, to limit the present communication chiefly to facts not to be found in any other publication.

The following table presents a more detailed summary of results than the one already given. The averages are limited to persons dying aged 51 and upwards, and, where not otherwise stated, must be understood to be taken from the Annual Register.

It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader that of the foregoing averages the only ones which admit of strict comparison as extending over the same period of time are those deduced from facts gleaned from the obituaries of the Annual Register. The average for England is deduced from recent facts, but those for the classes of painters, literary men, and chemists, as well as for the Kings of England, extend over a considerable term of years. Between the most favourable average, namely, that for the clergy, and the least favourable, namely, that for members of royal houses, both of which are deduced from the facts collected from the obituaries of the Annual Register, there is a difference of five and a half years.

case may be, by a future reference to the Dictionary. The average ages at death are as follows:-26 and upwards, 50.34; 31 and upwards, 50.79; 41 and upwards, 52.16; 51 and upwards, 53.25.

I am also indebted to Mr. Brent for the ages at death of a very different class of men from any comprised in the tables, namely, Pugilists, 53 in number. The results, though somewhat out of place here, may be briefly stated. They are as follow:26 and upwards, 47.00; 31 and upwards, 50.78; 41 and upwards, 57.62; 51 and upwards, 65.53.

VOL. IX. PART IV.

2 A

Statistics of the German Universities, from a recent work on German University Education by DR. PERRY, of Göttingen. By JAMES HEYWOOD, Esq., F.R.S.

[Read before the Statistical Section of the British Association at Cambridge, 19th June, 1845.]

DR. PERRY, the compiler of the following statistical details, was educated in the Hanoverian University of Göttingen, where he took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and he now resides in the University town of Bonn on the Rhine, living in the society of the professors, so that he is necessarily well acquainted with the interior of German University life.

Ample materials exist in Germany on the statistics of the Universities, and especially on the six Universities of Prussia. M. Koch, a German gentleman, has published three thick octavo volumes on the laws and condition of the Prussian Universities, and there is an annual work on the German Universities, published by Wuttke, under the name of "Jahrbuch der deutschen Universitäten," which is rich in academical details.

One reason of the general interest felt in the state of these Universities may probably be found in the custom which prevails of inviting highly distinguished men from one University to accept professorial offices in another University, thus translating them, as it were, into places of higher dignity and larger emolument.

Each University in Germany becomes desirous to possess the greatest possible amount of professorial talent, well knowing that students will thus be attracted in greater numbers to its lecture rooms. There are twenty-three Universities in Germany, and four in German Switzerland, which may thus be classified:

Numbers of sessional courses of

PRUSSIA.
Berlin

Lectures.

....

Bonn

2,140 16,000 '12,700 343

....

Halle

Breslau

Greifswalde.

223

110

....

WIRTEMBERG.

There are also three Universities in Austria, at Vienna, Prague, and Grätz, one in Strasburg, one at Rostock in Mecklenburg, and one at Kiel in Holstein.

Altogether it may be computed, that there are at least 1,500 professors in Germany, and the number of the students at the different Universities may be about 15,000.

Dr. Perry thus describes the career of students for the clerical, legal, and medical professions.

The career of a Divinity Student for the Lutheran Church.

At the head of the Protestant Church in Prussia, is the King, who exercises supreme control, through his minister for ecclesiastical affairs; under him, there is in each province of Prussia, a consistory, the members of which are appointed by Government, and which has the control over the ecclesiastical affairs of the whole province. Each province is divided into local government-districts (Regierungs-Bezirke), and over each of these districts a consistorial councillor is appointed, who attends to the external affairs of the church, but has no spiritual authority. He is usually chosen from the clergy, but as councillor ceases to act as a spiritual person. Each Government-district is subsubdivided into circles, (containing about twenty parishes each), over which a superintendent, selected from the parish ministers, is appointed. The duty of the superintendent is to inform the Consistory, from time to time, of the state of the churches within the sphere of his operations. He has, however, no spiritual authority over the other parish ministers.

The theological student who desires to enter the Lutheran Church, must first complete his three years' course at the University, and then announce himself for examination to the superintendent of his district. The superintendent gives notice of this application to the members of the consistory, who propose to the candidate certain theological subjects, on which he is required to prepare separate treatises, viz., two treatises on the exegesis of the Old and New Testaments; a catechetical lecture, in which the candidate has to show his ability in giving popular instruction on doctrinal subjects; a sermon; and lastly, a treatise on ecclesiastical history. Should these meet with the approbation of the consistory, the candidate is then examined in the various branches of theological science. He is also called upon during this latter examination, to write an extempore treatise on some theological subject proposed to him by the examiners. If he passes this examination creditably, he then receives the license to preach," but he cannot administer the sacraments. He is still called a Candidate, and is expected to make himself acquainted with the practical duties of his profession, by assisting the clergyman of a parish, or by giving religious instruction at a public school.

