The Press. — London, England, 1853-06-11 00:00:00

128 life—how can it be that those who are parents, or those who for a moment reflect upon the subject, should not feel that it ix a matter of the deepest interest to decide to whom they should entrust the education of their children, so as to tit them for the discharge of their duties us men. and after this life for entering upon a happy eternity ? lint such are the duties, such are the requisite qualifica tions of the schoolmaster. Where, then, shall we find men thus properly qnalified? if we wish to do our work effectively, we mast take care to provide the necessary in struments for the efficient performance of that work. ( Hear, hear.) The power of teaching is itself a thing which has to be learned. Many a person who is possessed of the highest amount of sc i ence, and learning, and various knowledge, has not the facility of communicating to others the knowledge which he poasesses, and would seek to impart to them. (Thor, hear.) The business of teaching is a business, like all others, to be learned, to be studied, and to be taught, and it is for that purpose primarily and principally that this and various other institutions of this kind throughout the country have been established in the course of the last few years, not an much for the purpose of outplaying the direct machinery of education, as for training up those who are to direct that education, and placing in the hands of the coun try at large fitting instruments for performing that which is an important national trust. (blear, hear.) You require, however, 111 a schoolmaster something more than the means of conveying to others such knowledge as he himself pos sesses—you require that he should be a num—if be is in troth to he the right hand of the clergyman, and his assist ant in diffusing relig' s knowledge among the people—who sets about his work with the MI knowledge of its rennin.- ments, and enters into it heart and alba who puts his hand to the plough with a determination of not timing back, who labours not merely for the emoluments which his profession will give him. but for the good which rightly directed energy will effeet fair his fellow-men—one who labonrs also for the higher and holier object of doing his duty not merely in the society of his fellow-crentures, but before the face of that tied to whom we are responsible for the exercise of our respective talents. Cheers.) It is for the purpose of promoting the selection of Men so qualified and so prepared to go forth to their important work that in varionm parts of this e try , aided hay the liberality of Parliament, and,Still further aided by the liberal contri butions of those who are impressed with the importance of this object—it is for this purpose that institutions have been founded, in order to send out a supply [of Reboot mastera, far inferior to the demand that might arise were there any plausibility of its receiving au adequate supply, but still continually increasing in ttttt ulwr mid efficiency. It is satisfactory to know that this energy in augmenting those institutions and inereasing the number of available teachers will lead to an increase in the r will number wanted. The more schooltnamtern are sent out the largebe the demand for them—(llear, hear )—and the more widely will the example of selasolinasters like these be distributed throughout the length and breadth of the land. ( Hear, hear, hear.) In the Moresa. with which lam myself con nected—the diocese of l'hester—l had the pleasure of attending, many years ago, the cstablishmcut of one of the first institutions of this kind. It was adopted and largely supported by the clergy and laity; and I may say, with plea sum, that from that period to this we have never had occa sion to repent of the step then taken ; Lot, on the contrary, we have had to eottgrandate otirselvea that in that port of the county in which, inure than in any other, relig' s eau cation was requin•ti, public benefits 'MN.' been reaped ex reeding the moat sanguine expectat* sof the promoters. (flier, hear.) tientlemen. t entreat .• • pardon for having so long detained tat in addressing you on this vital and int portant question. 1 Load cheers.) It is OM' iu whic h fuel a deep interest, imp Oa Willett I sus Sara MI "1111111 M being VMS give that' to reflect without feeling a pregtor• ti tt ate warmth of interest and a eiirreSplittlling desire, to the best of his ability, to promote the objects of that great work, not. measuring the value of his support by the tttttt Ilt of the isettributiiin he has given, lint giving cheer fully, remembeting that there is tme who will accept th e otliwitig Id' n elteerful giver. (Hear, low.) 4 Wee entreat y • !limbo' for MI lung dctnicing yon ; but as I regretted tii hear film the right reverend prelate who pro . ceded me, and what so kindly mad flatteringly introdueed me to pair notice, that this institution. Ile•tigh advancing in its progress toward* efficient.), has been chis•ked for want of the neeesmary means, I 1 / 4 11011111 11S11/11111 • 11 of myself if. knowing how much more powerful example is than precept, I (lid not testify the interest. I feel in a man ner 'more substantial than words, and I trust that my right reverend friend will permit me to make ma otbs•ing this day of the sum of 10 O. in aid of this instittilitai—jboof eheers)— in which I fet•l too interest as deep as tman call I'ecl, and Ihe dueller frem the circumstance lat' my having recently attained the honour of being elected Chancellor of the neighltemring University—veneered ehrersl—stel I ear nestly trust timid GM. iu show , INNVII'llee it is marvel, will bless your co-operation, anal that pat may live