University of Louvain

Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99...

In order to restore the splendour of Louvain, capital of his Duchy of Brabant, John IV of the House ofBurgundy petitioned thepapal authority for the establishment of aneducational institution called at the timestudium generale. TheBull ofMartin V,dated 9 December, 1425, was the result. ThisBull, in founding theuniversity, prescribed also that the prince should give it advantages and privileges. In its early days, however, theuniversity was incomplete. It was only in 1431 thatEugene IV created the faculty oftheology. Louvain had the character of astudium generale, i.e., it had theright to receive students from all parts of the world, and the degree of doctor which it conferred gave theright to teach anywhere. Popes and princes vied with one another in granting theuniversity important privileges and establishing endowments to provide for its needs and development. The organization of theuniversity and its history have been recorded by manyannalists. Themanuscripts preserved in the archives amply complete the literary sources, although the entire history of theuniversity has not yet been written. From any point of view that may be taken, the history and description of theuniversity admit of an important division, the regime from 1425 to 1797 being quite different from that adopted at the time of the restoration in 1834.

First period (1425-1797)

The ancientuniversity constituted a juridical body enjoying a large measure of autonomy. The arrangement of the programme of studies and the conferring of degrees were among its prerogatives; it hadjurisdiction and disciplinary powers over its members. Its constitution was elective; the authority of therector was conferred for three months, then for six, by delegates of the faculties, each one holding in turn the rectoral office. The faculties organized after the foundation of thetheological faculty comprised those of law (civil and canon), medicine, and arts. The scope of the latter was very broad, including the physical and mathematicalsciences,philosophy, literature, and history. It covered everything contained in the trivium and quadrivium of theMiddle Ages; it was an encyclopedic faculty. Theuniversity profited by the increasing power of the sovereigns of Brabant, dukes ofBurgundy, afterwards princes of Habsburg,Austria, andSpain. The imperial splendour ofCharles V contributed greatly to its prosperity, owing to the important position of theNetherlands among the nations ofEurope. Doubtless, too, it felt the effects of the civil and foreignwars, which devastated these provinces; its material and scientific interests suffered considerably, but for all that, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it was one of the strongestintellectual centres of the West. The princes had contributed to the influence exerted by Louvain by giving it auniversity monopoly; for, fearing the influence of the doctrines taught in other countries, the Farnese Government forbade youngBelgians to study in foreignuniversities, as many of them had been doing until that time. It istrue that this rule permitted exceptions for worthy motives. On the other hand, to provide for the southern provinces, Philip II had brought about the establishment of an affiliateduniversity atDouai, which was soon to rival the parent institution and share its privileges. The faculties of Louvain did not confine themselves to oral teaching in optional courses. Various institutions sprang up about theuniversity. More than forty colleges received students of various groups provided with special means. Special chairs were created, for instance, in the sixteenth century, the celebrated "College of the Three Languages" founded by Busleiden. In these colleges (Lys, Porc, Chateau, Faucon) courses were given and a very keen competition for academic honours sprang up among them. The students were also grouped according to nationalities, e.g., the German nation, the Brabantine nation, etc.

