65G THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE DISSENTERS. 



deal of feeling is visible in many parts of their contests, and in the 

 warmth of their disputations they are occasionally betrayed into 

 sarcastic observations which would have been better omitted they 

 detract from the dignity and do not add to the strength of the posi- 

 tion which they have chosen. Mr. Sewell's labours embrace both 

 questions ; Mr. Wordsworth's pamphlet confines itself to the admis- 

 sion of Dissenters to the universities. We wish that Mr. Sewell had 

 done the same. We wish too,, that Oxford and Cambridge had ab- 

 stained from offering any opposition to the prayer of the London Uni- 

 versity. In the first place the yielding this point would in all pro- 

 bability have silenced the claim they have since made for their ad- 

 mission to the universities. Concession might have produced con- 

 ciliation. In the next place we consider their opposition to the 

 prayer of the University of London, not merely injudicious but 

 unjust.- 



It is injudicious for two reasons : because they assume to them- 

 selves a right which they do not possess ; and secondly, because it 

 draws on them suspicions which we do not believe they deserve. 



Their opposition is founded on the ground that no religion is 

 taught at the University of London. 



Now we are ready to admit that with many this is a great objection 

 to the system of education pursued there : but how do the Universities 

 of Oxford and Cambridge acquire the right of raising the objection: 

 They are perfectly distinct; they have no young men drafted off 

 from London, to exhibitions or scholarships in their respective col- 

 leges. If it were so the case might be very different; but they them- 

 selves carefully avoid and studiously disclaim any communion with 

 the offending body. But it is said they will grant degrees, similar in 

 name to those conferred at Oxford and Cambridge. Is there any 

 reason why they should not, even without a charter ? What is a 

 degree? A certificate that the graduate has passed a certain exa- 

 mination in particular branches of learning under competent masters. 

 Is there any thing to forbid the heads of the seminaries of Homerton 

 or Hoxton, or of any private school in the kingdom, from conferring 

 any certificate they may think fit on their pupils? Or is there 

 any magic in the two letters B.A. or M.A. ? After all they are 

 only symbols of titles and of honour ; and these, like money, derive 

 all their value from the mint in which they are coined. But let us 

 analyze the objection a little closer. A young man has studied me- 

 dicine under able masters at the London University, and is considered 

 by them competent to commence his practice. What say the uni- 

 versities? Do not give this young man his certificate of merit. Why? 

 Is he not a good surgeon ? Oh yes ; but we do not know whether 

 he goes to church or chapel. They might as well say, give no prize 

 for poetry or painting, because the candidate is ignorant of Chaldaic 

 or Sanscrit. 



Again : this degree, about which so much is said, is only a vahal 

 quantum privilege. It is but an initiatory step to be consummated 

 by the intervention of some other body. The degree does not neces- 

 sarily admit the graduate to holy orders ; nor does it ensure his call 

 to the bar much less his practice as a physician. It is, as we said 



