dates should be completed in consecutive days; nor need an examination in writing supersede any oral questioning.)

Such a standard, as these last five advantages suppose to be accurately instituted and accurately applied, Oxford does not attempt; but leaves it to each of her transient Examiners to extemporize a criterion for himself, or rather to classify candidates as he may, according to his individual lights, and temporary impressions. That Universities in general do nothing more, is an invalid answer. For the Universities, in which the Professorial or unrestricted system of instruction prevails, can at best only lavish degrees according to a rude appraisement; and are wholly unable (what indeed they right rarely attempt) to classify candidates, even in the vaguest or most capricious manner. Oxford, therefore, in adopting the Tutorial or restricted system of instruction, should, in tolerating its peculiar disadvantages, be able to turn its peculiar advantages to account.-But to conclude: I am therefore, convinced, that it would be no ordinary improvement on the late Oxford Examination Statute, if, prospectively, a regulation were adopted, in principle at least, to the following effect:

Two several Orders of Study to be requisite for examination toward a degree in Arts; and in these the gradations of proficiency to be rewarded by two several Orders of academical Honor.

The First or superior order to have two Departments, to wit, Humane Letters and Philosophy. Certain lowest competencies, in both of these, to be necessary for a degree; while, in each (as now), a higher proficiency to merit the honor of a corresponding class, if not, moreover (by a more accurate arrangement), individual rank among the candidates similarly classified. The Classes of Honor, as hitherto, may, in each department, be three or four. The Second or inferior order may comprehend an indefinite number of departments-departments at least which it is not here necessary to specify. From the candidate (as in the prospective statute), should be required a minimum in one department, if not in more, which, however, may be chosen by himself; and the honor of a corresponding class to be assigned, as at present, to every higher proficiency in the several departments.

Care, however, should be taken, to mark, and that obtrusively, the difference between the honors belonging to the Orders of the absolutely necessary, and of the partially optional, studies. This might be done, by maintaining the two orders and their exam

inations sufficiently distinct, by the following or other differences (the two first of which are employed, but that inadequately, in the recent Statute): 1°, Distinction of Time; the higher order preceding the lower, as its condition. 2°, Distinction of Examiners; different individuals being, for each order, appointed to this function. 3°, Distinction of Object Matter; no department of the prior order being repeated in the posterior. 4°, Distinction of Name; the one order being called by Primary, the other by Secondary, or some such discriminative appellation.

Before the examination of the Primary Order can be undergone, three full courses, three Academical Years (p. 735), to be completed; and this examination, for honors at least, must be taken within a year thereafter. The examination of the Secondary Order, at least for honors, should in like manner be limited to a certain period.

As enacted by the new Statute, the names of all, whether honored or not, to be published under the department in which they pass.

Taking, finally, a general retrospect of the preceding scheme of academical education, this is seen to comprise various utilities. It would restore the University. It would bring back academical education to its true and ancient significance; reconnecting the Houses and their private instruction with the University and its public discipline.

It loses none of the advantages in the present domestic or tutorial system, but would correct the manifold imperfections of that system, as actually applied. For it would determine a far higher efficiency; making, at the same time, that efficiency secure and general; whereas the lower efficiency, as at present furnished, is not only contingent, but rare, not only limited, but confined to a few. As things now are, one House may be an instrument of education, comparatively real; and others, such instruments only in name; nay, even in the same House, study may be in vigorous activity at one time, at another in supine inertion. But this scheme, if realized, would allow-no House to fall educationally asleep-no Head to gratify his personal preferences at the expense of his official obligations-no incompetent Tutor to hide his obstructive nullity in the obscurity of Hall or College. For, while it would elevate the Tutor from a private into a public instructor; in raising his dignity and emolument, it would raise also his qualifications, usefulness, and duties.

It commits in a beneficial contest (“ ἀγαθῆ δ ̓ ἔρις ἥδε βροτοΐσι,") House with House, Tutor with Tutor, Pupil with Pupil; applies equably the stimulus of emulation to all, from the commencement of the academical curriculum until its termination. It opens, in fact, a new field of exercise and excitation; leaving no one to inertion, be he teacher or be he taught, but goading each unceasingly to the best-according to his kind of duty, and in proportion to the measure of his powers.

Restoring, it would constrain the University:-to employ its instructors in the most edifying ways;-to propose, not what can most conveniently be taught, but the best objects, in the best order, and in the best books ;-to measure accurately the amount of energetic talent usefully employed ;-and to reward this, by proportionate and appropriate distinction.

Far, therefore, from superseding the Examination for a Degree, it would prepare the candidate, subjectively and objectively, to undergo it; enabling him to remedy his defects, and rendering it a more effectual and certain test of his proficiency.

I should now proceed to the consideration of—

b) Things secondary or supplemental. But matters principal have extended to such a length, that I must not enter upon others which, though of importance only as conditions of the former, could not possibly be discussed within a narrower compass.-Of these there are two, more especially meriting attention, but to which I can only allude.

The first—is a scheme of academical Patronage and Regulation, accommodated to the circumstances of the English Universities, more proximately of Oxford. And here, beside the subject in its more essential relations, it would be requisite to consider the impediments which an improved regulation of these schools would inevitably encounter from parties-in the Universities themselves—in the Church and its patrons-in the Government for the time-and in various influential interests throughout the nation; impediments so great and numerous, that we may regard almost as chimerical the hope of seeing these institutions raised to the perfection, implied in a due accomplishment of the great ends for which they were established. In fact, my suggested plan of improvement for Oxford, was partly founded on a conviction, that a tutorial instruction depends less, for its efficiency, on the virtues of an academical superintendence and appointment, than does a professorial. (On these virtues see pp. 345–382.)

The second-is a scheme for the erection of new Halls. This would be a return, in part, to the ancient custom of the University; and must inevitably take place, were an increased resort of students determined to Oxford-unless, what we need not contemplate, domestic superintendence should here (as in Cambridge), be relaxed, for the pecuniary interest of the existing Houses. New Halls should be erected:-1°, to supply additional demand for entrance; 2°, to prevent or remedy a slovenly tuition in the older Houses; 3°, to keep down (independently of more direct measures) the expense of the Colleges, and to afford a cheaper education to the poorer students; 4°, to accommodate dissenters, were they, without a surrender of their principles, admitted for education to these national seminaries (pp. 467, sq., 510, sq.); and 5o, to remunerate, in their Headships especially, academical zeal and ability. Of course the new Halls should be of a better constitution than the old.

The other measures under this head, as—a general taxation of the necessary collegial expenses-the means of remunerating the academical instructors—of retaining talent in the University -and of pensioning emeriti-libraries-musea, &c.; these, however important, I can at present only name.

INDEX.

ABSOLUTE, the (see Unconditioned); | Balfour (Robert), his character as a phil-