In the ancientuniversity, the faculty oflaw occupied a dominant position. Its course of studies, however, offers no features characteristic of that period. Founded at the time whenRoman law was beginning to assert its supremacy inEurope, the faculty of Louvain remained a stanch exponent of its principles. Here as inFrance, it is possible to distinguish various periods, but the reaction brought about in that country by theschool of Cujas was not equally strong inBelgium with Mude and his disciples in the sixteenth century.Roman law reigned almost supreme in the lecture-halls; even during the formation of national law, while the up-building of thislaw was everywhere in process, it found no place in the teaching of theuniversity. It was only in exceptional cases that certain subjects succeeded in obtaining recognition. The jurists of Louvain, however, exercised a tremendous influence. Indeed they soon filled the tribunals and the councils. Administration and judiciary drew theirjurisprudence from the sources in theuniversity; magistrates and officials studied under the teachers at Louvain, and sometimes the teachers themselves were called to these high positions. And thus thelaw developed under their inspiration. When the period of compilations (such as those of customary and princelylaws) began in the seventeenth century, the jurists of Louvain lavished on the work the result of their learning and experience. The perpetual edict on the reform ofjustice issued in 1611, marks a memorable epoch in this respect. The situation became still more tense when in 1617 a rule was adopted requiring for eligibility to membership in the councils ofjustice, and even for admission to the bar, the completion of a course of studies in auniversity in theNetherlands. In this scheme, the teaching ofRoman law had a large place; it was regarded as the scientific element, but it served in practice to mould and co-ordinate, not to destroy the living law of national custom. While one preserved the theoretical primacy, the other was in actual control, and it is from their union realized in studies and edicts that the written national law came forth. Influential in all that pertained to law as such, the jurists of Louvain had also a strong political influence. Under the old regimejustice and administration were not divided. Then, the highest governmental offices were almost always entrusted to experienced jurists who held diplomas from Louvain. The jurists of Louvain, brought up in the spirit of Byzantine law, were somewhat imbued with royalist theories; however, although serving the prince, they showed a decided preference for the limited monarchy. They certainly consolidated and enlarged the princely power, but they did not favour an absolute monarchy. The national opposition to the royal power, which had become too foreign in character, undoubtedly met among the legists adversaries so far as these helped powerfully to create the mechanism of the princely state; but if a number were hostile to the old privileges of the provinces, the theory of absolute royalty found no representative among them even in the seventeenth century. It is only in the eighteenth century that royalist conceptions took on greater importance at Louvain, without, however, becoming predominant. The history of these conceptions has been sketched in a volume of the faculty oflaw indicated below. If the faculty oflaw exercised a far-reaching influence in the inner life of theuniversity, thefaculty of arts shed a more brilliant light. There we find the illustrious group of Humanists who for a century and a half give Louvain an international fame; it becomes one of the scientific centres of the literaryRenaissance which so largely developed theknowledge of letters and history and gave a new impetus to many branches of learning, but which was also marked by the ferment of many dangerous germs and hazardousideas. Louvain is in the very heart of this literary movement, and, apart from the subtle trifling withideas which endangeredorthodoxy, reference must be made, and often with well-deserved praise, to the brilliant phalanx of linguists, philologists, and historians gathered at theuniversity. There we find a succession of names which adorn the literary annals of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the history of which has been written in part by Félix Nève ("La Renaissance des lettres en Belgique", Louvain, 1890), a work which is being gradually brought to completion, especially by the writings of Professor Roersen, ofGhent. The ancient languages ruled over this domain, the Oriental and Graeco-Latin studies occupying a prominent place. It is particularly through this faculty that Louvain shed its lustre beyond theNetherlands. If its jurists were well known, its philologists were even more famous. Besides, literaryHumanism formed a vast international association for fine cultural study, and intercourse between teachers was supplemented by the journeys of their disciples. Louvain had a distinguished reputation in this world of letters; it was the Athens ofBelgium. The EnglishCatholic Humanists, such asThomas More, found there ahappy refuge during thepersecution. At the end of the sixteenth century, the name of Justus Lipsius, poor as aphilosopher and statesman, but great as a philologist, sums up this prestige of classical lore, of which he stands out as the culminating point, forming with Casaubon andScaliger the "triumvirate" ofEuropeanHumanism. Distinguished names abound, but that of Clenard, the Arabist, is entitled to special mention. Thomissen and Roersch have written the life of this indomitable scholar. Moreover, the study of letters permeated the othersciences and the professors of law were Humanists as well.

But, as weknow, thefaculty of arts does not consist wholly of linguistic and philological studies; it includes the natural and mathematicalsciences in close connection with philosophy. Without attempting to treat its history and controversies, it may suffice to note that in the sixteenth century, geometry,astronomy, and geography found at Louvain celebrated professors who paved the way for the practical achievements of Antwerpian cartography. Adrian Romanus and Gemma Frisius are its accredited representatives. TheCartesian disputes of the seventeenth century gave rise to heated controversies, the stirring history of which has been related by Georges Minchamp (Le Cartésianisme en Belgique, 1886). The same istrue of the system ofCopernicus and the trials ofGalileo (Monchamp, "Galilée et la Belgique", Brussels, 1892). The eighteenth century brings the name of Minckelers, who invented illuminating gas. Within the last few years several monuments have been erected to him at Maastricht and at Louvain, and Professor Dewalque, of Louvain, has written his biography. The history of eachscience will not be related here, as it should properly be left to specialists. This in particular istrue as regards the faculty of medicine. It may be stated, however, that although few in number this faculty grouped in its midst and about it powerful elements of progress. Vesalius andVan Helmont worked at Louvain; Réga was an authority in surgery in the eighteenth century, and there are many illustrious names close to these shining lights, a list of which has recently been made by Dr. Masoin, of Louvain.

