The Sun. — London, England, 1830-02-25 00:00:00

would not draw any comparisons as to the attainments in knowledge and science of that class to which he belonged and any other in the community. If any difficulties in acquiring them—if any obstacles were opposed to their attainment by that class in the chartered universities of the kingdom—that ought to be a reason why that class should snore eagerly give its support to such an institution as the present. If the acquisition of knowledge in those universi ties were desirable, so much the greater injury was done to those who found themselves excluded. And if any particular discipline existed in those establishments which excluded the class to which he alluded, so much stronger ought to be the desire to uphold such an establishment as the Loudon University amongst those who could not conscientiously submit to those regulations of discipline. To talk of the advantages of education in a meeting such as the present, composed, as he knew it was, of those who were fully im pressed with the value of those advantages, would be an unnecessary waste of time ; but he could not help quoting a few lines of Milton on this subject, which said more i❑ a few words than he could hope to express in a long speech. Speaking of education, Milton said—" I call a complete general education that which fits man for a just, skilful, and magnanimous performance of his duty in every office, public or private, in peace or in war." It was not pos sible that the advantages of education could be more tersely or more forcibly expressed. He would only add, that if man were taught to perform the duties of private life magnanimously, those of war would sink to nothing, —(Hear, hear.)—Before he sat down he might be allowed (while he felt grateful for the support the University had received) to express his regret that that support was not as extensively given by the Dissenters, Protestant and Ca tholic, in London and its vicinity, as they had a right, and were led to expect on their first establishment. If any of those classes to which he alluded were present, he would in their presence express a hope that they would exert themselves to promote the objects of the institution. He would not stop to enquire into the causes why greater support had not been received from those classes, but he would again repeat the expression of hope that, from an institution so ably conducted, and calculated to confer so many benefits on the community, the cordial support of those classes to whom it was likely to be most beneficial would not be withheld. After an eulogium on the mode in which the system of instruction was conducted in the University, the Hon. Member concluded by stating, that it only wanted to be known, in order to be universally re spected. _ _ Mr. PIA Rom trusted, that in presenting himself thus early to the attention of the meeting, no wish to impede their proceedings would be attributed to him. He was glad that the Noble Lord, and the Hon. Gentleman who had just addressed the meeting, hail preceded him, because some of the observations which he had to address to the meeting were connected with a remark made by the latter, in which he asked, with some expression of regret, why the University had not received a more extensive support from the Catholics and the Protestant Dissenters; and why they had not availed themselves more fully of the ad vantages which it held out to them in particular. The answer to that question was most important for the consi deration of the meeting. An Hon. Proprietor (Colonel Jones) had stated, that in the coarse of the proceedings some questions would be put to the Council. He did not know to what questions the Hon. Gentleman intended to call their attention ; but the matters to which he (Mr. Fearon) was about to call their attention, would be put rather as suggestions, calling to their notice some reports which had been for a considerable time in circulation amongst many classes interested in the progress of the University. The points to which he wished to address himself were contained in a wieldy literary publication. They had also been in circulation elsewhere. He would take them in order. The first was, that they were not making that progress in the dissemination of instruction (with the exception of the medical classes, which were well attended) which bad been anticipated. The Hon. Pro prietor then went on to detail other points of objection to the present system, or to the regulations of the Council, rumours respecting which had been, he said, some time in circulation. They were in substance that, owing to some cause, the number of students had not increased to the ex tent they had reason to expect ; that the fees of admission to the several classes were too high, being nearly twice as much as would be charged by most respectable classical schools in and near the metropolis—that the charge upon the establishment from a salary of 1,2001. a year to the warden, aeiai the salaries of professors and officers of the University, were over 5,0001, a year, and were much greater than the income of the institution could afford ; and that some of the professors had made use of their situ ations in the University to promote Sectarian principles-- that the University Council had itself acted upon those principles ; at least, that it was so felt in some cases, for that in those cases Church of England men were preferred to certain offices, while Dissenters were rejected. (These last charges, we understood Mr. Fearon to say, had been made public by Dr. Bowring.) For his own part, he did not object to the appointment of members of the Church of England to professorships and other offices in the society. If more competent persons were found belonging to that church, (and it was probable that it would be so, from the many advantages they enjoyed above Dissenters,) be would say, that the Council were bound to choose the most competent without reference to creed. He stated this in fairness, for all he wished was the success of the institution, on the principles on which it was first esta blished ; but if any objections did exist on this ground, he thought that the sooner they were explained to the proprietors and the public, the better. —(Hear, bear. ) If the cause of the want of support which they had to re gret arose from the high prices charged for admission to the several classes, it would be necessary to apply the proper remedy, by lowering them. If it arose from any damp thrown upon the ardour of the Dissenters by any deviation from the principles on which the University was esta blished, that ought to be remedied, if they hoped for the continuance of the support of those who advocated those principles. It was alleged, and the belief was pretty gene rally extended, that certain Professors of the University bad used the name of the University (whether by the sanc tion of the Council or not) in promoting their own secta rian principles. If that were the case (and he should show that the rumour was not unfounded) it could not be a mat ter of surprise that some of their early friends should evince coldness and indifference as to the success of the Institu tion. lie would ask them whether any one or more of the Professors bad done any thing on the subject of religious instruction in the University which tended to destroy the principle on which it had been established? Let him not be understood as opposed to religious instruction. On the contrary, there