Dr. Pusey has written to the Guardian on the compromise
be proposes for the University Tests' Abolition Bill. He wants to keep the Colleges to the Church of England, but to give up their surplus endowments to the other sects,—the Independents, Bap- tists, Socinians, &c., wherewith to found denominational colleges at Oxford. This, with the exception of the mode suggested for the employment of the surplus endowments, is Lord Carnarvon's proposal over again. The leavings of the Colleges have as much chance of being accepted by the Dissenters in lieu of what they hold to be, and, as we think, are, rightful claims, as there would be of making an honest tradesman waive a debt owing to him on condition of receiving about a third of it as a generous present. Dr. Pusey asserts in his letter, "There is more of that talent for which a person would be likely to be elected a Head or a Fellow among persons whose belief is indistinguishable, except in name, from Deism, than there is among the religious Dissenters," and in- fers, therefore, that the religious Dissenters would not profit by per- fect impartiality so much as by such denominational endowments. But how has Dr. Pusey ascertained that this curious slur has been been imposed by Providence on religious opinions ? And if it be true, where is the good of a religious test? Are not these " Deists except in name " often Uuiversity leaders already ?
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