The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-19 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1867.

The chief point of discussion yesterday in the
Committee on the Reform Bill was the University
question, which excited great interest, and was
finally settled against Durham being included in
the representation. On the whole we think that
too much stress was laid upon the matter, but if
half of the complaints made were correct, it is as
well that the issue was what it is. It cannot be
denied that the affair assumed very much of a party
character, and that most strenuoug efforts were
made to carry the point, so that after all the
majority of eight was not so great a victory.
Previously to this decision the Government had had
a majority of ono in favour of the junction, so that
the committee seemed rather irresolute about the
matter. The truth is that there was some reason
on both sides, as often occurs in such cases, because
Durham has claims to be represented, while at the
same time confusion might have arisen if the two uni-
versities had been joined as proposed. Mr. LoWE cer-
tainly-sparedneithereffort nor criticism in his attempt
to leave the London university alone in its glory, but
like many advocates he went too far in his asser-
tions. It was not likely that the arrangement, had
it been carried out, would have borne such evil re-
sults as the right hon. gentleman seemed to antici-
pate, 'but perhaps it is not altogether a defeat for
the Government, since they would have bought
victory at a dear price if theplan of conjunction had
liven di3satisfaction. The measure now bvfore

Parliament is so popular in many of its features
that it would have given rise to regret Lad any
portion of its woiking failed to realise the expecta-
tions formed of it. Mr. illitoirr really deserved
some thanks for infusing. a little animation into the
discussion, which had assumed rather an acrimonious
character. He concluded his remarks by declaring
that among all his acquaintances he did not know
any one who could possibly succeed in representing
the two places if it were not the Chancellor of the
Exchequer himself.

Mr. OSBORNE also was very facetious, and dis-
played his usual aptitude for quotations. As
usual, he pretended to be in the secrets of the
Treasury bench, and declared that Mr. DISRAELI
himself did not care about this arrangement, but
bad yielded to the wishes of injudicious supporters.

Finally, he created great amusement by comparing
the unfortunate Chancellor of the Exchequer to
Captain Macheath with the " Polly" of Durham on
one side of him, and the " Lucy" of the London
University on the other. Therefore let us come to his
assistance, for no doubt he would use the language
of that great hero, " Since you both leave me to-
gether, to neither a word will I say." Had it been
practicable it would really have been advantageous
to have selected Mr. OSBORNE'S middle course and
to have given up the word university altogether.
" Why is it necessary," he asked, " that you should
bestow this member on the two universities that are
already beginning to quarrel with each other ?"
Perhaps the same idea has occurred to a good
many others who are not so ready as the hon. mem-
ber for Nottingham to express their sentiments. It
will, we think, be admitted that the decision of last
night is not on the whole to be regretted. We must
protest against the extravagant language of score
members on the subject of the right and wrongs of
the London University. They have not rendered
this institution a good service, for they have made it
appear in a most ungracious light before Parliament
and the people, just as a political privilege was be-
ing conferred upon it, which, it was said, had been
long desired. So far as we can judge from the
tenour of the present debates, it cannot be said that
there has been much recognition ; but, on the con-
trary, a great deal of prejudice has been exhibited,
which, as Mr. DISRAELI said very truly, is not very
becoming under the circumstances of the case, and
its criticism is out of character, considering the
novelty of its existence.

The public; or at least that portion of it which
concern themselves with military matters, will,
we think, be glad to learn, from the debate in
the House of Lords last evening, that a change
is in contemplation with reference to the troops
at the Cape of Good Hope. The charge borne
by the colony is infinitesimally small, while upon
this country falls the burden of maintaining nearly
4,000 troops. Whether this fact has anything to
do with the perpetual small wars kept up by the
colonists in those parts with Boers and Kaffirs may
perhaps be questioned, but there is no doubt that
the colony does not bear a fair share of the expense.
Hong Kong pays us £20,000 a year for similar
assistance ; Ceylon paid £160,000 all in one ; and
even St. Vincent expressed its willingness to pay
£4,000 a year for a small detachment of infantry.
The terms arranged between the mother country
and her greatest colonies, Canada and Australia,
were fair on both sides and gave mutual satisfaction;
whereas the Cape pays only £lO,OOO a year for the
maintenance of these 4,000 troops, which cost Eng-
land about £300,000. The Earl of CARNARVON,
when in office, proposed a very desirable change,
and instituted a gradual reduction. Ile proposed
that a gradual increase should be made in the
colonial payments until the year 1872, after
the whole of the arrangements should
be subject to revision. We have no doubt
that the noble duke now at the head of the
Colonial-office will carry out the same policy,
because while it is impossible to lay down the same
rules for our dealings with every colony, there is
certainly no demand of Imperial poliCy which jus-
tifies an exceptional military expenditure in favour
of the Cape.

