SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

The English Universities. From the German of V. A. Huber, Professor of Western Literature at Marburg. An Abridged Translati n. edited by Frauds W. Newman Professor of the Greek and Latin Classics at Manchester New College, and formerly Fellow of Ballot College, Oxford. In three volumes.

Pounce. Pickering; Simms and Dinham, Manchester. Ireland and its Rulers since 1829. Part the First Newby. Morrow. Sir C.osmo Digby ; a Tale of the Monmouthshire Rios. By James Augustus St. Johd. Author of the History of the Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece,'. Sic. &c. In three volumes Bentley.

HUBER'S ENGLISH UNIVERSITIES, TRANSLATED BY NEWMAN.

Tins ponderous publication was undertaken at the desire and expense of Mr. Jesiss HEYWOOD, of Trinity College, Cambridge. The translation of the original work in its "full integrity" was first performed by Mr. PALGRAVE SIMPSON, of Corpus Christi : this translation was afterwards "recast" by Mr. NEWMAN, with "immense abridgment of the earlier chapters, and considerable condensation in all but the last." Mr. NEWMAN also added notes in opposition to the views of Professor HUBER, who supports the "vested interests" of the Universities through thick and thin. When the book thus recast in form, abridged in language, and occasionally corrected in its facts and controverted in its views, was printed, a copy was sent to the original author ; who seems to have patiently acquiesced in the literary changes, but to have felt aggrieved at the substance and tone of the controversial passages. This has induced an explanatory preface from Mr. NEWMAN, and added somewhat to the exposition of his own views in favour of University reform and in defence of the reformers ; but it has not in any way affected the text of the work.

judgment udgment which may be formed of a book that has been subjected to such an extensive change as Huusit's original production has undergone, must have less reference to the writer than to the work as it is. With this qualification, The English Universities is rather a commentary upon their history than a history or even a disquisition. Although the writer begins with a general view of the growth of Universities on the Continent, notices the antiquity of Oxford—yielding to the tradition which ascribes its foundation to ALFRED, and brings down a professed account of the career of Oxford and Cambridge to the Revolution of 1688, yet there is very rarely any thing like a narrative of events ; and when facts or occurrences are mentioned, it is oftener allusively than directly—rather as pegs for the author to hang his own views upon than a definite representation olf past things. Taking the book as it now stands, it is a numerous succession of short topics, grouped under some general head of a series of chapters, following each other in succession of time, rather than a narrative of events or a critical exposition of the conclusions those events may contain. This last plan, however, would seem to have been the aim of the author; although, from want of sufficient perceptive acumen, comprehensive grasp, and popular ability, he has not been able to carry it fully out. This is a drawback to the utility and merit of the work, considering the space it occupies; though much information will be derived from it, more especially as regards the large masses of the subject—the formal constitution and constitutional epochs of the Universities. The reader's attention is called to the groups and most distinguishing incidents of University existence, from the operation of causes within and without ; and he gets glimpses of the changes which have taken place in the nature of the studies pursued there and of the position occupied at different times by those bodies. He sees the struggles in which the Universities have been involved with the Pope, or rather the Bishop, as a supreme ecclesiastical power, and with the town Corporations of the middle ages as claiming jurisdiction over the University ; whilst he is shown the interferences of Kings and Ministers, sometimes to terrify, and in the case of the Reformation to threaten extinction, but more generally to patronize if not really to help. Fragments or pieces of University story, and of University economy and discipline, are also passed before him : but they are often rather suggested than presented; they will indicate that such things have been, but will rarely tell their circumstances. The English Universities may rather be said to direct the inquirer to the points in their history that should chiefly engage the student's attention, than altogether to satisfy the wishes of the inquirer. The true test of a great historian is, to inspire an interest in the past, analogous to that which we feel for present events. This can only be achieved by the proper choice of a subject, great judgment in selecting the circumstances of the events he intends to introduce, and a rapid and vivid style of narration. Tried by this test, English Universities breaks down. It inspires little interest in the subject ; the reader must feel an interest already, before he will derive one from the hook. Part of this originates in the defective form, but more in the execution ; which, in spite of all the condensation it has been subject to, is German, allusive, and rather heavy as a whole.

