The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-25 00:00:00

HOLDERS.

Mr. AYRTON, in moving that the house at its rising do
,adjourn until Monday, called attention to the state of the
law affecting the rating of compound householders claiming
to vote at elections, and suggested that a measure of amend-
ment should be brought in next session.
SMALL PDX IN SHEEP.

Mr. D. GRIFFITH inquired whether the Government
intended to take any steps to prevent the inoculation of
sheep with " variola ovine," and what had been the result
of the experiment of vaccination as a preventive of small-
pox in those animals.
Mr. LOWE replied that the result of the vaccinating
experiment had not been satisfactory, so that ho could not
give the hon. gentleman an encouraging answer on that
part of his question. With regard to inoculation, the evil
was so patent that it was quite unnecessary for the Go-
vernment to interfere by legislation to prohibit the practice.
SUBSCRIPTION TO FORMULARIES OF FAITH.

Mr. DODSON brought under notice the petition from
members of the University of Oxford for the abolition of the
requirement of subscription to formularies of faith as a
qualification for academical degrees.
Mr. HENLEY commented upon the exceptional manner
in which the signatures to the petition in question had been
obtained. It had, he said, been carried about in a mysterious
manner, and he argued that it did not fairly represent the
feelings of the university.
Mr. GOSCHEN said that one broad issue was raised by
the petition, viz., whether the system of tests was injurious
to the Church of England or otherwise. His own opinion
was that the interests of the Church were better served by
her standing on her own strength than by fencing herself
in with tests and other artificial measures, which, however
useful to a weak church, ought not to be required by one
that was strong. The question was one between inclusion
and exclusion, and he held that no great reform or improve.
ment had ever yet been effected that had not been based
upon the privilege of inclusion.

Lord J. CECIL observed that if the dictum of Mr. Gos-
chen were to be accepted, it would necessarily lead to the
establishment of a coalition church as well as coalition mini-
stries. The answer to those who wished to have tests abo-
lished was that if they had their will the universities would
cease to exist, or at all events be severed from the Esta-
blished Church.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought it
was a just and fair demand on the part of the Church that
the governing body of the university should consist of her
own members. The parents of England would never be
satisfied to send their children for academical training to a
university that was not administered in conformity with
somo definite religious system. He regretted extremely
that in the case of such an ancient institution any
fraction of the population were excluded from any
portion of its benefits; but if it were true, as he be-
lieved it was, that in the main the religious system
of the Church of England was suitable to the wants,
feelings, and convictions of 19-20ths of the community that
were in a condition to avail themselves of a university education,ni then the case of these 19-20ths must be consi-
deredll sziference to that of any minority that was name-
Any improvement should originate with the
university itself rather than by evoking the interference of
the State. The fair Principle was that the university should
reserve to itself, and to the Church in the university, that