TOPICS OF THE DAY.

THE UNIVERSITIES SELF-REFORMED.

Trim document which appears below was sent to us by a friend from Oxford, where it has been circulated in a printed form. As it is too remarkable to escape newspaper publicity, we have net hesitated to reprint it entire.

The paper sets forth a scheme for the reform of the Universities by their own action. The plan, though brief and modest in the exposition, bears marks of having been carefully matured, whilst its simplicity necessarily renders it complete such as it is. The impression it has made on us is that of a sort of surprise ; the same kind of impression as we remember to have received on first comprehending Mr. Rowland Hill's simple and original plan for

the improv,ement of the Post. In such cases, one asks, how isit that nobody thought of this before ? Nobody probably would now have thought of this plan in its completeness, (though our Oxford friend says that its leading feature was indicated last year by an earnest University Reformer,) if the inventive faculties of Oxford had not been stimulated by the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the state of the Universities. But be this as it may, the scheme deserves at least very serious attention. The principles on which it is founded may be explained in a few words. The grand desideratum with regard to the Universities is, that they should be of service to the many—to the tens of thousands who would gladly use them as schools of learning—instead of being confined, as they are, to the use of a few. Hitherto, all University Reformers, so far as the public knows, have proposed to make Ox- ford and Cambridge more accessible—to facilitate the residence of hundreds of learners where tens now reside. The present innovator proposes, on the contrary, to diffuse over the whole kingdom the teaching of Oxford and-Cambridge. He says—" Though it may be impossible to bring the masses requiring education to the University, may it not be possible to carry the University to them?" If this is possible, many puzzling questions would be thereby solved. The new teaching would be that of the Universities ; but it would take place, not in the towns of Oxford and Cambridge, but at the very doors of those who required it. Hence cheapness for the scholar, with home and parental discipline undisturbed. The teaching being the very same as at the two great academical centres, so would be the degrees and honours ; with this one very important difference, however, that in the new schools Dissenters might obtain both the teaching and the honours—full University teaching, and full Uni- versity degrees, excepting only degrees in Divinity—without dis- turbing the present relations of the Universities to the Church. If this idea should fructify, it will turn out to have been a great discovery indeed. There is a vague suggestion in the paper below, that Oxford and Cambridge might extend these advantages to the Colonies. How so ? Geography forbids it. The teaching is to be the very teach- ing of Oxford and Cambridge—nothing inferior or second-rate, such as we usually think good enough for the Colonies : and this true teaching of the time-honoured, ,prestiged Universities, could not possibly be extended beyond the reach of a day's journey by rail and daily correspondence by letter. No, if there is anything like colonization in the project, it is that of Oxford and Cambridge colonizing themselves all over England and Wales. We have more than once expressed a friendly feeling to the Com- mission over which the Bishop of Norwich presides, and have not doubted that it would, on the whole, be productive of good. But there can be no question that this mode of setting about the re- form of the Universities is difficult, because it is at variance with habits of the English mind, which favours the preservation of char- tered rights, and ever prefers local self-reform to a new action of the central authority. It is English, if it is not always wise, to pre- fer old things to new, not because they are old, but because it is easier and safer to improve them when they need improvement, than to incur the inevitable struggles and risks of untried novel- ties. The plan before us, therefore, being one to which the Uni- versities themselves can give effect, is sure to command no small measure of the public sympathy. After giving it our most serious consideration, we incline to think that it opens a better prospect than has yet appeared of extending the highest order of education in accordance with the settled wish of the nation; that it promises to improve the Universities themselves by means of emulation be- tween them and the provincial schools ; and that it affords a rea- sonable hope of seeing academical progression, unresisted, keep pace with the advancing spirit of the age.

Exeter College, 26th November 1850. DEAR MR. Vicz-Cilexcrixon—I have just acknowledged the receipt of a Paper of Questions which has been transmitted to me, as to other Senior Tu- tors in the University, by her Majesty's Commissioners. I have abstained from offering any information to the Commission ; not from any sullen or disrespectful spirit of opposition, however I may lsment and deprecate its tendency and effects, or may feel personally convinced of its illegal and unconstitutional character ; but because I have felt it impos- sible to take part in an inquiry which appears tonic to compromise rights which I am bound to maintain.

