THE OXFORD MOB.
IF any proof were wanting that Oxford University, in its present state, is unfit in many important particulars for a national semi- nary of education, it would be supplied by the recent proceedings in reference to Dr. HAMPDEN. Its constitution requires a thorough reform.
Supposing that Dr. HAMPDEN is the heretic he is accused of being, it appears that heresy is no bar to promotion to the most responsible offices in the gift of the University and of the Crown; for Dr. HAMPDEN has been a Senior Examiner, Eampton Lecturer, Professor of Moral Philosophy, Principal of St. Mary Hall, and is now Regius Professor of Divinity. Lord MELBOURNE, ill making the last appointment, only honoured him whom the University authorities delighted to honour : yet we are now told, that this Examiner, Lecturer, Professor, and Principal in Oxford University, is—a Socinian ; and that, moreover, his So- cinianism is of no recent date. If this be true, it is plain that the scholars and divines who pretend to educate the youth and clergy of England in strictly orthodox principles, neglect their duty, or that the system is such as to prevent them from performing It. But if the charges against Dr. HAmpoErr originate, as we be- lieve they do, in party malice, then what are we think of the en- couragement they receive from certain magnates of the Univer- sity? What can be more disgraceful than the drumming up of recruits from all quarters to gratify a political spite under the hypocritical pretence of a regard for religion, by casting a stigma on a gentleman of irreproachable character, their Regius Professor of Divinity ? Read the account of what passed at the Convocation on Tuesday : first, there was the pompous oration of that noted pluralist Mr. VAUGHAN THOMAS, the "public proeecutor," and
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'holder of four pieces of preferment ; then came the farce of putting a question which every one knew would be negatived by the veto of two irresponsible and comparatively obscure persons, who were -enabled to set the Convocation at defiance ; then the shouting, yell- ing, and screaming of the mob assembled to decide upon a question of theology, too abstruse for the intellect to grapple with ; and lastly, the scampering off of the Vice-Chancellor and the Heads of Houses, like the witches of old when expecting to be ducked. What a scene for "groves of Academe!"
It is plain that there must be some grievous defect in the con- stitution of that body which absorbs vt.st revenues under the pre- tence of teaching polite letters and religion, and yet is the focus of bigotry, faction, and clamour; and whose most solemn assemblies are disgraced by violence, disrespect of the constituted authorities, and every thing which makes a mob. A fine place is Oxford, truly, for teaching loyalty and religion We cannot, however, regret the recent explosion. It will have the effect of demon- strating to the country at large the vital deficiencies in our Uni- versity system ; and if Parliasuent move not of itself, the "pies- sure from without" will soon compel it to take the subject of University Reform into serious consideration.
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