various marks of activity in the Academic Corporation. They seem indeed to have had more independence there, as the Queen was personally drawn off by the affairs of Cambridge. When, nevertheless, we can scarcely find a trace of any broad intelligible improvement in Oxford; when, on the contrary, we see that the confusion in the statutes and the contradiction between fact and form were only increased; this is hardly explicable without supposing evil disposition or incapacity on the part of the Academic Authorities.

We shall see, further, how heavy a suspicion falls on them of having intentionally, and for the furtherance of selfish ends, labored against any permanent improvement, such as was produced by the Cambridge Statutes. In Oxford, equally as at Cambridge, the oligarchal system was established: But when we discover, partly in the composition, partly in the attributes, of the Board in which the power was vested, more that was arbitrary and undetermined; when, in the use made of this power during a long series of years, no honorable efforts or generally useful results are found in this one University; we must attribute it principally to the prevailing state of feeling, from which arose both the organization of the oligarchal body and the actual use of its power. The difference between Oxford and Cambridge was originally much more internal than external. With a better state of feeling, it is probable that a reform of the

Oxford Statutes would have been brought about, similar to and simultaneous with that in Cambridge; instead of its being delayed another halfcentury. At any rate in the discipline and studies a similar improvement might have been effected.

I shall mention, further on, the part which Leicester now played in Oxford. The history of the academic constitution at this period, is in the highest degree dark; a fact which is not very astonishing, when it was the interest and intention of the ruling powers to make every thing as dark as possible. We have however express testimony,* that at Oxford also the Heads of Houses were confirmed in their authority, as Supreme Executive of the University; although without any established statutory regulations.+

§ 172. In neither of the Universities were the fruits proportionate to expectation.

If we search no deeper than the outward appearance and resources of the Universities, and the laws and regulations which bore upon their intellectual, moral and religious state; there appears nothing left to wish for. If the results, the fruits, had in any way answered to their means; the period would have formed a brilliant point in their history. But this is no way the case. The most

* See Wood.

+ We shall treat this subject in greater detail further on.

trustworthy evidence sets it beyond all doubt, that intellectual quite as much as moral and religious interests at the Universities were then at so low an ebb, as not to compare even with far less favored periods; much less with the tranquil progress at the beginning of the century. This however is much more true of Oxford, than of Cambridge at least, we have less decided evidence in this respect about the latter. Under the circumstances it is credible, that corruption had not reached to such a pitch at Cambridge; although things cannot have been, even there, in any high state of excellence.

:

As to Oxford, it is certain, that of the academic studies some were in complete decay, others were pursued in a shallow, spiritless manner, as a mere form; or at best in a popular way, such as might suit dilettanti. The morals and sentiments of the academic youth are described at the same time as having been in the highest degree wild, selfish, loose, devoid of all earnestness, honor or piety. More serious still however are the notices before us concerning the older and more influential academicians in whom every hateful passion took the deeper root, and pervaded their whole life the more thoroughly, the less it was able to find vent in open, violent expression. Compelled to preserve a certain outward dignity, in seeking either personal ends, or party objects in Church or State; they had to maintain a close secrecy, or at least to

adhere to measures which were ostensibly legal. Very often (as will happen under such circumstances) it was no easy matter to determine between private and public interest; which of the two was pretext, and which real end and aim.

§ 173. Testimony of Anthony Wood against the state of Oxford.

Among the many passages of Wood, which bear reference to this subject; the following may deserve to be quoted.* "Of the University itself I must report, that although it had lately made laws most salutary alike to religion and to learning, yet all its hopes were disappointed; as all these laws were almost by all parties violated and neglected. There were few indeed to preach the word of God or attend on preaching, although in these times a great multitude of clergy left the Parishes of which they were Pastors, and came to Oxford, with more appetite for indolence and sloth, than for propagating the Faith. To this was added the inactivity

* The date is 1582.-Evidence to the same point is to be found in Warton (iii. p. 274, &c.), derived chiefly from Ascham's letters, which I have not before me. At first certainly he praises Cambridge, in opposition to Oxford: but afterwards at Cambridge too every thing went back. He complains, that in Oxford, the earlier and better Classic authors were less es

teemed than Lucian, Plutarch, Herodian, Seneca, Gellius, and Apuleius. What were the moral opinions and feelings, of the Academic Heads especially, we have proof enough in what Wood relates about the intrigues of parties and persons, and about Leicester's influence. The state of Cambridge is painted by Fuller in similar, though in much fainter, colors.

of the Academic Tutors &c. . . . To return to the Gownsmen: they were so given to luxury, as to outdo in dress the London Inns of Court and even the Queen's levee; and were so swollen in mind, that scarcely the lowest of the low would yield precedence to Graduates, or to persons on any ground superior to him. Shall I add that the public lectures in the Greek and Hebrew languages, as well as in Medicine, Law and Theology, were very rarely held; (not to say worse of the ordinary lectures :) that very few auditors ever appeared at them, sometimes even none; moreover, * that the Moniti whose duty it was to read papers on Theology, seldom fulfilled their office. In fine, if you look at the state of Logic and Philosophy, you will confess that the men of our time have degenerated from the teaching of their forefathers. All these things being duly weighed, it may be said, that in Oxford itself you have to search after the Oxford University so greatly has every thing changed for the worse."

Of Church-service in the University, and of the preaching there at that time, a very characteristic trait is narrated by Wood. When, on one occasion, no one could be found able or willing to deliver the Latin sermon to the clergy, a country gentleman of the neighborhood mounted the pulpit of St. Mary's, with sword, cloak and ruff; and held forth in English after a most extraordinary fashion to the great amusement of the assembled crowd.

[*"Utque monitos": Qu. a misprint for atque ?]