was nothing which he should mo - re desire to see combined with general education ; but the privilege en which they went in that Institution was that which had been laid down by one of the greatest men of the age, he *leant the earliest friend and advocate of the University (Mr. Brougham) : it was this. -that any particular reli gion should not be taught within the walls, not because it was not important, but for the reasons, that being all-important, and that so few men were found to agree upon any one mode of religious instruction, any one par ticular creed should not be mixed up in a system of gene ral education; but that each of the pupils should be left to that mode of religious instruction out of doors, which they or their friends might choose to adopt. Upon this prin ciple was the University founded, and upon this he went. He would come now to facts in support of the allegation that certain Professors of the University did depart from this principle, and did publish certain advertisements and pamphlets which would lead the world to believe that they did so by the consent and sanction of the Council of the London University. He would first beg the attention of the Meeting to two advertisements which appeared in the Times journal on the 2d of February, 1629. They were both headed " University of London ;" and one, which was signed with the name of the Warden, Mr. Horner, gave notice, on the part of the Council, that certain lec tures on political economy would be delivered on certain days mentioned by Mr. Macculloch. Immediately over that advertisement was another, headed also " University of London," and stating that " the divinity lectures, esta blished for the benefit of the students of the Church of England, July 4, 1828, will be commenced at: Saturday, February 14, at two o'clock. The Rev. Thomas Dale, M.A., Lecturer. Further particulars may be learned of Mr. John Taylor, 30, Upper Gower-street." This, it would be admit,:ed, would of itself lead to an impression that the lectures were a part of the system of education esta blished at the University of London ; but lest there should be any doubt on it, Sir. Dale's lectures were shortly after published, with this notice on the back of the cover University of London—Rev. Thos. Dale's introductory Lecture upon the study of Theology and the Greek Teata ment ;" and in the title-page was this—(headed as before) —" University of London—Au Introductory Lecture upon the Study of Theology and of the Greek Testa ment, delivered at the opening•of the Theological Institu tion, Saturday, Nov. 21, 1629, by the Rev. T. Dale, Lecturer on Divinity at the above Institution, and Professor of the English Language and English Literature in the University of London. Printed by Samuel Bentley for John Taylor, 30, Upper Gower-street, bookseller and pub lisher to the University." Now he(Mr, Fearon) mentioned those things in order to show a cause for the effect which the Hon. Member for Norwich deplored,—the coldness and apathy of the Dissenters, Protestant and Catholic, to the University ; for undoubtedly on the face of the no tices he had read, it would appear to the great mass of readers that these lectures, if rivt delivered within the walls, at least formed a part of the course of education sanctioned by the University of London. Ile again begged not to be understood as objecting to re ligious instruction forming a part of education, for he would not object to the whole of the New-road being filled with chapels of every denomination of religion, for the instruction of the pupils of the University in their re spective creeds. What he complained of was this, and he urged it as one cause of the neglect which the University had experienced from many of its early friends, that any Professors of the University should take advantage of their situation in it, and by the way in which they put forth their notices, make it believed that the University itself was giving its sanction to any one mode of religious instruction, which would be, he contended, a departure from the principles on which it was founded. Mr. Fearon then went on to contend, that this must have been the view of the itev. Mr. Dale, for in his introductory notice to the pamphlet containing the lecture, there were these words,—" It is the author's object to point out a few of the causes which operate against the formal introduction of theology into the University of London; to vindicate his colleagues and himself from the imputation of having neglected this most important branch of education." Surely, continued Mr. Fearon, no vindication was neces sary for the Rev. Gentleman or his colleagues on this ground, and they quite mistook the line of their duty if they thought any such vindication was necessary on their part. Mr. Fearon tlTn went on to show that this was considered by mmy as an abandonmeut of the principle on which the University was established. In the Quarterly Review, in an able article written on this subject, were these words—" The irreligious principle on which the Gower-street scheme was established, is abandoned by the success of the rival establishment." This, it was unneces sary to state, was a gross misrepresentation of the principle on which the University was founded, but the notices of Professor Dale called it forth. This feeling on the part of many persons out of doors, that the University had departed from the principle (certainly not an irreligious one, but one which, respecting the conscientious belief of every man, and therefore allowing all its pupils to follow, out of the Institution, any religious belief in which they had been or wished to be instructed), was rather encouraged by a declaration of Dr. Lardner, who, at the Literary Fund dinner, declared amongst other things, that " he, in con junction with other Professors, had persevered in hiS exer tions (to promote religious instruction), and he trusted that their plan would satisfy all parties, even the very warmest friends of the Established Church." No doubt such a course would satisfy those friends, for it went by implication to state that the system of religious instruction to be adopted was that of the Established Church. Mr. Fearon then went on to contend that this was conduct on the part of thosa Professors which tended to mislead the public, by making it believe that it was done with the sanction of the University; that the Council ought to take notice of it, and prevent similar conduct in future; that it ought to adopt the example of King's College, which, when a notice was made public of a mapzine, ealled King's College Magazine, sent round an adver tisement to all the papers, disavowing any connexion with such a work; and that if the Council did not adopt a s:- lunar course with respect to such notices as those to which he bad alluded, the public would very naturally conclude that the University bad departed from the principle, not of irreligion, but of universal religious tolerance, on which it has been established. Suppose such an adver tisement as the following, which was only a paraphrase of that of Mr. Professor Dale, were to be puleishe,l in all the papers, what would he the impression of the public? University of London.