The Oxford University election terminated, as we expected, by the
victory of Mr. Talbot, by nearly three to one,—for Mr. Talbot, 2,687 ; for Professor Smith, 989. If ability and academical dis- tinction had had much to do with the election, Professor Smith must have succeeded. But of course the chief points on which the election turned, were the Public Worship Regulation Act and the Burials Bill, on both of which Mr. Talbot's views were strongly identified with the predominant clerical view. And Professor Smith lost as many or more votes by his support of Lord Salisbury as did Mr. Talbot. A great many voters—about a thousand—did not vote. If it be true that Oxford has grown sceptical, it would seem that scepticism is as Conservative as faith. All is grist to the Conservatives which comes to the Oxford mill.
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