and success, into the arcana of science, and who learn to what extent analysis may be applied to the advancement of philosophy."

Sub pectore vulnus-we may here remark that Dr. Monk was among those who opposed the influx of French principles in science, as strenuously as they combated French principles of government-but not with like success. If we are to consider the Cambridge University as incorporated purposely for the advancement of philosophy, Dr. Monk, and those who thought with him, were doing their best to defeat its object. If that University be an institution for the advancement of education, how its object should be more effectually promoted by analytical studies, than by the geometrical lucubrations of the olden time," the wise may make some dram of a scruple, or, indeed, a whole scruple itself." Aided, however, by the sneers of Professor Playfair and his brethren, the calculus has triumphed, and the Edinburgh reviewers may enjoy the consolation of having contributed, by their criticisms, to make a bad institution worse than it was before. We allude to this controversy now, only to add one more proof how strongly the tide of opinion at Cambridge sets in towards the belief, that men are congregated in those Baotian flats for the promotion of science, rather than of education. This by-the-by.

The obstinacy with which a plan, that, however really inefficient, appeared at least likely to be beneficial to the great majority of the students, was withstood by persons of eminence-heads of houses, and other great men in the University-and withstood solely, as Dr. Monk observes, from an apprehension that the High Wranglers would become less high in consequence-demonstrates, in a manner the most satisfactory, a truth, which, while we live and write, we shall never cease to din into the ears of the reader-that, at Cambridge, the intellectual interests of more than two hundred students are annually sacrificed to those of some ten, twenty, or, on the most liberal allowance, thirty individuals. Cambridge-England-the universe, it was thought, would be irreparably injured, if, instead of " clearing" the whole paper of evening problems, the senior wrangler were to leave some six or seven unsolved. To be sure, the great mass of men might, possibly, by means of the innovation contemplated, be sent into the world less disgracefully ignorant of the one and only subject taught at Cambridge; but, then, how might it tarnish the lustre of the "splendid senior wranglers," and the "splendid triposes," which it is the pride of Cambridge annually to get up, and about which Cambridge men get drunk with enthusiasm! The laudable perseverance of Dr. Monk, and one or two persons, who are comparatively liberal in their views, aided by the rash and chivalrous impetuosity of the Master of Trinity, broke the black phalanx of Jesuits and Johnians, who trembled for the supremacy of mathematics, and feared that the tripos would fall into the ruinous condition of a three-legged stool lacking one of its supporters. But even the liberality of Dr. Monk, and Dr. Kaye, and impetuous Dr. Wordsworth, could no further go, than erecting another tripos, for the benefit of those who were already exalted upon the old one; in order that the Honours might thus have a stool for either leg-a classical as well as a mathematical one. That unhappy multitude, the Many, of whom we have said so much, were still no better off than before; because, not being able or willing to get footing on

the old stool, they were, therefore, not to be allowed any stool at all to stand on. And what think you, gentle reader, gave rise to this non sequitur? The baneful system of protecting duties flourishes as vigorously in the University as in the commonwealth. Mathematics, like the silk trade, or the woollen trade, were to be protected, by compelling all who wished to bring their classical wares to market, for the acquisition of academical distinctions, to imbibe, cram, literally purchase a quantity, greater or less, of the other, and more favoured commodity. None were to to be allowed classical honours who could not earn mathematical ones; and thus the Many (unhappy people!) were not to be allowed, any one of them, to be classics, because they were not mathematicians! The classical tripos, therefore, left the Many exactly where it found them. To that injured, because neglected body, Dr. Monk and his coadjutors have rendered not a particle of service.

We take leave to state our conviction, that the University will never be distinguished as a prosperous seminary of education, till the unreasonable monopoly enjoyed by one all-engrossing study is abrogated; and till, instead of leaving men no option whatever in their pursuits, she shows herself more indulgent to the diversity of tastes and talents that must necessarily exist among so large a number of men; and, with impartial hand, deals out her encouragements to merit, in whatever department of science or literature it may be found. But to agi-tate the important question involved in this speculation, were inconsistent with the humble views with which we set out, and, for the present, we decline the argument.

