389 
UNIVERSITY REFORM. 
BY THE REV. GEORGE WALKER, M.A. 
A CANDID but rational inquiry into the progress and 
establishment of our Universities, may be con- 
sidered a theme not unworthy the pen of even the foremost 
essayists of the present day. While the open violence and 
utter ignorance of the dark ages left the great body of 
Europe languid and apathetic of vigour,a ray of intel- 
lectual light gently insinuated itself into the minds of the 
more thoughtful, gradually increased in silence, derived 
fresh strength from various regions, and finally burst forth 
into a blaze, which has dispensed life, not only to those at 
home, but to the natives of the most distant shores that 
stretch from the burning east to the distant west. But this 
inquiry, however useful and entertaining, is attended with 
so many peculiar difficulties, that for the present it will, 
perhaps, be deemed sufficient merely to give a glance at the 
position of our great Universities as they now stand, and 
endeavour hereafter to dispel any dark cloud that may 
appear to hang over them. The great law of impartiality 
obliges the imperfections to be revealed; but it will be 
found upon close observation, that what at first sight 
appeared to cast a shade upon the splendour of the ancient 
and glorious seats of learning, will greatly disappear when 
subjected to a careful and critical analysis. This analysis, 
it is allowed, must discover the inevitable mixture of error 
and corruption; but, on the other hand, it will disclose the 
University arrayed in remarkable and ruling purity. The 
Universities of England are peculiar in their establishments, 
in their customs and laws. They are peculiar inasmuch as 
they cannot be used as instruments to execute a part in 
the history of the country ; and yet they effectually assist 
in no small degree by sending out streams of living waters, 
which enliven, invigorate, and-improve, wheresoever the 
current may run, and it sometimes does run with the 
strength and fury of atorrent. The inflexible, increasing 
perseverance which has ever characterised those abodes of 
science and literature, and still more so the condition of 
the present age, seem to force the question of a more 
extended sphere of action upon the mind of the public, 
but more especially to arrest the attention of those whose 
high and responsible privilege it is to guard over and con- 