—The Oriental Divinity Lectures, es tablished for the benefit of students of the University, will take place on the 14th of February, at two o'clock. John Borthwick Gilchrist, LLD., Professor of the University, Lecturer. The object of the Lecturer will be to infuse into the minds of the stu dents of the London University a reverence for polytheism and idolatry, —a belief in the divine origin of the Bramins,—in the pre existence and in the transmigration of souls, and in the devout and pious sacrifice of women burning themselves with the bodies of their deceased husbands. Further particulars may be learned of Mr. John Taylor, 30, Upper Gower street, bookseller and pub lisher to the University, and also of the Professor." Would it not be believed that the doctrines here broached were sanctioned by the University? After enforcing, by a variety of arguments, the necessity of a correction of the erroneous impression which the notices he had read were calculated to produce, Mr. Fearon concluded by moving— " That the Council be requested to revise the whole of its ar rangements as to the salaries, the numbers, and the efficiency of the several officers, as well as the Professors of the University : together with the amounts charged to the students ; and that the Council be respectfully instructed to prevent in future such pro ceedings, on the part of Professors or other officers, as may tend to compromise the principles upon which the University was es tablished." The CHAIRMAN asked whether this resolution was in tended as an amendment to the motion already in his hands? Mr. FEARON said he did not so intend it. He had no ob jection to the motion that the report be received, but he would put his as a resolution after that was disposed of. Colonel Jowes supported the motion of the last speaker, and observed, that when this subject was before the last General Meeting, his Hon. and Learned Friend (Mr. Brougham) had told them that Professors should not be allowed to compromise the University by such notices and advertisements as those to which the Hon. Proprietor (Mr. Fearon) had adverted ; but since then, it now appeared that no step bad been taken on the subject. The Hon. Gentleman then went on to contend that it should excite no surprise why Catholics and other Dissenters did not come forward in support of the Institution, when they saw, from such publications as had been noticed, that at tempts would be made to tamper with their religion. That at least was the inference which such notices were calcu lated to produce. The Hon. Proprietor then proceeded to contend that a due attention to economy was not ob served by the Council ; that the expenses of the University in payments to the Warden and other officers were greater than were necessary, or than the income of the Establish ment could yet afford; and that no Member of either House of Parliament ought to have any concern in the management of the funds of any public institution, for they were so much acquainted with jobs—co habituated to profligate expenditure of the public money, and so con taminated by the very air of the houses in which theyhold their seats, that they were not fit to be intrusted with the di rection or appropriation of the funds of private individuals. --(Laughter. )—He then proceeded to condemn many of the acts of the council,—the appointment of a librarian before they had a library, and of lecturers and professors at high salaries before they knew whether they were to have pupils to attend,—the appointment of certain professors at high fixed salaries, such as Mr. McCulloch, as lecturer on poli tical economy, as if the Council believed that the salvation of the country depended on his lectores ; and the salary of 3001. a.year to Dr. Lardner, besides the profits of his classes. All these were matters on which he should like to hear some explanation from the council ; for though he did not object to liberal salaries being given to professors, he should like to see some moderation observed, and some consideration for the state of their income. lie also ob jected to the system of concealment as to the course which the council adopted ; he would have every thing open, and nothing hidden from the knowledge of the Proprietors. If they went on in their present course, drawing upon their capital, instead of apportioning their expenses in some degree to their income, he would predict, that in 1832 they would become bankrupt; but it would be better to prevent bankruptcy by timely economy, than to meet it when it came. He would wish to know what was in tended to be done with respect to the ta,mpletion of their buildings, and when the 31useum was to be erected ? Colonel L. STANHOPE admitted that the system of edu cation adopted in the University was a good one, and that the Professors ware men eminent for great talents and abi lities in their respective walks of literature and science. He did not object to any expense incurred on their account, but he must protest against such an exorbitant outlay of the funds of the University as 1,2001. a year as a salary fur the Warden. What was the necessity for such an officer at present ? A Secretary, with a salary of 300/. a year, would anewer the purpose just as well, and would be a saving to the Institution of 9001. a year. He could not believe that when the University was founded, such an office, with such an exorbitant salary, was in the con templation of the founders, certainly not of the subscribers. He would ask his lion. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, who seemed, as it were, to be the guardian of the public money in all public institutions with which he was con nected, whether such an extravagant salary as 1,2001. a year a a o a Warden ought to be given in the present state of the Uniriaraity. It would take the subscriptions of 400 shareholders, or 49,000/. invested at 3 per cent. in terest, to support this one oflieer alone, and the suns was greater than they paid to the Professors of Logic, Mathe matics, arid Political Economy. It was greater than was paid to that distinguished Senator and most humane Judge, Sir J. Maciiatoah c at the East India College. It had been: prophesied last year that the number of students wilt io doubled this year ; but that prediction bad not been veriteal $ if it had, it might be some reason fur this enormous expenditure ; but instead of drawing upon an income derived from students, they were now drawing 'von their capital. He should like tar hear from his Hon. P -r riend (Mr. Hume) what was the Report made ly the Finance Committee of the Institotiop to the Council as to the amount of the salaries and to the general expendi tures. lie understood there were serious differences among the Council on this subject. Mr. Betooorram said he !.ad no objection to the discus sion in which his two 1 - 101;. and Gallant Friends who spoke last, and the Hon. Proprietor who preceded them, had taken so large a share. On the contrary, there was nothing wore aebtain thaw that every Hon. Propriety; 411941 ' state to his brother proprietors any thing which he • considered an abuse in the institution. He felt convinced that every thing which had been urged was spoken in a feeling friendly to the institution, and of general confidence in the council; but though lie admitted this, he could not concur in all the observations which he had heard. As to the insinuations that the council had given any sanction to a departure from the great principle which was, he might say, the foundation and corner-stone of the institu tion, in giving any particular form of religious instruction as part of a system of education within the walls of the University, be was sure his Hon. Friends and the other