1826.] The London University, 158 



suits ? Nay, it will be said, you expect too much of us ; we offer the 

 means of instruction ; tutors are ready to give it ; encouragements are 

 held out ; we can do no more ; and, indeed, we have no more to do 

 with it. It is this very indifference of which we complain. But young 

 men may as well, for themselves, idle here as elsewhere ; and we, in 

 the meanwhile, are benefited. The institution prospers ; crowds flock 

 to us ; able men aie thus amply remunerated ; and thousands around 

 are supported by the liberal expenditure. It is this very spirit of the 

 world, so evidently taking possession of you, and so foreign from the 

 original views of your establishments, that is changing their respec- 

 table character, and precipitating their destruction. 



If the universities did not exercise exclusive privileges, undoubtedly, 

 they would have a right to do as they please — yes, even to the making 

 their once learned groves, bear-gardens, and their noble halls as many 

 hells. But, so long as they do possess exclusive privileges ; so long as 

 some must pass through them, they are institutions of public interest, 

 and are properly amenable to public inquiry. To many of us, it is not 

 perfectly optional whether we send our sons or not. If it were, we 

 should have no good ground of complaint ; and certainly, iew with any 

 regard for the morals or the intellects of their offspring would send 

 them. They were destined, originally, to supply the church ; and essen- 

 tially they are still ecclesiastical. The bishops will receive no can- 

 ditates but from their hands. But, though the due supply of the church 

 was thus the main object, the clergy, by their superior acquirements 

 at first, got into their hands the education of the nobility, and by pre- 

 scription have kept it. These institutions have thus drawn the pride 

 of society on their side ; the great still send their sons, and thousands, 

 who can ill encounter the modern expense of competition, think the son's 

 residence a feather in the cap of the family, and sacrifice their common 

 comforts on the shrine of fashion. It is this mania that is fast ruining 

 the universities as places of education. It is this indiscriminate admis- 

 sion, or rather, this sofferance of those who have no concern with 

 learning, that has made these once calm and peaceful seats of medita- 

 tion, the scenes of initiation into the worst extremes of profligacy. It 

 is useless to talk of discipline, where 2,000 idle striplings are assem- 

 bled ; restraints, be they what they will, must be quickly broken 

 through ; amusements for mere occupation will be sought and found ; 

 expense augments — vice prevails — debauchery, gaming, drinking, waste- 

 ful habits are confirmed — emulation is roused. Those who have money 

 at command take the lead, and those who have not cannot resist seduc- 

 tion, and plunge irretrievably into debt. 



Parents are to blame, it may be said. No such thing. How many 

 young men are there, heirs — entailed heirs of large estates — just of 

 age — coming into instant possession ; — others, members of wealthy 

 families — all with the ready means of raising supplies on future expec- 

 tations. What can parents or guardians do in these cases ? Nothing. 

 But what are caputs and tutors to do ? Dismiss them. Wliat, because 

 men are rich ? No, because they are not students ; because the ex- 

 pensive and the profligate are not reading-men, and yours is a place 

 for learning, and nothing else — destined first to educate the clergy, 

 and next to give the benefits of a sound and religious education to as 

 many as desire it ; and not to present a convenient pandemonium for 

 idle and profligate opulence. 



M.M. New Series.~-Woh. I. No. 2. X 



