The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-12 00:00:00

NkNat

NHE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1837.

which alone he grounded his hopes of success. Mr.
POTTER was equally energetic with Mr. FITTON in
his exhortations to the Reformers to be united ; and
observed, " he was grieved to see some gentlemen of
very considerable talent and influence who, because
they could not get all they wished, were endeavouring
to run down the Ministers." This is certainly a sub-
ject for regret, but the number of such misguided,
though perhaps well-intentioned, opponents of Govern-
ment, is daily diminishing, so general is become the
conviction, that without union among Reformers, the
great work of Legislative improvement must infallibly
retrograde. We are pleased with the tone of Mr.
POTTER'S speech ; it was brief, but pertinent, and
possessed that best eloquence—the eloquence of truth
and sincerity.

The University of Oxford is without exception the
most illiberal institution in the known world. While
learning and science have every where else exercised
their benign influence on the human character by en-
lightening the human mind, here they have failed to
soften the spirit of bigotry, engendered and fostered by
an exclusive system of religion. This spirit is as pre-
valent and as bitter at the present moment, among the
members of the University of Oxford, as ever it was
among their monkish predecessors in the days of dark-
ness and barbarism. It is in truth a thousand times more
bitter, and more revolting; for the monks were in the main
good natured, though indolent men. Their zeal, if it
was not always according to knowledge, was at least
sincere. It was uncontaminated with the base alloy of
party politics ; whereas the Oxford monks of the pre-
sent day regard religion as a secondary consideration,
though they make it a stalking horse to further their po-
litical designs. They would have the world believe that
they are actuated solely by a desire to protect the purity
of the established faith, and promote the interests of
the Christian religion, when their actions prove that all
they want to protect is the monopoly which they enjoy
to the great detriment of the community, and that
what they are above all things anxious to promote is
their own interest, not that of Christianity.
The case of Dr. HAMPDEN, to which our atten-

tion has been drawn by the interesting documents
which we have inserted elsewhere, illustrates, in a
striking manner, the real character of the body called
the University of Oxford. Dr. HAMPDEN is ac-
knowledged on all hands to be one of the most
accomplished men of the present day. His lite-
rary attainments are of the highest order ; his moral
character is above even the calumny of his bitterest
enemy ; and his temper, as his opponents have well
experienced, has been disciplined according to the
standard of the sanctuary. Such a character could
not fail, even at Oxford, to raise its possessor to emi-
nence ; and accordingly we find that high honours
Were successively conferred upon this distinguished
man by the University. When, however, Dr. HAMP-
DEN hinted that there were things at Oxford of which
he did not approve—the moment that he announced
himself, a reformer of abuses—the milk of human
kindness was turned into gall, and a persecution
commenced which is a disgrace to a civilized
country. Dr. HAMPDEN was accused of heresy—
the old and stale accusation of hypocrites—and
where was this heresy detected ? In detached
sentences of an abstract work, published years before,
and since the publication of which, the accusing
body had given him repeated proofs of its approbation !!
Such is the consistency—such the high principle of

the University of Oxford.
The persecutors are, we believe, by this time pretty
well convinced that they have gone rather too far. The

legal opinions which will be found in the cases to which
we have referred, show that the charter of the insti-
tution has been endangered by the proceedings which
have been resorted to, to gratify the worst passions of

the human heart. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Dr.
LUSHINGTON, and Mr. HULL, all agree that the
University had no power to act as it has done towards
the Regius Professor of Divinity.

On Tuesday the French Chamber of Deputies re-
ceived, and ordered to be read, the address in answer
to the speech from the Throne, as prepared by the
Committee appointed for that purpose. It it through-
out a mere echo of the Royal speech. The first two
paragraphs are divided between the expression of pro-
found grief, and inexpressible joy :—grief for the
attempt made upon the KING'S life ; joy for its provi-
dential failure.

In the third paragraph France is made to applaud
herself for having, by firmness and wisdom, contri-
buted to maintain the repose of the world. This is
very like a bounce. But we shall not quarrel with the
Deputies for according as much applause to France
as his Majesty the KING did to himself in his speech
from the Throne.

The two next paragraphs merely express satisfac'
tion, that all differences between !the Government o
France and those of the United States and Switzer-
land, have been amicably adjusted.

We now come to the paragraph which relates to
Spain. We shall quote it in the words of the Com-

mittee :

"We deplore, along with your Majesty, the civil war
which continues to desolate Spain. France was affected
by the grave events which burst forth at Lisbon and Ma-
drid, but she hopes that, thanks to the wisdom and energy
of the people of the Peninsula, constitutional monarchy will
triumph over the evils which menace it. We make sincere
vows for the cause of Queen Isabella 11. ; and we are con-
fident that the intimate alliance of your Majesty with the
King of Great Britain, and your perseverance in causing
the Quadruple Alliance to be executed, will contribute to
save Spain from the misfortune of a counter-revolution.
Your Government, Sire, has well comprehended the in-
terests and sentiments of France, in preserving it from the
sacrifices and incalculable consequences which might have
flowed from an armed intervention in the internal affairs of
Spain. Nevertheless, France will always know how to
make its honour and security be respected ; and her sol-
diers, if called to arms, shall
. march everywhere under our
glorious flag to shed that blood which nothing but imperious
necessity should demand of them."

But for one fact admitted in the above paragraph,
we should treat it as one of the most contemptible
effusions to which a French Cabinet could give exist-
ence. The fact we allude to is the recognition by the
Chamber of the Revolution of La Granja. The Con-
stitution is thus admitted by France to be the great
bulwark of Spanish independence, and the Quadruple
Treaty is invoked to secure it from the machinations
of the counter-revolutionists—the defenders of DE
LA ROSA and TORENO'S Estatuto Real. This is
the only redeeming feature in the whole passage ; for
what can be more ridiculous than a French Legislative
Assembly employed in making vows for the cause of
the Queen of SPAIN ? Prayers are generally the
contribution of States without the means of affording
more tangible succour. They are ridiculous in the
mouth of a nation so powerful as France. The De-
puties have only to will the deliverance of Spain, and
to express that will as becomes the dignity of
the Representatives of so powerful a Monarchy,
and the speedy overthrow of the Carlists will soon
follow. In the concluding sentence the praise be-
stowed upon Ministers—a praise, by the way, w
the KING in his speech claimed for himself personally--
is neutralized by a recognition of the principle of au
armed co-operation. This was l\'l. TRIERS' sugges-
tion, and will greatly annoy the KING, against whom
it is indirectly levelled.
The next paragraph relates to the disasters in Con-
stantine. The Deputies recommend inquiry into the
causes of the recent calamity.
The paragraphs that follow are of no moment what-
ever, being mere verbal repetitions of the speech from
the Throne. The Deputies promise to give attention
to all business submitted to them, and particularly to