The framers of the classical tripos, it is plain, from the very provisions of the act, did not contemplate any remedy to the great and crying evil of the University-the total and unobstructed secession of threefourths of the undergraduates to the "dominion of idleness and dissipation." The fact, however, that plans of any description have been proposed, and innovations projected, implies, not only that there did exist in the University a consciousness of some deficiency in her system, but also, that this consciousness was avowed, and that there were men found to go the length of even speculating upon a reform. The subject, was, in fact, universally agitated; but, strange to say, not one of the schemes proposed seems to have had in view the diffusion of knowledge among the mass of the under-graduates; or to have shown that the projectors conceived it possible to extend the benefits of education beyond the very limited number already comprehended within the sphere of the system's operations. The University, it is to be feared, is not a body that contains within itself the means of reforming its own institutions; and certainly the discussions we allude to proved nothing so satisfactorily, as that she was perfectly unconscious where the real malady lay, and, that so far from being able to perform her duty, she was not even aware what that duty consisted in.

The only step that has been taken, with reference to the majority of the under-graduates-ineffectual and contemptible as it is-was adopted merely in consequence of an outcry raised by the bishops and their chaplains, against the gross ignorance generally manifested by the Cambridge men whom they had occasion to examine for orders. Though obstinately blind to similar displays at

home of an ignorance equally discreditable to her, yet, when she looked at the affair with other eyes than her own, and the eyes, too, of dignified churchmen, it appeared to her in rather a different light. An examination has accordingly been instituted, which, from the nature and extent of the subjects it embraces, discovers plainly that its projectors were intent, not only upon obviating the scandal, but also upon doing it with the least possible expence of trouble to the University, and the least possible interference with her more legitimate studies. Besides that the maximum of knowledge required was fixed' as low in this as in the examination for degrees, the subjects being chosen with an especial view to prepare men for the examining chaplain, were, of course, of a nature almost purely clerical. Thus, not only those who are intended for the church, but the students destined to the bar, the bench, the parliament, and other lay functions, are, as far as this course of reading deserves the name of education, actually trained and disciplined for the priesthood! Now, since no credit is to be acquired in an examination where there is no room for the display of merit-since the institutions of Cambridge are eminently calculated to make the acquisition of credit, instead of the real fruits of learning, to be regarded as the sole end and aim of study-and as only. those students who are designed for the priesthood, have any ulterior interest in a line of reading so strictly professional, we may be sure, without caring to inquire further into the subject, that the result will be precisely as base as that of the mathematical examination for degrees. A man's only care will be, to do nothing supererogatory; and the Senate-house will be witness to another exhibition of the puerile inefficiency of the University system.

This examination, which has borrowed its odious name, but hardly any thing else, from the "Little Go" of Oxford, may, however, be regarded as a confession that the pre-existing institutions of the University were wholly inadequate to the purposes of classical education. In fact, they were not calculated to operate, at any one time, upon more than some twenty students at most; though, like the Senate-house problems, the examinations, to which they gave rise,' filled a wide space in the eye of the public; and by a display of exercises, requiring either profound learning or elegant scholarship, made strangers conceive a high opinion of the state of classical education at Cambridge. Dr. Monk, who has mainly contributed to bring these examinations to the perfection which they exhibit, is reasonably proud of his work, and enlarges on this topic with peculiar unction. "Both the benefit to the individuals, and the credit resulting to the University, [more properly himself,] are great, but then the benefit extends only to eight or ten persons at the utmost, belonging to each year, who are stimulated to exertion by the influence of these prizes." If your eight or ten best men require to be stimulated by prizes, what is to become of the two hundred and ten? are they to stand still, and quietly gaze upon the competitors? When the reader bethinks him of this concourse of idle spectators, of whose attainments no account is taken, and to which no encouragement is given, he will sigh over the Doctor's bold assumption of credit to the University. When he reflects also, that the accomplishments by which these honours are won, are generally, if not invariably, the growth, not of MARCH, 1826.

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Cambridge, but of Eton, of Harrow, of the Charterhouse, or of Richmond, he will be disposed to laugh the assumption to scorn. University Scholarships are the prizes here more particularly spoken of; and of the two, which, on an average, are yearly bestowed, one can be sat for only by persons who have been but three or four months in residence; and the other is not unfrequently obtained by a man, who has scarcely inhaled three mouthfuls of Cambridge air. The fisherman has the merit of baiting his hook with the worm, but he does not create the gudgeon that swallows it.