to see the results of this great Me:tittle poured down in a tt'llllll4l harvest of blessings on your taillike!) and am your children's children. ( Greta cheering.) The Bishop of I hyonn again Mood forward, mid ie• marked that it hail not been deemed necessary to draw 1111 any set of reselittions, tub that no formal business remained to he transacted; lint he hoped they would, isle and nil. t tiff their grateful sense of the interest shown by lord forloy in the institution, and the tomble he had take:t in attending there at a moment when his engagements were sue multiplied—( rhcer. j—alkil in delivering SO admirable an sublresa. Ile ealll4l liven thetn, theretOre, to thank the noble earl for havite4 given so 140041 an ("041111 , 11 . , as well as smelt excellent advice, and he called upon them to express their gratitude by acclamation. This appeal was followed by three elieers. and one cheer MOTO for Lord Perky, insist lustily and effectively giien. A collection in aid of the building fluid was made. THE PRESS. The national anthem was then sung, and the as sembly pleasantly returned to Abingdon, finding omnibuses on this occasion, and dropping donations into the small red bags which met their eyes on their departure from the college precincts. At Oxford, in the evening, the time-honoured ceremony was performed which symbolises the union of Oxford with the Isis. About eight o'clock the boats formed in the following order :-1, Brasenose; 2, Balliol ;3, Worcester ;4, Christ Churc Jo h n Pon broke ; ft, Queen's ; 7, Exe ter ;s, St. 's ;0, Lincoln ; 10, New College ; 11, Wadham ; 12, Trinity ; 13, St. John's; 14, Corpus. There were also about fifteen or sixteen Torpid crews, which followed immediately in the wake of the other boats. As they successively reached that portion of the river opposite Christ Church Meadow and the barges, they were received with loud cheering and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs. By the way, as we are speaking of the boats, we may mention that we observed that the indefatigable Spiers has published a chart of their performances from 1836 downwards, an interesting document of the "Stream, of History" description. After the usual finale, the thousands of spectators began to disperse, but it was not until lung alter the shades of the calm and lovely evening had se:, in that the banks and walks of the meadow had resumed their wonted quiet. TuEsDAY. The first striking feature in the occurrences of to day was the formation of the grand procession to accompany the Chancellor from Worcester College to the Sheldonian Theatre. This was certainly a very brilliant and stately show, and, from the num ber of dignified ecclesiastics present, is thought to have been the finest thing of the kind ever wit nessed at Oxford. It consisted of the Vice-Chan cellor anti heads of houses; the noblemen mem bers of the University in their dresses of state ; the bishops, thirteen in number, including the Bishops of Oxford, London, Exeter, Lincoln, Salisbury, Chichester, St. Asaph, St. Andrew's, Quebec, Montreal, Ohio, and Nova Scotia ; the Doctors of divinity, law, and physic, the Proctors, and the Masters of arta. The interior of 11w Shehlonian Theatre on a commemoration day is certainly one of the most im posing sights in England, and it probably never pre sented a finer coup (Neil than it did to-day. By ten o'clock every disposable inch of apace, whether in the area or galleries, was completely occupied, and any unlucky wight who had not obtained accommoda tion at that hour was obliged to abandon ell hope of it. for the day. The area crowded with the Otte of the clergy from far and near, the lower galleries tilled with elegantly-dressed ladies in the most charming variety of toilets, and the upper galleries crammed with a mass of Undergraduates, noisy and tumultuous as ever, made up a scene as characteristic SS it was dazzling. No sooner had the Undergraduates located them selves in their gallery than they commenced the pro ceedings without waiting for the Chancellor, by giving one hearty round of cheers for the Queen, and this demonstration of loyalty was followed yan ebullition of gallantry, no less warm and enthusing- tic, in a similar compliment to the ladies. The munes of individuals were then given in succession. The mention of " the Earl of Derby, our honoured lord and Chancellor," was received in every instance with deafening cheers, and presented a striking con trast to the reception given to the name of Lord John Russell. "Bright" and "Cobden," among others, elicited evidences of aversion. " The Coalition," says the o.tford Herald, •• was consider aid y hooted." The eminent literary names, the prominent bishops, and " Mr. Dudley Percival," were well received. During these cries, the entrance of Lady Derby and her daughter, the Lady Emma Stanley, to the ladies gallery, was observed, when the whole com pany stood up, whilst most enthusiastie waving of caps and handkerchiefs greeted the distinguished party. The cry of " Three cheers for Lady Derby," "'Three cheers for the Chancellor," succeeded the enthusiasm which was thereby revived with almost greater effect. In the midst of these demonstrations, However, the wide portals of the theatre were thrown open, and a procession, in which Bishops, Statesmen, (.morals, Divines, and Civilians were seen, approached with measured steps, and no sooner was the Chancellor caught sight of than the whole assembly rose, and for several minutes the building resounded with notes of welcome and approbation, the ladies waving their handkerchiefs, and contributing in no small share to the excitement of the scene. The Chancellor, having reached his official