58 HASKINS & SELLS August
Honorary Degrees
HONORARY degrees have been the
subject of more than the usual interest
at the university commencements just
past because so many heroes of the Great
War have been included among the number
honored.
Degrees are granted for work in course
and for "causa honoris." A degree in
course signifies a definite amount of work
of a certain standard, under supervision,
and with the attainment of certain grades.
An honorary degree is conferred not for
a given quantity of work of a given kind
but, as a rule, for a life work which contributes
to the advancement of the human
race and the uplift of mankind, or some
work of distinguished service. A degree
in course may be purchased with money
and effort. An honorary degree is a priceless
gift which no amount of money can
buy.
The traditional degree of the past has
been the L L . D (Doctor of Legal Law),
Up to a few years ago it was generally
conferred regardless of the field of endeavor
in which the recipient had been engaged.
Now and then an exception was
made in the case of a clergyman when the