But the Questions have brought again before me considerations on most important subjects connected with the extension of the University; subjects on which I am convinced there is among us one common feeling of interest, and of desire to do right. And just at this time the following Paper has been placed in my hands. I trust that, without committing -myself to every suggestion contained in it, I cannot be wrong in laying it before yourself and the University : not indeed as if it embodied a full-formed plan, but as a germ and outiMe of a scheme which, by God's blessing, if originated by our- selves, may answer some of the good ends put forward as the objects of the Commissibn, wills:nit endangering those vital interests which :we are 80 so- lemnly bound to maintain. I know that at least vou will eve to the subject that impartial and jts- clicious consideration Alai you bestow on every matter coins cted with the duties of your high office, and with your constant kindness will forgive-me for presuming thus to intrude upon your attention. I am, dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor, very 'faithfully yours,

W. SEWELL,

Fellow and Tutor of Exeter College, andlate Professor of Moral Philosophy.

The Commissioners appointed by istr snijesty for Inquiring into the State of the University of Oxford have transmitted to the Senior Tutors of the University a Taper of Questions on points of great moment, on which.tisesr desire intormation.and suggestions. While doubts are still resting on the legality of the Commission, many Tutors may naturally feel reluctant to take part in the pending inquiry. It is, however, right that this reluctance should not be attributed to'impro- permotires—either to a spirit of captious or sullen resistance, or to an in- difference to the important subjects to which their attention has-been drawn by the Commissioners.

The diminution of the expense of education—its extension in the best form, that form which the Universities alone are capable of supplying—its expansion to the utmost limits, so that it may embrace the whole kingdom not even excluding the most distant Colonies, if possible,—these are object:, of general concern, for which it is the duty- of the Universities themselves to- provide to the utmost of their power, 'without abandoning their present rela- tions to the Church or infringing upon the special objects of private endow- ments.

With these feelings the following Paper has been prepared, for theceonei- deration of those to whom the questions of the Commissioners have been ad- dressed.

Considering that their first duty at the present moment is to guard the independence of the University, and of their respective Colleges,. it is obvious that they cannot consistently recognize the right of any ex- ternal power to force upon them measures, however desirable in themselves. But subject to the parumount obligation of maintaining this principle in- violate, they most certainly desire to promote to the utmost ot their power many of the -objects which the Commissioners appear to have in view.

It can hardly, however, be expected that they should concur in any steps to be taken for the attainment of those objects which shall not oiiginate from within. And any suggestions which they might wish to offer, could only consistently be addressed by them to the consideration of the proper author- ities within theEniversity.

The prominent idea indicated in the Paper-referred to, (transmitted by-the- Commissioners,) is the desire to extend the privileges and advantages of the- University system of education as widely as possible. Without discouraging in any way the notion of opening Halls, 'either es independent Societies or in connexion with existing Colleges, the difficulty of effecting perfectly the end proposed, solely by an increase of such bodies, ap- pears to be insuperable.

First, on account of the want of funds, whether for building er endow- ments.

Secondly, from the difficulty of incorporating the new communities into. the existing system of the University. - Thirdly, because such a plan would in no adequate degree meet the main evil—the expense of education, which necessarily bars the advantages of the University to a great mass co the community. Fourthly, because considered in reference to the wants of the whole hody of society, the plan would be found impracticable from-the numbers which it would be required to embrace. It would be needless to enumerate subordinate-difficulties.

The objection to extending the benefits of the University by admitting students within the walls, not subjected to regular discipline, are equally obvious.

For such a plan would necessarily destroy the order of the place, and es- sentially deteriorate the spirit of the present system, and the general cha- racter of the students.

It would also be found practically inoperative in diminishing -the expense of education. In some respects it must even enhance it. Another plan suggests itself for consideration, which upon the whole ap- pears to combine, as much as possible, the advantages required, with the- least amount of objection.

