ADDRESS. lix 



that is, the Classical, the Mathematical, History and Law, or Natural Science. 

 The Hebdomadal Council were I think right in believing that such mental 

 discipline as classical study can impart — and far be it from me to undervalue 

 it in the least — would be sufficiently secured by the classical requirements of 

 the two first examinations ; and that the study of Mathematics and the Natural 

 Sciences, besides imparting much valuable information, which might be exten- 

 sively utilized in after-life, might equally be viewed as an important means 

 of improving the intellectual faculties. There is another consideration which 

 must not be lost sight of in deciding on the policy of the course then pursued. 

 I think that it cannot in fairness be expected that a young man of the average 

 abilities of those who contend for honours, and who is called upon to pass 

 two classical examinations, and prepare for a third, before he is allowed to 

 follow the bent of his genius and apply himself to his favourite study, can 

 find time to attain a sufficient proficiency in it to pass a really creditable 

 examination; accordingly the necessary result will be that the Examiners will 

 be obliged to lower the standard of honour, the rather that most of the students 

 now come to the University without having acquiredeventheelements of scien- 

 tific knowledge, and thus the first class may almost cease to be a distinction 

 worth attainment. 



I cannot take leave of recent University changes without adverting to that 

 great, that noble step, the institution of the Middle Class Examinations, 

 whereby Oxford has furnished substantial aid to those more humble aspirants 

 to knowledge, by whom a University education, however much desired, is 

 quite unattainable. Whether this movement be viewed in its moral effect, as 

 showing a kindly sympathy of the higher intellectual class with the struggling 

 but deserving children of a lower sphere, or as the best expedient for bringing 

 about a complete reform in our educational establishments, and therefore a 

 great engine for advancing popular education — whether this grand and 

 liberal step be viewed in one or both these aspects, it has given the most 

 unmixed and heartfelt satisfaction to all who have the moral and mental 

 improvement of the nation sincerely at heart ; and greatly do I rejoice that 

 such a satisfactory proof should have been given of a desire to make Uni- 

 versity Institutions a general national blessing. 



Oxford, then, has shown herself fully equal to her glorious mission, and it 

 was only a fitting sequel to such enlightened conduct, that she should be 

 entrusted with the grateful task of educating the Heir apparent to the Throne 

 of the most popular Sovereign who ever swayed the sceptre of this vast 

 Empire. 



I shall perhaps be forgiven if my former connexion with Oxford, and the 

 interest which I must ever take in everything appertaining to my own Uni- 

 versity, have induced me to dwell somewhat at length on the above matters. 

 It is now time that I should direct my attention to the general domain of 

 science ; but more particularly to that department to which my own labours, 

 humble though they be, have been more especially devoted, — I mean the 