Belonging to a very different order in virtue of its high mission stands the faculty oftheology. The task of treating its doctrines lies beyond the scope of this article. As a whole its history is one of fruitful activity to which its numerous productions bear witness. It was disturbed by the currents of thought which agitated religiousdoctrine throughout the world, but it vigorously resistedProtestantism. Theerrors which sprang from its bosom through the teaching ofBaius andJansenius caused serious anxiety during the entire seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century the influence ofFebronianism and Josephinism was strongly felt, without, however, ever becoming predominant in the faculty. Thetheological teaching, from the end of the seventeenth century onwards, was based upon that of the scholastics, the writings ofSt. Thomas Aquinas having replaced those ofPeter Lombard. Special scholastic chairs were added through the initiative of the princes. Among its illustrious teachers we shall name but one: Adrian Floris, tutor ofCharles V, laterCardinal ofUtrecht, and finallypope under the name ofAdrian VI (1522). To him is due the foundation of auniversity college which still bears its name.

Thestatutes of theuniversity had been modified several times, but thelaura doctoralis was throughout the crowning feature of the studies. The doctorate ceremonies were not alike in all the faculties nor were they the only ones observed in theuniversity; but the conferring of degrees was always a considerable event accompanied with festivities academical, gastronomical, and public. Not only did solemn processions pass through the town, but these were repeated in each community according to a traditional ritual both complicated and onerous. These functions were commemorated in verse, tableaux, stories and are perpetuated in the nation's memory. Except for well-justified retrenchments, the custom has been maintained in certain doctorates, the conferring of which still preserves the festive form and the public procession. Certain competitions in thefaculty of arts roused great interest. At the conclusion of each competition the candidates were graded; the "Primus" in the first "line" became from that fact an important personage, anhonour to hisfamily and city.

It goes without saying that the student body of Louvain was not given exclusively to study. The police of theuniversity and the rectoral tribunal who hadjurisdiction over the entire academic body occasionally had very difficult cases to handle. During the civilwars the habits of the young men had not become any more peaceful. If it happened that in the sixteenth century they rendered Louvain the great service of saving it from being taken and pillaged by armed bands, on the other hand their rapier often endangered public peace. Unfortunately we have but few facts concerning the student life of the period, although one of our historians, Poullet, has written an interesting sketch (see "Revue catholique", Louvain, 1867). Certain articles of thestatutes constituted the disciplinary code relating to the violation ofuniversity regulations, and during the stormy times of civil struggles and generalwarfare, the academic tribunal had all it could do to keep the restless student throng in order. Studies at theuniversity went through various phases. For a long time they were under the exclusivejurisdiction of theuniversity body itself. But in the midst of civil disturbances, certain weaknesses and defects of organization became apparent, and these the authorities endeavoured to remedy. At the beginning of the seventeenth century an important fact is to be noted: the investigation and reform of 1617. In union withPaul V, and after a careful examination the sovereign archdukes published newuniversitystatutes. Thenceforth the programme of studies and the conferring of degrees was minutely provided for. Moreover, the diploma of studies and examinations was generally required for the professions oflaw and of medicine. The new regulation contributed to the uplifting of the standard of instruction. There were still defects and omissions, however, and thewars during the reign ofLouis XIV were not conducive to academic work. But there was considerable activity in the way of publication, notwithstanding the complaints of the Government on the score of discipline.

