Those who study political philosophy must understand Sir Thomas More's Utopia; those studying modern literature must read Eliot's "The Wasteland"; Toynbee's A Study of History provided a comprehensive ordering of the world's civilizations; Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations set the principles for the development of modern economics.... Separated by field and by centuries, these men nevertheless find their common meeting place at the "sacred city" of learning, Oxford University.

Is Oxford renowned owing to these outstanding men? "Oxford itself exists for outstanding people: 'outstanding' is taken for granted," say those from Oxford, which has produced countless Nobel Prize winners. Oxford scholarship is a part of the proud British cultural heritage; its own system, style, and roots are unequalled, even by its rival school Cambridge University.

Oxford is England's oldest university. In the 12th century, universities began in continental Europe; many English attended or lectured at the University of Paris. But in 1167, Henry Ⅱ called all scholars home in a dispute with France. The town of Oxford, already 300 years old, was chosen to transplant the scholarly community.

The university's early era had some bitter passages. In the strictly ruled towns of the Middle Ages, a group of undisciplined youths coming to the town was akin to a barbarian invasion. Friction with towspeople culminated in the 1354 "great massacre" in which hundreds of scholars and students were killed and the study halls pillaged. This hatred ended with the townspeople paying a fine to the school continuously for 500 years.

Strategically located, Oxford's history is also tied to political and religious struggles. Many Protestant bishops were martyred in the town's famous Broad Street at the time of Henry Ⅷ's reform. In the 17th century, Charles I made his capital there. When Charles was defeated and executed, naturally Oxford could not avoid being compromised.

Oxford uses the "college system." But the local "college" is not the same as the "College of the Arts" or "College of Engineering" of an ordinary university.

When the "university" was first established, the colleges already existed. In 1249, when University College was established with only four instructors, "Oxford University" was still a vague concept. A few famous colleges, relying on the financial resources of benefactors, were better fiscally endowed than the "university." For Oxfordians, the university was the facade; only the colleges were real.

Yang Ying, an Oxford grad and scholar of England's higher education system, explains that duties like registration, exams, and hiring professors belong to the "Faculty" (these being more like an ordinary university's "College of the Arts"), directly under the university. But the university's administrators, professors, and students also belong to a given "college." This gives Oxfordians a dual identity, and dual loyalties.

But aren't the colleges just dormitories? To get an answer, one must visit the place itself. One cannot help but be conquered--it's like entering a different world.

Lee Huei-fan, an engineering student who lives in New College, had this experience: walking over the Bridge of Sighs; along an ancient, silent, narrow alley; opening an imposing carved wooden door; and entering a quadrangle of flowered greenery, surrounded by solemn and classically beautiful halls; everywhere could be heard the sounds of songs and music; students, instructors, administrators, all sharing meals together... it is like a warm family garden.

Each college has its own chapel, pipe organ, and monastery. On the stone pathways are carved the words of those who came before. It is like communing with the spirits. And in the libraries, open all night, books are borrowed just by being signed out on one's own. Says engineering student Tsai Ming-chi, "The college gives the students complete trust to develop their sense of honor and responsibility." While the colleges do not set classes, they often invite leading lights to give lectures. Today law, tomorrow art, the next day medicine....

In the English tradition the function of a university is not to cultivate professional skills, but to cultivate men. For example, besides the 6:00 PM meal, there is also a "formal dinner" at 7:00. Students and instructors dress in black gowns. Though the meals are simple, the spiritual yield is far more important than the nutritional.

The "tutor system" goes back to the days when the nobility sought individual instructors to look after their children. The tutor is specially to resolve academic questions left unresolved in class, and to oversee the student's work. But the tutor's responsibilities do not end there: disappointment, illness, homesickness--anything that can impair the pursuit of knowledge--comes within the scope of a tutor's responsibilities.

The "pride" of Oxfordians is because they have run a gauntlet of A-level exams and a special application process specially for Oxford and Cambridge. And acceptance by a Faculty is not enough; one must also be accepted by a college. The British education system is based on "elitism"--only about 10% of 18-to 21-year-olds attend university--and Oxford and Cambridge are "the elite of the elite."