The amount of Alma's other exertions in the propagation of classical literature, may easily be summed up. Her Chancellor gives two gold medals annually to the greatest proficients of the year; but she still protects her favourite study, by requiring, as a qualification in the candidates, that they shall have previously taken honours; and so little emulation do these prizes excite among even the honours, that we have known the number of candidates co-equal with that of the medals for which they contended. What does she more? An individual of the name of Browne, some fifty years ago, bequeathed to her funds for three gold medals, to be given yearly to the best Greek and Latin Odes, and the best brace of Epigrams, respectively. This institution has given birth to many excellent copies of verses, but cannot be supposed to have stimulated the exertions of any very large number of students. Indeed, we dare say, the Vice-Chancellor of the year would groan at the sight of more than half-a-dozen specimens of each; and when the reader reflects, with what travail of the soul a worthy selfindulgent gentleman, who has long retired from books, must pick out false quantities with a Maltby, he will readily comprehend the grievous weight of the infliction.

In mentioning the bequest of Sir William Browne, it occurs to us to state a peculiarity in the terms of it, not indeed applicable to the present question, but strongly illustrative of the fortuitous and often preposterous character of Cambridge institutions. From some whim or other, Sir William directed that his Greek Ode should be modelled en the Sapphic, of which time has spared but a very few scraps. The writer must, therefore, consult his own fancy in the composition of his Ode; and as he is generally more familiar with the drama, than any other part of Greek literature, the Sapphic Ode often displays an amusing cento of Tragic words and phrases. The University having owed her foundation to charity, still smacks of her origin; and will go great lengths for an alms. Provided the terms of a donation be not too glaringly absurd, she is always happy to register the donor's name among her benefactors, and his prize in her calendar. Those of her honours that are of a pecuniary nature have been instituted mostly at the instigation and expence of individuals; and even though the latter should be disposed to be whimsical, this does not prevent her conceding to them the power of legislating for her, for a consideration. Our own Alma, however, is far from being singular in this respect. The splendid University of Oxford has, within a short period, gratefully accepted the donation of a private individual, Mr. Drummond. This gentleman, reflecting, no doubt, upon the vast importance of the science of Political Economy, and observing that no lectureship on the subject existed at this great resort of embryo statesmen and legislators, was public-spirited enough to do, what the richest University in Europe had neglected to perform, not

withstanding her grateful acceptance of his bounty proves that she does, in some sort, appreciate the value of the institution. As we have been led thus far into the mention of this peculiar feature in the character of the two sisters, we cannot and ought not to forbear stating a fact, which we think not a little discreditable, to the younger one. Though rich be her dower, she, nevertheless, year after year, sees, with perfect indifference, a private individual of her own body-a gentleman no less gifted with talents than with public spirit-lecturing on Political Economy, and doing his utmost to diffuse some knowledge of its principles among men hereafter likely to be found legislating on matters of national interest, as the currency, for example, the cornlaws, free-trade, and a long et cetera of questions yet pending in parliament, without countenancing him in any other way, than by the loan of a room, and an ungracious permission to do what good he can.

The Porsonian prize, which has drawn from the scholars of the University some specimens of Greek Iambics every way worthy of the great name attached to it, is of very recent origin, and was founded by private individuals. It is deservedly a great favourite with Almayet she had no idea of doing any thing of the sort for herself. Possibly it may not be convenient for her to endow a professorship of Political Economy; but she could easily take effectual measures to co-operate with Mr. Pryme in promoting the study of that useful science among her pupils. But, at any rate, it is strange she should choose to depend on the taste, or the vanity, of private persons, for the little honorary distinctions she is so fond of, and which she thinks requisite to the encouragement of the finer parts of a literature she would be thought to love. From top to bottom, indeed, the University of Cambridge is like a building to which each succeeding age has added a portion, and whose incongruous exterior every where discovers the diversity of tastes that have been exercised upon it.

Of Cambridge classical institutions, we have exhibited enough to show the reader that they are in no degree calculated to operate upon the great body of the students; and therefore, however laudable, considered with a view to the promotion merely of classical literature, they are, like the mathematical honours, not worthy of being reckoned among the instruments of education. What is the rake good for that catches a few of the greater clods which defile the parterre, but leaves an infinite deal of rubbish behind? All that we have said is meant to apply to the University collectively. The discussion of college discipline, combined with the other, is too much for one dose. It is therefore deferred to another opportunity. It is necessary to state this, in order that we may not be thought in the mean time to be "ignorant that such a thing as college education_exists."—As for "the numerous facilities for acquiring useful and interesting knowledge of other descriptions which this place (the University) supplies," we fear we shall be found guilty of having overlooked or forgotten them; for ignorant of their existence we assuredly are. Whatever pretensions, however, Cambridge may have to be considered as a school for aught but mathematics-the "noble" branch of philosophy, in comparison with which all others are but "useful," or interesting"-we shall be happy to" get up," as they say at lectures, against another occasion.