The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-26 00:00:00

THE UNIVERSITIES OF LONDON AND

DURHAM.

The following copy of the petition presented to
the House of Commons by Mr. Lowe, 1 the Vioe.Chan-
oellor and the Chairman of Convocation iaf the University
of Loads*, is printed in the appendisio the report of the
Publie Petitions Committee issued thli morning:
"11,145. The bumble petition of the Vice-Chem:4Eler and
the Chairman of Convocation of the University of Laden,
sheweth, that the constitution of the University of
London, its non-theological character, and the wide range
of its educational aims and influences, render its union
in parliamentary representation with an university of
ecclesiastical foundation, established and conducted
on the model of the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge, essentially incongruous and incom-
patible. That the letter of Mr. Spring Rice in D 4.36,
which represents the views of the government of that
time, while the arrangements for the first university
charter were still pending, contains the following pa-
late It should always be kept in mind that what is
sought on the present occasion is equality in all respects
with the ancient universities, freed from those exclusions
and religious distinctions which abridge the usefulness of
Oxford and Cambridge.' That the university of London
receives into its body, on a footing of perfect equality, all
persona, whether educated in general or in denomina-
tional colleges or schools, or elsewhere ; prol,ided that
their moral character is certified, and that they pass its
examinations ; that its graduates represent almost every .li-
versity of religious persuasion ; and that to modify its
political expression by compelling it to share the franchise
with an university which represents the predominance of
one church, would interfere with the principle of religious
equality on which the University of London is established.
That the University of London confers no degree except
on the condition of successive and rigorous examina-
tions ; that its degrees have thus acquired a high value,
as attestations of superior and varied attainment ; and
that its union in parliamentary representation with
another university, of which the whole curricu-
lum of study is framed upon a different model,
and which largely exabises its power of granting degrees
without examination, would not only destroy the unity of
the constituency, but would lower its degrees in public
esteem. That the grouping of the Scottish universities,
whose constitution and system of education are essentially
identical, instead of furnishing an analogy for the union
of London with Durham, only puts in a stronger light its
incongruity. That the University of London has
long since reached that stage of maturity at which
it is entitled to stand alone as a distinct
and characteristic parliamentary constituency. That
its claims have been recognised in a succession of Reform
Bills and have never been disputed, and your petitioners
therefore earnestly pray that a proposal fraught with such
serious injury to the Univerity of London, as grouping it
with the University of Durham, may not be persisted in.
That your petitioners have not had time to summon a
meeting either of the senate or of the convocation of the
University of London, since the first intimation of the
proposition of the government to combine it in parlia-
mentary representation with the University of Durham ;
but that they are persuaded that both of these bodies will
fully porticqrate in the sentiments and prayer of the pre-
sent petition. And your petitioners, as in duty bound,
shall ever pray.
" Geo. Gams, Vice-Chancellor.
"JOHN SToRRAR, Chairman of Convocation of
the University of London.
"June 18, 1867."

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OP THE
GOSPEL.-(THIS DAY.)

The anniversary festival of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, is being held
this afternoon in St. Paul's Cathedral in the presence of
the Lord Mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, and other members of
the corporation, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and most
of the bishops and a large number of clergy and other
friends. There is a full choir, the choir of St. Paul's being
augmented by those of Westminster Abbey, St.
George's Chapel, Windsor and the chapels royal.
The preacher is the Bishop of Gloucester and
Bristol. From a paper which has been circu-
lated in the church it appears that, In the colonies
and foreign states there are 2,203 clergymen of the church
of England, of whom 517 are supported wholly, or in part,
by the society. These clergymen are under the jurisdic-
tion of 50 bishops, in whose dioceses 24 diocesan synods,
and 4 provincial synods have been organised. Besides
supporting 517 clergymen, the society has maintained in
the past year 671 laymen, catechists, readers, and school-
masters in its missions among the heathen; and students
in 14 colonial colleges. The society's total income received
in England in 1866 amounted to 91,1861., in which
the most important item that of collections,
subscriptions, and donations to the general fund,
was 212/. less than the corresponding amount in 1865.
The society required an immediate addition of 12,5001. per
annum to its income. If this sum were not raised the
society would be under the necessity of abandoning some
of its missionary work in India, and of declining to extend
its aid to British subjects in many other parts. To-mop row
morning there will be an early celebration of the Holy
Communion, at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, at 8.30
a.m. and in the evening a festival service will be tele.
brate:d in the nave of Westminster Abbey, when the ser-
mon will be preached by the Very Rev. W. C. Magee,
D.D., Dean of Cork.