The Sun.
London, England, 1834-02-17 00:00:00

LONDON,
MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1834..

The University of Cambridge seems deter-
mined to maintain its pre-eminence in orthodox
bigotry, and shut out from its recesses even
the slightest ray of reform. Several of the
heads of colleges and professors in the Uni-
versity, aware of the injustice done to Dis-
senters, as well as the injury which the
University sustained by closing the door against
a respectable and numerous body, signed a
requisition to the Caput, for the purpose
of instituting an inquiry into the restrictions
on which degrees in medicine are granted.
These restrictions are, that, no candidate
can be admitted a Bachelor in Medicine unless
he belongs to the Church of England, and no
one can obtain the degree of Doctor in Medi-

cine unless he subscribes to the three articles of
the 36th canon. The Committee proposed to
inquire into the expediency not of doing away
with all religious tests, but simply to inquire
whether the law might not be so altered
as to admit all those who professed the
Christian faith. The half dozen gentlemen
who form the Caput, this six-headed Cerbe-
rus, growled at the very sound of reform, and
then, like their three-headed prototype, laid
themselves down to guard, in all their pompous
dignity, the entrance to the sacred edifice. It
makes no difference whether the person applying
for admission be a PRIESTLY or a DAVY—the
brightest genius—the most important discoveries
in science—the most indefatigable labour in ad-
vancing the best interests of the human
race—are all as a drop in the bucket when
put in the balance against Church of Eng-
landism. No friend of the Church can approve
of such narrow and bigotted policy. It is
desirable that a person, who is called in to assist
at the death-bed of a fellow creature, should
be a believer in that faith which forms the last
and surest consolation ; but is it necessary that
he should be a believer in the 39 Articles?

What connection have these with the healing
art ? And why might not a Presbyterian or a
Wesleyan be as fit and useful a physician as the
most orthodox Protestant ? No rational answer
can be given to the question, and we can conceive
no reason for adhering to the exclusive system,
not even the selfish reason 'which actuates the
greater number of monopolists. The objection
can arise only from the purest spirit of illiberality.
The East India monopolists, the monopolists
of rotten boroughs, of corn, tea, sugar, anti any
other necessary of life, might adduce good rea-
son for resisting the intrusion of strangers, be-
cause by " these crafts they have their wealth ;"
but the monopolists of degrees cannot pretend
even to such an excuse ; on the contrary,
their blind obstinacy has diminished the
number of pupils has driven men of
scrupulous, religious feelings to other schools,
and deprived our Universities of the
honour of having reared some of the brightest
ornaments of the age. Oxford and Cambridge
are the Old Sarums of medical honours, and
their rottenness has created the new consti-
tuencies of Edinburgh and Dublin. It was this
exclusive system which drove the Catholics from
the Universities, and made way for the present occu-
pants, and unless the Legislature takes up the ques-
tion, the same illiberal spirit will bring about a se-
cond revolution. We despair of the Universities
and the Church introducing substantial reform;
anti we therefore trust, for the honour and se-
curity of both, that no confidence will be placed
in them, anti that measures will without delay
be adopted for giving them constitutions suitable
to the advancement of the age, and to the gene-
ral feeling of the nation.

The Hon. Member for Worcester, Mr. Ro-
BINSON, seems disposed to try the test of re-
form upon the financial burdens of the country.
He is one of the few popular representatives
who are aware that Parliamentary reform would,
in' itself, be of little benefit to the people, unless
its practical objects should also be effected, of
providing the means by which some portion of
our taxation should be rendered less oppressive
on productive industry.
_ _

When the House of Commons was for the most
part comprised of Members who were returned
either by the recommendation of the aristo-
cracy, or the weight of their own pecuniary in-
fluence, it could scarcely be expected that any
attempt to re-adjust taxation, and throw off a
portion of its weight from the productive
to the affluent clasies, would receive much
attention ; but when the invigorating infusion
of popular representation, was thrown into the
National Assembly by means of the Reform
Bill, we certainly hoped, that any proposal
which might tend to the amelioration of our
financial difficulties, would at least receive un-
prejudiced attention and patient investigation.

Mr. ROBINSON'S motion, last session, for a
Select Committee, was negatived by a nume-
rous majority, and indeed the same indisposi-
tion towards anything like a property tax, which
was a striking characteristic of the unreformed
Parliament, appears to have obtained too much
influence amongst the present Members. Al-
though the word " property tax" has been made
a leading feature in Mr. ROBINSON'S motion,
yet perhaps we may correctly class his propo-
sal under the more extensive view of a com-
mutation of the taxes, and thus at once
render his measure a precursor of the numerous
proposals which already crowd the motion list.
If by any safe means (and several have been
proposed) we could relieve the country from the
immediate pressure of a few millions of taxation,

there would be no great difficulty in uniting the
proposals of Sir HENRY PARNELL, Sir
WILLIAM INGILBY, Colonel To RRENS,
and others. Our contemporaries of the daily
press appear to have been as inattentive to
this important branch of our national polity as
the Members of the House of Commons; but

we have observed with satisfaction many inte-
resting and able articles in the provincial papers
and monthly periodicals, where the subject has
been candidly treated, and such arguments have
been adduced as leave little doubt in our mind
that Mr. ROBINSON'S motion will be a most
important one to the country, and that the ap-
pointment of a Select Committee ought to have
the universal agreement ofthe House of Commons.

