of the Senate, called Commorantes in Villa, the remains of a class which the code of Elizabeth appears to have allowed. These are Masters of Arts or Doctors resident in the town, who having formerly been members of some College, have been permitted to withdraw their names from it, and register themselves, so as to retain the privilege of being still members of the University. It may be remarked, that when the proposition for abolishing the existence of that class was submitted to the Senate on Feb. 17, 1853, as a part of the proposed new Statutes for the University, it was not approved by the Senate. "The Studies, which, of late years at least, have been carried to the greatest extent in the University, are those of Mathematical and Classical learning. Beyond all question, they rightfully challenge a prominent place in every system of liberal education, both on account of the intrinsic value of the acquirement, and as instruments of mental discipline. It is by the application of mathematical principles and processes to such branches of Natural Philosophy as admit of this exact mode of treatment, that the noblest triumphs and most useful improvements of modern science have been achieved in Mechanics, in Optics, in Astronomy, in the exposition of the system of the world. While mathematical knowledge is thus of the highest value, considered as an acquirement, the study of it is equally valuable as a discipline of the intellect. It may be regarded as the best and most effectual exercise of the reasoning powers; habituating the mind to clearness of ideas, precision of statement, and coherence of argument. In this manner it has a wholesome influence beyond the bounds of its own immediate province, and serves to check vague and extravagant speculations, even in such popular branches of natural or moral science as are not reducible to the rigour of mathematical demonstration. Again, Classical Literature possesses high and peculiar recommendations. A knowledge of it is indispensable to the Student in Divinity, who seeks an accurate and critical acquaintance with the books of the New Testament in their original language, and with the early language of Christian Theology. In a more general point of view, the spirit of the Classical authors has infused its influence into the whole range of modern literature, and their works were held in universal admiration as the noblest specimens of genius and purest models of taste, in all their varied styles. Moreover, Mathematical and Classical studies are in a peculiar manner fitted for the purpose of Examination. They require a much closer and severer attention, and admit of a much more exact and conclusive test of proficiency than is the case in the more popular branches of speculative or experimental knowledge. Accordingly the University has long afforded peculiar encouragement by its public honors to these particular studies. "The teaching of the University should be the exponent of what is highest and best in the condition of Literature and Science; and should be in part also the help and guide to her sons in their aspirations after moral and intellectual excellence. Where she has failed in this, it has been partly, we think, from the want of that legislative freedom which we would wish to give to her. "The long continued influence of literary and philosophical examples upon the sentiments and conduct of societies, is perhaps in no place better illustrated than in Cambridge. The works of Bacon and Newton are, at this moment, influencing its Studies for good. "One happy circumstance in the position of the University is deserving of special comment. A great majority of the College Fellowships have long been open to free competition; this has given to the University a high moral elevation, and contributed in a great degree to make her the honoured instrument of public good. The same condition marks the distribution of many valued University Prizes. It is, we think, this fact which has called forth a high sentiment of honour, and an unbending sense of public duty on the part of the governing powers and examiners, whether of the Colleges or of the University. That the rewards of competition be given to the most worthy, is a principle now so deeply penetrating the moral life of Cambridge, that its violation seems almost beyond the region of thought. "What above all other things gives us hope for the future good of Cambridge, is the manly, free, and truth-loving character of her sons, springing in part at least, from her Collegiate system, the character of her studies, and the uprightness of her administration, producing in return confidence and goodwill on the part of those committed to her care. In all her members she believes that she possesses a body of men who, strong in their historical remembrances, cling to what is truly good, would seek for no needless change, and would admit of no change which had not the fair promise of scientific, moral, and religious benefit." (Report, Cambridge University Commission, pp. 2, 23, 24, 202.) 