2 OCTOBER 1852, Page 14

28th September 1852. Bra—I am credibly informed that there is

no likelihood of an opposition to Lord Derby for the Chancellorship of Oxford. If this is so, we have a right to ask, who is to blame for this ?

Not the party represented by the Horning Herald and Standard. Lord Shaftesbury, indeed, would have been a more honourable choice : but they can scarcely be blamed for preferring the recognized chief of Parliamentary Toryism. Not the friends of the Commission, surely. They cannot be suspected of complicity with one from whom they have nothing to hope and everything to fear. But they are a mere handful, and would have no chance if they were to take the field with a candidate of their own.

The only remaining section is that which returned Mr. Gladstone last July. Its strength is undoubted ; its zeal was always supposed to be above question. It may fairly be said to have the game in its hands now. And it has a most unexceptionable candidate ready for it—the Duke of Newcastle. A few of its leading members have indeed already declared themselves. The Bishop of Exeter and Mr. G. A. Denison are among Lord Derby's sup- porters. But the bulk of the party appears to be still unpledged. And yet we are told that there is to be a walk over.

On a former occasion I was attacked for venturing to throw a doubt in your columns on the supposed reforming tendencies of Mr. Gladstone's friends. Your readers may now judge whether I was right or not. The real character of an academical party may easily be mistaken by a non-academi- cal journalist; but every one knows what is meant by supporting Lord Derby.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, M. A.