474 THE BRITISn ISLES. 



and Latin classics. "Wc say originally, for, in accordance with the requirements of 

 the present day, there arc already to be found in both flourishing schools of law, 

 history, science, medicine : theology has, of course, always been prominent. 

 There no longer exist religious tests, and amongst the " fellows " of colleges there 

 are now even men who arc the declared enemies of the Church as by law 

 established. A large proportion of the students, especially of the less wealthy, 

 take holy orders on leaving the university ; but even this number does not 

 suffice for the vastly increased needs of the Church, and the bishops loudly cry 

 out for more university men as candidates for ordination. Formerly Oxford was 

 the great stronghold of the Tories, Cambridge that of the Whigs ; but now 

 the latter holds moderate views, whilst Oxford represents the extremes of both 

 parties in the State — those of the most rigid Conservatives no less than those of 

 the most extreme social reformers.* 



The monopoly formerly enjoyed by the ancient seats of learning was 

 destroyed by the foundation of the University of London, which was empowered 

 to grant degrees to all, without distinction of rank, sect, party, creed, or place of 

 education. The " colleges " from which the majority of the London graduates 

 are drawn are scattered all over the countr3\ The schools at which a profes- 

 sional training may be obtained are very numerous, and constantly increasing. 

 Medical schools exist in connection with most of the large hospitals ; the 

 " benchers " of the four Inns of Court have taken steps to provide facilities for 

 studying law ; a Royal School of Mines is doing excellent service in training 

 geological surveyors and mining engineers ; and there are, of course, the usual 

 schools for the professional education of military and naval officers. But 

 there is no great technical high school, such as the Ecole Polytechnique of 

 Paris, and it is quite evident that English civil engineers of the old school 

 prefer a practical training to a course of theoretical knowledge imparted at 

 engineering colleges. Something in the way of elementary technical education is, 

 however, effected in the Science and Art Schools, which depend upon the South 

 Kensington Museum, and Avhich are attended by 90,000 pupils, and great hopes 

 are entertained of a technical university recently projected by the great livery 

 companies of the City of London. 



As to the teaching to be obtained through newspapers, books, f and public 

 lectures after the school and university days are over, it is exercising a growing 

 influence upon the life of the nation Other countries may have established 

 newspapers before England did so, but the strength of the press as a political power 

 was first felt here during the revolution which led to the downfall of Charles I. 

 Public meetings, which have become so great a feature of political and social life, 

 were first held in 17G9, in accordance with the formalities still observed at the 

 present day. 



* Universities of England : — Oxford, Cambridge, London, Durham, Manchester (Victoria University). 

 Of Scotland : — Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Aberdeen. Of Ireland : — Trinity College, Dublin, 

 and the Royal Irish University. 



t Number of books published:— 1875, 4,S54, 1870,4,885; 1877,5,095; 1878,5,31c; 1879,5,834. The 

 number of newspapers is about 1,900. 