This

As soon as he feels himself qualified to undertake the cure of souls, which is generally about two or three years after his first examination, he signifies his intention to enter on the second examination. latter differs but little in the scientific portion of it from the former, except that it is more severe, and that it embraces a greater number of subjects.

After the second examination the candidate is entitled to offer himself for any vacant pulpit in the Lutheran Church of his country; the ministers of which, as is well known, are generally chosen and paid by the congregations. In some parishes, however, the living is in the gift of a lay patron, or of the State.

Before his induction into a living, the candidate, if a Lutheran, must declare his belief in the Augsburg confession, and in the Apostle's and Nicene creeds. If he belong to the Reformed Church, he subscribes the Formulary of Dordtrecht.

Career of a Student for the Roman Catholic Priesthood.

The young Catholic who wishes to become a priest, must also pass three years at the University. He must then enter an episcopal seminary*, in which he passes several years under the immediate superintendence of the directors, and learns the practical part of his profession. When he has remained long enough in this institution, which is not unlike a monastery in its interior arrangements, he is appointed to be a Chaplain by the dean and chapter of the diocese, then a "Vicarius", and lastly a Parish Priest.

Career of a Law Student+.

The law student is not subjected to any examination at the University; nor is it necessary for him to take a degree. The State makes three principal requirements of the young lawyer; first, that he

* Also called an "Alumnat." The modern Church reformer, John Ronge, who has been the cause of a serious defection from the Roman Catholic church of Germany, gives a description of the "Alumnat" in which he had passed the usual period of preparation for the priesthood. According to him, the time of the students of this institution was divided in the following manner:

Breviary-prayers.

Mass.
Breakfast.

Lectures.
Free.

Private study.
Breviary-prayers.

"Before and after dinner, there were prayers in the chapel occupying about of an hour. Then followed or an hour of Breviary-prayers.

"After supper, an hour of prayers in the chapel, and an hour for Breviary-prayers. The prayers were in Latin, and always the same. On Sundays and holydays the time devoted to these prayers was still greater. Twice in the week the student (Alumnus) might go out a few hours. During meals there is no talking."-Vide Rechtfertigung, (vindication of his separation from the Church of Rome). By JOHANNES

RONGE, page 94.

+ The following account applies chiefly to the Prussian States.

should be able to maintain himself until such a time as he may reasonably expect to be appointed to an office with a sufficient salary; secondly, that he should have studied three years at a University; and thirdly, that he should have attended the necessary courses of lectures as a student. If he can answer these requirements he then applies to the superior court (Obergericht) of the province in which he wishes for employment, to be appointed an "Auscultator," or lawyer's assistant. His application must be written in Latin, and accompanied by his college testimonials and a curriculum vitæ. A time is then fixed for the state examination, which is held before Commissioners appointed by Government. The principal subjects of this first examination are the Institutions, the Pandects, the History of Roman Law, Canonical Law, German Law, Criminal Law, the Law of Actions, Feudal Law, and the Philosophy of Law. If he "passes," he is sworn in as an assistant, and generally attaches himself to some inferior court; where under the direction of some experienced lawyer, he makes himself acquainted with the practical part of his profession.

Having passed one or two years as an Auscultator, the young lawyer petitions the same tribunal as before, to be admitted to the higher examination, which is given both in writing and viva voce. To fail in either is fatal to the candidate's pretensions. This second examination which is conducted by two councillors selected from the members of the superior court-relates chiefly to the laws of the candidate's own country or province; but also embraces the subjects enumerated above. As a preliminary step to this examination, the Auscultator is required to send in a report of some case, as a proof of his ability and industry. The two examiners send word to the Minister of Justice of the manner in which the candidate has acquitted himself; and if their opinion be favourable, the minister appoints him a "Referendarius." The Referendarius is eligible without further examination to fill the office of judge in the inferior court of a smaller town. But if he desires to become an officer of the inferior court of a large town, he has to pass a third examination." And if he aspires to a seat as councillor in the superior courts, he must go to Berlin, where his learning and abilities are severely tested by the examination-commission. Previous to the final examination the candidate sends in

66

written "opinions" on some difficult case. Having passed this final ordeal (Schluss-examen) he becomes an Assessor, with a salary; and afterwards councillor, and member of a superior court.

Career of a Medical Student.

The Medical Student is very thoroughly and severely examined by the Medical Faculty when he takes his degree, which he is obliged to do before he leaves the University. He has subsequently to undergo the state examination before a Commission in the capital; and may then begin to practise.

Career of a Schoolmaster.

The young philologian is examined by the Philosophical Faculty before he leaves the University. He then spends a year in the exercise of his profession at some public school, where he gives instruction gratis. After which, he is eligible to a Mastership at a public school, for