The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-09 00:00:00

ELECTION OF DR. SYMONS.

OXFORD, TUESDAY.—In a Convocation, holden this
day, at twelve o'clock, the letter from the Chancellor of
the University nominating the Rev. Dr. Symons, Warden
of Wadham College, to be Vice-Chancellor for the en-
suing year, in the room of the Rev. Dr. Wynter, Presi-
dent of St. John's, whose term of office had expired,
was read to the House. The number of doctors and
masters present upon this occasion exceeded by far any
previous attendance, and the Convocation was accord-
ingly holden in the theatre, the area of which was densely
crowded, whilst the semi-circle reserved for the noble-
men and doctors was entirely filled. Among the non-
residents who were present we remarked Lord Kenyon,
Lord Eldon, Lord Bathurst, Lord Sandon, Lord Ashley,
Lord Dalhousie, the Bishops of Llandaff and Chichester,
the Dean of Salisbury, Sir Charles Vaughan, Sir J. B.
Bosanquet, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Mr. Ross, M.P. ;
Dean of Norwich, Lord Feversham, Archdeacon llale,
Archdeacon Samuel Wilberforce, Archdeacon Shirley,
the Rev. Dr. Grant, of Romford,(late Bampton lecturer);
Rev. Dr. Russell, Rev. Dr. Hume Spry, Rev. Dr. Saun-
ders, Edward Cardwell, Esq., M.P. ; Sir Thomas Biome-
field, Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, Mr. Hallam (the histo-
rian), &c.

Upon the letter being read a loud shout of " Placets,"
with several of a contrary tendency, took place, upon
which the Vice-Chancellor directed those who approved
of the Chancellor's nomination to proceed to the right-
hand side of the House, and those of a contrary opinion
to the left. The preponderance of those who supported
Dr. Symons was then apparent, but some one having
called for a scrutiny, it was allowed, care being taken,
as we are informed, to save the rights and authority of
the Chancellor harmless ; for it is understood that the
best lawyers are of opinion that the nomination of the
Chancellor is final, and although submitted to the house,
cannot be set aside ; consequently the Vice-Chancellor
did not permit the scrutiny without a reservation of the
Chancellor's privileges. The scrutiny then took place,
the proctors first taking the votes of the doctors and
noblemen, after which the masters ascended the semi-
circle, and tendered their votes to the two proctors, pass-
ing but at the door behind the Vice-Chancellor's seat,
an arrangement which prevented the usual throng and
inconvenience. When the papers were cast up, the
senior proctor declared " Majori parti placet." The
numbers, however, were pretty generally understood
to be—

Placet
Non Placet 163
Majority -699

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wynter, then addressed
the Convocation in a speech, of which we have now only
time to say, that it was universally admired, as well for
the elegance of the composition as for the moderation it
displayed on those subjects on which the late Vice-
Chancellor, if any man, has reason to be most sensitive.
He has, however, won golden opinions by his conduct
this day, than which nothing could be more gentlemanly
and forbearing.
The usual ceremonies having been gone through in
making the declaration, delivering the insignia of office,
&c., the new Vice-Chancellor ascended the chair, when
he was greeted with loud plaudits from all sides.
Having made, as is usual, a brief address to Convo-
tion, in which was an allusion to the difficulties of the
present times, and his resolution to do his duty fearlessly,
impartially, and kindly, he then nominated his Pro Vice-
Chancellors--viz., the Rev. Dr. Hawker, Provost of
Oriel; the Rev. Dr. Wynter, President of St. John's ;
the Rev. Dr. Radford, Rector of Lincoln; the Rev. Dr.
Plumptre, Master of University.
Among many interesting anecdotes that we have heard
may be recorded the followinba. :—" The Earl of Romney
travelled to London on Saturday from his seat in Kent ;
and we have reason to believe that his Ladship's car-