The present form and -fundamental character of the English Universities were, according to the view of Professor HUBER, finally established in 1688; when their constitutional history may be said to close. His subsequent notice of them is a general review of their character as teachers during the past and present centuries, as well as an account of their existing economy, and of their moral right, as opposed to their legal power, to resist any change or re form which the Legislature may think fit to enact,—for such is really the doctrine of Professor HUBER. This section of the work is the one that has been the least abridged, and is the most interesting, from its dealing with matters and opinions that still influence practical questions and come home to men's business and bosoms. It also exhibits the views of a learned and well-informed German on the respective merits of the English and German Universities—and it might be added, of a German Tory, but that his Toryism seems limited to Britain. The following is an example of his argument against the objection that the English Universities teach but little in the whole cycle of human knowledge, and teach that little only in a general way. It also contains an incidental picture, and a very good one, of a race peculiar to this country—the "gentleman."

WHAT THE UNIVERSITIES PROFESSED TO DO, AND DID.

In the national opinion, the destination of the English Universities is not to form Professional men or State officials. This fact once admitted, it can be no reproach to the English Universities, that they scarcely possessed or offered the very scantiest means for the studies in Law, Medicine, and Divinity, or for the foundations of the science of State Economy. The Philological and Mathematical branches appear to be the only exception, inasmuch as the Universities offer every means for rendering those who devote themselves to these two branches real and most learned schoolmasters. There is no want of persons who make use of these advantages : yet nothing results of it but a certain circle of movement, which begins and ends at the University, and is confined to this limited range. These schoolmasters and their schools form, to a certain extent, a part of the academic organization; as preparatory institutions, from which they derive fresh streams of pupils, a part of whom again flow back to the schools as teachers. Yet these form but a very small part of the academic youth ; and we come back to the question—what do the Universities make of the materials confided to them, if they form neither pleaders, nor physicians, nor lawyers, nor judges, nor statesmen, nor historians, nor Oriental linguists, nor botanists—in short, nothing of what is or is thought "anything," either with us or elsewhere ?

Our Universities produced learned men in the several sciences, or men for practical life; the latter of whom were either aspirants after official station, or intended to employ themselves as physicians or advocates. Nor is the CAW altered now, except that the general desire of University education has on the whole increased. To study from the love of knowledge was generally out of the question, on account of the prevailing poverty of the Germans : and eves among the higher classes such an idea was very seldom entertained. The standard at the Universities was, it is true, a somewhat elevated one, and comprised a liberal cultivation of taste; hut a person of family, who had not an eye' in pursuing his studies, to State service, was always a rarity. The English Universities, on the contrary, content themselves with producing the first and most distinctive flower of the national life, a well-educated "gentleman." I cannot enter into any exact definition of the old English gentleman ; but I hope that no one need be offended by my saying that we have nothing of the kind. A gentleman must possess a political character, an independent and public position, or at least the right of assuming it. Ile must farther have average opulence, with landed property either of his own or in the family ; a condition not very easy to be fulfilled among us. Be should also have bodily activity and strength, unattainable by our sedentary life in public Offices. The race of English gentlemen certainly presents, or rather did present, an appearance of manly vigour and form, not elsewhere to be found among an equal number of persons. No other nation produces the stock ; and in England itself it has already been much deteriorated. What comes nearest to the English gentleman, strange to say, is the Castilian cavalier°. It does not follow that the University course was sujicient or essential to form the gentleman ; but it was a decisive presumption in any man's favour, and, as it were, his final stamp. A liberal "education," such as could scarcely be obtained but at the Universities, was, at all events, requisite for a perfect gentleman ; not to the exclusion, however, of other requisites, such as birth, wealth, and position. What was meant by a "liberal education" might be perhaps best characterized and explained by the analogous Roman expression. The cultivation of the faculties was more thought of than the amount of knowledge acquired ; and was rather elegant, in the best Roman sense, than learned in a modern sense. We scarcely need add, that even during the University residence the studies were by no means the only thing that brought about this result. A complicated machinery of reciprocal influences lies in the manners, habits, and other relations peculiar to the English College life, bearing upon the education of the youth, and the development of their feelings and characters.

Here is a picture, which though somewhat German in style, may be taken as a good example of Professor Huaza's descriptive power.

EXTERNAL ASPECT OF OXFORD.