Birmingham has been the scene of riots and dis-
turbances during the last few days, and the autho-
rities have had some trouble in restoring quiet and
order. In the House of Commons yesterday -Mr.
MONSELL inquired of the Home Secretary if he
could impart any information on the subject to Lim,
to which Mr. HARI:v replied that he had heard that
tnorning from the Mayor of Birmingham to the
effect that he had received additional military aid
from Coventry and from Weedon, and that
owing to the measures taken everything was
quiet. So far this is satisfactory intelligence,
but it must be the cause of regret that
the disturbances should have taken place at all.
During Monday the place was in great confusion,
and mob law was in the ascendant for some hours,
the police having great difficulty in keeping their
ground at all, so fierce was the resistance made.
Of course, it is needless to say that the damage
done was very great, and in some instances even
people have been turned out of their houses, the
latter being in ruins. It adds to the regret of the
matter that the subject of controversy was a reli-
gious one, and we cannot too strongly censure those
ill-advised acts in the first place, and persistency in
the next which have led to such deplorable results.
This is an age of religious tolerance, and no excuse can
be offered for those who violate its being carried out
to the full extent and in the full observance of its
spirit. Mr. MunpuY has not done himself or his
Tabernacle any honour by his recent proceedings,
and it is to be hoped that it will be long before we
again hear of such extravagant conduct taking
place, for it brings discredit upon all who are con-
cerned in the affair.

Speech-day at Wellington College is always an
interesting occasion, and yesterday everything was
calculated to mike it pass off brilliantly. The
weather—which, although near midsummer, has
taught us this year not to make too sure of sun-
shine—was unusually propitious, and the company
who assembled from all parts had a pleasant excur-
sion. They came from different parts, and some of
them from long distances. Many of them were

governors, who were naturally anxious to see how
the scholars, for whom they were responsible, ac-
quitted themselves in this ordeal, and many had a
deeper and warmer interest in the ceremonial, for
they had reason to hope that their own sons would
share the honours and distinctions of the day. The
Earl of DERBY was, of course, present, since he
never misses an opportunity of testifying the hearty
goodwill he bears towards the college, of which he
has already given substantial proof. Prince ARTHUR
was also there, and had the pleasant tisk of deli-
vering the QUEEN'S medal to the successful com-
petitor. This prize, which the late PRINCE CON-
SORT was anxious should represent the character of
the Wellington School boys, is given for good con-
duct. The statute on which it is founded was,
according to custom, read aloud by the head-
ller MAJESTY, E.O rues the statute, desires
by the establishment of this prize to hold up to the
admiration of the students the virtues and great

master.

qualities of the hero to whose memory thL: College

is dedicated. It is not beyond the power of any
boy to exhibit cheerful submission to superiou, un-
selfish good fellowship with equals, independence
and self-respect with the strong, and kindness and
protection to the weak, with a readiness to forgive
offences towards himself, and to conciliate the
differences of others ; above all, fearless devotion to
duty and unflinching truthfulness. He who dis-
played such qualities would have so far trod in the
steps of the great Duke. This was the first prize,
and was bestowed amid general applause on Mr.
BUCHANAN, son of our Ambassador at St. Peters-
burg. Next in order of precedence came Lord
I)l:nu's gift, derived from the proceeds of his
" Homer;" and it is worthy of notice that the two
chief distinctions of this college are given, not for
intellectual attainments, but for moral qualities.
This is the more significant, as the arvndard of at-

tainment in the college is necessarily high, and
there is every incentive to successful study.
The fortunate winner of Lord DERBY'S prize for
diligence and good conduct was Mr. lawm, son of
a deceased officer who highly distinguished himself
in the Peninsula war, and some interest was attached
to the fact that the noble earl, when Lord STANLEY,
had been brought into communication with his
father, and had shown him some kindness. The
recollection of this has inspired young 'will with
the desire of winning his lordship's approval, and
he has been fortunate and deserving enough to
obtain Lord DERBY'S special gift, in addition
to other prizes. The entertainments of the day
pa.ssed off most brilliantly, and general satisfaction
was expressed .at the high degree of talent and ac-
quirement displayed by the youth. We hope the
college, which has been so auspiciously founded,
will continue to prosper as it has begun, and will
send out into the world of daily life many genera-
tions of youths, who have received not only a first-
rate classical and scientific education, but that
better training of mind and heart without which
no man can really do good service for himself or
his fellows.