1647. The Right Honourable JOHN, LORD CRAVEN, of Riton, vested certain estates in the hands of six trustees to found two Classical Scholarships, each of £25 per annum. In case of a vacancy, any undergraduate may become a candidate, and the successful candidate may retain his Scholarship till he is of fourteen years standing in the University, unless, in the mean while, he obtain preferment of double the annual value of the Scholarship. It is provided by the will of the founder that if any one of his name or kindred should be in indigent circumstances, and a student in the University, such a person is to be preferred to other candidates. By a decree of the Court of Chancery, in 1819, in consequence of the increase of the rents of the estates, the income of the Scholars was augmented to £50 per annum each, and three additional Scholarships were founded, under the same regulations as the preceding, except that they cannot be held for more than seven years. By another decree of the Court of Chancery, in 1841, the value of these Scholarships was further augmented to £75 per annum. 1657. The Right Honourable ELIZABETH, VISCOUNTESS LUMLEY, by deed left to Trustees, certain estates, from the rents of which they should pay yearly to ten poor Scholars, at Oxford and Cambridge, the sum of £4 each, until they should have time to become graduates. These Exhibitioners are nominated by the Convocations of each University, and a preference is given to Scholars educated at the Free Grammar School at Thornton, and in default of such candidates, to any poor Scholars. These Exhibitions have been reduced to five; and by an order of the Court of Chancery, in 1820, the value of each was raised to £15 per annum. 1724. His Majesty KING GEORGE THE FIRST, in a letter to the Senate of the University of Cambridge, after stating that "opportunities are frequently lost to the Crown of employing and encouraging members of the two Universities, by conferring on them such employments, both at home and abroad, as necessarily require a competent skill in writing and speaking the modern languages," declares his royal intention to found a Professorship of Modern History, and twenty Scholarships. His Majesty also directed that the Professor shall appoint two teachers of modern languages, and concludes by ordering that "the Professor and teachers shall be obliged, once every year, to transmit an attested account of the progress made by each scholar committed to their care, to our principal Secretaries of State, to be laid before us, that we may encourage the diligence and application of such among them as shall have qualified themselves for our service, by giving them suitable employments, either at home or abroad, as occasion shall offer.” By letters patent, of date 28 Sept., 1724, his Majesty founded the Professorship, and endowed it with a stipend of £400 a year, charged on the Civil List: and by two instruments under the sign manual of his Majesty, dated 27 Feb., 1724-5, and 31 May, 1725, in one fifteen and in the other five Scholars were nominated for the studying of Modern History, and the learning of Modern Languages, in the University of Cambridge. On the accession of Her Majesty, the Civil List was relieved from the charge for the Professorship. Parliament has since granted £371. 8s. yearly for the maintenance of the office. In point of law, Sir James Stephen remarks, that if Parliament should at any time withhold the annual grant, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury might, by process of law, be compelled to make the payment, to the amount for which the revenues of the crown were pledged by King George I. 1746. WILLIAM BATTIE, M.D., Fellow of King's College, in consideration of his having formerly enjoyed the benefit of one of Lord Craven's Exhibitions, left an estate to found an University Scholarship for the encouragement of Classical Literature. Its present value is between £20 and £35 per annum. Candidates must be under three years' standing in the University, and the successful candidate may retain his Scholarship till he is of nine years' standing, unless within that time he shall have obtained any ecclesiastical benefice or preferment. There are certain conditions connected with the tenure of this Scholarship. In 1749, the Rev. THOMAS SEATON, M.A., late Fellow of Clare Hall, bequeathed to the University the rents of his estate at Kislingbury, to be given yearly, without restriction, to that Master of Arts who should write the best English Poem, on a subject which shall be judged by the Vice-Chancellor, the Master of Clare Hall, and the Regius Professor of Greek, “to be most conducive to the honour of the Supreme Being and the recommendation of virtue." The successful candidate is required to print and publish his Prize Poem. In 1796 the estate produced £16 per annum. In 1811 the premium was £40: and in 1831 and 1838, premiums of £100 each were adjudged for this Exercise. The following subjects have been proposed for this Prize: 1750 The Eternity of the Supreme 1771 Conscience. 1781 The Destruction of Jerusalem by |