In one of the most fertile districts of that Queen of the Seas whom Nature has so richly blessed—whom for centuries past no footstep of foreign armies has desecrated—whose trident bears sway over a wider circle than ever did the sword of the ancient mistress of the world—lies a broad green vale, where the Cherwell and the Isis mingle their full clear waters. Here and there primeval elms and oaks overshadow them ; while in their various windings they encircle gardens, meadows and fields, villages, cottages, farm-houses and country-seats, in motley mixture. In the midst rises a mass of mighty buildings, the general character of which varies between convent, palace, and castle. Some few Gothic church-towers and Romanic domes, it is true, break through the horizontal lines : yet the general impression, at a distance and at first sight, is essentially different from that of any of the towns of the middle ages. The outlines are far from being so sharp, no angular, so irregular, so fantastical : a certain softness, a peculiar repose reigns in these broader terrace-like-rising masses. Not that the Gothic pinnacles that point up into the sky are in themselves inconsiderable: the tower of St. Mary's is inferior to but few of the third order. But they all appear less prominent than either the horizontal lines or the cupolas form, which here and there rears its head ; whether it be from its greater variety or its more perfect harmony with the style of the whole, tbat the latter arrest the eye more than the former. Only in the creations of Claude Lorraine or Poussm could we expect to find any spot to compare with the prevailing character of this picture, especially when lit op by a favourable light. In reality, probably, there is none anywhere. The principal masses consist of the Colleges, the University buildings, and the city churches ; and by the side of these the city itself is lost on distant view. But on entering the streets, we find around us all the signs of an active and prosperous trade. Rich and elegant shops in profusion, afford a sight to be found nowhere but in England; although side by side, it must be owned, with the darkest contrasts of misery and depravity. But the stately houses of merchants, retailers, craftsmen, and innkeepers, with all their glitter and show, sink into a modest and as it were menial attitude by the side of the grandly severe memorials of the higher intellectual life ; memorials which have been growing out of that life from almost the beginning of Christian civilization. They are as it were the domestic offices of these palaces of learning, which ever rivet the eye and mind of the observer, all beside seeming perforce to be subservient to them. Oxford indeed has no manufactures of consequence. The sweating, sooty, giant industry of the day, offers to the Muses nothing but his previously finished produce, without forcing on the sense the thousand offensive consequences of its creation. The population, moreover, has a tranquil character, making it seem to be far less dense than in other flourishing English towns : and in fact, the noisy whirling streams of human creatures that hurry along the streets of London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, would he ill adapted to the architectural and historical character of the place. Yet there is nothing herein to suggest the idea of poverty or decay. What strikes the eye as most peculiar, is the contrast between the fashionable and varied dress of the more active and busy townspeople, and the ancient, severe, and ample ecclesiastical costume of the "gownsmen," who may plainly enough he seen to be the ruling spirit of the place. Everywhere, indeed, wealth and rank are sure to meet with outward signs of respect ; nowhere more surely than in England, and from tradespeople of the middle classes. But perhaps in all the world it might be hard to find so many forms, evidently the stately representatives of the genius of the place, es are the Fellows and Masters of the Colleges at an English University. It is a peculiar type, propagated from generatton to generation. The University towns have happily escaped the lot of modern beautification, and in this respect harmonize with the Colleges. Each of the larger and more ancient Colleges looks like a separate whole—au entire town, whose walls and monuments proclaim the vigorous growth of many centuries: in fact, every College is in itself a sort of chronicle of the history of art in England, and more especially of architecture. But we must here confine ourselves to giving some account of the greatest of them all.

THE DINING-HALL AND PORTRAITS OF CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD.

