The Press. — London, England, 1857-04-18 00:00:00

APRIL 18, 185'! to be preferred to the professorial—that if we cannot keep both, we must be content to resign the latter. But however this may be, there are one or two chairs in the University of Oxford to which such objections can by no means apply. And one of these, undoubtedly, is that for the occupation of which a pretty sharp contest seems just now likely to ensue. An Oxford Professor of Poetry, though we fully agree that he should be something totally different from a University laureate, is still not called upon for any grammatical exegesis of classical writers. His lectures could. from no point of view, be considered a substitute for college instruction, or calculated to inter fere with the claims of accurate verbal scholar ship. They should rather form a fitting sup plement to that course of study whose prizes are Irelands and Hertfords, Chancellor's medals and college fellowships. They should lead the young scholar to apply those canons of taste which he has acquired by the aid of VIRGIL, SOPHOCLES, and HONER, to a wider field of literature and new regions of beauty. They should follow in the wake of those models of pure taste and elegant latinity, Professors COPLESTONE and KEBLE, and strive, if we may so speak, to popularise the lessons they con vey. This would be truly to utilise the chair of poetry, and extend its influence, not only to a few finished scholars, but to the general mass of university students. But there is even a further and a higher end which a Professor of Poetry might propose to himself, though how far compatible with the present system of delivering his pradections in Latin is perhaps a doubtful point. It is impossible to over-estimate the benefits which might accrue to literature from the existence of a central fountain of criticism in which that purity of taste which is the reward of classical studies should be made to go hand in hand with a mastery of modern letters. A censorship of poetry would then be established whose dicta would be received more ungrudg ingly than those of reviews and newspapers, inasmuch as they would be general and not particular, and could scarcely be suspected of any party bias, whether literary or political. It is not easy to say how far the popularity of the so-called spasmodic school of poets may not be owing to the rapid increase of a class of readers unacquainted with the true laws of taste and composition, which the right em ployment of the Oxford chair of poetry might, wo really believe, do much to diffuse and de termine. Nor are the benefits to the cause of classical study, which a due fulfilment of the proles• sor's duties might effect, to be altogether overlooked in our estimate of their importance. If one main end of his discourses were to facilitate a comparison between the beauties of the classic and romantic schools of poetry, from the purely critical point of view, he would probably do much to popularise the classics, and to elucidate that problem which is now so perplexing to the middle classes, — why, namely, the study of the writings of antiquity should necessarily form the basis of a liberal education. What, then, should be the qualification of a professor from whom we might fairly antici pate the realisation of these hopes ? Clearly, in the first place, a combination of elegant scholarship, with a wide knowledge of modern literature ; then a highly cultivated critical judgment, and, finally, that general literary ability which should enable him to take his stand in the first class either as a writer or a lecturer. Evidence for the possession of these (nullities must be sought first of all in the University performances of the candidates ; and, secondly, in their performances in the department of general literature. He who unites in his own person the greatest share of distinction in each, should undoubtedly be the choice of the electors. But neither, by itself, should, if possible, be received as con clusive. Though, as we have said, the pro fessor is not to be a laureate, yet unquestion ably he who has gained some reputation as an English poet may fairly be considered to possess poetical and refilled taste. And, if the distinction of a prize poem be ever worth anything at all, it ought surely to be allowed to weigh in the choice of a Professor of Poetry. THE PRESS. We have said enough to indicate our opinion of the principles by which the University should be guided in their choice of a professor. Of the candidates now before them, Mr. TWEED, Mr. JONES, and Mr. BODE are all known as first-rate classical scholars, and the last-mentioned gentleman as no unsuc cessful adventurer in the domain of English poetry. Mr. RUSKIN, it strikes us, is a little stepping out of his path to stand for this office ; but the two Mr. ARNOLDS, if both, in deed, are candidates, equally have claims on the University, both as old Newdegate price men and successful modern poets. Such are the candidates and such the present prospects of the professorship. We can only sincerely echo the common sentiment that the best man may be chosen. THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES. Is considering the future organisation of any rising nationality, it is obviously of the high est itnportanee to comprehend the wishes and even the prejudices of the people themselves. It has, therefore, been asked whether, in the controversy at present going on between the Western Powers respecting the settlement of the Danubian principalities, it would not be as well to ascertain the real sentiments of the Roumans previous to the adoption of any defi nite line of policy in their behalf. But at the present moment this question seems to be more plausible than pertinent. For on the main point at issue, the wishes of the Roumans have been already so dis tinctly expressed that they are no longer a secret to any one. Their desires are now as evident to