Though it may be impossible to bring the masses requiring education to- ne University1 may it not be possible-to ecul^y the University to them? The University possesses a large amount of available resources and ma- chinery, with which the present extent of education conferred by it is by no means commensurate.

These resources, consisting partly of pecuniary means and partly and principally of men of high talents and attainments, at present without ade- quate opportunities of employment, may be made instrumental in planting the seeds of Academical Institutions throughout the country, by establishing Professorships, Lectures, and Examinations leading to Aoadanteal _Honours, in the most important places in the kingdom. For instance, at first, and by way of experiment, Professorships and Lec- tures might be founded, say at Manchester and Birmingham, the great cen- tres of the manufacturing districts, and in the midst of the densest population. Theinstitution of these Professorships and Lectures would be strictly analogous to the original foundation of the Universities themselves. They would require little cost beyond the necessary stipends of the Pro- femora engaged.

Students, after due attendance on such lectures, would undergo examina- tions before a body of Examiners sent from the University ; such examina- tions to be of precisely the same character and governed by the same rulea as those required in the University. After such attendance on lectures and examinations, students, having ob- tained proper certificates of proficiency and general conduct, might be en- titled to receive from the University of Oxford Academical Degrees, with only such a limitation of privileges as would be strictly equitable and ne- cessary.

The admission to such Lectures, and non-resident Degrees, might, it is thought, be safely opened as widely as possible without requiring any theo- logical test except in the case of Theological Degrees.

The objections to throwing down this barrier to indiscriminate admission within the walls of the University remain in full force ; but the question of admission to academical instruction, under the proposed plan, assumes a dif- ferent form, and may be regarded as almost, if not entirely, relieved from those objections.

Without trenching on this principle, persons having obtained non-resident degrees, might, it is suggested, be made capable of adoption into the full privileges of the University upon complying with the terms of subscription, &c., at present required of its members. The funds for maintaining such Professorships, Lectures, and Examina- tions, might be provided partly from the Clarendon Press, and pertly by payments to be made by the students themselves, and ultimately (as:ought fuirly expected) by private endowments and .benefactions. In order to facilitate the immediate commencement of such a system, with- out involving the necessity of costly buildings, communications might be opened with the proper authorities of the places mentioned ; who would no doubt gladly provide the requisite accommodation for the delivery of Lec- tures, holding Examination!, &C.

By degrees, the systeminight be extended through the whole-country, and similar institutions might be planted in the principal towns in convenient distriets,'such as Norwich, Exeter, Leeds, Canterbury, &c. Cambridge would of course take its due share of the work.

Themueleusof .an University being thus, formed in each place, the same laws which have developed by degrees the institutions of Oxford, might be expected, in. some preportion at least, to create a Collegiate and Tutorial sys- tem subordinate to it.

A plan of this kind would immediately open a wide field of occupation for Fellows of Colleges, who, being at present not engaged in tuition, are often obliged to quit the University to seek a maintenance, and thus present the palpable evil of a non-resident body unconnected with academical duties.

. It would extend the benefit§ of University instruction to the utmost.pos- Bible limits.

It would reduce the expense to the lowest point. Wherever its institutions were planted, the immedate residents would be provided with the opportunity of completing the education of their sons, without parting with them from under their own roof.

The cycle of instruction itself would embrace the various subjects compre- hended in the University Examinations; and, sea distinct branch, Theology according to the doctrines of the Church.

Probably five or six Professors would be necessary at first for each lo-

The suitable income fir eaoh may be estimated at not less than 5001. a year, with a special guard against their taking private pupils.

The opportunity of holding such Professorships would be an inducement to men of talent to devote themselves to particular branches of literature at the Universities, instead of wasting their lives, as is frequently the-case at the present day, in the fruitless pursuit of barren professions.

And lastly, by originating such a comprehensive scheme, the Universities would become, as they might to be, the great centres and springs of educa- tion throughout the country, and would command the sympathy and affec- tion of the nation at large, without sacrificing or compromising any principle which they are bound to maintain.