One of the most splendid monuments of the art of the middle ages with carved wainseoating and ceiling, ornamental pendants, sculptured beam-heads, cornices, &e. From the walls look down portraits of former members of the society, who have distinguished themselves either as its benefactors, or (oftener) as statesmen orgenerals, men of learning or poets. The lumber of really great or pure names among these, from Ihrolsey to Canning, will never be very nicely inquired into by any one who considers the true weight of these epithets ; but there is enough of well earned fame among them, (speaking in a worldly sense,) to rouse emulation in every not wholly dull or thoughtless mind, or at least to awaken a sort of kindred spirit, which exists not at all the less for the daily recurrence of the same impressions. The living members of this society amount to several hundreds of men, most of them from the first families of the land, and filling highly important public stations. When they meet in this ball, from far and near, upon some solemn occasions, under the eyes of those portraits, (portraits in many cases of their real forefathers!) the impressions then produced on cultivated and sensitive minds cannot pass away and leave no trace. Of necessity, such meetings prove a rich spring of well.founded conscious pride, as well for the whole body as for the individual. What is to be the aspect of the new countenances hereafter to furnish portraits for the vacant places, we cannot pretend to say ; but as far as these physiognomical annals at present go, it is impossible to mistake their general type. They almost invariably exhibit broad, strong, and sometimes heavy features, displaying more character than intellect, and at all events, an admirable material foundation, which not unfrequently assumes a very undue preponderance. Let it not be supposed that this is only the English physiognomy : the common stem is divided here into two very different branches : we might, however, almost characterize it as the Tory physiognomy. Like a strange heterogeneous alien in the midst of his party, the slender and sly features of Canning look down upon us, the eyes gleaming with a false light of higher intellect, like a fox among hears—if with becomingrespect we may venture so to express ourselves.

These specimens relate to modern times, where the reader, already interested in the subject, is attracted by the matter itself, and may consequently attribute more to the manner than it abstractedly possesses. The following sample of one of the few narratives of an early period, strikes us as being less powerful and compact, notwithstanding the abridgment.

THE BAKER'S BRAWL.

The events of 1296 deserve especial mention. In vain efforts to pacify the warring parties, the King, his Councillors, and the Peers of the realm, had been called in. The great opponent of the University was a baker named Robert de Wells, who was a personification of the deeply-rooted hatred of the citizens to the University. We have no means of learning whether it was further inflamed by personal motives in his case; but, anyhow, he possessed much boldness, activity, and cunning, and in another place might have left a reputation in history like Arteveldt of Ghent. He did not shrink from appearing before King and Parliament as champion of his native town, of which he was soon chosen Bailiff. In 1283, having igen excommunicated by the Chancellor, he protested against it so powerfully before the Parliament, that the Chancellor was obliged to give way. In 1288, academic influence ejscted him from his post ; upon which the University was indiscreet enough to enact in solemn congregation, that should he ever be readmitted to office, all the studies should be suspended as long as be held authority in the town. So oppressive an interference with the town-elections exceedingly strengthened him in the good-will of the citizens, and held him up as a martyr for the liberties of the

town.

Excitement and bitterness increased. The University solemnly implored the King to prevent the bakers and brewers from using fetid water, and the vintners from diluting their wine. For some years a diversion was brought about by contests of the University with the Bishop of Lincoln and his Archdeacon, and by quarrels of the nations. But in February 1297, an affair took place, possibly arranged by Wells and his party, hot in fact it is so variously told that we know not where to lay the blame. A scuffle arose between the rabble dependents of the two nations, in which both citizens and scholars joined ; while the authorities on each side, instead of restoring peace, attacked one another. It grew into 's battle, in which many thousands on both sides took Part. The annourers' magazines were plundered, and other shops of citizens. On the second day of the fight, a host of countrymen who had been called in overpowered the scholars; yet not till the third day, when the victorious party was itself worn out, was quiet restored by the King's special Commissioners. )dany of the combatants had been wounded, and not a few killed. Scholastic houses had been devastated, and churches desecrated by corpses and by blood. Nevertheless, the result was a practical triumph to the University, by help of Episcopal fulminations and Royal decrees. Robert de Wells and other of the most violent citizens were expelled from the town, or forbidden all intercourse with the University.

The arguments of Professor HUBER in favour of the inherent rights of the Universities are really resolvable into the compendious doctrine that "whatever is is right." If in the last century they satisfied the age, (which the readers of POPE, ADAM SMITH', GIBBON and other writers, may doubt,) then, argues HUBER, they Acomplished all that could be required of them. At present, when the age is demanding from them a more open admission of students, a greater variety of studies, and a higher qualification, not indeed from those who aim at distinction, but from all their students, the Professor stands upon their inherent and independent rights ; as if a corporation created by the state, protected by the state, endowed (in this case) by the state, and privileged by the state for certain public purposes, was not subject to the power of the state. The individual rights of the corporators are as sacred as those of any other holders of property ; hut, as Mr. Islewatatt remarks, no one talks of interfering with individuals. He also observes, correctly, that Professor Hunsa reverses the order of things,-rating the teachers first in importance, the students next, and the public last ; whereas in an institution for public educational purposes the precise contrary is the case. Upon the whole, however, we think Mr. NEWMAN'S mind has been somewhat influenced by his present atmosphere, and that he writes of Alma Mater in rather a Manchester tone.

