The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-27 00:00:00

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, March 24.—1 n a Convocation held this day, at
2 o'clock, it was proposed that the Vice-Chancellor be au-
thorised to apply to Parliament for an Act enabling the
University, with the approval of her Majesty in Council, to
vary and regulate by statute, from time to time, the appli-
cation of the funds held under the will of Mr. Viner, not-
withstanding the directions of the will, in such manner as
may appear best calculated to promote the teaching and
study of law in the University, provided that part of the
income of such funds be always applied to the teaching of
law, and the residue to the encouragement of the study of
law by means of a scholarship or scholarships ; and that
the founder's name be retained in connexion with his
foundation.

Professor SHIRLEY hoped that in any new arrangements
that might be made under the powers asked the interests of
the Law and History School would not be forgotten or neg-
lected. The Oxford Commission had intended to make the
Vinerian Scholarship :the "blue riband" of that school.
Their intention was even now very partially observed, for
instead of furnishing a searching test the examination had
on one occasion consisted of nothing but an English essay.
He hoped care would be taken that the study of history
should be encouraged by the new arrangements whenever
they came into operation.
Professor %MUNSON thought that what had been said
was likely to create a wrong impression as to the way in
which the Vinerian examinations were at present conducted.
He had examined in three out of the last four examinations.
The candidates had always been given four papers—two on
law, one on modern history, and one an essay on a subject
which required knowledge both of law and history. At the
same time, he must confess that the existing arrangement
as to examiners was not satisfactory. The duty was not
thrown on any one definitely, and the consequence was an
undue " working of the willing horse." An attempt had
been made to improve matters by a statute of a wide and
general character. This statute had been rejected. Ho
thought it now desirable that a statute on the subject of
the examinations only should be brought forward without
delay.
Professor BERNARD confirmed Professor Rawlinson's
statements as to the existing character of the examinations.
He could not understand how ou any occasion but one
paper had been set. With regard to the decree before the
House, which asked for powers to make changes in the
application of the Viner bequest, he thought it was quito
plain that nothing satisfactory could be done without such
powers. In any new regulations for the scholarships ho
should hold that law ought to have very decidedly the first
place. The encouragement of the study of law was the
special object of the founder.
No other member of Convention rising, the decree was
put and carried.
The new Examination Statute was then brought forward
in eight votes. Two only were opposed, the third and the
sixth. On the third, which allows candidates for honours
in the three secondary schools to pass their divinity exami-
nation any time within four terms of their final examina-
tion, was carried by 63 votes to 22. The other clause,which
allows pass candidates to go up in their secondary school at
any time after their Moderations, was passed by 50 votes
against 8. Thus the entire statute was carried.

The Junior Proctor has this day issued the list of candi-
date for Rosponsions. The number of the names is 201.
There will be an examination in St. John's College on
Monday, May 20, and tho following days, for the purpose
of filling up a Fellowship which will then be vacant. This
Fellowship is open to all members of the University who
shall have attained the degree of 8.A., or shall have passed
all the examinations required by the University for that
degree, and who shall be unmarried, and who shall not be
possessed of any benefice, property, pension, or office which
exceeds £3OO per annum. The examination will be in
classics and mathematics; weight will be given to superior
attainments in either separately. Candidates must present
or send their names and testimonials to the President on or
before May 20.
CAMBRIDGE, March 24.—The election of an assistant
Esquire Bedell took place this day, and the votes were—
For Mr. W. H. Besant ••• ,9?
For Mr. T. Webster •"
For Mr. C. B. Clarke •••

There will be two minor Scholarships at Clare College
open for competition to those intending to commence resi-
dence in October next—one of 760 and one of £4O, tenable
for 2i years, or till exchanged for a Foundation Scholarship.
The examination will commence on Thursday, June 8,
at 9 a.m. Candidates to send in their names with 'testi-
monials as to character to Rev. W. Baynes, tutor. The
following are the subjects for examination, but preference
will be given to c%ndidates who show special proficiency
either in classics or mathematics:—Latin and Greek Trans-
lation (no fixed book), Latin Composition, Euclid and
Plane Trigonometry, Arithmetic and Algebra, Divinity
(elementary, with the four Gospels in Greek.)

GENERAL WHITING.—The news of the Confede-
rate General Whiting's death, from wounds received in
the defence of Fort Fisher, will be read with sincere regret
by all who had the pleasure of knowing a man of such rare
modesty and great merit. Ile expired in a Federal prison,
and was buried at Governor's Island on the 12th of this
month. It is just this time four years he was preparing
the works against Sumter, in the full belief that Southern
independence was already secured. —Army and Navy Gazette.
SMALL BIRD MURDER.—The thirteenth anniver.
' sary of the sparrow club, Rudgsick, was celebrated with
a dinner at the Cricketers' Inn, on Tuesday last. On refer-
ence to the books it was ascertained that 5,313 birds' heads
had been sent in by the members during the year, 1,363
being contributed by Mr. W. Wooberry, to whom was
awarded tfie first prize, Mr. W. Botting, with 912, claimed
second honours.—Sussex. Expre.ss.