The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-09 00:00:00

INSTALLATION OF THE CHANCELLOR

AT OXFORD.

OXFORD WEDNESDAY.
,
The Earl of Derby was entertained last night at
a grand dinner in the hall of Worcester College, of
which Dr. Cotton, the Vice-chancellor, is the pro-
vost. There were present his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge, his Royal Highness the Duke
of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Prussian Ambassador,
the American Minister (Mr. Ingersoll), the Earl
of Malmesbury, the Marquis of Blandford, the
Marquis of Chandos, the Marquis of Lothian, Lord
Colchester, Lord De la Warr, the Earl of Eglinton,
Lord Valentia, Lord Lincoln, Lord Fordwich,
Lord W. Powlett, Lord Bathurst, Lord Dynevor,
the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Justice Turner ; the
Bishops of London, Oxford, Salisbury, Chichester,
St. Asaph, Sodor and Man, Ohio, Cape Town,
Nova Scotia, St. Andrew's, Guinea ; Sir R. H.
Inglis, Sir E. L. Bulwer, Sir J. B. Y. Buller, Sir
F. Thesiger, Sir J. Pakington, the Right B. Dis-
raeli, the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, the Right
Hon. T. B. Macaulay, Sir A. Alison, Mr. H. Hal-
lam, Dr. Forbes Winslow, Mr. P. Pusey, Sir R.
Murchison, Mr. Napier, Mr. Spencer Walpole, the
Provost of Eton, Professor Aytoun, Mr. Warren,
Mr. Masterman, Mr. C. N. Newdegate, General
Reeve, Sir E. Oust, Col. Wilbraham, Major Wil-
lock, Mr. Sergeant Goulburn, Dr. Goulburn, Rev.
M. Walpole, Sir C. Eastlake, Mr. Waldegrave,
Dr. Bull, Dr. Ogilvie. Dr. Clerk, Dr. Jelf, Dr.
Ogle, Dr. Daubeny, Dr. Acland, Dr. Phillimore,
Dr. Kenyon, Dr.-Nelson, Dr. Jacob, Sir T. Glad-
stone, Dr. Jackson, the Vict-Chancellor,_thelilas-
ter of the University, the Master of Balliol, the
Warden of Merton, the Provost of Oriel, the Pro-
vost of Queen's, the Warden of New College,
the Rector of Lincoln, the Warden of All
Souls, the Principal of Brasenose, the President of
Corpus, the President of Trinity, the President of
St. John's, the Principal of Jesus, the Warden of
Wadham, the Master of Pembroke, the Principal
of St. Mary Hall, the Principal of Magdalen Hall,
the Principal of Now Inn Hall, the Principal of
St. Alban Hall, the Principal of St. Edmund Hall,
the Senior and Junior Proctors, the Public Orator,
the Registrar of the University, the Professor of
Poetry, the Warden of Winchester College, Mr.
J. C. Davenport, the Vice-Provost of Worcester
College, the Bursar of Worcester College the Dean
of Worcester College, the Rev. R. Greswell, 8.D.,
d-c.

After the usual loyal and constitutional toasts
had been duly honoured, the Vice-Chancellor pro-
posed " The Health of their noble guest, the Earl
of Derby, Chancellor of the University," in a speech
highly eulogistic of his public services and private
character, but none of which was audible in the
position alloted to reporters.

