The Express.
London, England, 1852-05-01 00:00:00

J.

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY E VENING,,

their on pewits. He supposed mate mistake had beta
made in the mercantile world, and therefore theear
Uhl was diarirous. Then the hon. member for W _yest-
mesplained of the opinion expressed by the Chia-
'Awe Kite Iseliequer with regard to direct taxation, and
sitieeted to divest taxation altogether, and to the inmate
tax Is particular. They were told that the country was
•=owing to the partial substitution of the polity
1: r indirect taxation, end then came the wealthy
lass, sad mid they objected to that polity. It was impor-
ters. to slow the elan from which the objection came when
they beard that the inhabitants of Middlesex and other
imp minatituencies were satisfied with that taxation, and
in favour of it, and it was only from wealthy men
that tire objection came. It was important to put that point
famed, for it was evident the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Was bakes for opinions by which to uide his future
policy, arid it was desirable that he should be encouraged
sot to hesitate between the two courses of direct sad indi-
red taxation. He therefore pointed out to him the clue of
pineal who objected to Mica taxation, and that those who
were desirous of popularity must advocate tho extension of
that policy. The hon. member for Stafford had Import that
the receivers of rents, who were affected by direct taxation,
would receive some consideration from the Chancellor' of
the Exchequer. He (Mr. Villiers) had been accus-
tomed to hear that those who received rents did nut
care about the policy. which they on that side
of the house said would increase the revenue, and yet
they were told that that very party had a particular right
to complain of direct taxation. His (Mr. ,irillicre') opinion
WAS, that that was a class which could afford to suffer;
though he believed the sum of 110,000!., which the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer stated was lost to the revenue by
the f ill in rents, was greater than the real amount. Ile
believed that full rents were still to be obtained, and he did
not know how the Cheneellor of the Exchequer camo
to that conclusion. As income was now of greater value
than it was, he theught that those who lived by rent could
afford a diminieien of income. (Hear, hear.) It
was singular, that the only persona who were
said to sutler by the free trade commercial policy were
those who lived by rents. lie did not wish to prolong the
debate, and he only wished to show that the question vise
that of direct as oppo•ed to indirect taxation. There was
never a more important exhibition of the result of the ex-
periment of the policy of late years than had occurred that
night. It was ricer that that policy had never impaired
either the credit of the country or the revenue, and the
result was that the more direct taxation was increased and
industry relieved, the greater would be the amount ut
revenue. Real property also woe never at such a value,
and that was simply I'LCUISI: trade had increased and em-
ployment was abundent. Ile trusted that they would ito on
and reduce indirect taxation, and profiting by the discussion
of that evening, carry out the principles which they now
approved. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. FREWEN observed that in the district with
he (Mr. Irewen) was conuecte,l there were thousand
of acres of land which proprietors would not let
on any terms. A statement made by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer with regard to the amount of hop duty being
10,00 W. less in the last year than the preceding one wee nut
correct, as it had, in feet, amouuted to something over
188,0001., or nearly 190,000/. Ile trusted the government
would take that subject into their consideration.
Mr. HUDSON thought direct taxation might be borne
patiently in peaceable times, but it would be dangerous to
depend on it for revenue in times of excitement. He
was sure no gentleman would feel himself justified in taking
the seine vine from his tenants now as he used to do.
He was of opinion at the time the free trade policy was
introduced, that it was rash and unwise, but still he would
not now reverse it since it had been established. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer bad not stated that the pros-
perity of the country came from free trade, but be stated
facts, and it was uatural that gentlemen opposite should
draw their inferences from them. Ile knew that the
country had often been greatly prosperous without it. It
was, however, a second question, and be hoped it hail now
passed away. (Hear, hear) Ho (Mr. Hudson) was in
favour of a mixed system of indirect and direct taxation.
One interest which he represented, the shipping interest,
was suffering greatly. lie believed that the government
possessed the confidence of a great part of the country,
which hoped they would have • fair trial, in order to set
whether they would not endeavour to do justice to all
interests.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEIt—Sir, I am
I awry to receive au intimation that the campaign against
direct taxation is again to be commenced under the au-
plus of the noble lord (It. Grosvenor.) (Loud laughter.)
1 am really alarmed at the notice of the noble lord;
wet because it may occasion say embarrassment to the
government, but bemuse I am distressed that en attack
aheield be made upon that legitimate source of revenue
Which has been so liberally panegyrised by the noble lord
this evening. (Loud laughter and cheers.)
Mr. HUDSON begged to ask the noble lord whether the
rush of the rejection of the extra two per cent. had not
ailed tve millions to the permanent debt of the country I
(111ena bawl
Mr. MEETWORTH expressed the pleasure with which
he had heard the debate of to-night. A change from in-
direct to direct taxation wee • change from • stunted to an
wslinsited commerce. Direct taxation would also be a
mamma of justice.
Mr. C. BRUCE had attentively listened to hie right
has. friend, but lie eerrainly could not discover that he
bad expressed any decided preference fur direct taxation.
Mr. MUNTZ said that during the 12 years he had been
a member of the house, ho had never heard anythiug more
able, more intelligible, or more lucid than the statement of
like right bon. gentleman. Ile was afraid, however, that
the country would be much disappointed that there was
le be se alteration in the income tax. He believed
it was sot yet too late to introduce sudden•
std —stailleatioas and improvements into the tax,
Wren Sit the alga year it was intended to be re-imposed ;
bet the best plea would be to get rid of it altogether, and to
substitute ignmerty tax. If that were done, allowing per-
sons to madlialMdstvita that their personalties were under a
certain eery would be much less oppressive and would
yield a harms manane. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. ALCOCL IMP la favour of direct taxation, without
any eximspases beveled such as would not repay the ex-
piate if ediestits.
The swim was then agreed to, the house resumed, and
the meet was ordered to be brought up on Monday.
HIGHWAY RATES BILL.
TMe bill went through committee.
ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION BILL.
This bill went through committee.
SECRETARY OF BANKRUPTS' OFFICE
ABOLITION. . .