Hon. Proprietor were quite mistaken. The principle on which the University was founded was, in that respect, not one of indifference to religion, but one of real respect —one of universal tolerance which kept aloof from any connexion with any one particular form of religious worship more , than another, for the purpose of leaving every person con , nected with the University at perfect liberty to follow that which was most consonant to hie own conscientious feelings. This was the principle on which the University was founded ; it was that on which the Council had inva • riably acted, and he should be sorry to find that a con ' trary impression should be found to exist to any extent; for most certainly he could state that it would be wholly unfounded. Now the charge made against the council was, that certain advertisements and publications • had been issued by some of the Professors of the University , in such a manner as tended to compromise its sincerity , by making it appear that such publications and notices , were with its sanction. In support of this, an introduc tory lecture published by Professor Dale had been granted, in which the words " University of London" were said to be so used as that they conveyed an impression that the lectures were either delivered in the University or pub , lished with its sanction. The first of these impressions could scarcely be produced on any one person, who only took the trouble to attend to what he read. As to the second point, the impression that the publication of the work, or giving die lectures, were with the sanction of the council, he thought it would be seen, from reading the whole of the title, that there was no connexion between the " theological institution" and the University. At the same time he must express his own opinion,—it was only his own,—that the title ofthe work ought not to have been given to the public in that way, for it did tend to mis lead some.—(Hear, bear.)—The use of the words " formal introduction of theology into the University," were also objectionable on the same ground. This was his opinion as an individual; but then the charge was, that the council did not take measures to prevent such a publi cation. How could they? Surely none of his Hon. Friends would advocate the exercise of an inquisitorial con trol over the conduct of the professors for what they did out of the University. All that the council could do was to state their opinions as private individuals, that they differed from the professor as to the propriety of a particular course, but beyond that he could not see how they could establish a controul, without involving a principle, the exercise of which might be found extremely inconvenient. The Ho ❑ourable Proprietor (Mr. Fearon) had illustrated his argu ment by a supposed advertisement from Dr. Gilchrist, offering to teach the Hindoo religion, or Polytheism. With what object, save that of endeavouring to amuse the company in this dry detail, this was introduced, he could not see. Dr. Gilchrist was not a teacher of religion ; he was only a professor of languages ; and why he should be supposed to offer to teach the public the Gentoo creed or the belief in Polytheism he could hardly guess; but taking the thing as no joke, he would in good earnest suppose that the learned professor alluded to had offered in such an advertisement as the Hon. Proprietor had read, to teach Mohammedanism, or Polytheism,—no very hopeful task, he should suppose, in this country,—yet if he did fall into any of those errors, and offered to teach them to those who were willing to learn, so clear and defined was his (Mr. Brougham's) principle of non-interference in religious opinions, that he would never interpose the authority of the Council to prevent that teaching, provided it did not in any way compromise the sanction or authority of the University.—(Hear, hear.)—All that he thought could be done in such a case as that of Professor Dale, was to state, as a matter of individual opinion, that the course he adopted was not the most discreet one, and, though he did not approve, speaking his own opinion, of the use of any words tending to mislead, he could not agree with the Hon. Proprietor in the reductio ad absurdum to which he would bring the argument. On the principle of inter ference with the proceedings of the prefessors out of doors, he would beg to add, that as long as the Council did not interfere, there could be no responsibity ; but if they once established that principle, where were they to stop? There were 24 members of Council, some of them with many pursuits, whose time was necessarily much occupied; others with no pursuits, and he found that persons of that class had most frequently least time to spare ;—(A laugh) —but those 24 gentlemen—or those of them who could and would attend to the business of the University—would have their time constantly taken up with hearing com plaints of the publications and opinions of the professors. One professor might give lectures on the Catholic religion —another on the Protestant—another on Jewish theology —in short, on many varieties of religious opinions; and such was the force of religious feeling, and the weakness of human nature in viewing the religious opinions of others, that what one man stated would be considered as a damnable heresy by the other. Well, in this variety of religious opinions the members of Council would have nothing to do but hear the complaints of some one party or another against some or all of the doctrines broached in those lectures. The Roman Catholic lecturer would of course insist on the doctrine of transubstantiation, which we had been in the habit of calling, until lately, the idolatry of the mass; and they (the Council) would have to hear the complaint of some conscientious Protes tant, who would say, " What do you think, Mr. Pro fessor So-and-so has actually declared that a man who does not believe in the real presence will be damned." Then they would have another complaint—. that a Jewish Professor had actually declared in his lecture, that no ' man who did not labour under mental delusion could be lieve in the Christian religion ; and yet (Mr. Brougham continued) each of those doctrines might be very conscien tiously held by those respective Professors. It, however, the principle of interference was once adopted, the Coun cil should act in each of those cases; for when they once began, they would be always taken to sanction that which they did not disavow.—( Hear.)—He did not think the ' example quoted of the King's College was at all one which it would be desirable to follow, for having once disavowed a publication sent forth having some connexion with their name, they would be expected to disown all others so issued, and what would become of those which they had , no opportunity of seeing? It would, of course, be re ceived as coming with their sanction when it was found that they did not contradict it.—(Hear, hear.)—lt was thus with many public men—all kinds of rumours wholly destitute of foundation found their way into the papers respecting them, and if they once began to contradict each as it arose, it would in many cases be the business of a man's whole life to go on with such contradictions.—(Hear, hear. )—He therefore would advocate the principle, parti cularly in such a case as that brought forward of non-in terference by the Council as a body. