Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-04-20
The. Un,rers,tv of London.

LONDON, March 2S, 1858.
To ~, Editor Of the Free Press:
Up to the year 1925, London had no Uni
versity. While the young men of Edinburgh,
Dublin, and almost every European Capital
could obtain University Education in con-
nection with the advant ages Mt home, the
young men Of the English Metropolis were
obliged to resort to the provincial cities OF
Oxford and Cambridge. In these old Univer-
sites, aristocratic and luxurious habits had
become so prevalent, that all except the very
rich were cfectually shut out from their
walls. Moro than this, while Academic
honors were in other Universities of the En-
rire open to all without test or restriction
in England these honors were exclusively
conferred upon members Of the established
church. Certain privileges had long been at
tached to the possession Of certain Academic
degrees, but no matter with what abilities or
attainments Dissenter presented himself at
one of the old Universities, he could not be-
come n candidate even for degrees in Arts,
Laws, and Medicine
j.
ing College in London which should meet
the urgent demands for more liberal measures
of Education. The project is said to have
been first suggested by the Poet Campbell in
letter to Mr. Brougham tho latter warmly
favored it the inhabitants of London, and
many noblemen and prelates in all parts of
the Country subscribed literally to the funds
of the proposed Institution handsome
building was erected faculties of Arts,
Laws, and Medicine were organized, of the
most talented men who could be procured,
without regard to religious differences and
in 1928 the UNIVERSITY OF LONDON was in
full operation with 557 students.
1t was thought best from the beginning,
and FOR obvious reasons, not to include Theo-
logy among the branches taught at tho new
University. The more bgotcd partisans Of
the old Universities and of the established
church began at once to raise cry against
this " Nursery of Infdclity" Oxford and
Cambridge had always prided themselves ON
being Nurseries of the Church :" they had
educated her Bishops and Priests ever since
the Reformation and the church in her turn
was thought to have impaired sanctity to
the learning Of the Universities. hut here
was springing up rival Institution in which
Learning was divorced from Religion You
do not teach Religion therefore YOU teach
no Religion that is, you teach Infdelty"
The logic was not very good, but it succeeded
in creating an excitement among the Jealous
adhrrents to the establishment, tho result of
which was the founding of rival College
in London, called Kings College, under the
auspices Of the Bishops
The attempt to procure charter for the
University Of London, was the occasion of
an open battle between its friends and enc
mics. In 1880, when the permanent success
of the new Institution was, it was Thought
placed beyond doubt, and its prosperity
had even surpassed the expectations Of its
founders. an application was made for char
ter OF Incorporation This was followed by
circumstances from Oxford and Cambridge,
from the Royal College of Surgeons, and va.
rious Hospitals. A long and tedious contest
ensued' The matter was referred to the
rrivy Council, and three days were spent in
hearing the rival claims. To the title of
University as distinguished from College, is
supposed in England to he attached the
power OF comforting degrees accordingly the
I hIv''Si'y of oAfhd expressed its alarm
'' TINT serious injury would accrue to numer-
Gus ancient institutions, and much consequent
evil to the public, if u right to confer any
academical distinctions designated by the
same titles and accompanied with the same
privileges us the degrees Of the Universities
of Oxford and Cambridge should be given to