A resolution for granting compensation was agreed to in
a committee of the whole house.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
Mr. SOTHERON nominated the following hon. gentle-
OM as members of the select committee on friendly socie-
ties :—Mr. Sotberon, Mr. Adderley, Mr. Bonham Carter,
Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lord Dudley Stuart, Sir Charles
Wood, Mr. Cornewall Lewis, Mr. Deedea, Mr. George
Alezander Hamilton, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Serjeant Murphy,
Captain Jones, Mr. 'Gridley, Mr. John Abel Smith, and
Sir Henry Davie—five to be a quorum.
The house then rose at half-put 12 o'clock.

r,: ;852.

Bite Orlife#o.

.oenwl Was al" 7 V Uposs," flw mow man",
novae lograblbeed omit Twiny add friday POOR Iles
tx pal. •
" for " UMW," Lowfoo Evening ppm
on, 0. maw W, Bouppriodavoi, by Two o'clock on the
day of p

MOH WATIO: 4T LONDON BRIDGE,
Tins DAT —llleralag, II h Sts Aftenoes. IM. O.
To•iioaaow—Maratag, 11h. Afiersows. 121. Ms.

LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 1.

THE Oxford University Commission has terminated
its labours, and forwarded a report to her MAITATT.
Of the contents of the report nothing is as re
distinctly known, but of the value of the matertals
upon which the report is founded, rumour speaks
highly. Light has been thrown into all the dark
hi kr and corners of the university system, and the
public will he now, for the first time, in a position
to judge how far that system is doing the work
which might naturally be expected from it.
Now, what have we a right to expect from a na-
tional university P It is surely not asking too much
that it should afford every facility to the youth of
the country, of receiving education in those higher
branches of study which the ordinary schools cannot
undertake to teach. This is what nearly every other
university in Europe accomplishes. There are some
few indeed, as the University of London, which do 110 t
lISSIIRe the functions of teachers, but limit themselves
to examining pupils who have received their educa-
tion elsewhere, and granting degrees. But to all the
ficeilom of access is practically unlimited. There
are no intermediate bodies between the student and
the university, barring his approach, determining
how many pupils shall receive the benefit of in-
struction, and excluding all those who do not choose
to submit to arbitrary rules with which the univer-
sity has nothing to do.
This, however, is the case with Oxford and Cam-
bridge. The colleges have takcu possession of the
university. They tell all who wish to become mem-
bers of the university. Not only shall you ask our
permission to do this, but you shall only obtain it on
condition of taking your board lodging, and tuition,
from us, of paying for there whatever we choose to
demand, and of unconditional submission to our ordi-
nances during a space of nearly four years. There is
no access to the university but through us. We are
the university.
Now, there is not the shadow of a pretext for
asserting that the founders of colleges intended or
supposed that their foundations would ever take a
position of this kind. They were neither more nor
less than endowed lodging-houses, where a cer-
tain number of deserving students were placed
by charitable persons, and released from pecuniary
troublcs,in order that they might apply themselves the
more undisturbedly to the pursuit of knowledge.
The statutes of most of the colleges exist only in
manuscript and are only accessible to a few privi-
leged persons, but it is well known that they all
hear out the view which we have given. Sonic few,
however, have been printed by zealous antiquaries,
and amongst the number are those of Oriel College,
Oxford. A brief sketch of these will give the reader
an idea of the wonderful change which five centuries
have produced in these once humble institutions.
The statutes commence by decreeing that the col-
lege being founded in honour of the blessed Virgin
Mary shall bear her name for ever. They then de-
clare that the funds of the endowment are for the

maintenance of ten scholars in theology, who have
shown themselves to be clever and fond of the study.
Three of the students may, however, upon permission
of the majority, direct their attention to the canon law.
Out of this number of scholars one is to bo chosen
as provost or master, to whom the rest are to pay
all due obedience. The master has permission to
choose a dean, whose authority is defined. The
master and scholars are to receive each weekly a sum
of twelve pence from the revenues of the founda-
tion. This sum, however, is forfeited by absence
from the college unless the absentee is employed in
the business of the society. The said master and
scholars are then charged to live together and to have
.t common table for their meals. During meal times
they are moreover recommended to employ some one
to read to them passages from the Bible, to which they
are enjoined to listen attentively, abstaining from
excess. They are to dress as much as possible alike.
When in their rooms they are desired to betake them-
selves diligently to study. If they are visited by
friends, they are to converse in Latin, or at least in
French, taking care not to disturb their neighbours.
Oa occasion of a vacancy in the number of scholars,
the master and scholars are to proceed to elect a
new member. No one, however, is to be eligible
unless, to the best of the electors' knowledge, ho is
honest, chaste, peaceful, humble, indigent, apt to
study, and desirous to make progress. Should any
one of the scholars enter into any religious order, or
be inducted to any benefice, or come into the possession
of property, or be negligent in study, or be guilty
of any grave offence, ho may be expelled. These,
with afew regulations for the transaction of business,
directions for saying manes for the souls of the
founders, &c., constitute the substance of the statutes
of Oriel.