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman then adverted to the argument, that the apathy of some of the early friends of the University had arisen from the publications and opinions alluded to, and contended that this could not be the fact; for that these publications and opinions were sent forth only within the last year, and the great support which they had received from their dissenting friends was within the first six months. That support was most valuable he admitted, and he saw nothing which should lead him to fear that it would be discontinued. In every view which lie took of the affairs of the institution, he saw ground for hope of in creased success from year to year, and he had no doubt that in a few years they would be placed in a condition to derive a large income from the increased number of students. The Hon. and Learned Gent. next defended the salary of 1,2001. to the Warden, who was a most necessary and ef ficient officer. The salary to him had been fixed, because he could derive no other emolument from his situation ; not so the professors. They might derive an income from their exertions out of the University, and their emoluments would increase with the prosperity of the University.— The appointment of the Warden was the act of the Pro prietors, and the salary to him had also received their sanc tion. However, the contract made with that gentleman was open to review, should the circumstances of the Uni versity render it necessary. As to the prediction of his Hon. and Gallant Friend, of their bankruptcy in 1832, without any comment on the injudiciousness of that mode of inviting friends to join them—(A laugh)—he would only observe that there did not appear to be the remotest chance of any such danger as that to which his Hon. and Gallant Friend alluded. After alluding to the similar in stitutions to which the establishment of the London Univer sity had given rise in Manchester, Bristol, and Cape Town, the Hon. and Learned Gentleman concluded by expressing his firm conviction that having already surmounted the obstacles opposed to it, it would go on and prosper. Mr. FREND contended that the publications alluded to were calculated to create an impression that the So'ciety I had departed from its original principles. 1 Colonel L. STannope, referring to the salary of the 4 Warden, said that justice ought to be done to the sub scribers as well as to the Warden, and that the salary of 1 that gentleman ought not to be greater than the Society could afford. Mr, IVAttoutyroN, adverting to the statement of the 4 finances of the Institution, contended that there was no fear of their not 'being able to go on. The Report was then agreed to. In reply to a question from the Chair, Mr. PECARON said he did not wish to throw any diffi culty in the way of the Council, and in the fear that an appearance of division might be injurious to the Institu tion, the success of which he had sincerely at heart, he would not press his motion.—(Hear, hear.)—He was the less inclined to do' so, as the statement made by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman (Mr. Brougham) would have the effect which he sought. At the same time he would not be understood as retracting any thing he bad said as to the tendency of such publications as those to which he had alluded. Mr. HUME contended, that the Council did not suffi ciently attend to an economical disposal of the funds ; that the salaries were too large, and obliged the University to draw upon its capital, instead of limiting its expenditure to its income ; and that if they could not succeed in raising the income to the expenditure, they ought to bring the expenses down to their income. Mr. HARDY objected to the principle of making any deduction from the fees received by Professors. The sa lary of the Warden was he also thought, too high. Professors BELL and THOMPSON respectively bore tes timony to the necessity of such an officer as the Warden— to the efficiency of Mr. Horner in that office, and each expressed his opinion that that gentleman was not over paid for his constant and arduous duties. They also stated that the Professors were satisfied with the mode of remuneration adopted with respect to them, as they knew that their emoluments must increase with the growing pros perity of the institution, of which there was every prospect. The Duke of SOMERSET moved the thanks of the Meet ing to the Council, for their great zeal and assiduity in promoting the interests of the University. He thought the Proprietors had reason to be satisfied with the pro gress they had yet made, and he was happy to see that their prospect of increased success was every day improving. The Loan CHIEF Balton of Scotland (Mr. Aber cromby) seconded the motion, and bore testimony to the earnestness and sincerity which the members of the Council evinced in attending to the interests of the University. The motion was put, and unanimously agreed to. Thanks were afterwards moved to the CHAIRMAN; after which the Meeting adjourned. New Members of Council of the University of Landon, appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Proprietors on the 24th of February, 1830:—Stephen Lushington, D.C.L. and M.P., John Smith, Esq., M.P., his Grace the Duke of Somerset, William Sturch, Esq., William Bingham Baring, Esq., M.P., the Hon. George Agar Ellis, M. P: IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS-(LAST NIGHT.) On the motion of Mr. SYKES, an Account was ordered to be laid before the House of the Quantity of Timber, Brass, and Steel imported into this country from Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, during the years 1827, 1828, and 1829 ; distinguishing the quantity imported in fo reign, and the quantity imported in British vessels. Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from the coal whippers of the city of London, complaining of the conduct of their masters, the coal-undertakers, many of whom kept public-houses, and if the whippers did not spend in those houses more than they wished to spend, dis charged them from their employment. On the motion of Mr. HOBHOUSE, Returns were or dered to he laid before the House of the Amount of Money received by the Bank of England up to the let of January, 1830, for taking charge of the National Debt; the amount of all other allowances paid by the public to the Rank of England, and the Amount of Bank Notes in circulation from 26th Aug. to 26th Feb., in the years 1826, 1827, 1828, and 1829. On the motion of Mr. SPRING RICE, an Account was ordered to be laid before the House of the Amount of Grand Jury Presentments in Ireland for the last twenty years; an Account of the Deposits in the Saving Banks of Ireland for the last ten years ; and Copies of the Sche dules of Tolls and Customs at the Fairs and Markets in Ireland. Mr. DOHERTY gave notice, in the name of his Noble Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland, that his Noble Friend would to-morrow move for " Leave to bring in a Bill to alter and amend the Laws for regulating Juries in Ireland." Sir W. INGILBY presented petitions from the congre gations of Protestant Dissenters of the parishes of Paisley Bridge and Whippon, in Yorkshire, praying for the abo lition of slavery. The Consolidated Fund Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. Sir IL HARDINGE gave notice, that on Friday he would move the further Army Estimates in the Com mittee of Supply. The Navy Estimates stood for that day; but his Honourable Friend would defer them until Monday. ILLUSORY APPOINTMENTS