The Earl of DEBBY rose to return thanks. He said,
words would fail him were he to attempt, however
feebly, to depict the feelings which had been excited in
his breast by the wholly unexpected honour which that
great and time-honoured University had conferred upon
him, in unanimously electing him to the distinguished
post of their Chancellor—the more distinguished from
the recollection of his illustrious predecessor. (Cheers.)
He knew not whether he had been more painfully im-
pressed with his utter unworthiness to be the object of
their selection when he met that magnificent assem-
blage in the splendid theatre, on the morning of that
day, or when he had been so flatteringly received as he
had been on that evening by the company whom he had
the honour of now addressing. He had gratefully to
acknowledge the honour conferred upon him, in being
appointed head of a University whose early history
was lost in the obscurity of fable, but which, from the
earliest period at which it could be traced, had been in
the closest connection with the truest, the best, and the
holiest interests of this great erepire--had been, in effect,
the bulwark of her laws, her liberties, and her religion,
a faithful adherent to the Crown, the munificent patron
of literature, the fruitful mother of science and of talent,
(Hear, hear.) He was not going to magnify his own
office by lauding the University, whose name was itself
above all eulogy that he could pass upon it. The time
would fail him, indeed, if he were to attempt to enume-
rate the long list of worthies who, in the camp or in the
field, in the senate or at the bar, in the Church or on
the bench, had reflected interminable honour through
countless generations upon the University that first
taught and matured their youthful intellect. (Cheers.)
He felt that he was being received in the most flattering
manner by an assembly comprising amongst it repre-
sentatives of all that was most distinguished for nobility
in birth, for science, for eloquence, for power, and for
ability in the different walks and ranks of life that made
up the community of this great empire. He saw before
him members of that illustrious family which reigned
over us now, not more secured by the laws upon the
throne of this country than by the well-won and well-
deserved affection of the people over whom they ruled.
(Cheers.) He saw there the representatives ,of different
nations, and above all, the representatives of that great
republic whose citizens were our brothers in blood,
in laws, and in literature, with whom, though oceans
rolled between us—oceans now almost bridged over
by the power of science—we had links of relation-
ship and consanguinity, links of common freedom,
links of common language, links of common laws,
which must now and for ever bind together the
mother and her glorious daughter in social friendship,
knitted by the ties of affection no less than by those of
interest. (Hear, hear.) He saw around him those who
were amongst the most distinguished ornaments of that
venerable Church of which he was an humble but at-
tached member, those who were most distinguished in
the senate, and he might be forgiven if he said that he
saw with peculiar pleasure some of those to whom he
owed a debt of obligation which he could never repay,
for having consented to co-operate with him in the ardu-
ous task which he ventured to undertake, of conducting
the Government of this great empire. (Cheers.) He
saw others equally distinguished with whom he had not
the same intimate connection, but whom he was not less
proud to see there, paying honour to a University upon
which their presence conferred equal honour. He saw
there the historian and the poet, the popular writer and
the man of profound science—he saw representatives of
every sort of distinction, and every branch of literature
and science, all combining to pay the same distinguished
tribute of regard and kindness to one who felt that he
had little claim indeed upon their kindness and affection.
Ile asked himself what title he had to the distinguished
honour conferred upon him by the University. Their
respected Vice-Chancellor had enumerated amongst his
claims that of descent from an ancient line of ancestors,
who in their time had done the State some service. On
this point he felt he was bound by every consideration
to echo the sentiment of the old poet—

" Sed genus et proavos, et gum non fecimus ipsi,
Vix ea mostra voco."

