[TO THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—You have published
your view of the "Albert or Gresham University :" may we therefore request that you will extend a like favour to us, and insert a brief statement from one of the Colleges for women, deeply interested in anything affecting higher education in and for London ? The following are some of the grounds on which the Bedford College, London, for Women opposes the Draft Charter :—
(1.) That the Bedford College, London, provides a complete academical course in the two faculties of Arts and Science, and therefore feels that from the very outset it is entitled to be included in any proposed University for London on an equal footing with University and King's Colleges, with due representation on the Council. For such immediate affiliation the Draft Charter does not make any provision.
(2.) That should the Draft become law, a University would be created which, while exercising only some of the functions of a Teaching University, would do this in such a manner as to effectually prevent the foundation of any Teaching University which should be capable of expanding to the ever-growing demands of the Metropolis.
(3.) That while the Act of 1871 abolished all ecclesiastical tests in the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and all Colleges therein, to such an extent that all denominational Colleges are separate from the Universities, this Draft Charter of the Albert University allows one of its two component Colleges to impose ecclesiastical restrictions. The Council, therefore, in its petition to both Houses of Parliament, claims that the Bedford College be made an original constituent College in any new University for London, with due repre- sentation on the governing body, and prays that the present Charter be not granted unless so amended as to be far more comprehensive,—more adequate to the present and future needs of the Metropolis, and free from all ecclesiastical restrictions.—We are, Sir, &c.,
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