BILL The SOLICITOR-GENERAL moved the Order of the Day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee on the Illusory Appointments Bill. After a short conversation, in which Mr. Bernal, the Solicitor-General, Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Trent, Mr. Ten nison, and Mr. Doherty participated, the House resolved itself in the Committee. Mr. O'CONNELL proposed as an Amendment, that no power of appointment should be exercised after the passing of the Bill, in any way, except to give an equal share of the property to each object of appointment. Mr. TRANT opposed any further progress in the Bill in a thin House, on Wednesday night. Sir C. WETHERELL approved of the Bill. After a few words from Mr. O'CoNNELt. and the SOLI CITOR-GENERAL, the Amendment was negatived without a division. The several clauses of the Bill were then dis posed of. The House resumed, the Report was brought up, and ordered to be received to-morrow ; and the Bill was ordered to be printed. The Property in Infants' Bill, the Lunatics' Property Bill, the Liability of Real Property Bill, and the Con tempt in Equity Bill were then severally passed through a Committee, the Reports were brought up, and ordered to be received on Monday next. DRAMATIC WRITINGS. On the motion of Mr. LAMB, the Bill for amending the 54th Geo. 111. c. )56, relating to Dramatic Writings, was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday nest. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Twenty-five Minutes to Seven. PRICES OF STOCKS TIT'S DAT AT ONE O'CLOCK. Rink Stock 3 per Cent. Red. 92W% 4 Old Annuities — 3 per Cent. Cons. ...... -.91% %% New Ditto — 34 per Cent.... ..... .975 100 N Ex. Bills, Xl,OOO 2d. 75 76 pm. Ditto Red.' 995 100 Ditto lid. 75 76 pm. 4 per Cent. Ann. Ditto, 1826 Rank L. Ann.... 19% 11-16 9-16 Ditt o S ma ll 2EI. 75 76 pm. Ditto 30 years Ditto 30 years l9 1-16 IA Bank for Account India Stock '244 245 India for Account — Ditto Bonds 76 75 pin Cons. for Feb.2s 9 2 ,,i 2 IA COURT CIRCULAR. His MAJESTY held a Court yesterday afternoon, at his Palace at Windsor, which was attended by the Prussian Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of the Council, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretaries of State fur the Home, Foreign, and Colonial Departments, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Lord Steward of the Household, the Mas'ter of the King's Stag Hounds, the Treasurer of the Household, the Judge Advocate-Ge neral, &c. The Prussian Minister bad an audience of the KING, to which he was introduced by the Earl of ABERDEEN, as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Judge Advocate-General had an audience of the KING, and laid before his MAJESTY the proceedings of a number of Courts-martial for the purpose of receiving his MAJEITY'S commands respecting them. His MAJESTY held a Privy Council, at which Mr. GI:R viLLE attended as Clerk. The KING gave audiences to the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Duke Of WELLINGTON, Earl BATHURST, and Mr. Secretary PEEL. Lord GLENLTON and Colonel ARMSTRONG were the Lord and Groom in Waiting. The Court broke up about five o'clock. A dejeune was prepared at the Castle for the Ministers and others attending the Court, on their arrival from town. His MAJESTY gave a grand dinner in the evening to the Duke and Duchess of CLARENCE, the Prussian Minister, Count and Countess MUNSTER, Lord and Lady CLIFDIN, and the Cabinet Ministers and the Officers of the House hold and other official gentlemen who were present at the Court. The Russian Ambassador entertained a large party to dinner yesterday evening, at Ashburnham-house. The Marquis of HERTFORD gave a grand entertainment yesterday evening at his residence in Park-lane, to a nu merous party of the nobility and gentry. Lord ELLENBOItOUGH entertained some of the Cabinet Ministers to dinner yesterday evening, at his residence in Grosvenor-place. At the Admiralty Sessions held at Gibraltar on the 20th January, BENITO DE SoTo, mariner of the brig El Defensor de Pedro, was foUnd guilty of pirati cally boarding the English bark the Morning Star, on the 19th February, 1828, on her passage from Ceylon to Eng land, about one league from the Isle of Ascension, and con demned to death. He was banged, pursuant to his sen tence, at the Moorish Castle, on the 25th, and made a full confessir of guilt. rr.147 . • $ 411104111147544144rit *Mal P!!Pn ...pp. LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1830. We have received this morning German, Prus sian, and Brussels Papers, of various dates. The Turkish Ambassadors, HAUL PACHA and NEDS CIIIK SULEI3IAN EFFENDI, arrived at St. Peters burgh on the 6th inst., and were presented to the EMPEROR 011 the 9th. The Dowager Grand Duchess Louisa of Weimar died on the 14th inst., at the age of 73. The following is the only interesting extract in these Papers : it is sublimely picturesque : BREGENZ, FEB. 6. For some days past we have enjoyed a sight here which has occurred only fourteen times in the last thousand years, and only three times to the extent we now see it. The cold be ing from 15 to 21 degrees by Reaumur's thermometer, the Lake of Constance is entirely frozen over, and presents a strange sight to those who but lately saw it tossing in fu rious waves ; it is now an uninterrupted field of solid ice, with very little snow or hoar-frost on it. The singula rity of the occurrence bas induced the inhabitants of the shores to all kinds of diversions and parties of plea sure, in which they are joined by numerous visitors from remote parts of the country. The numerous groups spread over the immense surface, as far the eye can reach, make a very picturesque and animated scene. VIENNA, FEB. 13.—Metalliques, 103 i; Four per Cents., 96k; Bank Shares, 1288. FRANKFORT, FEB. 16.—Exchange on London (two months), 1521. The French Papers contain no particular news o f interest. The warlike anticipations of the nation are turned to the capture of Algiers;—their domestic wishes to the downfall of the Ministry.: FRENCH FUNDS, PARIS, FEB. 19.—Five per Cents. 109 f 40c. 30c ; Three per Cents. 84f. 20c. 10c. 15c.; Bank Stock, 1,910 f. ; Naples Stock, 92f. 55c. ; Cortes Bonds, 13k; Royal Spanish Loan, 864 ; Spanish Rentes Perpetuelles, 69f. ; Haytian Loan, 505 f. Exchange on London—one month, 25f. 65e. ; three months, 251. 