(Hear, hear.) But if there were any distinction confer-
red by the claims and merits of our ancesters, it clearly
enhanced the obligation on those who succeeded them not
to disgrace or dishonour their name, but to seek to render
themselves worthy of the origin from which they sprang.
(Cheers.) He had had ancestors who for their loyalty
to the throne and fidelity to their country had died upon
the field of battle, or, harder still, upon the scaffold.
Though he would not presume to emulate the high
claims of some, yet this he hoped he might say, that if
loyalty to the Crown, or faithfulness to their country's
interest required it, he would not disgrace their name
by refusing to purchase the safety of one and the other
by the sacrifice of his heart's best blood. (Loud cheers.)
In looking to the motives which might have influenced
their choice in the selection of a Chancellor, he thought
he perceived one—of a negative character, indeed—
which might have some weight—he meant, that his no-
mination, as he was given to understand, was likely to
be the symbol of peace in the University, as he was not
believed to be attached warnily to either of those ex-
tremes in our venerated Church by which she had been
divided and weakened, and that those who might be at
variance with respect to other candidates would be con-
tent to waive their preference for either one or the other
by falling back upon one to whom they gave the credit
of being a sincerely attached member of the Church of
England. (Hear, hear.) This was a motive which, it
might be, was of no little potency, for of all the objects
to which he looked as of the greatest importance at this
moment, when the Church was surrounded by foes from
without, this was the chief—that she should not be
weakened by dissensions within. (Cries of Hear, hear.)
He saw with grief—and glad indeed should he be if he
could see no more—men of equal authority, equal emi-
nence, equal zeal, equal ardour in the cause of true reli-
gion, yet by unhappy speculative differences led to look
upon each other with far different feelings from those
which ought to prevail between those who are not only
Christians, but Christians of the same ancient,
lliend times
the
chairlong
whichpast, and l
ie
vene-
rable, and holy Church. (Cries of Hear, hear.)
When he looked back from the present t• the
past, how should he venture to compare himself with
tctill that long
clown
t,oolias
unworthilyoo wf worthiesown days,
iehd awho d filled
w
could he but feel;
humiliated beyond the power of expression; when he
remembered that he sat there, by their favour, in the
seat which of old was held amongst others by Dudley
Earl of Leicester, by Sir Christopher Hatton, by Arch-
bishop Laud, nay, in the days of the great usurpation,
by that great and able usurper Cromwell, afterwards by
Clarendon, and by others whose names he I need not
then recall ; but, coming down to later days, by Lord
North, by the Duke of Portland, by the highly-
honoured and venerated Grenville, and, last ' of all, by
him who bore a name that wanted but to be pro-
nounced to receive the universal panegyric of England,
of Europe, and of the world—their own ii:imitable and
lamented Wellington. (Cheers.) How could he hope
to emulate the fame of that great man who proved him-
self equal in every relation of life, in every state to
which his duty called him, to every emergency; and who,
as civilian, citizen, soldier, and statesman, and in every
other position, was alike unrivalled and uriegnalled
In one quality he might endeavour to imitate' him, and

