Mr. pisraeli hae been elected Lord Rector of Glasgow Uni-
versity by a considerable majority over Mr. Ruskin. He was at the head of the poll in each of the four "nations," having in all 610 votes against Mr. Ruskin's 476, and winning by a majority of 134. It was not a very famous' victory, for Mr. Ruskin, after writing much marvellously powerful description of Nature, has taken lately to writing nonsense, and writing it in some profusion. We are glad of Mr. Disraeli's victory, if only because we are sure to have an amusing speech out of the new Lord Rector,—though whether we shall laugh with him or at him is a question which only be himself and time can determine. If he would only describe frankly and critically the course of his own reading, and give some impression of its practical use to him as a Parlia- mentary speaker, he would produce something really interesting, as well as amusing. We trust he will speak, and not read. We should hope there is no danger of his being academic in style, or of his bringing any transcendental truths " with some pressure" to the attention of the Glasgow youth. But if he shou/i/ go in for transcendentalism, he would gratify many of us by completing the unfinished " revelation " announced in " Taucred," and he might, perhaps, be persuaded to mention confidentially to hie young audience what became of Tancred after "the Duke and Duchess of Bellamont " so inopportunely "arrived at Jerusalem."
Previous page
