The Express.
London, England, 1852-11-19 00:00:00

LORD DERBY AND UNIVERSITY ERFORM.
TO TIM =KO* Or TYR DAILT SEWS.
Sift,—l Sal delighted to see the subject of Univer-
sity Reform again agitated in your columns. I need
not say how cordially I agree with the remarks of a
" Man of Progress" in your paver. In my last letter
on this subject, some three weeks since, I stated my
apprehensions as to the fate of the University Com-
mission. They are unfortunately too literally fhl-
filled. Lord Derby, with all his chivalrous feel-
ings, has not had the courage to oppose the de-
mands of his election supporters. He has thrown
away a golden opportunity of displaying his some-
what flauntingly boasted liberality. lie has not
taken advantage of the opening offered to him of
conciliating the liberal educational party. lie has
simply given in to the Dons of Oxford, and emulated
the example of those gentlemen themselves in their
abject and servile cringing to him. Of course the
sentence on the subject of the Universities in the
Queen's Speech must be attributed solely to Lord
Derby. It was as completely a work of his hand as
if he represented the whole Cabinet in his own per-
son. Even the follies of the present ministry could
never have led them, quasi ministers, to offer so
gratuitous an insult to the University Commissioners
The idea of the Universities reforming themselves
is preposterous. University reform is undoubtedly
shelved for the present. flow long it will remain so
must depend on the duration of Lord Derby's and
Mr. Disraeli's somewhat precarious tenure of office.
In the meantime, however, the subject should not be
let sleep. Even corporations have winced under
newspaper criticism : nor is it likely, however much
they may boast their own independence, that Uni-
' versity authorities are altogether callous to the same
lash when well applied. From Lord Derby nothing
is to be expected. He hu done his part; ho has re-
deemed any debts he may have owed the " big-
wigs" of Oxford for his elution. They have, at
all events, gained time through his aid and assist-
ance ; and even the Dean of Christchurch has began
to breathe more freely again. Ancient abuses, time-
honoured absurdities, collegiate misappropriations,
intolerant exclusions, will flourish for a while ;
and the untiring and unrewarded efforts of the
University Commissioners must for the present
prove abortive. That a terrible judgment awaits the
Universities sooner or later no one can doubt. Come
it must, although it is impossible to predict the day
or the hour of its coming. This free trade and free
spoken ago will not submit much longer to any
antiquated abuses, be they of what kind soever. One
by one they are crumbling away. Protection is
extinct—toryism is on its last legs—and depend
upon it neither the public at large, nor the liberal por-
tion of the Universities themselves, will long tolerate'
such blots on the Reform character of the age. To
the liberal press it most particularly belongs to pro-
claim such opinions. By it, and it alone, can we
hope to move those who almost dispute the right of
public opinion to "come betwixt the wind and their
nobility." I remain, sir, yours, &c.,
Temple, Nov. 18, 18.52. M.A., OXON.