55c• We :have only just space to direct attention to the speech of that intrepid patriot the Honour able Mr. LIDDELL, at the Northumberland County Meeting. It is at once forcible in argument, eloquent in spirit, and highly characteristic of the sound sense which dictated so praispworthy an effusion. The illustration of a depreciated currency is put in so clear a light, that he who runs may read. Mr. LIDDELL deserves well of his country. It gives us great pleasure to find that the funds of the London University are improving, and that the Institution itself is rapidly conciliating the esteem and good will of individuals of all classes. The Duke of NEWCASTLE, in a letter addressed to the Editor of the Morning Journal, on the sub ject of Sir F. BURDETT'S late allusion to his Grace in the House of Commons as a " notorious Boroughmonger," which letter will be found in another column, has delivered himself of much virtuous, and not a little superfluous, indignation. After saying, " I cannot tamely submit to be publicly proclaimed a notorious borough monger, a channel of corruption, and by in ference, as contrasted with the Baronet, an enemy to the liberties of my country, without repelling the charge with the truest indignation," his Grace adds, " my hands are tied from entering into detail," meaning thereby that the public is to take him at his word that he is no borough-monger, because—he is prevented by circumstances from adducing proof of the fact. Now this is a species of Ducal logic, which, were our own hands not tied by the exceeding veneration we entertain for his Grace, we should feel strongly dis posed to call sheer humbug. What, we should like to ask his Grace, would be thought of an untitled personage, who, if publicly charged with the commission of some grave public offence, were, instead of substantiating his innocence, to say to his denouncer, " Sir, you have accused me of a very serious misdemeanour—you have shocked my sense of moral propriety, and outraged the na tural delicacy of my feelings; your charge, I need scarcely add, is false, but with respect to proofs, you will excuse me there, my hands are tied from entering into detail ?" Yet this is literally the sum and substance of his Grace's logic. He maintains that he is no borough monger—is horror-struck at the bare idea, yet when expected to prove kis purity, contents him self with asserting that his hands were tied from entering into detail. It cannot fail to strike his Grace's admirers as a singular fact, that though his hands are thus tied with regard to his own innocence, they have never been tied when the country might be endangered by their officiousness. They were not tied when their well-regulated activity might have been of service in procuring the repeal of the odious Test and Corpora tion Acts. They were not tied when they might have materially contributed to the passing of the glorious Relief Bill. They were not tied when the late Question of Parliamentary Reform was agitated. No, no. They were then busy enough with throw ing obstacle after obstacle in the way of public im provement. They are tied only when the " tie" is likely to benefit the interests of the Patron of Mr. SADLER and the Proprietor of at least half a dozen boroughs. We say nothing of his Grace's observation, that he is " to be the commonest of Nobles—the Baronet the noblest of Commoners;" its truth, to say no- king of its Ducal facetiousness, is so self-evident :hat it. would only lose by being insisted on. THE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TWELVE 0' CL 0 CK. We are again this morning without any arrivals of con sequence, and the French Mail still remains due, conse quently there is no political information. This being settling day in the Consol market, the only business doing at present is making up their Accounts, and the extreme fluctuation during the present Account is about 31 per cent. Consols which left off yesterday very heavy at 91i for the Account, opened at the same price this morning, since which tke market is a shade better, and Consols may be quoted 911 i, and 92i for the next Account; Money is so abundant that the middling merchants can obtain discounts at 21 per cent. ; up to this hour we do not hear of any failures in the market. The Foreign Market is divested of interest, little or nothing doing. Report says that Prince Leopold is to receive 750,0001. to give up his annuity. Information is received at the North and South American Coffee-house, which states that about 80 sail of ships were in the bacon of Flushing, on the 22d inst., owing to the ice, and that a thaw of four or five (lays would clear the river of the ice, when they would proceed to Antwerp. TWO O'CLOCK. By private information received yesterday afternoon from Paris, by Express, it was the general opinion there that Prince Polignac, owing to his bad state of health, would retire from office. 1"le present Account of Consols being now terminated, they may be quoted for money 914 and for the Ac count 92 to Up to the present hour we do not hear of any thing wrong in the Market. The Foreign Market continues without the least interest. Prices much the same as yesterday. THREE 0' CL 0 CK. Consols for Account, 92k, SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) FROM LLOYD'S, DEAL, FEB. 24.--Wind S.W.--Arrived from London, the Lord Goderich, Hope, for Cape Coast. The outward-boun d remain. PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 24.—Wind S.W.—Sailed the Iris, for PLymourn, FEB. 24.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrived the Maris. Cumming, from Lisbon. FALmorrin, FEB. 24.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrived the Gipsey• Brag, from Cape Haytian ; Thetis, Brooke, from Gallipoli; Eschylus, Douglas, from Malta; and St. Aubin, Correll, from Cadiz. Off Port, the Kingfisher packet, from Buenos Ayres. The Hope, Stroud, from Lisbon, was driven on shore near St. Alban's Head on Tuesday, and it was feared would be wrecked; cargo thrown overboard. The Venus, of Whitstable, was driven on shore near Robin, Hood's Bay on Monday night,:and it was fe are d wou ld be wreck The Thomas, Tweddy, was abandoned off' Wells, on Tuesday night. _ _ The Ann Paley, Royston, from Oporto, has arrived S t Liverpool. The Concordia, Santos, from Oporto to Rio Grande de Sol, is lost at Genape. The Prospect, Stone, from St. Michael's, has arrived at Dart mouth. The Caroline, from Ithaca, and the Monmouth, from Cartha• gena, have arrived at Bristol. The Eliza, Watts, from Cadiz, has arrived at Jersey, THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY). GENERAL AVERAGE PRICE OF BRITISH CORN, For the Week ended Feb. 19, 1830, made up from the Returns of the Inspectors in the dittrent Cities and Towns in England and Wales, per Imperial Quarter. Wheat.—... 58s. 4.1.1 Oats —.. 21s. 4d.1 8ean5,...... 31s. 2d. 8ar1ey........... 295. 3d.1 Rye --- 345. 11d.1 Pease...—. 355. Od. IMPERIAL AGGREGATE AVERAGES OF TUE SIX WEEKS PRECEDING. Wheat......... 565. 9d.1 Oats --.. 21s. Od. 8ean5......... 31s. 2a. Barley 295. 3d.1 Rye ........ 335. 10d I Pea5e......, 355. 3d. DUTIES ON FOREIGN CORN. Sd. Oats —.-- 15s . Beaus----225. 9d. Barley 18s. 4d.1 Rye —.—.. 19g. 9d.i Pease tki• SMITHFIELD MARKET. In this day's market, the supply of which was both li- Inited in number and inferior in quality, the trade was very dull throughout ; with Beef at a depression of from 4d. to 6d. ; Mutton and Pork 2d. per stone ; with Veal at Monday's quotations. PRICKS PER STONE OF BIAS. TO SINK THE OFFAL& s. d. to s. d. s. d. to s. d. Inferior Beasts 2 2 2 6 Large Lambs 0 0 0 0 Second quality ditto 2 6 3 0 Prime small ditto 0 0 0 0 Prime large Oxen... 3 4 3 8 Large coarse Calves 4 4 4 8 Prime Scots, &c..... S 8 4 0 Prime small ditto 5 4 5 8 Inferior Sheep 2 4 2 6 Large Hogs 3 4 3 8 Second quality ditto 3 0 3 4 Small Porkers 4 2 4 6 Coarse.woolled ditto 310 4 2 Suckling Calves Ifs to 30s. each. SouthdownWethers 4 2 4 6 Quarter old Pigs lis to 18s. each. SUPPLY, AS PER CL)CRK ' S sTATZMENT. Beasts. I Sheep, c a l v es. Pigs. 499 I 3,090 I 190 100 With Mikh Cows, which were not very numerous, the trade was dull at last week's prices, an useful short horns, with her small calf, producing with difficulty from 191. to 20/. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL MARKETS. At per atone, by the Carcass. a. d. toe. d. a • Beet 2 2 3 41 5. d tom. Veal Mutton 24 38 Pork 3O 44 HAY MARKETS.—(At per Load of 35 Trusses.) ST. JAMES'S. Coarse heavy Lowland Meadow Hay £2 8 to £3 0 New Meadow Hay 0 0 0 0 Useful Old Ditto 3 0 3 1 5 Fine Upland Meadow and Rye-grass Hay 4 5 5 a Clover Hay 3 15 5 1 0 Oat Straw £2 6to £2 10 I Wheat Straw... 