Because of the pride, competition is fierce. Tsai Ming-chi notes that English universities have three trimesters, each eight weeks, per year. "But it's not one textbook in eight weeks." Classes revolve around selected topics: the professor flits through the book choosing certain passages, and the students are on their own to find supporting or counterarguments from the reading list. And at the end-of- semester "essay crisis," all night sessions are not strange. The pressure is so intense that students need to take sleeping pills to relax to get to sleep.

Graduate studies, by research degree, provide a different atmosphere, and a different kind of crisis. A research degree (available only at the Ph.D. level) has no classes or exams. One just meets with professors to talk, and relies on the "life or death" dissertation to graduate, says Sinology student Yeh Chi-chung.

No classes? No exams? Don't students fall in the habit of doing the least work possible? Lee Huei-fan explains that "Although there is no external pressure, demands by oneself are even more severe. Ideas and novel views must come from slow and deep reflection, being molded bit by bit." The professors are reserved in giving their opinions, to avoid "misguiding" the students.

It is necessary to keep cool. But this is easier said than done. "Do I have the stuff to do scholarship? What's the significance of discussing these empty theories? When will I ever be finished? But Oxford graduate students all acknowledge that "Oxford exists for enlightening the gifted, not for ordinary education...." Whereas in the U.S. intellects are "machine-tooled," at Oxford they are "fermented."

Chastise Oxford as an "ivory tower." Say it is "out of touch" with society. No matter. Even as English education moves to practical directions under Mrs. Thatcher, Oxfordians will say, "That's on a different level," preferring a paper, pen, and a thinking brain to technology or fancy facilities.

But Oxford is also continually changing. Today the self-consciously well-dressed children of the nobility stick out amidst the jeans-clad children of commoners. The last "monastery," Oriel College, began admitting women last year. And MacDonald's opened up in the town over many strenuous objections.

The faces of Oxford are many: old and new, nobility and commoner, ideals and utility. To study there--not only in the school's books, but in its history, men, and affairs--it really makes you think....

[Picture Caption]

Queen's College was established in 1340; it is one of the oldest colleges at Oxford.

Spires on spires, resplendent carving, All Souls College seems like it is beckoning to spirits past.

Tsai Ming-chi and Lee hui-fan at a formal dinner at Oriel College.

Each college, with its enclosed quadrangle, is like another world. They are only open in the afternoon to keep visitors from disturbing the students.

The Bridge of Sighs at Hertford College is one of the scenic highlights of Oxford.

Serving Chinese food with an open heart and mind is the best medium for making friends.

Can you believe it? This unassuming structure has over 200,000 volumes of all kinds of books, one of the broadest collections for a bookstore in the world.

The boat races held every year in May are the dramatic peak of the Oxford-Cambridge rivalry. Despite severe cold and frosty winds in winter, you can't miss practice.

If you don't buy a few ties and accessories with your college's symbol on them, then you can't express your identification with and loyalty to your college.

Lawyers, statesmen, bankers.... Oxfordians are the elite of the elite.

The Sheldonian Theatre is one of the spiritual symbols of Oxford. Important ceremonies are all held here.

The great 19th-century poet Shelley was a student here at University College.

Although the printing in the children's books of the early years was ugly, nevertheless they accompanied kids through childhoods without material abundance.

Lin Liang, who has written about 160 books for kids, believes that children's books should first let the little ones know about the beautiful side of life.

Wen Liang-yen, a lover of books since childhood, is making a plea to give the younger generation a break: To profect vision, children should have a good reading environment.

Eugene Chien has a lot less time to read stories to his children since b ecoming Administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration.

Liu Kai hopes to be able to depict more "true-to-life" scenes for children.

Hsiao Yeh's father had great expectations for him. There was generous communication between father and son. （photo courtesy of Hsiao Yeh）

Hsiao Yeh's whole family makes up stories together. The story of the "Golden Bird" made up by daughter Lee Hwa is especially interesting.

From the time he was ten until he graduated from middle school, his father reviewed and corrected his daily journal.

Hsiao Yeh's whole family makes up stories together. The story of the "Golden Bird" made up by daughter Lee Hwa is especially interesting.

Hsiao Yeh's whole family makes up stories together. The story of the "Golden Bird" made up by daughter Lee Hwa is especially interesting.

Sketched from Life, by Fa Ch'ang of the Sung dynasty （960 to 1127）.

A Vegetable, by Shen Chou of the Ming dynasty （1368 to 1644）.

Professor van der Loon's numerous books are the fruits of twenty or thirty years of assiduous collecting.