H2 REFORM YOUR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. 



The possessors of the fellowships in Cambridge are required to be mem- 

 bers of the Church of England, and, for the most part, to take orders ; 

 and are supposed to study theology : not by any law of the University, 

 but by the private will of the founder, as a condition by which they 

 hold their fellowships and enjoy their emoluments. But the imposition of 

 subscription upon those who derive no emolument from these private 

 foundations, and who, in fact, have a right, as subjects of the state, to 

 the advantages of a University education, can scarcely be defended upon 

 any principles of reason or justice. 



Of those persons who graduate at the Universities, by far the larger 

 part, proceed no further than the degree of bachelor of arts. Formerly 

 the studies were continued, and residence was enforced up to the 

 degree of master of arts ; and by the statutes of the University, at the 

 present day, this degree is considered as the starting-point from which 

 the possessor enters upon that profession which he may choose the 

 church, the practice of law, or of medicine. 



No subscription or declaration is required at the time of matriculation : 

 the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and an oath of obedience to the 

 officers and the discipline of the University, is all that is then demanded.* 

 Consequently, any person, although unable to subscribe to the articles of 

 the church of England, may enter himself, and pass through the regular 

 course of academical study : many dissenters do this, and some have, of 

 late years, distinguished themselves for their application and attain- 

 ments ; and yet to these persons the degree of bachelor of arts is 

 refused ; upon what principle of justice or of policy it is difficult to 

 conceive. Degress of all faculties are solemn testimonials that the 

 graduate has accomplished a regular course of study in the University, 

 and approved his competence by examination : on these degrees are 

 bestowed, by the civil legislature, certain advantages and privileges in 

 the courts of law, and in the practice of medicine, as well as in the 

 church. The practice of the law and of medicine are now, fortunately 

 for science and society, open to all, without distinction of sect or 

 persuasion. Why should not these advantages and principles be alike 

 open to all ? Justice demands that these national privileges should be 

 conferred on all subjects without distinction ; and it is for them, who 

 thus withhold, to show by what law they are withheld, and to demon- 

 strate the danger of concession. 



For the information of our readers, we will point out the origin of 

 subscription, at the time of taking degrees, and show upon what it rests 

 at the present day. 



In the year 1604, the second year of the reign of James I., the clergy, 

 assembled in convocation, framed the canons and ecclesiastical constitu- 

 tions.* The thirty-sixth canon contains three articles, the substance of 

 which is as follows : I. The king is supreme in all matters, spiritual 

 and temporal. II. Contains an assent to the liturgy, the ordaining of 

 bishops, priests, and deacons, and the Book of Common Prayer. 

 III. States that the thirty-nine articles are agreeable to the word of 



* At Oxford all persons at the time of matriculation are required to subscribe 

 the Thirty-nine Articles. 



t See Wilkin's Concilia, vol. 4, p. 386. 



