The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-13 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY

OXFORD UNIVERSITY.

ELECTION OF THE EARL OF DERBY AS
CHANCELLOR.

OXFORD, TIIESDAY.—A Convocation' was held here
this clay at noon for the purpose of electing a Chancel-
lor of the University, in the room of his Grace the late
Duke of Wellington. 'rho proceedings took place in
Convocation Hall, before the Vico-Chancellor (Dr.
Plumptre), but no opposition appearing—the Earl of
Derby being the only candidate—little public interest
was excited on the occasion, though there was a tolerably
full attendance of the members of the University, with
here and there a sprinkling of ladies. Amongst the
gentlemen we observed, besides the Rev. theVice-Chan-
cellor, the Dean of Christ Church, the Master of Balliol
College, the Provost of Oriel, the Principal of Brase-
nose College, the President of Trinity College, the War-
den of Morton College, the Principal of Jesus College,
the President of Corpus Christi College, the Warden of
Wadliam College, the Principal of St. Alban Hall, the
Principal of Magdalen Hall, the President of St. John's
Coll& ge, the Ward n of All Souls College, the Principal
of St. Edmund Hall, the Rector of Lincoln College, the
Principal of St. Maly Hall, the Provost of Worcester
College, Archdeacon Clarke, Dr. Ashurst, Rev. Dr.
Bull, canon of Christ Church; Rev. Mr. Michell, Rev.
Dr. Bandinel, Rev. Mr. Cornish, Rev. Mr. Gandell, Rev.
Mr. Marriott, Rev. C. P. Golightly, Rev. S. Resy,
Dr. Whorwood, Rev. Mr. Robinson, Rev. W. C. Risley,
Rev. Mr. Ogle, Rev. Mr. Lys, Rev. Mr. Rowden, Rev.
Mr. Macray, Rev. P. Berle, Rev. Mr. Woolcombe, Rev.
R. C. H3les, Rev. Dr. filoxhorn Rev. Mr. Judge, Rev.
Mr. Jacob, Rev. Mr. Rigaud, Rev.: elr. Hobhottbie, Rev.
Mr. Chaffers, Rev. Mr. Dyke, Dr. Bellamy, Rev. R.
Hake, Rev. Mr. Ludlow, Rev. Mr. Chase, Rev. H. O.
Coxe, Rev. Mr. Clutterbuck, Professor Hassey, Rev. Mr.
Swabey, Rev. Mr. Haddam, Rev. Mr. Scolteck, Rev. Mr.
Way te' Rev. Mr. Moberley, Rev. Mr. Hackman, &c.
The Rev. the VICE-CHANCELLOR having briefly stated
the object of the assembling of Convocation,
The Registrar of the University (Dr. Bilaf) read the
statutes referring to the election, together with the Bri-
bery Act. _

The Senior Proctor (the Rev. W. C. LAKE, of Balliol
Collego here rose and asked permission of the Vice-
Chancelior to address the house upon the subject of the
election.

The Rev. the VICE-CHANCELLOR said he would not
refuse the request of the Rev. Gentleman, though at
that particular moment there was no question formally
before the house.

The SENIOR PROCTOR then proceeded to address the
assembly in a Latin oration, of which the purport was as
follows:—Ile said that as it appeared the election of
the Earl of Derby as Chancellor of the University was
to be unopposed, ho could have wished that he might be
spared the necessity of saying anything which was cal-
culated to interrupt what seemed to be the unanimity of
the Convocation. He foresaw, however, that if the
business of the day were transacted in perfect silence, a
very false impression might be created with respect to
the feeling with which the University regarded the
event.—(Cheers.) Partly, he believed, on account of
the long vacation, and partly, he must also say, by the
fault of the University itself; no opportunity had been
givenin the present instance for deliberation upon one
of the most important subjects which it was possible to
submit to the University.—(Partial cheers.) Ile
had deemed it, therefore, not to be inconsistent with his
duty, as Proctor of that University, and on behalf of
many resident, as well as of many more who were not
yet resident, to express to Convocation that which he
was convinced was a wide-spread and" very prevalent
feeling. Let it not be supposed for a moment that he
had any intention of uttering a single word that was
hostile to the distinguished nobleman who was to be
nominated their Chancellor that day. The Earl of
Derby had said and done things which he (the Senior
Proctor) certainly did not much complain of; but he
must say that he was totally at a loss to conceive bow such
speeches and acts of the Noble Earl could have recom-
mended him to their suffrages (turning to the doctors
and masters). He confessed for himself that he greatly
wondered at it, and he thought that hereafter they them-
selves would be equally surprised. Though he (the
Senior Proctor) did not appear before them as one of the
supporters of the Earl of Derby, yet he most willingly
recognised and acknowledged his high accomplishments,
his distinguished character, his vigorous intellect, his
great ability, his almost hereditary fame; and it the
Noble Earl had ever shown any interest in their
academic affairs, he (the Senior Proctor) had no doubt
that he would have been as able to assist them with his
counsels as he might be to defend theta by his eloquence.
But the circumstance which he especially regretted was
the great rapidity
with which they had proceeded to this
election. The transaction of a matter of such vast im- I
portance at a period when the University was almost
deserted, and the absence of all consultation upon so
grave a subject on the part of those who were the most
deeply concerned in maintaining the character and the
credit of the University. He was perfectly ready to
allow that the expedition which had been used was the
result of a wish to save the University from incon-
venience; still, he could not admit that this design, how-
ever well intentioned, had been marked by the prudence
with which all their affairs ought to be conducted; and
he thought it would be well to consider whether they
were not now establishing a precedent which might
hereafter be applied to promoting objects of party in-
trigue, rather than in conformity with the feelings which
he thoroughly believed to have influenced the Vice-
Chancellor. Believing, then, that it was of the highest mo-
ment to the interests of the University that its business
should be conducted with the gravest deliberation and
the amplest discussion, he had felt himself imperatively
called upon, thus publicly and in his official capacity, to
deplore the circumstance that on this important occa-
sion—he granted with no evil intention, nevertheless by
a great imprudence—a full, free, and fair opportunity
had not been given to the whole University for express-
ing its deliberate and matured opinion.--(-'applause.)
The VICE-CEIANCELL')R'S reply, also in Latin, was to
this effect:—He said the Senior Prector had expostulated
with him upon the haste with which the University had
proceeded to the election. He could assure the assembly,
however, that everything which had been done was in
strict conformity with statute and with usage.—(Ap-
plause.) In the course of the last 80 years there had
been two instances in which vacancies in the Chancellor-
ship of the University had been filled up during the long
vacation. In one of these cases the Chancellor died in
the month of September, and the election of his succes-
sor took place on the 3d of the following month of Oc-
tober. In the other, the Chancellor died in the month of
August, and his successor was appointed in September.
He hoped, therefore, that he bad vindicated himself to
the University fur having, . uninfluenced by party consi-
derations or private views, done what he thought best
for the University and most in conformity with custom.
The election was then proceeded with in the usual
manner. No formal nomination was made; but a few
members of Convocation recorded their votes for the
Earl of Derby, who, after proclamation by the esquire
beadel (51r.V. Cox), was declared by the Rev, the Vice-
Chancellor to be unanimously elected. Subsequently
the voting-papers were collected,. and, according to im-
memorial custom at all University elections, placed in a
brazier and consumed by fire. With this ceremony,
amusing to all but the sedate gentlemen who superin-
tended its performance, the business of the election ter-
minated.