that was in the absence of all consideration of self, in
the determination to sacrifice everything, and to con-
sider it no- sacrifice, at the simple call of duty. That
was the guiding principle of their late Chancellor—that
was the secret of the inestimable and incalculable power
which he obtained over the affections and the minds of
his countrymen and of the world—(hear, hear)—and,
though he (the Earl of Derby) could not hope to tread
in his steps, that was a point of the noble duke's
character upon which he might venture steadily to fiz
his eye, and to follow at an humble distance, if not his
conduct, at least the motives that inspired it. (Hear,
hear.) With this utterly inadequate expression of his
feelings he might have closed his address, were it not
that he succeeded, not only to a most distinguished man,
but also at a somewhat critical period in the history of
the University. They would pardon him if, having thus
succeeded, and being constituted, in connection with their
Parliamentary representatives, in some respects the guar-
dians of their rights and privileges, he added a few words
respecting the present position of the academic question.
At that moment they stood, in common with the sister
University of Cambridge, arraigned at the bar of public
opinion. They were on trial before their country upon
the merits of their systems ; and he must be permitted
to say that they were put upon their trial under some
disadvantages, and not altogether upon equal terms. He
would not say anything with regard to the commission
which was issued for the purpose of inquiring, into the
discipline and management of the two universities, al-
though he at the time had certainly strong opinions with
regard to the legality of the issuing that commission.
But the doubts he entertained upon that subject, and
which were entertained by others, had certainly led to
this unfortunate consequence, that with regard both to
Oxford and Cambridge, and especially Oxford, the in-
quiry whioh had taken place had been of a partial and
an :insufficient character. He did not mean to impute
blame to the commissioners when he used the word par-
tial, but he meant to say that much evidence in favour
of the Universities had not been tendered which would
have been tendered had there been less doubt as to the
propriety of the original commission. And yet, although
he disapproved of the issue of that commission, he would ,
frankly and honestly say before them all that he rejoiced
that that commission had been issued. (Hear, hear.)
He rejoiced that inquiry had taken place—he rejoiced
snore especially that inquiry had been invited, stimu-
lated, and excited within the University itself. (Cheers.)
This he might venture confidently to add, that what-
ever might be the opinions entertained by the University
with regard to the specific recommendations contained
in that commission, they were now impartially, de-
liberately, and industriously examining the whole sub-
ject matter of academic discipline and studies, considering
the recommendations and statements of the commis-
sioners, prepared to adopt that which in their honest
and conscientious judgment they believed to be for the
benefit of the University, anxious to meet public opinion
by such changes as their own honest convictions might
satisfy them would be beneficial, and equally prepared—.
and he could not blame them for it, nay, he was ready
cordially to support them in doing it—to resist any al-
terations which might be pressed upon them, and which
they did not themselves believe to be for the permanent
interests of those who were committed to their charge.
(Loud cheers.) He knew not what course Parliament
might pursue in a future session upon the subject, but
he ventured to hope that, as far as possible, the inter-
ference of Parliament might be limited to a permissive
Power to the universities, to the colleges themselves,
after deliberate and dispassionate inquiry, to introduce
such reforms as they might deem expedient, aided by
Parliament, so far as to do away with the restrictions
which bound many of the colleges by their,ancient and
now impracticable statutes, and prevented them from
introducing the amendments which they. themselves
might think desirable. One thing more he trusted would
not be desired by Parliament, nor be consented to by
the University. He hoped that, in all their reforms,
and in all their amendments, they would base their
repairs and improvements upon the old and tried foun-
dations—that they would not' depart from the system 'of
the University, from the corporate capacity of the uni-
versityand the colleges, its separate members—but, above
all, though he would say nothing of the peculiar man-
ner in which the connection was enforced, he trusted
that nothing would divorce this University from its per-
manent and invaluable connection, in discipline, govern-
ment, and practice, with the Established Church of the
country. (Cheers.) Much had been said upon the sub-
ject of possible changes and alterations in the character
of the studies of the University. Far be it from him to
depreciate the ancient studies of that University, or
those abstruser studies which were more peculiarly the
province of the sister University of Cambridge, which
even in their first elements formed the youthful mind to
habits of close practical reasoning, and to deductions of
effects from causes, and of consequences front their ante-
cedents—which give the mind strength, vigour, and
power of application to he imparted by no studies less
severe, and which, in their further and higher course,
carried human science beyond the reach almost of belief
or fancy, enabling her to penetrate not only the mighty
mysteries of this world, but to soar into the boundless
realms of the heavens, to measure and to aweigh as it
were the stars of the firmament, to trace the course of
the heavenly bodies, to penetrate into the infinitude of
space abore and around us, and to study until iwe become
more and more impressed with the magnitude and sim-
plicity of those unerring and invariable laws' of nature,
or rather, he should say, of nature's God, which regulates'
alike the smallest and the mightiest movemdnts percep-
tible by.our senses---movements, however, equally in-
significant and unimportant in the eye of an!omniscient
Creator. Far be it from him to say a*ord in disparage-
ment of that ancient classic lore which Must be the
charm of every youthful mind that gave itself up to
that enchanting study, and which, impressed upon the
mind in early days, would never be entirely forgotten,
or lose its influence, through long and toilsome years.
(Loud cheers.) They might depend upon it, that for
the character, for the formation, of the author, the
statesman, the gentleman, classic lore was of in-
estimable value. He had intended to make An apology,
but found he had been betrayed into a panegyric ; but
with all his respect and veneration for classical and
mathematical studies, he could not close his eyes to the
fact, that the object of this great University was not
alone to educate authors, poets, or statesmen, but to
send forth her sons armed at all points to meet the
various discipline of the world, each in his okvn several
profeiSionscarrying with him some common resemblance
arising from a common stock, yet furnished with different
weapons to meet the exigencies of the future. (Hear,
hear.) In the present day the study of the modern
languages, of modern history, of the laws of this and
other countries, of the physical sciences, were obtaining
a great and growing influence, and becoming of great
and growing importance. They, therefor s, deserved
more and more the attentive consideration of a Uni-
versity which desired to send forth her sons fully ac-
coutred for the conflict of life. He rejoiced to see new
schools established in which those studies were made a
matter of competition, and the elements from which
academical honours might be obtained. He confessed
he spoke it with great humility, that in a University
especially devoted to the service of the Church of England,
lie should himself have rejoiced to see a separate school
even for the younger members of the University, a
separate schOol of theology, in which those might study
who intended to devote themselves to the service of the
Church. (Hear, hear.) For although it was true that
ample provision had been made for the teaching of
divinity through the instrumentality of able and
eminent professors, yet he was afraid it would be found
that no study would be really and anxiously attended
to by an undergraduate desirous of distinction, un-
less that study directly, not indirectly, led to prac-
tical eminence and the recognition of university dis-
tinction at the period of examination. He was de-
sirous of impressing upon those he had the 'honour of
addressing, and especially upon those who were connected
with the government of that university, that if theywishd
to maintain, as he did most fervently, their institutions
upon the ancient foundations and the original structure
of this university unimpaired and untouched, it was of
importance that they should not linger behind the rea-
sonable requirements of the age ; and whilst they did not
yield to clamour, or consent to abandon their own real
and fixed opinions, that they should endeavour,as widely
as possible, to extend their discipline and teaching, so as
to make it more and more widely applicable to every
class and description of her Majesty s subjects, being
meMbers of the Church of England. No one ,was more
anxious than himself for the prosperity and the perpetual
good and advantage of the university with which he was
connected; and his earnest and ardent prayer was that
day by day, and year by year, she might go on increas-
ing in public usefulness, honour, and renown, and in
every branch of learning send forth those wild would re-
flect credit upon her, do honour to their country, and be
of service to in this and in future generations,
whether it were in the battle-field, the camp, the senate,
the forum, or in that most venerable of professions, the
service of that Church of which she was the i4iurse and
foster-mother—(cheers)—that she might be enabled to
fit for the sacred ministry men who would by !the power
of their preaching, and their still more powerful example,
assist in promoting the end of all education, from what-
ever source it came—peace upon earth, goodwill to men,
and the glory of that God to whom all professions and
all classes were alike responsible. The noble, earl re-
sumed his seat amidst enthusiastic applause.