We rejoice to find that Mr. BAINES has been
returned for Leeds. He is a thorough man of
business ; liberal in his politics ; and well ac-
quainted with the wants and wishes of the
constituency which he represents. The high
Tories, of whom Sir JOHN BECKETT was put
forward as the organ, made a desperate effort
to oust him ; tricks and manoeuvres of all sorts,
we understand, were had recourse to ; but the
Leeds electors were too shrewd to be duped
by such stale artifices, and nobly resolved to return
the man of their choice. So the son-in-law of the
great Magnate of the North is thrown overboard,
and has nothing left for it but the consolation
that virtue is its own reward ! We wish him
joy of this recompense, taking for granted, how-
ever, that he would have preferred a more sub-
stantial one.

The Paris Papers of Friday and Saturday
have been received, but they do not add much
to our previous intelligence from the Continent.
In another column we have given some ex-
tracts, and an article relative to Spain from
a Morning Contemporary. The meeting of
the Cortes is looked forward to with great
interest in the Peninsula, and we sincerely
hope that their labours may hasten the amelio-
ration of that distracted and long misgoverned
country.

As the liberal cause seems to triumph in Spain,
the virulence of the Carlist faction increases in

proportion. The conduct of the QUEEN _RE-
GENT is now made to appear in a most odious
light by reports (whether false or true we cannot
say) that she is following the course of her sister,
the Duchess de BERRI, by taking a young
officer of the Guards into her particular favour.
If true, such conduct is not more scan-
dalous than impudent, in her peculiar

position—and if false, as we hope, such report
shows pretty clearly the desperate shifts to which
the Carlists are put.
The French Chamber of Deputies will be
dissolved after the Budget is voted ; hence
the lukewarmness manifested by many of
the Members in the discussion of great
public questions on which their constituents
entertain certain national prejudices ; particu-
lady those relative to free trade. We trust that
in a short time our friendly neighbours may
become more enlightened, and that they will
meet us frankly in the true spirit of reciprocity.

German Papers have been received : they con-
ain nothing important.

MPERIALPARLIAMENI'

THIS DAY. MONDAY, FEB. 17.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
Mr. DIVETT brought in a Bill for removing the mar-
kets and fairs from the high streets of the city of Exeter,
and providing accommodation in other places. The Bill
was read a first time.

Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE moved for leave to bring in a
Bill for tl e improvement of Grosvenor-place, founded on
_ _

a petition from the inhabitants of that part of the city.
—Leave granted.

Mr. HAWES moved the second reading of the Lam-
beth 'Waterwork, Bill. The Bill wai read a second time,

and ordered to be committed.

Mr. POTTER brought in a Bill to unite the Wigan
and Preston Railway Company.
Sir OSWALD MOSLEY moved fur leave to bring
in a Bill for the enclosure of Waste Lands in a parish in
the county of Stafford —Leave granted.

Mr. WILSON FATTEN moved the second reading of
:he Liverpool Gas Company B.ll.—Read a second time.

The Hon. Gentleman also moved the second rending of the
Bainley Market Bill.—Read a second time.
Mr. HODGSON presented a petition from the Super.
intendents and otlnTs connected with the Sunday Schools
of the Town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for the better
observance of the Sabbath. On the question that it do
lie on the table, _ .

Mr. COBBETT rose and said, that he thought some
provision should be made by which the Hon. Members
of that Howe might be better enabled to observe
the Sabbath.—(Hear, and laughter.) Last Friday night
the Navy Estimates were laid upon the table of that
House, containing forty-five folio pages, and upwards of
1,200 money items, which were all to be called on and
decided upon that night. Taking into account the time
employed in eating, drinking, and sleeping, he (Mr. C.)
should have had only the Sabbath Day to examine those
accounts.—(Hear, and laughter.) He agreed with the
Honourable Gentleman Mr. Hodgson, that the Sabbath
ought to be observed, but he (Mr. C.) could not do so
last Sunday without neglecting his duty to his consti-
tuents. He hoped that the discussion on these estimates
would be postponed.
Lord ALVANLEY presented a petition from the in-
habitants of the Royal burgh of Stirling, complaining
of the Church patronage exercised in that town. The
petitioners begged that they might revert to the state in
which things were in the year 1645, when the election
was in the hands of the people. He trusted that when
the subject of Church patronage cause before the House
it would meet with due consideration.

