Every schollar, that on proofe is found able to read the originals of the Old and New Testament into the Latine tongue, &c. and at any publick act hath the approbation of the Overseers and _Master_ of the Colledge, is fit to be dignified with his first degree.--_New England's First Fruits_, in _Mass. Hist. Coll._, Vol. I. pp. 245, 246. 2. A title of dignity in colleges and universities; as, _Master_ of Arts.--_Webster_. They, likewise, which peruse the questiones published by the _Masters_.--_Mather's Magnalia_, B. IV. pp. 131, 132. MASTER OF THE KITCHEN. In Harvard College, a person who formerly made all the contracts, and performed all the duties necessary for the providing of commons, under the direction of the Steward. He was required to be "discreet and capable."--_Laws of Harv. Coll._, 1814, p. 42. MASTER'S QUESTION. A proposition advanced by a candidate for the degree of Master of Arts. In the older American colleges it seems to have been the established custom, at a very early period, for those who proceeded Masters, to maintain in public _questions_ or propositions on scientific or moral topics. Dr. Cotton Mather, in his _Magnalia_, p. 132, referring to Harvard College, speaks of "the _questiones_ published by the Masters," and remarks that they "now and then presume to fly as high as divinity." These questions were in Latin, and the discussions upon them were carried on in the same language. The earliest list of Masters' questions extant was published at Harvard College in the year 1655. It was entitled, "Quæstiones in Philosophia Discutiendæ ... in comitiis per Inceptores in artib[us]." In 1669 the title was changed to "Quæstiones pro Modulo Discutiendæ ... per Inceptores." The last Masters' questions were presented at the Commencement in 1789. The next year Masters' exercises were substituted, which usually consisted of an English Oration, a Poem, and a Valedictory Latin Oration, delivered by three out of the number of candidates for the second degree. A few years after, the Poem was omitted. The last Masters' exercises were performed in the year 1843. At Yale College, from 1787 onwards, there were no Masters' valedictories, nor syllogistic disputes in Latin, and in 1793 there were no Master's exercises at all. MATHEMATICAL SLATE. At Harvard College, the best mathematician received in former times a large slate, which, on leaving college, he gave to the best mathematician in the next class, and thus transmitted it from class to class. The slate disappeared a few years since, and the custom is no longer observed. MATRICULA. A roll or register, from _matrix_. In _colleges_ the register or record which contains the names of the students, times of entering into college, remarks on their character, &c.