The seventeenth century cannot be looked upon as a period of decay for theuniversity, as there are noted names and numerous scholarly productions. True, ancient literature no longer had the brilliancy given it by Justus Lipsius up to 1606, but here were very distinguished jurists, noted Humanists (like Putiamus). The attraction exerted by Louvain was still very great. In fact it was only towards the middle of the seventeenth century that thenatio germanica, which comprised a succession of distinguished names form various parts of the empire, was officially established. Louvain was celebrated and many studied there in preference to theProtestantuniversities ofGermany andHolland (Wils, "L'illustre natio germanique", Louvain, 1909). Publications,Belgian bibliographies of various kinds flourished; the "Bibliotheca Belgica" in important and numerous volumes didhonour to the publishing houses, especially to the celebrated printing house of Plantin and Moretus atAntwerp. Through its teachers and its influence, Louvain had a very large sphere in their activity. Even more than the seventeenth century the eighteenth, hitherto scarcely known, has been represented as one of decadence for theuniversity. One may be surprised at this, since from 1756 at least, owing to the reconciliation of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons, the country enjoyed perfect peace under the apparently easy-going administration of Prince Charles of Louvain. But in reality, if there were some shortcomings, the imputation of decay got its principal emphasis from theAustrian Government itself. The princely authorities followed a policy which met with strong opposition, especially inecclesiastical matters. Theministers fromVienna expected to find political tools in theuniversity faculties and did not succeed. On the other hand, there was reason to regard the programme of studies as out of date in some respects. There was a certain amount of routine. The faculty oflaw especially confined itself to the teaching ofRoman law, and this was clearly no longer sufficient for the training of young jurists. And such was the case in other branches. It is certainly a matter of regret that the two questions, the academic and the political, were linked together.

In seeking to impregnate theuniversity with centralizing and royalistideas the Austrianministers and particularly the Marquis of Nony, the commissioner attached to theuniversity, practically defeated the attempt to reform the programme of studies. It was rightly considered thatwar was declared against theuniversity privileges, the national traditions, and the religiousrights of theChurch. It was on this account and also because of the opinions of the professors appointed that the creation of a course in public law, so useful in itself, twice failed. Verhaegen, in his "Histoire des cinquante dernières annees de Pancienne universite" (1884) has shown how, even in the eighteenth century, theuniversity had still a creditable scientific existence, and, on the other hand, howbravely it resisted the encroachments made upon it by the Government. The conflict between the Government and theuniversity reached an acute crisis under the reign ofEmperor Joseph II, who wished to force the professors to adopt his royalist theories. Some of them yielded, but many resisted, particularly when the emperor, on his own authority and in disregard of the right of theChurch, attempted to impose a generalseminary on theuniversity. This struggle resulted in the suspension and exile of a number of professors, whilst those who supported the Government began teaching inBrussels, as they could not remain at Louvain. The crisis was consequently a violent one and entirely to the credit of theuniversity. It ceased only with the end of the Josephinist regime. The National Conservative Government reopened theuniversity in 1790 and recalled the exiles. Unfortunately this tempest was but the forerunner of another which was to last longer. In 1792 theNetherlands were occupied by the French Republican troops and officially annexed by the Convention in 1795. The existence of theuniversity, its privileges and its teachings were incompatible with the regime of the new teachers. In 1797 theuniversity was suppressed; its scientificproperty fell into the hands of the spoilers; the whole institution was ruined for a long time by this fury of destruction.

Second period (1834-1909)

After an interval marked by the establishment of a stateuniversity under theDutch Government of 1815, the episcopate ofBelgium decided to create a freeCatholic institution of highereducation. The Constitution of independentBelgium had proclaimed freedom ofeducation, and advantage was taken of this with daring initiative.Gregory XVI sanctioned the project. First opened atMechlin, theuniversity, at the request of the city of Louvain, was transferred the following year to the buildings of the oldAlma Mater and thus took up again the historical succession. Thepope of 1834 revived the work of his predecessor of 1425. The restoreduniversity is a freeuniversity. Its administration, its teaching, and its budget are independent of the state. The episcopate controls the institution and appoints its head, theRector Magnificus. The latter governs with the assistance of a rectoral council composed of the deans of the five faculties (theology,law, medicine,philosophy, letters) and of a few other members. The professors are appointed by thebishops on presentation of therector; grouped into faculties they elect their dean for one year or for two. The vice-rector, whose special charge is to watch over the students, also assists therector and takes his place whennecessary; within recent years the latter has also been given an assistant. In principle theuniversity organizes its teaching and regulates its scientific degrees as it sees fit. Practical necessities have set limits not to itsrights, but to the use of thoserights. While respecting the freedom of teaching, the State has prescribed examination requirements for the practice of certain professions; the programme of these examinations is fixed bylaw. The stateuniversities must necessarily conform to it; the freeuniversities comply with it in order to secure the legal professional advantages for their diplomas. The Government, moreover, faithful in its interpretation of liberty, deals with the freeuniversities just as it deals with its own. The diplomas awarded have the same value on the same conditions; viz., efficiency in the prescribed minimum of academic work, this efficiency being guaranteed through the supervision of a commission specially appointed for the purpose. In no case does this supervision operate as a control or restriction on the methods or tendencies of the teaching itself, for that would suppress liberty. Under these minimum requirements theuniversities themselves confer the legal degrees. Until 1876 it was the work of a jury, either central or mixed. Since then the freedom of teaching has been made complete and has been extended to the conferring of degrees. Theuniversity, therefore, has free action guaranteed by the Constitution and its exercise is sanctioned by thelaws.

