capital of three hundred thousand. And what are his rights? We shall answer, in the words of the official statement, "The rights and privileges of the proprietors under such deed (the deed of settlement) may thus shortly be recapitulated. 1. The absolute right of presentation of one student, in respect of each share, at such reduced rate of annual payment, and with such other preferences, but subject also to such rules and restrictions as may be prescribed by the council. 2. Interest on the amount paid on each share, not exceeding 4 per cent., out of surplus income. 3. Privilege of transfer and bequest of shares. 4. In cases of ballot, a proprietor of one share is entitled to one vote; of five shares, to two votes; and of ten shares and upwards, to three votes, with privilege of voting by proxy at elections. Donors of fifty pounds and upwards are entitled to all the privileges and advantages of proprietors, except the transfer and devolution of their interest." (See the Statement, &c. § IX.) Such is the government of this University. The professors and officers are appointed, the studies regulated, and the discipline devised and enforced by a council, subject annually to a partial change, as it is elected out of a large body of proprietors, who are subject themselves to perpetual change, as accident, or the judgment, the interest, and caprice of individuals, may induce them to give, sell, or otherwise transfer their shares. Thus the discipline, the studies, the organs of instruction, are at the disposal of a mighty democracy of interests, controlled by no law, bound by no common ties. We ask any candid and intelligent man, whether an University so constituted offers a competent pledge for the fulfilment of the sacred trust with which it is to be charged. What guarantee does it offer to parents, to government, to society at large, for the regularity of discipline, the nature and character of the studies, and the learning, talents, and probity of the teachers? Is not such an institution, by its very nature, open to all opinions, to all passions, to all interests? What is there to prevent the sordid speculatist, the needy adventurer, the political incendiary, the designing infidel, from becoming proprietors, and thus exercising a direct influence on public education? And shall education, which involves all that is most dear to man, and most precious to society-education, on which depend the present and future welfare of individuals, the honour and happiness of families, and the peace and security of states, be left at the mercy of all that is most perverse in principle, most corrupt in conduct, and most mean and dégraded in condition? We do not G. M.-VOL. VIII. No. 72. 3 G impeach individuals, but we ask for some security against possible, nay probable evils. In the ages which we call, with so much pride and folly, the ages of darkness, learning sought purer and more exalted patrons. It was not in the haunts of sordid speculation-it was not in the temple of money-changers and stock-jobbers, that it sprang to light; Puer nobilis è nobili patre. Its descent was noble. The founders of colleges and universities were often mighty princes, who regarded the patronage of letters as one of the noblest prerogatives of their crowns; or they were illustrious statesmen and nobles, who wished to pay back the debt of gratitude to their country, by the encouragement of those institutions which had nourished their virtues and talents; or they were great prelates aud ecclesiastics, who, out of the savings of a pious liberality, erected those magnificent establishments which were to endure as long as the religion which they were meant to perpe tuate. The noble munificence and disinterestedness of these founders was in itself a shining example to future generations, -as beneficial, perhaps, to society, as the grand monuments of their wisdom and piety, which religion, science, and art alike conspired to sanctify, illuminate and adorn. But it is otherwise in an age of pretended philosophy. Education, like every thing else, must be made a matter of speculation. And, in truth, for those who are indifferent to the future destinies of man, -whose views extend not beyond this world,-who regard man as the creature of a day, and society itself as a temporary combination of physical interests, why should not education be made a matter of speculation? Why should not joint-stock companies be formed for the improvement and regulation of the human machine, as for the formation of rail-roads, the opening of canals, and the employment of gas-lights? And it was time! The prospects of our stock-jobbers began to be somewhat gloomy-the bankrupt republics of America offered no very strong allurements to commercial enterprise-the obstinate Ferdinand felt no inclination to repay the men who had so liberally emptied their coffers to dethrone him-the policy of the Holy Alliance seemed likely to preclude for a long time any outlet to the spirit of revolutionary speculation. Baffled in its attempts abroad, the