[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR, --I should be
glad to make one or two remarks on your paragraph of July 16, and on the letter of " Vindex " which appeared in your edition of last Saturday on the above subject.
As to the Bishop of Exeter's remark about the Undergraduates, "their teachers were not telling them what they believed, that they were tongue-tied by the tests," I would with all ,respect ask, to what " teachers" does this remark apply? Our theological professors would always be Church of England men,—and I trust honest men. What our natural and moral-science professors are to teach us I really do not pretend to say, but I assert most assuredly that we can have no reason to be afraid of what our mathematical professors may teach us ; their time for mathematics is too short, as it is.
I am now, and have been ever since I saw the working of our Fellowships, in favour of the abolition of tests, as I have seen men here who would sign anything to get a fellowship.
As to the Undergraduates, there is a spirit of independence of all persons on all points ; it may be self-conceit, but anyhow it exists; the most earnest are often the most independent, and I have been astounded to find the bigoted or extremely Liberal views that they have brought from school. As regards a large number of undergraduates, they cannot be 'called " sceptics ;" they never think.
There are several other matters worthy of notice about our college lecturers, &c., which I fear would take up too much of your valuable space.—I am, Sir, &c., ALuzeiv us.