Besides the official programme of legal studies, theuniversity develops as it best pleases the various branches of special teaching. This development has been considerable. The University of Louvain has had a large share in the scientific movement of the country. "Le Movement scientifique en Belgique", a recent and important publication from the department ofsciences and arts, enables one to judge of the prominent place it occupies in all the branches. The University of Louvain is the only one inBelgium that has atheological faculty, and this faculty isCatholic in virtue of the fundamental principle of the institution itself. The doctorate, which requires six years of extra study after the completion of theseminary course is an academic event. It is not conferred every year, but the series of dissertations is already important. The American College, treated in another article of this "Encyclopedia", is connected with this faculty. The non-ecclesiastic faculties have also grown considerably and numerous foundations of institutes and special chairs have been added. As anecessary result of contemporary discoveries, the technicalsciences have taken on a large expansion, and the ancient faculties oflaw and philosophy have shared in the development.

Before giving an outline of the work of theuniversity it is well to say a word regarding its character. For a long time, as was everywhere else the case, the auditive, receptive method prevailed. This is no longer so. The constant effort is to stimulatelove of work and personal initiative, especially among the students who show ability. These earnest workers are increasing in number, for they find within their reach both instruments and methods. The preference for research has thus become quite marked, particularly during the past twenty-five years. University work is not at all, then, a mere preparation for a profession. On the part of the professors it is serious scientific investigation; and so it is with the students who are being carefully directed along the same lines. As a consequence, the courses of study, the institutes, the special courses, theseminaries (in the German sense of the word, practical courses), the publications, competitions, collections are steadily increasing. The list ofuniversity institutes and the bibliography are very important. On various occasions, and especially in 1900 and 1908, there has been published a very complete and instructive account which makes up a large volume. Activity ont he part of the professors and personal collaboration of student and teachers are therefore characteristic features of the present condition ofuniversity life.

As we have already pointed out, one must distinguish two groups of studies and diplomas. Some are primarily professional; they pave the way to a lucrative career. They have a scientific basis and the work is serious; but among the auditors there are quite a number who wish to do the least amount of work possible. Then there are the special scientific courses, among which may be ranked certain professional courses, for instance those preparatory to teaching. The professional diplomas regulated by statelaws are chiefly those of doctor in medicine, surgery, and obstetrics, pharmacy, doctor in law, notary, the doctor inphilosophy and letters (especially with a view to teaching languages and history), in naturalsciences, mathematics, mining and civil engineering. It is not possible to analyse here the courses leading to these diplomas, as this would involve the entire history of higher professional teaching. Side by side with these programmes is a series of specialties, the importance of which is indicated by the titles: doctorate in social and political, or political and diplomaticsciences; commercial or colonialsciences; higher philosophy; moral and historicalsciences; archaeology; Oriental literature and languages (Semitic or Indo-European). The historical and linguistic doctorates are, as aforementioned, professional also. Further, there is a doctorate in naturalsciences, mathematics, and their special branches. Then there are a few free professional diplomas, not regulated by law: agriculture, engineering, architecture, arts and manufactures, electricity, etc.

