The reason is not far to seek. These barbarous plans of education had,
we have seen, in former times, both their reason and their use. Bodies
of men retain the character of their first institution very long; and,
all things considered, I am inclined to think it not amiss that they
do so. Universities and schools of learning, in particular, should not
be in haste to exchange established principles and practices, which
the best sense of former ages had introduced, for novel and untried
pretensions. The reason is plain: their instructions would have small
weight, and their discipline no stability, amid such easy and perpetual
changes. They are, indeed, the depositaries of the public wisdom
and virtue; and their business is, to inculcate both on the rising
generation, upon the footing on which they are received and understood
in the several countries where they are erected. Even if their local
statutes laid them under no restraint, an easiness in departing from
established rules were a levity not to be commended; and would, in the
end, be unfavourable to truth itself, when at any time it should come,
in its turn, to be entertained among them.
The truth is, my Lord, we are ready to consider these seminaries
as schools of philosophy, strictly so called: whereas their proper
character is that of schools of learning and education. Under this
last idea, much of that bigotry and prejudice is to be looked for, and
should be excused, which would rightly be objected to them under that
other denomination.
Hence then, I conceive, a just apology may be made for the present
condition of our Universities. If they have not, in all respects,
corrected the vices of their original institution, let the influence
and authority of such institution be pleaded in their excuse; and
if certain inveterate errors in speculation (for I know your
Lordship’s chief quarrel to them) not immediately connected with their
institution, happen still to maintain their credit in those places,
let it be considered that the general sense of the public should in
all reason be expected to go before their profession and propagation
even of right principles. Believe it, my Lord, as reason and sound
philosophy make a progress among us, these bodies will gradually,
though reluctantly indeed, reform themselves: and the service they will
then render to truth will be the greater for the opposition they now
make to it.
I have ventured to say, that this reformation will, in due time, come
of itself. I think, it certainly _will_; as well in regard to the
general plan of their studies, as their particular principles and
opinions. Yet, in respect of the _former_ at least, it might perhaps
be something quickened by external application. I know the attempt is
delicate and difficult; but it might possibly succeed, if carried on
under cover of some still greater reformation; which seizes the mind
with much force, turns it to a new bias, and makes it propitious to
every thing that tends to the attainment of its principal object.
Such occasions do not present themselves every day. One such we have
seen; but we missed the season. Whatever was fundamentally wrong in the
constitution of the Universities, should have been set right in that
great æra, when the church was reformed. The undertaking had been of a
piece with the rest of that extraordinary work; and the opportunity was
inviting. But whether the minds of men were then ripe for this other
reformation, or whether there was indeed light enough in the nation
at that time fully and properly to effect it, may not unreasonably, I
know, be made a question with your Lordship.