OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
Oxford, December 19. Stu—I can assure "A Resident Fellow" that the Moderate party in Ox- ford entertain no superstitious horror of a "moustache," and that it would not faint away at the sight or even the odour of a " meerschaum" ; but with respect to the " Infidel principles," which your correspondent seems to class in point of importance with the above-mentioned prospective innovations, we still somehow or other retain an oldfaahioned aversion for them : of which, however, the Commissioners' plan, if adopted, may go far to disabuse the aca- demical mind.
The objections of "A Resident Fellow" to the Report of the Committee of Heads appear to be directed against the lateness of its publication, the small- ness of its bulk, and the insufficiency of its recommendations. The first is owing to the recent and severe illness of some of the most active members of the Committee. The second, to the fact that it is merely a report upon a report; that it contains no historical documents, or College and University statistics; and that it was unnecessary for those who had already given their evidence to the Commissioners to state their opinions a second time. As regards the measures proposed, notwithstanding the old-womanish character which the "extreme left "—the Dantons and Robespierres of Academical Reform—would gladly fix upon them, they will be found to represent the opinions of some of the most considerate, experienced, and withal unprejudiced men in Oxford. With respect to three of the four great questions which concern the Uni- versity, the Committee of Heads has not Yellen short of the expectations or wishes of reasoaable reformers. It has adopted the only measure of Univer- sity extension which combines a definite educational expansiveness with a guarantee for that discipline and moral training which has made Oxford a blessing to the nation. It proposes to utilize and invigorate the professorial but not to sacrifice the tutorial method of instruction, which it believes upon the strongest grounds to be the more bene&iial system of the two. It under- takes to facilitate the opening of foundations, but with the sanotioa of a board of high law-officers, who will decide how far this can be done with- out a violation of the rights of property, and of the spirit (not the letter) of the founders' wills. On all these points they have united a regard for pro- gressive improvement with a desire to insure that moderation that is as ne- cessary in educational as in political or religions reform. With respect to the proposed change in the academical constitution, I am free to confess that it has disappointed many moderate meal here ; and it is the more to be regretted because the niggardly measure of reform dealt out on this one occasion has given opportunity to the unthinking, or the uncandid, to vilify the whole scheme. But be it remembered, that we are speaking of a report presented, not of a measure introduced ; of something suggestive and recommendatory, not final and decisive; that the proposals it contains are subject to the alterations and amendments of the whole Board ; and that, as it is well known that the Committee was far from unanimous upon the point, it may be expected that a more liberal view will be taken in compli- ance with the general feeling of the University. . And now, Sir, with a hint to your correspondent, that ridicule, though a much readier, is neither so fitting nor so effectual a weapon as sound rea- soning where grave interests are concerned, and relying on your sense of justice for the publication of this letter, I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
ANOTHER RESIDENT FELLOW.
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