Cambridge is to have a University Reform Bill, as well
as Oxford. It is to be introduced directly after Easter, and is to be modelled on precisely the same lines. Lord Salisbury laid down, in reply to Lord Lansdowne on Monday, the principle which be regards as the leading one of his Bill in very precise terms. "The Statutes under the Bill of 1854 proceeded on what was conducive not to the interests of the University, but to the interests of the Colleges. Those to be drawn up under the present Bill would proceed on what was conducive not to the interests of the Colleges, but to the interests of the University." In other words, the Colleges are to be required to sacrifice some of their own wealth to University purposes. No doubt that is very right. But as three Commis- sioners are, it appears, to make a quorum, and each College is to delegate three of its own representatives to vote and debate with the Commissioners on all matters concerning that College, we do not apprehend that any sublime sacrifices will be made. Lord Salisbury's Bill appears calculated to guarantee a most formidable power of passive resistance, on the part of the very bodies whom it is meant to subject to a mild restraint. Like an honourable duellist, he first arms his adversary, and then goes in against him. Who can predict the result of such a contest, unless it be a flesh-wound, and a declaration on both sides that honour is satisfied ?—which would not do much for the University.
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