Star.
London, England, 1810-07-12 00:00:00

OXFORD, ✓uLr 10.

This City and University now exhibit the dead si.
lence, which follows a thunder storm. The qua.
drangles are solitary, and scarcely a gow:,bman pa.
rades the High-street.
On reviewing the transactions of the last week, it is
universally felt, tint the University has, if possible,
acquired a new degree of elevation in the estimation
of the world,' for the dignity, the propriety and the
magnificence, with which its proceedings are always
characterised. The conduct of Lord GRENVILLE has
endeared him even to those who had been his chief
opponents in the election. This general feeling has
been excellently exemplified in every part of the
haviour of the Vice-Chancellor, who has proved
himself an honour to his high situation. Every Col.
lege has given .proofs of unexampled munificence 13
the celebration of this inaugural ceremony, and in
the sumptuous hospitality, with which their thousands
of visitors were received.

The few, the ins,gnificant marks of disapprib ifon,
with which s.ime of the public characters were re-
ceived, only served to prove the general admiration,
in which they are held. - The circumstances attencrng
Mr. SHERIDAN will long he remembered. We be.
lieve that the three gentlemen of Corpus, wh-, in a
manly, open manner, declared their intention to op.
pose his degree, were actuated by laudab:e, but too
partial feelings. But we cannot comprehend why
Mr. SHERIDAN, who has been so often plunged in the
v:wtex of opposition, who has so long slimed the op-
probrium, under which the great Mr. Fox so undz-
servedly laboured, who has so long borne the whips
and scorns of th' time," should give way to the un-
expected and unnecessary modesty of refusing a de-
gree conferred with a unanimity which he has seldom
witnessed. It is even doubtful whether it would have
been opposed at all. We speak from analogy. For
a similar determination had been expressed to oppose
one of the degrees conferred on the last day, but it
passed unanimously. However, it is acknr:svied4ed
that the result was more glorious to Mr. S. than if
he had taken his degree in the usual quiet manner.
The compositions for prizes, and the Speeches in
general, have been highly creditable to the University.
fhere was only one exception. One speech in blank
verse excited rather the mirth than the admiration of
the auditors. The style of it affected to display sim.
plicity, but it was that simplicity which degenerates
into something worse than prose. This is a style,
which has been called the School of SOUTHEY, who in
other respects is a good poet. The poem concluded
with two lines which redeemed the whole, and were
warmly applauded.
We are obliged to acknowledge that the composi-
tions were better than the delivery. Our Universities
do not shine in declamatory eloquence. We may be
permitted to hint to the Heads of them, that some
steps ought to be taken to produce improvement in
an art which is so necessary in Institutions intended
to form the public Speaker at the Bar, in the Pulpit,
and in the Senate.

On the whole review of the Encznia attending the
Installation, we may exclaim with a Lite distinguished
ornament of the University :
Hall, Oxtoars, hail! of all that's good and great,
Of all that's fair, the guardiaq and the seat !
Nurse of each brave pursuit, each generous aim;
By Truth exalted to the throne of Fame !
Like Oaxaca in Science and in Liberty;
As ATHINS learn'd, as LACEDZMON free