As will be readily understood, this development of the work has brought about a corresponding increase in the teaching staff and a parcelling out of specialties into a large number of institutes. Doubtless, too, the unification of all branches of study is advantageous in the way of contact and co-operation; and while each of the various branches preserves its autonomy, the work of theuniversity as a whole is also very fruitful. These institutes are quite numerous; it will be sufficient to name a few. The higherphilosophical institute (Institut superieur de philosophie), due to the initiative ofPope Leo XIII, is based on the teachings ofSt. Thomas of Aquin. It was organized by Professor Mercier, head of theschool of neo-scholastic philosophy, and nowCardinalArchbishop ofMechlin. His works are known the world over, among them "La Revue Néo-Scolastique", of which he is the founder. Theschools of political and socialsciences (L'Ecole dessciences politiques et sociales) annexed to the faculty oflaw and due to the initiative of the minister of State, Professor van den Heuvel, has produced an important series of publications, and has added to its courses conferences of a practical character. The institute of agriculture (L'Institut supérieur d'agronomie), as well as the commercial, consular, and colonialschool (L'Ecole commerciale, consulaire et coloniale), prepares students for careers in these several lines. The historical and linguistic lectures have grown steadily in importance, thanks to professors such asJungmann, Moeller, Collard, and Cauchie. The latter is publishing, with the presentrector, P. Ladeuze, the well-known "Revue d'Histoire Ecclésiastique". Particular mention must be made of a branch of teaching which is not organized in a distinctschool, but which has here an important development; it is that of the Oriental languages (Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic), distributed in various faculties, and for which there is a special diploma.

The variousschools and institutes, provided withlibraries, apparatus, etc., familiarize the student with methods of study under the immediate supervision of masters. They are also centres of scientific production; we have already mentioned the importance of the bibliography of theuniversity (Bibliographie des travaux universitaires), the catalogue of which has been published. These publications include a series of periodicals which carry abroad the work of Louvain and bring back in exchange the productions of the outside world. There are about thirty of these periodicals published by the professors of Louvain, and more than one thousand are received in exchange from other sources. Among these reviews may be mentioned: "La Revue Néo-Scholastique" and "La Revue d'Histoire Ecclésiastique", which have already been noticed; "La Revue Social Catholique" and "La Revue Catholiquede Droit" (all four from thephilosophical institute); "La Revue Médicale" (Double); "La Cellule" (review of biology, founded byCarnoy); "La Névrose" (review of neurology, founded by Van Gehuchten); the "Bulletins" of theschools of engineering, commerce, agriculture, and electricity; "Le Musée Belge" (pedagogy); "La Muséon" (Philology and Orientalsciences); "Revue des Sociétés Commerciales", etc. To the above might be added collections that do not appear regularly, but which form important series, such as the historical and philological conferences; and the publications of theschool of politicalsciences; the collection of the ancientphilosophers ofBelgium (M. de Wulf), and that of the old English dramas (Bang). Frequently, too, the professors bring out their students' work in foreign magazines not under their direction, and in the bulletins of various academies. The list of these is to be found in theuniversity bibliography. Anidea may thus be formed of the activity of men like Louis Henry (chemistry) and J. Denys (bacteriology), who prefer this mode of publication.

Besides these lines of work, there are others in which professors and students do not work absolutely side by side; others in which the teacher's role ceases to be that of immediate instruction, and becomes one of assistance and supervision. The conferences on history and social economy are really courses of teaching, where the students work under the constant supervision of the professor with an increasing amount of individuality. The "circle" inapologetics created by the presentrector comprises expositions by professors, at times by students-along with questions and solutions of the difficulties presented by the study of religious subjects. Elsewhere the student does his work independently, and submits his results for discussion by his comrades. The role of the presiding professor becomes a very uneven one and is, at times, purely external. It then becomes rather a matter of exercises between students, very useful and very commendable, but of quite another kind. There are quite a number of clubs in the various faculties, where the professor plays a very active part as inspirer, guide, adviser. Among the other ones which have rendered great services are: "Le cercle industriel", "L'emulation", "Le cercle d'études sociales", theFlemishsociety "Tyd en Vlyt", and, more recently, "La société philosophique", "Le cerele agronomique", and various literary and social clubs.