seat, opened the Convocation, and read the iuuues of those distinguished individuals upon whom it was proposed to confer the honorary degreee of doctor of civil law. The mention of the 11S11101 of the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Meck lenburg Strelitz was received with mach cheering; the same may be said of all the others ; but the most marked were Lord Stanley, Lord St. Leonard's, and, above all, Mr. Disraeli, whose name was the signal SATURDAY, for a renewal of that enthusiasm to which it gave rise at the commencement of the prot•ee,lings. The names of each eamlidate for honours were then read by the Chancellor seriatim, and submitted to Convo cation ; all were agreed, notwithstanding that a few courageous nonplacets determined, in one or two in stances, on exercising their privilege. The bedels then returned to the divinity school. and shortly after entered the theatre, escorting the newly-made doctors, who were received with much cheering. Dr. I'hillimore then presented, in Latin addresses, which, contrary to the custom observed on such occasions, were singularly indicative of his own party prejudices, the following noblemen and gentlemen : The Most Noble the 31arquis of Blandford, M.P. The Most Noble the Marquis of Chaudos, M.P. The Light Hon. the Earl of Eglinton and Winton. The Right Hon. the Earl of Hardwicke. The Right Hon. the Earl of Malmesbury. The Right Hon. Lord Stanley. The Right Hon. Lord Redesdale. The Right Hon. Lord Colchester. The Right Hon. Lord St. Leonard's. The Right Hon. Thomas Babiugton Macaulay, M.P. The Right Hon. the Lord Justice Turins. The 'tight lion. Sir John S. Pakington, Bart., M.P. The Right lion. Spencer Horatio Walpole, M.P. The Right lion. Benjamin Disraeli, M.P. The Right Hon. Joseph Napier, M.P. Major-General the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, K.C.H. The Rev. Joseph Puffing, 11. D., Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. At this point we copy the following from the Times : " The Earl of Derby went through his duties in n graceful and dignified manner•; and the remark was mink that he evinced the possession of that eminently academical yeah. fication—correet l.atinity. Of the new batch of doctors made to-day it may fairly be stated that Mr. Disraeli was the favourite of the undergradeuttes. ]Meat• two malignant s did hiss his name a little, to be sure, hut the applause was magnifieently triumphant, and his acceptance was talked of aiterwanla as the ' hit' of the occasion. For the rest, we may say that the Earl of .Eglinton was well cheered, that Mr. Macaulay received marked honours, and that the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge was equally fortunate. The Earl of Derby. by altering the usual li►naalte, so as to give Lord Stanley the title of Viiias wens itiledissinms; excited much sympathy." And although this description, though without any imputation of unfairness, falls short of our own im press of the triumph, beneath it we put the following statement from the Chronicle, as an example of the meaner resources of party:— " The names of Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Cardwell, when mentioned, elicited a burst of cheering us cordial as ►t was genentl ; the mune ' Benjamin Disraeli,' when shouted terth by a pair of stentorian lungs, became the signal for manifestations of conflicting emotions from the two parties into which it was evidently divided. After a warm struggle between the applauders and the hooters, in u•hicle it seas ditheedl in say whirr the rcight nr aausbe•rs lay, the energy of the latter ultimately slackened, and the zeal of friendly partisanship increased until it became decidedly pre dominant." This latter extract may be left, as a specimen of extreme candour, to the criticism either of those who were present in the theatre, or of those who on the following morning read a "leader" in the same paper rebuking the vociferous and one-sided manifestations of the gallery. Dr. Mitchell, Vice-President of Magdalen Hnll, afterwards delivered the Creweian Oration, spoken at every commemoration iu praise of the founders and benefactors of colleges. The remaining business of the Convocation con sisted in the reading of the English prose essay for the Chancellor's prize, "On Popular Poetry consi • dered as a test of National Character," by Mr. Day, of Wadham College, and of odes composed in honour of the Installation, for which prizes have been awarded, in tireek verse by Mr. Griffiths, of WoOhani College. and Mr. Falcon, of Queen's College ; in Latin verse by Mr. Atkinson, of Exeter College, and Mr. Darner, of Trinity College; in English verse by Mr. Alexander, of New Inn-hall, and Mr. Arnold, of University College. The following passages by the latter elicited marked applause Thrice welcome to the seat thy worth bath won, Proud in her• grief, sad Isis hails her son Welcome ! but question not the tear that starts From the sealed sorrow of a thousand hearts Welcome ! but ask not why in Sheldon's hall The voice must titlter, and the greeting fall : Greeting as warns. and ,joy as deep and proud. As though that greeting sued that joy were bind ; And taith as steadfast, love as strong we bear. Though Past and Present mingle smile and tear: — We weave two wreathes, we twine two garlands now, thie of height olive for thine Ito red brow, And one of cypress for the mighty dust Who is ou► Mowry, as thou our Trust : Anti therefore mourn we, therefore we rejoice. Shaping glad welcomes with a saddened voice; Beconse to-day great Arthur's seat we see Vacant ot• him—Worthily held of thee. • • • • • Once more the city of the tower and dome Bids thee brave welcome to thine early home!