The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-06-17


rs not being strong enough, will no doubt be
admitted. since there is proof that 1t has
already been allowed In matches ct Wimblc-
don.
Thus tho grounds on which the good pros
definite In character and substantial.
Whether they win or lose. their shooting Is
almost certain to be far moro creditabie than
last years.
English Catholics and Oxford Univer.
sity.
We learn that an earnest effort Is making
In Rome on tho part OF many English Cath
olics to secure q partial repeal OF the dect-
sion by which Catholic students were forbid
den to matriculato at the universities Of Ok
ford and Cambridge. AS regards Oxford, at
all events. it Is hoped that the injunction
issued some eighteen years ago by the
Propaganda may be withdrawn, In which
case Catholic college would be Immediate
ly founded and affiliated to that university.
So far as the university statutes are con-
cerncd, any member Of Convocation can open
a house in Oxford for the instruction OF
students purposing to test their scholastic
proficiency at the university examinations
and to seek university degrees We need
scarcely say that there are great many
Catholic members OF Convocation, some of
whom would be admirably qualified by ex-
pcrience and reputation to confer academical
prestige upon q Catholic college. Again.
since the abolition OF religious tests, the uni
versity authorities cannot refuse degrees or
honors on the score of theological opinions.
or the privileges thus thrown open, English
Professionals belonging to non-conformist de-
nominations have awaited themselves, and
why, it may be asked, should not Catholics
follow their example, since they are equally
alivo to the educational deficiencies OF the
Catholic institutions when compared with
the two great national universities
The failure of Catholics to profit by oppor-
tunitles offered to every British subject Is
duo to the action taken by tho British
Catholic Episcopate and confirmed by the
Vatican very soon after the abolition Of the
religious tests, which had hitherto confined
the privileges Of Oxford and Cambridge to
those persons who were willing to subscribe
tho Thirty-nine Articles. In January, 1866.
the Congregation of the Propaganda approved
the resolutions which had been passed by
tho English Bishops prohibiting the founda-
ton Of Catholic colleges at Oxford or Cam
bridge, and recommending the creation Of
carefully isolated Catholic Summaries which
should attempt. however. to raise their
teaching to tho Lowell attained by the national
universities. Two years later. viz, in
August, 1867, and again in 1873, Cardinal
BARNABo wrote to Cardinal MANNING advis-
ing that the British Episoopate should warn
the faithful In pastoral letters of the danger
OF frequenting Oxford and Cambridge.
The iniunctions and admonitions emanat-
ing from Rome have been scrupulously. but
with growing impntience, obeyed by English
Catholics, Notwithstanding tho fragrant mis-
carriage OF their endeavors to place their own
seminaries intended for the higher education
on the same plano OF excellence with that
attained by the national universities. The
Catholic University Of Kensington was an
utter failure. and although some tolerably
good work Is done by some OF the Catholic
colleges affiliated to tho London University,
yet as they are dependent for degrees upon
that instituton-which has always been con-
trolled by men OF very lax opinions touching
religious questions, and which prescribes for
its final B. A. examination q course OF mod
ern philosophy saturated with skepticism-
quishment OF the educational advantages
which Oxford and Cambridge now present.
but which they did not offer at the time
when the London University was projected.
No doubt there have been epochs when the
spirit OF academical teachings and the social
atmosphere at either OF the two English uni
vcrslties would have tended upon the whole
to ALLEVIATE Catholic undergraduates from the
faith in which they had been reared. This
was always. however, much less noticeably
the case at Oxford, which has given special
attention to the Arstotelian system OF logic
| and philosophy, and which In all contrO-
vorsies, religious and political, has been con-
| spicuOus for oxtrcmo conservatism. It was
| In Oxford that the reaction toward Roman
ism, favored by Archbishop LAUD, received
| most vigorous support; 1t was In Oxford
| that the wish OF tho Catholic JAMES II. to
reconcile England with the Papacy called
forth much sympathy; 1t was Oxford that
gave birth to tho Tractarian movement OF
half century ago. ono result Of which Is
tho conversion to Catholicism OF very
many educated and influential English.
men, including tho present Cardinals
NEWMAN and MANNING. Now. indeed
although Cardinal MANNING seems to think
that all the virtue has gone out OF his mother
university, 1t is quito practicable for Cath.
Ollie undergraduate to obtain b. A. degree
at Oxford without being exposed to teach
ings in tho least inconsistent with his relig-
lous beliefs. 1t Is true that at tho so-callod
Greats" or second public examination In
tho humanities, some acquaintance with
modern speculative philosophy Is pre-
scribed, but the student may substitute
for the school OF humane letters the school
OF law or that OF history or that Of physical
science. We need scarcely say that we here
refer to examinations for degrees with hon
ora the only species OF university degrees
which to woll-informed persons carry much
educational significance. There are, In fact
few things which men who have followed
the honor course regard with more disdain
than tho ordinary degree conferred by an
English university and the corresponding
diploma issued by American institutions.
When We bear in mind that college teach.
| ing. college associations and college life