204 UNIVERSITIES: ACTUAL AND IDEAL viii 



vision of many a brave and frugal Scotch boy, 

 spending his summer in hard manual labour, that 

 he may have the privilege of wending his way in 

 autumn to this University, with a bag of oatmeal, 

 ten pounds in his pocket, and his own stout heart 

 to depend upon through the northern winter; not 

 bent on seeking 



" The bubble reputation at the cannon's mouth," 



but determined to wring knowledge from the hard 

 hands of penury; when I see him win through all 

 such outward obstacles to positions of wide use- 

 fulness and well-earned fame; I cannot but think 

 that, in essence, Aberdeen has departed but little 

 from the primitive intention of the founders of 

 Universities, and that the si)irit of reform has so 

 much to do on the other side of the Border, that it 

 may be long before he has leisure to look this 

 way. 



As compared with other actual Universities, 

 then, Aberdeen, may, perhaps, be well satisfied 

 with itself. But do not think me an impracti- 

 cable dreamer, if I ask you not to rest and be 

 thankful .in this state of satisfaction; if I ask you 

 to consider awhile, how this actual good stands 

 related to that ideal better, towards which both 

 men and institutions must progress, if they would 

 not retrograde. 



In an ideal T'niversitv, as I conceive it, n inan 

 should be able to obtain instruction in all forms 