Mr. F. O'CONNOR presented a peirion from the
county of Wexford, for the repeal of the Legislative
Union. As there was a very large attendance of Mem-
bers who had business which would occupy the
attention of the House, be would merely observe, in answer
to the allegation of some Membe,s, that this question was
losing ground, that at the Dungarvan election the in-
fluence of the Duke of Devonshire and the Conservatives
bail been overturned by the voice of the people, in favour
of the repeal of the union.
The petition was laid on the table.
The same HoN. MEMBER gave notice of a motion for
the 24th of next month, relative to the tenure of land in
Ireland.

Mr. CUTHBERT RIPON presented a petition from
the dissenters of the borough of Gateshead, praying for
the removal of all grievances affecting them in their reli-
gious profession.—Ordere i to lie on the table.
Mr. STAVELEY presented a petition from the
borough of Ripon, in favour of the better observance of
the Sabbath.—Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. lIUTT presented a petition from upwards of 6,000
electors of Kingston-upon-Hull, praying for the reeegni•
tion of a new constitution of their municipal corpora-
tion. The petitioners expressed a hope, and be united cordi-
ally with them, that the new measures which were under-
stood to be under the consideration of Government would
be such as to place that municipal corporation on a po-
pular basis.—(Hear.) He bad seen with some alarm a
Bill to be introduced into the House, and proposed by
the Lord Chancellor in another place, in which measures
were set torah which would give anything but satisfaction
to the jieople of England.—(Hear.) The corporation
referred to in the petition bore some resembl.ince to the
present corporation of the city of London, which was not
disbored by many blots found in similar institutions, but
was very far from being suited to the present enlightened
times.—(Hear.) Excellent as that corpoiation was, how-
ever, he was persuaded that it was any thing but the per-
fection of human wisdom, and ►.e would refer in portico-
__

lar to the establishment of Aldertnanie Courts.—(Hear.)
That such should exist, without full responsibility, ap-
prared to him to be a solecism of the grossest nature.—
( Hear, hear.) He hoped Ministers would bring forwar I
measures on this subject woi thy of the authors of the great
Reform Bill.—(Hear.)
Mr. O'CONNELL said, though there was no Minister
present, he hoped the observations made by the Hon.

Member who presented the petition would reach them.
When the Noble Lord (Afthorp) opened his budget he
held out hopes of some ameliorations besides those which
he dwelt upon more particularly, but he was totally silent
on corporation reform.—(Hear.) He (Mr. 0.C.) knew
that this subject engrossed considerable attention in Ireland
as well cs in England —(Hear.)
Mr. PRYME said he had been requested to support
the prayer of that petition. A great portion of the evils
arising from corporate misgovernment, originated in the
practice of electing aldermen and magistrates fur life.—
(11 ar, hear.) '1 hat opinion was now prevailing through-

out the country, and upon this practice the most decided
disapprobation vs as expressed.—(Hear.) Ia regard to
Ministers being silent respecting corporate reform, be
begged leave to remind tie House that the report of the
Corporation Cotninissionc,s was not yet made, and that
it would oe vet y voluminous when complete.
Mr. O'CONNELL, in expl ination, said, that the
very same observation would apply to the poor rate laws,
the report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into that
subject was not yet made; so that he was afraid Ministers
did not intend to go as far with Corporation Reform as
they ought to do.
The petition was ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. 0-1/WYER presented petitions from Mr. Cowell
and Mr. Edward Attield, two surgeons of Drogheda,
praying for a revision of the Apothecaries Act in Ireland.
To lie on the table.
Mr. HODGES presented a petition for leave to bring
in a Bill to enlarge the powers of the Crouch-hill Im-
provement Act.—Leave given. The Hon. Member also
presented a petition from the County of Kent, praying
for a commutation of tithes.
Mr. CUTLAR FERGUSSON rose to give his cordial
consent to the prayer of thdt petition, and trusted th it if
any measure should be introduced, it would not be one re•
quiring to be periodically renewed, but of a permanent
duration.—(Hear, hear.) He hoped the charge would
he fixed upon the land as it was 200 years ago, and
thought if England could only obtain what Scotland did
-,;.00 years ago it would be a great blessing. Nothing
could be more monstrous than a scheme by which land
was taxed for its improvement far beyond the profit
which could be derived from it. He tor,k that oppor-
tunity of correcting a misunderstanding which had gone
forth relative to what ho had on Friday said respecting
Mr. M'Culloch's doctrines and proposed scheme of corn
laws. He had been made to say that the plan would
throw 500,000 agricultural labourers out of employ. He
said no such thing ; but he would refer to the 88th No. of
tbeEdinburykßeview, to show that such an infrence might
be drawn from the doctrine laid down by Mr. M'Culloch,
who was of opinion, that if men should be thrown out
of employment by his scheme, they would easily obtain it
elsewhere—an opinion in which he (Mr. F.) could not
agree. It should also be understood, that he (Mr.
M'Culloch) was ❑ot speaking of the total abolition of the
corn laws, as had been represented. Mr. 11PCulloch he
believed to be a sincere friend to the agricultural interest,
and hieing himself a landholder, it was not likely that be
would designedly propose any scheme which he knew
might prove adverse to that interest.
• Mr. COBBEIT considered that the doctrines put for-