2 10 3 0 Supply good, trade dull, and prices as last quoted. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE AND SIR F. BUR- DETT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING JOURNAL SIR,—In your report of the debate in the House of Commons on Lord Blandford's motion for reform in Parliament I observe certain expressions attributed to Sir F. Burdett which demand my notice and remark. . . As the state of my health does not admit of my attendance in Parliament, where I should have noticed these unwarrantable assertions in my place, I must beg the favour of you to give pub licity to this letter, by inserting it in your paper. In the Report Sir Francis Burdett is represented to have said, " That in early life he came into that House; but in what way ? In defiance of the law of the country he purchased his seat of a notorious borough-monger--of no less a person than the Duke of Newcastle. But the Noble Duke was no patron of his ; he took his money for the seat, but left him an independent weat her, having purchased a right to speak in the house of represen tatives with the voice of an Englishman who loved the liberty of his country." After some flourishing language,which must have been not unlike sounding brass and tinkling cymbals, the Hon. Baronet proceeds to say that, "having himself been introduced to the House through such a channel of corruption, he couldnot help feeling for the electors of East Retford, who in these times of general corruption h a d at least the good sense to sell them selves," &c. &c. Now, with every allowance for the utmost freedom of speech, this is past endurance. I cannot tamely submit to be publicly proclaimed a notorious borough-monger, a channel of corrup tion, and, by inference, as contrasted with the Baronet, an enenlY to the liberties of the country, without repelling the charge with the truest indignation. My hands are tied from entering into detail. 'I he Hon. Ba ronet accuses me of being a corrupt borough-monger (an elegant and honourable appellation truly), and states that he bought his first seat of use. He knows as well as I do that his as sertion is not correct. When he first came into Parliament I was quite a boy, and happily ignorant, as I wish I was now. of all his practices. This fact will show the Hon. Baronet in his proper colours. Having an object in view, he adopts the unwarrantable course of endeavouring to prop up his own re. putation by the ruin of mine. lam to be proclaimed by name as a corrupt violator of the laws of my country, whilst the Hon. Baronet figures in bright contrasts on the opposite side as the exclusively honest man, the only champion of his country's free dom. I am, in short to be the commonest of Nobles—the Baronet the noblest of Commoners. However, as Ido not deal in hollow professions—as Ido not say much and mean little—as my reputation is as dear to me as the Baronet's to him—as I desire to stand well in the good opi nion of my countrymen—so must 1 clear myself from all impu tation or even suspicion of corruption, or of that venality which the Baronet complacently terms venial. I will not shelter myself behind the Hon. Baronet's amnesty—l claim no indulgence—l call for his proofs of my venality—and I call upon him to show any action of my life in which I have been info Aced by a base lo.• of gain, or even by a selfish consideration. My name has been handed about by many a spouter in Par liament, and by, perhaps, many a pot-house politician, as a cor rupt borough.monger, and an enemy to the freedom of my coun try. Once for all. I utterly deny the very shadow even of such an imputation, and if it were necessary would challenge the most fiery ordeal of public scrutiny. In these times of political villany and immoral depravity amen possessing a fair name may be a sort of political target for mock patriots and modern liberals to shoot at, but he must feet a con scious pride in the possession of that name which will shield him from all wounds, and urge him not to fear to preserve it. Not only for myself, but for others who are situated as I am, I have thought it incumbent upon me to vindicate our claims to integrity and patriotism. As Peers and Englishmen we should be doubly noble, and let it not be supposed by the country at large that because we are titled we therefore have not the feel ings of men, who prize their honour and love their country as much as any human being who may be blessed by the appellation of Englishmen. I am, Sir, your obedient, Clumber, Feb. 21, 1830. NEWCASTLE. Nothing of any public importance took place this day in the Law Courts, up to the period when our several Reporters left them. Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India House, when ROBERT CUTLAR FERGUSSON, Esq. took the usual oath and his seat, as a Direc tor, in the room of RICHARD CUICHELEY PLOWDEN, Esq. deceased.—Captain BRYAN Baouaterox was sworn into the command of the ship Earl of Bakarras, con signed to China direct.—The following Commanders took leave of the Court previous to departing for their respective destinations, viz.:—Captain HENRY A. DRUMMOND, Castle Huntley, Captain TIMOTHY Sun's, Loudon, Madras and China. FIRE AT THE ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.--• The Committee for relieving the poor sufferers at the late Fire met yesterday evening at the Bell, in Exeter -street, Strand. Mr. CLOUP, the Director of the French com pany, attended, and stated that Mr. DAVIDGE, the Pro prietor of the Coburg, had offered, in aid of the sufferers, one-half of the receipts on Saturday evening next, on which occasion there would be a Melange, two English pieces by the regular company of the theatre, and two French entertainments, comprising the whole strength of the French company. BIRTHS. On the 21st inst. at Bristol, Mrs. T. F. Clarke, of a son. On the 22d inst. at Crotton Park, Cambridgeshire, the lady of G. Newton, Esq. of a son and heir. On the 24th inst. Mrs. Anderson, of Great St. Thomas Apostle, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 23d inst. at St. Michael's, Hertfordshire, by the Rev. Lord F. Beauclerk, S. Smith, Esq., to Geor giana Matilda, only daughter of J. Lomax, Esq , Child wick-Bury, Herts. On the 23d inst. at All Souls, Marylebene, Jas. Wood, Esq., only son of Edw. Wood, Esq., of Berwick-upon- Tweed, to Miss Fauntleroy, of Regent-street. DIED. On the 4th of January, at Funchal, in the island of Madeira, after a long illness, Christian Heineken, M.D., in the 39th year of his age. On the 18th inst. at Whitebead's Crove, near Belgrave• square, in the 26th year of her age, Mary, the wife of Robert Bell, Esq. ; and on the 23d inst. George Villimos their infant son. On the 24th inst. in Hans-place, James, eldest son of Thomas Hector, Esq. On the 4th inst. at Brighton, in her 84th year, the Hon. Charlotte Chapman, relict of Anthony Chapman, Esq., of Grenville House, Dorset, and daughter of Lucius Charles, sixth Viscount Falkland. On the 22d inst. Mrs. E. Smith, of New Ormond street, relict of the late Robert Smith, Esq., of Croydon, in her 80th year. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MURDO YOUNG, AT VII SUN (WI% 112, STRAND, LONDON. f !ne t tun e in ti aft°, It w East ing e %le Stree •—__ I' all T tid e me n M et Wit} epir tbei thei that Put Sub men Cori whe who Thii Tee Old. Frei Sch to 1 kno Am ring dec res str, fici tin fee nel it