The only formal speech of the evening
of the noble Chancellor. The party

shortly after eleven o'clock. A grand
fireworks was made in Worcester-close, 1)
direction of Mr. Darby from Vauxhall,
tracted a great crowd, and passed off in
brilliant style. The first installation
given last night in the Town-hall, and was:
by several hundred guests, including 1110 f
distinguished persons now in Oxford, au
number of members of the University.
This morning the anniversary sermon
benefit of the Radcliffe Infirmary was pri
St. Mary's Church by the Rev. Dr.
head-master of Rugby School.
A concert was given in the theatre
o'clock to-day, which was numerously
The principal vocalists were Staudigl,
Gardoni, Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Do
Lockey, Mr. Hobbs, and Mr. H. Philli]

was that
broke up
display of
ender the
which at-
the most
(ball was
attended
st of the
yl a large

for th©
ached at
oulburu,

at three
attended.
Pisehek,
by, Mr.
ks. The

band leader was Blagrove. The selection of music,
chiefly from the works of the great German com-
posers, was admirable, and Spohr's exquisite air,
" Liebe ist die zaite blfithe " from Faust ; the
grand scena from Gliick's Orpheus, " Chi mai dell'
Erebo ; the madrigal, " Who shall win my Lady
fair," by the Glee and Madrigal Union, with other
rnorceaux, were received with rapturous applause.
To-night a grand banquet is given in Christ
Church Hall to the Chancellor, who is a member
of the college, and a number of distinguished
visitors. The second installation ball is given by
the members of the University Lodge of Free-
masons in the Town-hall. The arrangements are
on a splendid scale, and the demand for tickets
unprecedented, so that the stewards have limited
the number to 600. To-morrow a second convoca-
tion will be held in the theatre at ten o'clock, when
the Installation Ode, written by the Professor of
Poetry, and set to music by Sir H. Bishop, will be
rt
re
de d.
andß
Blenheim
degrees e
sc conferred,' feei
essaysperformed,
and
congratulatoryhono r arde gnipieriimze
Palace and Woodstock-park, and the grounds of
Newnham, the seat of the Harcourts, both situated
within easy distance of Oxford, have attracted a
numerous throng of pleasure-seekers from the town
throughout the day.