Englishmen as they are to French men or Austrians. They point directly to a union of the Principalities under the sway of an hereditary Western monarch. With the example of Greece before their eyes it may be thought that this is an odd choice. But the circumstances of the two countries are widely different, and we should hesitate to express dissent from the unanimous voice of the Moldo-Wallachian people. Austria, however, being anxious to prevent any such consummation, and having exhausted the imaginary terrors suggested by Russian advocacy of the scheme, at the first opening of the Paris Conferences insisted on the neces sity of consulting the Roumans, and the farce of waiting for their answer is still kept up, though their wishes are, as we have already stated, patent to all concerned. Feeling, however, that this device far gaining time must soon be seen through, Austria is now gradually abandoning that position, and, assuming tbat a majority of votes will be in favour of the union, maintains that with Turkey alone, who has expressed au adverse opinion, can rest the ultimate decision, end that no vote of any majority can control her absolute discretion in the matter. Such we believe to be a tolerably correct version of the present situation of affairs. The conduct of Austria will, of course, be inter preted differently by her friends and her enemies. To some it will not seem to exceed the limits of legitimate diplomacy ; in the eyes, perhaps, of others it may assume a less favourable colour. However this may be, one thing at least, we think, appears tolerably cer• tain, namely, that Moldo-Wallachia is a Coun• try on which it is worth while to make some effort to bestow a suitable and popular government. The population of Moldavia and Wallachia, now reduced to five millions, is cal culated to rise, under favourable circumstances, to double its number in the space of ten years. It is no secret to those wbo have visited Bul garia, Servia, Transylvania, and the Bukowine, that the system of labour and land tenure lately in force has had the effect of driving the Roumans in large numbers from their native country, and of making them settle, some in 375 Austria, some in Servia, and others in Turkey. As new settlers they came in for allotments of ground barren in comparison with those pre viously occupied, yet they lived and increased, maintaining in their newly colonised homes the language and customs of their forefathers. Place Wallachia and Moldavia under a united and well-organised Government, and the two millions of wanderers will return. This, with the increase natural to a better state of society, will create a commonwealth more plenteous in population than the England of Queen ELIZABETH. and capable of furnishing what Turkey and Austria deny that it can furnish, an army for its own defence. Whether these results are best to he insured by a union of the Principalities according to the wish of the inhabitants, or by some other method of more foresight, we do not undertake to determine. Suffice it to remind our readers that a strong and united kingdom between Turkey, Austria, and Russia, is likely to prove not less serviceable to the interests of this country than either Switzerland, Piedmont, or more remote Eastern or Western States, for which we have not been unwilling to risk expensive and tedious wars. CONSERVATIVE GAINS IN IRELAND. THE Irish Elections have presented some special features worthy of notice. There has been a decided improvement in the class of members, and a greater number of the gentry have been returned. The Conservatives have gained in the important counties of Galway, Louth, Mayo, Carlow, Sligo, Westmeath, and they have lost only in one county, Wexford. In Waterford City, also, the Conservatives have gained a member, and the losses at Sligo and Athlone will be rectified en petition. But foremost amongst the Conservative triumphs must be placed the decided defeats of the Government. Never did a Lord Lieutenant work so hard for his political friends as Lord CARLISLE ; and never did a Lord Chancellor help his chief with such zealous enthusiasm as the Right Honourable MAZIERE BRADY. The "Dublin Six" (as the Conserva tive M.P.'s for the University, County, and City of Dublin are called) were singled out for special assault. Vicegeral canvassers thronged the courts of justice, the public offices, and even the ball-rooms. Never even in the annals of Irish electioneering did "the Castle" put forth such energy, and all to no avail. It is said that two hundred barristers were influenced by certain persons. The mere fact that the Whigs would consent to yoke the son of the Lord Chancellor of Ire land along with one of the chiefs of " the Brass Band " shows the fierceness with which the struggle was undertaken. But the " Six" triumphed against " the Castle." In several county elections the influence of the priests was gallantly withstood. We are glad to see that Mr. GREGORY has again been elected. Although differing from him on some points, we acknowledge his talents and his tried faculties for public speaking. Mr. CONWAY DOBBS, the new Conservative Member for Carrickfergus, is said to be a young man of political promise. If the " Irish Independent Opposition " be excluded from the list of '• Liberals," it would appear that Conservatism has had a numerical triumph over the Minis terialists in Ireland. Thirty-three Roman Catholic gentlemen have been chosen, and several ot• them (like The O'Dostoonuz and Mr ALEXANDER M'CARTHY) are of a far higher social grad 3 than the predecessors of their communion in former Parliaments. The de clining influence of the Whigs in Ireland is shown by their failure in finding a seat for Mr. JOHN BALL, turned out of Carlow, and re jected by Sligo. On the whole, it must be ad mitted that there has been a manifest improve ment in the political tone and the personal consideration of the Irish members now elected.