The Earl of Derby was not present.
The following notice has just been issued
" A Convocation will be holden on Wednesday next,
the 13th inst., at 10 o'clock, for the purpose of affixing
the University seal to the instrument of election of the
Right lion. the Earl of Derby as Chancellor of the Uni-
versity.

" F. C. PLUMPTRE, Vice-Chancellor.
"University College, Oct. 12."

COURT CIRCULAR.
BALMORAL, OCT. 11.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert
attended Divine service yesterday in the parish church•
of Crathie. The service was performed by the Rev.
Archibald Anderson.
The Viscountess Canning, the Hon. Mary Seymour,
the Right Hon. Spencer Walpole, Colonel Hon, C.
B. Pnipps, and Lieut.• Colonel Hon. A. Gordon, were
in attendance.

Sir James Brooke, Sir William Colebrooke, Ge-
neral Taylor, and Captain Elliott, had interviews
with Sir John Pakington yesterday at the Colonial-
office. Captain Stanley Care and Mr. Moor had also
an interview with the Right Hon. Baronet.
Dispatches were received from the Governor-
General of Canada and the Governors of the other
North American Provinces yesterday at the Colonial.
office.

HER MAJESTY'S RETURN.
EDINBURGH, TUESDAY EVENING.
Her Majesty, together with Prince Albert and
the Royal children, reached Edinburgh at a quarter
to 5 o'clock this afternoon amidst the acclamations of
the people.
The Royal party immediately proceeded to Holy-
rood Palace, where her Majesty will pass the night.
The Duchess of Kent, the Princess and Prince
Hohenlohe and suite dined with the Queen.

THE LEAGUE BANQUET.—In addition to the 27
names of Members of the House of Commons who have ac-
cepted invitations to the great banquet to be given at the
Free-trade Hall, Manchester, mentioned in our paper of
Saturday, we have now to add the following :—Mr. J. A.
Roebuck, M.P. for Sheffield; Mr. Joseph Brotherton, M.P.
for Salford; Mr. A. J. Otway, M.P. for Stafford; Sir J.
Villiers Shelley, Bart., M.P. for Westminster; Mr. W.
Fagan, M.P. for Cork; Mr. Apsley I'ellatt, M.P. for South-
wark ; Hon. "IF. 11. F. Berkeley, M.P. for Bristol ; Mr.
Charles Forster, M.P. for Walsall ; Mr. John Esmonde,
M.P. for the county of Waterford ; Sir William Clay, M.P.
for the Tower Hamlets; Mr. Edward Miall, M.P. for Roch-
dale ; Mr. John Macgregor, M.P. for Glasgow; Mr. W.
Biggs, M.P. for Newport, Isle of Wight; Mr. John Sadldr,
M P. for the borough of Carlow; and Mr. William Eccles,
M.P. for Blackburn. Mr. Mark Philips, formerly a Mem-
ber for Manchester, has also promised to be present; and
about 50 more names have been added to the list of vice-
presidents.
THE GREAT STRAND EoßßEßY.—Yesterday
broadsides were issued from the City and Metropolitan
Police Stations, offering 2501. reward for the apprehension
and conviction of the parties concerned in the robbery of
Mr. Jones's premises in the Strand, on Saturday morning
last. No clue to the stolen property had up to yesterday
morning been obtained.
THR COURT OF BANKRUPTCY AND THE
BAR.—
Mr. Ring; the barrister who a few weeks ago applied to
the judge of the Exeter County Court for the bar to be
allowed the privilege of the exclusive hearing ofinsolvency
cases, made a similar application to the Commissioner of
This application was also refused.
Bankruptcy last week.