infidel and revolutionary party in this country, which had so long leagued with the enemies of Christianity and social order throughout Europe which had encouraged them in all their criminal attempts, by applause, by counsel, by intrigues, and even by pecuniary assistance;-baffled in its attempts abroad, this party now directed its mischievous activity against the vitals of its own country. The idea of an University suggested itself to some of the leaders: the party received it with alacrity, and it was resolved to prepare a generation formed according to its principles, and ready to execute its projects. They adopted the means the best calculated to ensure success-they inade their appeal to interest and cupidity, and interest and cupidity have answered well the call of jacobinism and impiety. Are these assertions unfounded? Are these apprehensions chimerical? Contemplate the men who have been chiefly instrumental in the promotion of this scheme. Among those who have taken a part, more or less active, in this business, who have sanctioned the project more or less openly, we no doubt find many virtuous, honourable, and estimable men of various religions and political parties. But are there not others, and those not the least active and influential, who are distinguished for a fanatic Deism, and the violence of their revolutionary principles We name no man-but there are some of whom we might say, under less suspicious circumstances, Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. We have seen how the present University, by its constitution, is necessarily open to the intrigues and influence of men of this description: the plan of education proposed is not less favourable to their designs; and this leads us to our second division, which shall appear in the succeeding number, and where we shall prove that the system of education, if adopted, is calculated to promote atheism, or, at least, a dogmatic and practical indifference to religion, to corrupt the morals of youth, to endanger the safety of the constitution, and materially to retard the progress of knowledge, whose› true interests are inseparable from those of religion. (To be continued.) X. ASYLUM FOR MALE LUNATICS, UNDER THE CARE OF THE RELIGIOUS BRETHREN CALLED CHARITAINS. AMONGST the most useful establishments which his majesty Charles X. noticed, in his late passage through Lille, none has more justified the gracious encouragement of the king, than the establishment at Lommelet, near Lille, in the North Department of France, where more than one-third of the insane committed to the benevolent vigilance of those charitable brethren, and to the medical superintendence of Dr. Macartan, consulting physician to his late holiness Pope Pius VII., and lately a resident member of the Medical Society in London, are successfully cured, and restored to society, and to private and public employments. None but mild and suitable treatment being resorted to, even the most unruly and ungovernable patients soon become tractable and well disposed. Hence the number of inmates has been so much increased, as to require additional buildings, which will unite both comfort and security. TERMS: Security will be required for the charges incurred by each patient, which are required to be paid six months in advance. Board from £25. to £50. or more per annum, according to the mode of living, with the addition of one-fifth of the sum agreed upon for medical treatment, washing, mending, &c. Extraordinary expenses, as travelling and postage, are separately paid for. Further particulars may be obtained, on application to the Rev. John Devereux, Catholic Chapel, Moorfields; Rev. Daniel Macdonnell, London Road, St. George's Fields; Rev. Francis Muth, German Chapel, Little St. Thomas Apostle; and Mr. Lewis Mansse, 2, Lawrence Poultney Lane; or by letter (post paid) addressed to The Central House of the Charitains Brethren, No. 6, Rue Servandoni, Paris; Doctor Macartan, Rue du Gros Gerard, No. 5, à Lille : to the Superior of the Establishment at Lommelet, near Lille. LITERARY NOTICE. or A Philosophical Bird's Eye View of the History of Engiand, from the Invasion by Julius Cæsar, to the Death of George III. By Charles Lomas Austin Wilkinson. This work is constructed on a plan entirely new, and contains a great mass of information compressed into a small compass, and eminently calculated to rivet it in the memory of the learner. Questions for examination are inserted at the end of the work. LET those who fame or fortune seek Their theme adorn with learned Greek, With friendship's aid to chant its lays, And swift a crowd of pleasing shades Whose presence all my soul pervades, Before my ravished sight; The beauteous scene my bosom cheers, And thrills me with delight. Faith, Hope, and Love, with ardour press Humility with looks serene Unites with peace of mind, To add fresh lustre to the scene, By Fervour's hand led on, To seize the victor's crown! New forms arise, fresh crowds appear, And vocal music glads my ear With sweet harmonious sound. |