SinceBelgium gained its independence, Louvain has almost always been represented in Parliament and very often in the Cabinet Councils. Professor Delcour andProfessor Thonissen wereministers of the Interior on which depended the department of Education; and today Professor Baron Descamps is minister ofscience; several had other portfolios; notably Nyssens, who in 1897 established the department of labour. But Louvain does not seek merely to turn out professional men and scientists; it aims at making men andChristians of its students; that is one of its fundamental characteristics. The influence over the spirit and mode of living of its young men is far-reaching. It is exerted through the teaching itself, without departing from scientific accuracy, but on the contrary proving by it the harmony betweenscience andfaith. It is extended by the action of different groups and by personal initiative. Furthermore, there are manysocieties of a distinctly moral and religious nature appealing to the life and character of youth: religious reunions, organizations for instruction, apostleship,pious and charitable enterprises, such as the Eucharistic adoration,Catholic missions, the Christian Press,Society of St. Vincent de Paul,school for adult workingmen. Nor is physical development overlooked, and there are fine equipments for the various sports. Theuniversity has a strong bond of unity; its moral force is incontestably the most powerful element of its vitality. The relations between professors and students still continue when theuniversity days are over, and the majority retain their attachment to theAlma Mater. TheAlumni associations are one of the outward signs; the permanence of personal relations is even more telling.

To complete this sketch of Louvain something must be said about the student life. Owing to the limited territory of the country, to the many easy and inexpensive means of communication, many students are enabled to return home every day. They are callednavettes in the college slang. The others live at Louvain, some (about 200) in theuniversity colleges (convictus), supervised by one of the professors as president, where for a moderate sum (about 700 francs) they are given full board. Others live with citizens of the town, usually occupying two rooms. A very large number go away and spend Sunday with theirfamilies, and this is encouraged. The academic years allows for quite a number of vacations. It begins about the third week in October with the Mass of the Holy Ghost. There is a fortnight's vacation atChristmas, three weeks atEaster; the lectures cease on 25 June. The month of July and the first part of October are devoted to examinations. During their sojourn at Louvain the students lead a life which though serious may be varied and agreeable. There are the numberous clubs previously mentioned; also, friendlysocieties grouped by cities and provinces, and it is easy for the students to have daily reunions. Notwithstanding all the sources of distraction it seems that the work of the average student is improving. It is quite evident also that the better class of students is becoming more and more select, while social gradations are more clearly and more securely defined.

This sketch of theuniversity life of Louvain would be incomplete if we did not add a few statistical elements. "L'Annuaire", a valuable volume published regularly by theuniversity authorities, records the events and achievements of each year and is indispensable as a means of studying the activity and growth of Louvain. Number of students in 1834, 86; 1854, 600; 1874, 1160; 1894, 1636; 1904, 2148. Distribution in 1908:theology, 125; law, 491; medicine, 475; philosophy, 313;sciences, 286; specialschools, 570: total 2260. In this total were 252 foreigners: 29 from theUnited States, 5 fromCanada, 13 from South America, 7 fromEngland, 6 fromIreland. The corps of instructors numbered 120 in active service holding various positions: full professors, associates, lecturers, substitutes. Among the eminent professors of theuniversity since the restoration in 1834 we select for mention the following deceased: Intheology: Beelen (Oriental languages, Scripture),Jungmann (ecclesiastical history), Malou (Bishop ofBruges), Lamy (Oriental languages, Syriac, etc., Scripture), Reussens (archaeology, history). In law: de Coux and Périn (political economy),Thonissen (criminal law), Nyssens (commercial law). In philosophy and letters: Arendt, David, Moeller, Poullet (history), Nève, de Harlez (Oriental literature),Willems (philology and history). In physicalsciences and mathematics: Gilbert (mathematics),de la Vallée Poussin (geology),Van Beneden (zoology),Carnoy (biology). In medicine:Schwann, Craninex, Michaux, van Kempen, Hubert, Lefébvre. Charles Cartuyvels, vice-rector for over twenty-five years, was far-famed for hispulpit eloquence. The rectors during the modern period were seven in number: P.J. de Ram, a very prolific historian; N.J. Laforêt; A.J. Namêche,Belgium's historian; C. Pieraerts;J.B. Abbeloos, orientalist; Ad. Hebbelynk, another orientalist who has recently been succeeded in the rectorate by a colleague of the same department, P. Ladeuze, appointed in July, 1909.

CONTACT US |ADVERTISE WITH NEW ADVENT