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of improvement. Many subjects taught in the higher school might be omitted if they were taught well in the middle school. In fact, if sufficient improvement were introduced into the method of teaching, and a sufficient teaching staff employed, and, most important of all, really good teachers procured, we could abolish the system of section division in the higher school, and every student would be able to follow the same curriculum in it. The present system requires every young man to decide upon what course in a college of a University he will pursue when he enters a higher school—that is to say, he has to choose a profession to follow for life, when he is not mature enough to be able to make, perhaps, the wisest choice. Besides this, if sufficient improvements are introduced, perhaps it may be possible to shorten the time spent in the higher schools. The change, desirable as it is, however, could not be accomplished unless great improvements are introduced into the middle schools, a task that requires much time and expense.

The Imperial University is founded in accordance with the Imperial ordinance, No. 3 (March 1, 1886).^[1]

The following description applies to the Tokyo University.

The academic year of the University is divided into three terms. The first term extends from the 11th of September to the 24th of December; the second from the 8th of January to the 31st of March; while the third term begins on the 8th of April and ends on the 10th of July. The lectures are suspended on Sundays, the national holidays, and the foundation-day.

In the College of Law the student has to take one of the two courses, namely, Law and Politics. This college is attended by more students than any other college, the number being over a thousand. One must study at least four years to be graduated from this college.

Besides lectures on the above subjects, exercises shall be conducted, with the view of training students by conversations, or essays, or by any other means the professor in charge of the exercises may choose. Subjects for such practical exercises may be decided upon at the faculty meeting.

In the College of Law the class system has been entirely abolished, a feature peculiarly its own, distinguishing it from all the other colleges. The student may continue to be a member of the college for any number of years, and he undergoes an examination at his own request. A student who has been a member of the college for a year has the privilege of being present at the first examination; if successful, he may be allowed to be present at the second examination. And he may present himself at the third and fourth examinations after having successfully passed the second and third examinations.