until, at length, a regular society was established at the Feathers Tavern, in London, with Archdeacon Blackburne at its head; the avowed purpose of which was to get up a petition to parliament, for setting aside altogether the test of subscription, and admitting every one into the service and preferments of the church, who should acknowlege the truth of the Old and New Testament. They were also for abolishing subscriptions in the uni versity; "and so strong was the infatuation," says Mr. Cole, that several members of the university were led astray; and I am sorry to record it, that one whole college, both head and fellows, subscribed this petition."* The undergraduates themselves were also stirred up to refuse subscription, and to remonstrate with their superiors. In June, 1769, they presented a petition to the heads for an alteration of their scholastic dress, and it was granted; for it went no farther than to change the figure of their caps from round to square. It seems probable, however, that this was only put forth as a feeler; for in January, 1772, another petition was offered, which went the length of demanding a release from subscription, unless (as it was added with a show of modesty) they were instructed beforehand in the articles which they were required to subscribe. But this being considered as subversive of discipline, and laying a foundation for sedition, was rejected. The master of St. John's, however, still persevering in his design of conciliation, called together his own students, and laid before them the state of the case relating to their subscription; with which they all seemed to be thoroughly Lit. Anec. vol. i. p. 570. satisfied. "He was a man," says Mr. Cole, " of too open a nature to endeavor by artifice to circumvent their judgment; and as it was the fashion, even to leave boys to judge for themselves, he fairly stated the case to them, and left it with them." Hoping also to do farther service amongst the main body of undergraduates, who had been strongly instigated to refuse subscription for their first degree, he republished his commencement sermon, which soon became the signal for much and violent abuse. In a letter, signed Camillus, and published in the London Chronicle, January 25, 1772, he was complimented on having "originated an idea by which the devil himself might subscribe," &c.; and the republication is styled, 'an effort to despoil the unsuspecting simplicity of youth of that native honor and integrity, which will hereafter be but ill exchanged for a superior knowlege of the world." Dr. Powell made no reply to his accusers: but the question was taken up by his friend, Dr. Balguy, archdeacon of Winchester; who, in the fifth of his admirable charges, seems to have placed the question on its most tenable grounds; making it also manifest to his opponents, that as much integrity and candor may be exercised in supporting established institutions, as in attacking and depreciating them. The hopes of the faction in the metropolis were at this time much elated; and they fully expected, amidst the alarm of republican tumults, and the seditious cries of "Wilkes and Liberty," to carry their favorite measure: bùt the parliament saw through the scheme laid for the destruction of our ecclesiastical establishment by dissenters of all descriptions; nor was it moved by any remonstrances from the discontented of the church itself, who had joined themselves to its adversaries: it rejected therefore the petition by a very large majority: but it is a curious circumstance, that in this very year, (1772) the questionists in our university were released from subscription to the thirty-nine articles, the following declaration being introduced in its stead: "I, A. B. do declare that I am, bona fide, a member of the Church of England, as by law established." Whether Dr. Powell had any hand in this alteration, I am unable to discover: it is certain that his name does not appear in the syndicate appointed to consider the case. But though the petitioners were defeated in parliament, their leader at Cambridge did not give up the cause. On Sunday, Dec. 27, 1772, he preached before the university, and took occasion to consider the question concerning subscription, as fully as the time and place permitted. His text was taken from Acts xv. 10.* Next day, however, he delivered a discourse, from the same pulpit, on the spirit of benevolence. This gentleman, who had been so indefatigable in writings and exertions of every description, seems to have possessed probity, talents, and attainments of no ordinary kind; but an ardent temper led him, like many others, to outrun the course of events, and thus to retard, instead of accelerating, the progress of improvement. "He was," says the author of Literary Anecdotes,† "as he had been for many years, zealous for the abolition of subscription, a warm friend to the cause of America against England, an incessant advocate for annual parliaments and universal suffrage, (those pernicious engines for destroying the British constitution) * Disney's Life of Jebb, p. 42. † Vol. i. p. 571. a writer in newspapers, and a speaker in public meetings. So many eager pursuits seem to have exhausted his constitution; and he died, apparently of a decline, in March, 1786."* The question concerning subscription being now for a time set at rest, Mr. Jebb next turned his attention to the state of discipline and education in Cambridge. He saw the necessity of an essential reform, not only to counteract those early habits of idleness and dissipation which generally prevailed, and particularly among students of the higher ranks; but to diminish that exclusive devotion to scientific knowlege, which seems scarcely compatible with the notion of a university. Accordingly, he brought forward, repeatedly, proposals for an annual public examination, which should include every order of student, and offer adequate encouragement to all the branches of a liberal education, In this design he was supported by many influential persons in the university, particularly by those who had cheered his former labors. In the stormy controversy which ensued, Mrs. Jebb again took an active part, following her spouse to the contest, like another Gildippe―sempre affissa al caro fianco.† After scattering * A less friendly hand has drawn his portrait as follows: "Mr. Jebb, a professed Arian, was the great and busy agitator at Cambridge him the master (Dr. Powell) opposed in all his wild schemes of reformation; and when he found his mischief at Cam bridge was so ably counteracted, he reluctantly left the place where he had done more harm by his lectures and activity than one can conceive; and flung off his gown, and publicly avowed his unbelief of the divinity of our Saviour. He now studies physic in London." Cole's Mss. in Lit. Anec. vol. i. p. 571. + Gerusalemme Lib. book i. stanza 57. a few missiles from the Whitehall Post, she published a letter to the author of "An Observation on the Design of establishing annual Examinations at Cambridge," generally ascribed to Dr. Powell; and it must be confessed, that the objections of the Observer and his adherents were repelled with sufficient spirit and acuteness. Some notion of Dr. Powell's inveterate hostility against Mr. Jebb's scheme, may be conceived from the obstruction which he gave to it when first proposed in the Caput. "On the 8th of May," says Dr. Disney,*" Mr. Jebb offered his first grace for an annual examination, which was rejected in the Caput without any reason being assigned for such rejection. On the 12th of the same month, he offered his second grace, and immediately, on the same day, a third and a fourth grace to the same effect; but all of them were rejected. At the offering of the third, Dr. Powell, master of St. John's college, and then a member of the Caput, was inclined to move a grace to prevent Mr. Jebb from offering any other, and even would have undertaken for its success; but, as Mr. Jebb expressed himself in a private letter, dated the next day, "this was such an outrage, that the most furious opposers of my motion declared against it. Yesterday morning, at a meeting of the heads, it was proposed, that I should be censured for publicly denying the paramount authority of the head above the senate. Dr. Law stood resolutely my friend, as I have been told by the Queen's men. The majority of the university were, a week ago, in favor of my scheme; but acts of despotism debase the minds of those who are enthralled: and no sooner did many Life of Jebb, p. 48. |