Untitled - Electric Scotland

156 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. vi.
they deemed a dangerous liberalism in the Church. True,
he had passed the Manchester Bishopric Act in 1847 in
the teeth of Radical opposition, but then he had appointed
Dr. Prince Lee, an avowed Liberal, to be its first Bishop ;
and, far worse, he had promoted Dr. Hampden to the
See of Hereford, and now the cry was raised that the
Universities were themselves to be handed over to the
reformer.
On April 25th, 1850, Mr. Heywood, the Radical
member for North Lancashire, moved in the House of
Commons a long resolution to the effect that all systems
of academical education require modification from time to
time ; that the ancient English and Irish Universities
have not made such modifications, and therefore are not
promoting as they might the interests of religious and
useful learning, and requesting the issue of a Royal Com
mission of inquiry into the state of the Universities,
"
with
a view to assist in the adaptation of these important
institutions to the requirements of modern times."
The last thirty years have so familiarised us with
inquiries
of this sort that it is difficult now to realise the
indignation which such a proposal called forth at the time.
The debates upon the resolution were of the highest
interest and importance, the motion for inquiry being
strenuously resisted as unconstitutional, unnecessary, and
altogether mischievous. Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Roundell
Palmer, and Sir Robert Inglis were the recognised
champions of the party which opposed the appointment
of such a commission, and at first it was quite uncertain
what course would be taken by Lord John Russell and
his Government. Lord John rose early in the debate, and
while disclaiming any wish to attack the Universities,
and declining therefore to vote for Mr. Heywood s resolu
tion, promised on behalf of the Government that a Royal