18 MARCH 1854, Page 10

POSTSCRIPT.

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A great deal of business was transacted or discussed in Parliament last night In the House of Commons, Lord .Tons Russian moved for leave to bring in a bill "to make further provision for the good government and extension of the University of Oxford and of the Colleges therein." He prefaced his statement of the provisions of the measure by craving the indulgence of the House for the state of his health, and by giving reasons why alterations are needed,—such as insufficiency of the education fur- nished at Oxford, and its restricted nature ; the defects inherent in the governing body ; and the waste of the resources.

It is proposed to constitute a body called, in accordance with the ancient name, "the Congregation," consisting of the Heads of Houses, the College Tutors, the Professors, certain officers, and all resident mem- bers complying with certain specified conditions. For the Hebdomadal Board is substituted a body called the "Hebdomadal Council," composed of twenty-four or twenty-five members, of whom the Congregation will elect six heads of Houses, six Professors, and six resident members ; while the Chancellor of the University will name a seventh head, and one Pro- fessor. The remaining members will be the Vice-Chancellor, the Proc- tors, and one of the University Professors of Theology. That will be the governing body of the University. At the end of three years, a certain number will go out; but after the first election they will be chosen for six years. Every oath, which directly or indirectly binds the juror not to declare anything relating to his College under any inquiry by law, but to resist or not concur in changes in the statutes, shall be illegal.

To meet the exclusive character of College education, it is pronosed to give power to open private Halls by Masters of Arts, under licence from the Vice-Chancellor, subject to certain rules and regulations.

With respect to Fellowships and Scholarships—in order that the au- thorities may always have the power of selecting the fittest persons, it is proposed to abolish all restrictions as to founders' kindred and particular localities, with these exceptions—foundations within the last hundred. years, lineal descendants of founders, and large districts which on account of their property or other circumstances deserve to be exempted. With respect to schools, there must, in every case, be two scholars from whom the Fellows may choose. As to fellowships—no fellowship to be held for more than one year, unless the fellow be habitually engaged in tuition and discipline, or hold an office in the University, or be an incumbent or curate of a parish within three miles of Carfax, or hold a certificate of study under the act. With respect to non-resident fellows, the qualifi- cations are incumbency or licensed curacy of a parish within three miles of Carfax, or of a parish in which the College now owns tithes or land ; or the performance of some statutory duty requiring his absence. After holding a fellowship twenty-one years, a person will be free from these

conditions. Non-residence by licence, for purposes of study, will be al- lowed for five years. With respect to the application of College revenues to increase the education-fund, it is proposed to appoint a Commission of five persons to have the power of approving statutes proposed by the University and the Colleges. If after Michaelmas 1855 the Colleges have not performed what the bill requires, then the Commissioners shall be empowered to enact statute-rules, which, after being approved by the Queen in Council, and laid for a specified time on the table of the House of Commons, shall. be binding as statutes on the University and Colleges. The Collegca will have power to contribute one-fifth of their annual revenues to the foundation or better endowment of professorships or lectureships for the instruction of the University at large ; to regulate their tenure and duties- to diminish the number belonging to any College, or suspend the emolu- ments, with the view to such foundation ; or to supply pensions ; or to. found scholarships; or to raise the income of the remaining fellowships to a sum not exceeding 2501.; or to erect new buildings ; or to establish affiliated halls. Any number not exceeding-one-fourth of the fellowships belonging to any College may be appropriated to the encouragement of special studies. There was one question, Lord John continued, for which no provision is made in the bill ; but he was prepared to give his vote in conformity with the opinions be has always held. "I cannot think the whole pur- poses of the University are fulfilled while there is a test at the en- trance of the University which hinders so many persona from entering it at all." The House cheered the sentence. He would never consent to interfere with the discipline of the Colleges, the conduct of instruction or attendance on divine worship ; but he hoped the addition of new galls would give facilities for removing obstructions. The subject is one that divides the House, and is reserved for a separate measure. In conclusion, Lord John said—" This measure, I think nobody will deny, is a large and comprehensive measure." (Cheers and laughter.)

A considerable number of Members addressed the House ; including Mr. BLecurrr, Mr. WatroLE, Sir Wuaasx Ilserscora, Mr. RODE- DELL PAI MFR, Mr. RETWOOD, Mr. HENLEX, and Mr. GLADSTONE. Min- isters seemed satisfied with the tone in which the measure was received, as being on the whole favourable : some Members, however„ like Mr. HEYWOOD, asked for the further removal of restrictions; while others, like Mr. WALPOLE and Sir WILLIAM HEATHCOTE, desired to restrict the measure simply to the grant of enabling powers for self-reform.

The bill was read a first time; and Monday fortnight was named for the second reading.

The House went into Committee of Wept and Menus, and the Income- tax resolution was read ; but opposition arising, the Chairman reported progress; and the resolution was postponed until Monday, then to come on before the other orders of the day.

Lord JOHN RUSSEIn laid on the table of the Rouse the Russian con- fidential communications.

The commercial rights of neutrals were :the subject of question and statement in both Houses ; the Marquis of CLANDICARDE raising the question in the one, and Mr. MiLnEn Ginsorr in the other ; the replies being made by the Earl of CLARENDON and Lord Joan Rnsinstn. Ministers have received many requests for information, and suggestive communications ; the whole subject has been under consideration, and they are now nearly in a position to determine what principle to adopt and what facilities to give. This, however, is the first Occasion on which we have been in a war with a naval ally ; and it is necessary to be very clear as to the nature of the principles, and the departure from former law or practice, before we can call upon the French Government to adopt those principles for the protection of British ships and commerce. But it is the determination of Government to set an example of liberality with regard to letters of marque and the rights of neutrals, calculated to miti- gate the calamities of war, and to enable them to act consistently with the rights of humanity and the civilization of the age. The correspond- ence, it is expected, will be laid before Parliament in a few days.

In the House of Loads, the Earl of Marannorunx read a letter &no Mr. Hugh F. L. Astley, formerly a clerk in the Foreign Office, and al- luded to by Lord Aberdeen as having gossiped about the contents of the Russian confidential correspondence. Mr. Astley knew nothing of the contents of the papers, and had not the slightest recollection of having ever divulged the secrets of the Foreign Office in any way. The Earl of ABERDEEN, having formerly offered to leave it to 34x. Astley himself to settle the question, felt bound to accept his explanation, and to express, very sincerely, regret that he had been the means of canting any asper- sion on the gentleman's character ; and be offered to state to Lord Malmesbury the grounds on which he had previously been morally con- vinced that Mr. Astley had spoken unguardedly on the subject. The Earl of DERBY seized the occasion to make a fresh attack upon the Tittles for divulging Cabinet secrets ; and he declared, that if the case should again occur, he would bring the matter before the Lords, and endeavour to extract/roar the parties themselves the mode in which they obtain pos- session of such information.