The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-27 00:00:00

UNIVERSITY TESTS.

A meeting of the Educational Department of
the Social Science Association was held at their rooms, in
the Adelphi, last evening, Mr. G. Shaw Lefevre, M.P.,
in the chair, when a paper was read by the Honourable
George Brodrick on the subject of University Tests.
The paper went fully into the subject stage by stage, as
the various tests and obligations were either imposed or
withdrawn. The main objections wan taken to the pre-
sent system of religious tests in the universities and college.%
to the exclusion of nonconformist' from the full advantage
of • collegiate education. Mr. James Heywood. F.R.
thought that the main difficulty lay in the necessity to
attend chapel. He was in favour of some form of prayer to be
substituted for the prevent, similar in performance to those
delivered to the members of the House of Commons. Mr.
Westlake said that the retention of University tests sprang
out of the fallacy that because the church of England
was estelished, therefore the state was bound to promote
its interests. The state should be neutral, and the
colleges left to themselves, all restrictions imposed by state
Interference being removed. Mr. Edward Webster thought
there should be no tests beyond general good character sod
academical learning, and the student should be left to
attend whatever form of worship he pleased--all should be
made subservient to the progress of truth. Rev. F. D.
Maurice thought that state interference should be with-
drawn, having the law courts to prevent abase of power.
As a theologian he was anxious that no impediments
should be placed is the way of anyone having access
to the best education in the country. Any restriction
as au obstacle in the way of this being accom-
plished was untenable, unwise, and unrighteous.
Mr. Frederic Hill could not understand why a religious test
should be required, when merely a certificate of learning
(such as the M. A.), was asked. He thought no one need be
alarmed at the result of an abolition of university distinc.
Sons. The Corporation and TesisAct, the admission of ROM% n
catholic, and Jews to parliament were meanly.," of the like
kind which few now desire to see repealed. The Rev. W. H.
Freemantle thought discretion should not be left with the
fellows to elect the fellows except on the ground of moral
disqualifications. He objected to the view that the colleges
were less national or more ecclesiastical than the universi-
ties. He thought that the larger colleges might be trusted,
but not the small ones. Mr. Digby was in favour of
keeping college' and universities separate. He thought
it would be a great advantage for colleges to
elect their own fellows. He thought that fellows
might be non-resident, but that miter a number of
years they should relinquish their fellowship. Mr.
G. W. Hastings said it would be a great advantage
to the education of churchmen to be free of the religious
tests consequent upon the possession of • certain want, of
academical learning. He believed that university educa-
tion generally was a proper subject for discussion, and
moved that the thanks of the meeting be given to Mr.
Brodrick for his paper, and that it be printed and distri-
buted among the members. The Rev. W. L. May seconded
the motion, which, after some observations from the chair-
, mau and Mr. Brodrick is reply, was passed unanimously,
and the meeting separated.

THE POOR-LAW BOARD, THE POLICE, AND THE
Housgtege Puos.—Yesterday at the usual weekly meeting
of the Marylebone board of guardians, held in the board
room of the Mary!shone workhouse, Mr. Beeler in the
chair, a communication was received from the Poor-law
Board recommending the employment of the police as
assistant relieving officers for vagrants, and forwarding •
copy of a Lett-r from the authorities of Poplar Union (who
have employed the police as suggested), addressed to the
Poor-law Board, stating that since the employment of the
police a number of idle young fellows bed been got rid of,
and the number of vagrants bad greatly decreased. Mr,
Tavener asked Mr. Douglas, the master of the house, if the
employment of the police as assistant relieving officers
would give them any power beyond that of giving
tickets of admission to vagrants. Mr. Douglas replied
that it would not. Mr. Tavener asked the master
what he thought would be the effect of the
employment of tee police. Mr. Douglas said his present
opinion was that it would have the effect of reducing the
number of vagrasts. At all events, he thought it was
worths. trial of three months. Latterly there had been a large
increase in the number of casuals, and the applicants were
of the worst description—much worse than formerly—that
he believed was owing to the fact that • large refuge io the
neighbourhood which used to admit all who applied had
this year rejected the professional vagrants, the result being
that that ;lass was thrown noes the parish. During the
past week he bad admPted 537 men, many of whom he
thought would hesitate to apply to the police. The work-
house of St. Marylebone admitted more vagrants than say
other in the metropolis. The average of vagrants lately
had been 1.000 a week. The Rev. J. C. P. Eyre thought
I the employment of she police would have the effect
of reducing the number of casuals, and would drive
the criminal away from their wards. Mr. Tays.
Der said be felt very suspicious when any new
power was created to take away the privileges and rights of
the guardians. He was not prepared to admit that they
could not manage their own affairs without the assistance of
the polies, but at the same time they bad to deal with a
class of persona with whom the police were best acquainted,
and be was therefore inclined to accept the offer for three
moetbs. If he understood the matter, the police would
not eater the house, but would merely greet or reject the
' applications of casuals for admission. It appeared to hint
• that it would be a very bard owe to make the emmals go
hither sod thither to obtain the consent of the police before
i they could be admitted, and he thought the opposition to
their entrance should be made at the door of the house, and
fer that purpose the police would have to he within eall.
He would move that they adopt the plan suggested for three
months. The motion was put and carried unanimously, and
I it wee
11 can.reeolved that the pommy steps be taken for carrying