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THE HIGHER EDUCATION

the content of the idea. It is connected with the history of the term studium generale, which the word universitas came to supplant. "The name studium generale," says Savigny, "has been interpreted to intend the whole collective body of the sciences, but incorrectly. . . . The name rather refers to the extent of the scope of operation of these institutions, which were intended for pupils of all countries." "It meant,' says Professor Laurie, "a place where one or more of the liberal arts might be prosecuted, and which was open to all who chose to go there and study, free from the canonical or monastic obligations and control." It was, therefore, a school of high grade, where the spirit of freedom, in both teacher and pupil, prevailed. It afterward came to mean "both a school for liberal studies and a school open to all." The word universitas, on the other hand, was originally applied to any association of persons acting somewhat permanently together. It has been said that, in a papal rescript, vestra universitas often means scarcely more than "all of you." As applied to a studium it came to mean a literary and incorporated community. But when these schools began to act under some express grant or character the two terms tended to become identical; and, finally, the word "university" came to take the other's place and to be exclusively used.