21 MARCH 1896, Page 3

Nothing can show more strikingly the change that has passed

over Oxford than the grant to Principal Fairbairn, the Principal of Mansfield College, in the Oxford Convocation of Tuesday, of the degree of MA. by a majority of 94 against 29. Even the leader of the minority, who opposed the degree of M.A. on the ground that it would give Principal Fairbairn the right to vote in Congregation and Convocation, suggested that the usual honorary degree of D.C.L. should be conferred on this eminent Dissenter, in place of the degree of M.A., as that would not entitle him to vote in Congregation and Convo- cation. The conferring of the M.A. degree was even supported by the Regius Professor of Divinity, Rev. W. lace.