Of the three volumes to which the work extends, the last consists of the longer disquisitional notes of the author, in support of particular points, transferred thither from their original place at the foot of the page. Here too will be found some discussions by the translator and other writers upon subjects in which Mr. NEWMAN differs from HUBER, or which he conceives require fuller explanation. The following passage descriptive of University society is from a note by Mr. NEWMAN on the state of morals in the Universities, and on the means of improving the moral tone by a more familiar intercourse between the different classes.

UNlyERsITY ECONOMY AND GRADES.

After taking the Bachelor's degree, a student at Oxford is admissible to dine at the high table with the Fellows, and to sit in the Fellows' common room ; and a Bachelor who is likely to continue in residence either in Oxford or Cambridge often passes abruptly from the society of Under-Graduates, and, in a single year's time, associates almost solely with Graduates. At any rate, by the time that he takes his Master's degree, which is generally about the age of twenty-five, his contemporary Under-Graduates have either vanished from the place or have passed with him into the elder and ruling part of the University. Unless, therefore, a positive effort be made to form new acquaintances with the younger men, he becomes absorbed completely into the body of the fixed residents. From various causes it sometimes happens, that very young Fellows are called to be tutors, and as such to bear an important place of authority in matters of discipline : and the old doctrine used to be, that without much technical formality, men so young could not keep up discipline at all. At any rate, the young Fellow would he in danger of imbibing airs of self-importance. The term Don is familiarly used to denote a character who is actuated by a petty love of form and of power ; who, upon attaining his degree, aims to separate himse'f as widely 118 possible from all familiarity with Under. Graduates, although he may be but two or three years older than they ; puts on the air of a man of middle age; avoids all use of their common phraseology ; and behaves with a rather stiff politeness and condescending kindness. This is the machinery by which an exterior decency of deportment may perhaps be more uniformly kept up than would be possible without it : but young men are keenly alive to the true state of things, and resent its absurdity. A sort of enthusiastic perverseness is called out, to resist or outwit one invested with scholastic authority, whenever a love of power is perceived in him and a sense of personal dignity : much more, if admonitions are given for decency's sake and for form's stake, are they received as meaning nothing. In short, Donnism, wherever it exists, destroys that simple acting of heart on heart, and conscience on conscience, which is God's great instrument for regenerating society and for the training-up of youth ; without which, College restraints on high-spirited young men certainly cannot be of any moral benefit. It is, however, by no means true that the University youth spurn at all restrictions : on the contrary, a severe Proctor is often more popular than one who is lax. They look to the motives of his severity, and to the manner of the enforcement, far more than to the amount of the restraint. If they find in him a ready and cordial granting of all that can be yielded, an unassuming deportment, an indisposition to meddle in petty matters or to enforce any thing for mere form's sake, they only respect him so much the more for strictness in matters of moral seriousness. By far the worst uproar which took place in Oxford during my personal acquaintance with it, was occasioned by the (then) Dean of Christ Church forbidding his Under-Graduates to hunt in red coals. A night or two afterwards, they daubed over with red paint all the doors of the Dean and Canons; and when inquiry into this was instituted, they the next night wrenched the doors off their hinges and made a fire of them in the Quadrangle. Rail they been forbidden to hunt at all, they would probably have been less exasperated, because this would have seemed to involve a moral end.

'rhe work contains a good number of plates ; some merely beads or portraits of men connected with the Universities, from Wu.creat of Wykeham to CANNING; but others representative of scenes of University life. Teough these last are not very striking specimens of high art, they have an air of reality in the groups and individual figures, and are not without spirit as sketches. But they are chiefly valuable as illustrations; not merely serving to exhibit college scenes, but to indicate the manner in which University life operates in forming the University man.