124 The New Lord Rector of Glasgow University. 



rhetorical abilities; but we abstain. It must not be supposed that it is 

 our intention to express an approving sentiment to all that has been 

 done at Glasgow. With the DINNER and the honourable baronet's 

 speech there we have no concern whatever. We leave this subject, 

 however, and address ourselves to the more grateful business ofeulo- 

 g-ising Sir Robert Peel as the possessor of very high attainments 

 totally unconnected with politics : and we cannot, as we think, ex- 

 hibit our feeling more strongly than by furnishing our readers with 

 a report of the more important parts of the Lord Rector's speech 

 the speech of the academical Superior of the University. It began 

 as follows : 



" I gladly avail myself of this opportunity of publicly expressing the grati- 

 fication which I derive from my appointment to the office on the duties of 

 which I have just entered. I might have hesitated voluntarily to present 

 myself as a candidate for that office, not from unbecoming indifference to the 

 distinction which it confers, but partly from disinclination to interfere with 

 the pretensions of others, and reluctance to add to the pressure of those duties 

 which in public and private life I am called upon to perform. But when I 

 received the unexpected intelligence that my election had actually taken place, 

 I required no advice I asked for no time to consider I acted upon the im- 

 pulse of feelings that were better counsellors than doubts and deliberation ; 

 and I resolved at once to justify the generous confidence which had tendered 

 me this high trust, and which must have anticipated my acceptance of it. I 

 do accept it, grateful for the kindness which has conferred it, proud of the 

 relation in which I stand to this venerable seat of learning, anxious to dis- 

 charge with fidelity the duties which that relation may involve, and not 

 merely those duties, but if I can extend the sphere of usefulness beyond the 

 proper functions of this office, if there be any other capacity in which my 

 services can be made available, they shall be freely tendered for the protection 

 of every just privilege to which the University can lay claim, and for the 

 maintenance of its true and permanent interests. 



" The state of this University, and of the other universities of Scotland, 

 has recently undergone visitation and enquiry by a commission, which owed 

 its appointment to advice humbly tendered by me to the Crown. Various 

 suggestions have been offered in the report of that commission concerning the 

 revenues, the government, and discipline of this University, and the interven- 

 tion of Parliament will, I presume, be requisite in order to give effect to such 

 of those suggestions as it shall be thought fitting to adopt. 



" You will not expect from me at the very outset of my connexion with the 

 University, the declaration of a positive opinion upon matters so intimately 

 affecting its welfare. I should not mark my respect for you, were I to regard 

 solely temporary interests and pledge myself to their exclusive protection. I 

 shall best maintain the dignity of this office, I shall best consult your true 

 interest I shall most certainly secure your lasting favour, by exercising an 

 impartial independent judgment, by weighing maturely each suggestion of 

 improvement, and the evidence by which it is supported, not merely regarding 

 the abstract merits of the isolated proposal, but viewing it in reference to the 

 whole scheme of academical education in Scotland, its connexion with the 

 means of preliminary instruction, its adaptation to the state of manners and 

 society in Scotland, its capacity for supplying those acquirements and that 

 description of knowledge which shall best'ensure the success and eminence 

 of those for whom academical instruction is intended. Be assured, however, 

 that I shall enter upon the consideration of these important matters with a 

 strong prepossession that the scheme of academical education adopted in the 

 universities of Scotland, modified as it gradually has been, according to the 

 changes in society and the new demands for knowledge, is admirably adapted 



