highest class. The College then pursued a most respectable career in Manchester; and after its removal to York, he could in that room and amidst that assemblage fearlessly assert that, if judged by its fruits, it maintained no mean position. Two of the Tutors in York College, eminent for their learning, had before been enrolled amongst its students; all the Theological Professors who have held Chairs since the return to Manchester had also been York students; the most eminent ministers in our different pulpits, and of laymen, scions of all our first families (many of whom he saw around him), pursued their studies at York College. And he felt confident that in the capability to afford the best instruction, the present institution was in no degree inferior to its predecessors. The contrary opinion was, indeed, loudly proclaimed; but he held it to rest upon insufficient evidence, or upon a disregard of the proper objects of the College. In what respects is it said to be a failure? Is it in regard to the quality and amount of instruction afforded to the pupils? No one would hazard any such assertion. More able and learned teachers could not be found in University or any similar College. Their character, indeed, required no comment. And if it should be said that the College is a failure in regard to the proficiency of the students, he should point to the calendar of the University of London for a convincing answer to any such assertion. For in regard to the total number of students at Manchester, more of its collegians had attained a high position, in contending for degrees and honours in the University of London, than have proceeded from any other College. As to their general proficiency, Mr. Kentish, one of the most constant attendants at the Examinations, and at the same time one of the ablest judges, had fully satisfied the meeting. But if such were the means and results of education at Manchester College, how could it be called a failure? Perhaps the failure was in the number of students resorting to the College. (Hear, hear!) Aye! he well knew that was the main argument of many around him. On the restoration of the College to Manchester, they had indulged in magnificent expectations, little warranted by past experience; and because those expectations were not realized, they jumped to the conclusion that the removal was a failure. Let them beware lest another and greater removal do

not prove a greater failure. These gentlemen indulged in inconsistent expectations. In 1840, great efforts had been made-he thought injudiciously made -to convert the humble but useful institution, which had flourished for a century, into a kind of University; and its patrons had hoped to attract to their shrine of learning a multitude of youths of all ages and persuasions and prospects. It is true that this scheme had not succeeded. (Hear, hear!) Yes! he freely admitted to the gentlemen that no large increase in the number of students followed this effort of their zeal. Indeed, he hardly thought they deserved success. They made most liberal contributions in money to Manchester College, but they sent their sons to London, to Cambridge, or elsewhere. Had they sent their sons to Manchester, and kept their money in their pockets, they would have taken better means to ensure the result at which they aimed. But he (Mr. Scott) was not disappointed at the issue, for he had not anticipated success. Indeed, he thought that they who had indulged in such liberality and entertained such expectations, did not consider the real character and objects of the institution which they patronised.

The College was not established specially for lay students, or to be the Alma Mater of young men ambitious of public honours and a distinguished career in life; but it was established primarily for the education of divines, and for their education at Manchester. The original design of the founders is thus stated by themselves: "That an Academy should be established in Manchester on a plan affording a full and systematic course of education for divines, and preparatory instructions for the other learned professions, as well as for civil and commercial life." This definition, illustrated by the uniform practice of nearly an hundred years, proves that the full education of divines, for the perpetuation of a learned and liberal ministry, is the principal object of the institution. This object it has well pursued; and to fulfil it the College, as now constituted, is as ably prepared as at any former period. We should, therefore, be very cautious, lest by unnecessary change and untried schemes we weaken an establishment from which we have derived such substantial benefit-a benefit demonstrated in the career of a large number of such men as honoured this meeting with their preHis views, he admitted, as to

sence.

the extent of the College, were moderate; he did not indulge in any fond desire to see it converted into a grand establishment; he wished to preserve it in its long-tried usefulness. Many gentlemen, on the other hand, regarded it almost exclusively with reference to the education of lay students, especially those of the higher class. This, he contended, was not the main object of Manchester College, and would be obtained at too large a sacrifice, if thereby the utility of the College as a place for the education of divines were materially restricted.

He wished, therefore, to consider how the proposed removal of the College would affect its utility as a Theological Seminary.

And in reference to this branch of the question, he preferred a Provincial to a Metropolitan locality, and an independent College to one mixed up with another institution. He was led to this conclusion by considerations of no mean importance with regard to the position of the body of Presbyterian Dissenters. It must be conceded that, as a sect, we are united by no very stringent religious bond. We are exposed to every variation of opinion, and our union depends principally upon old established association and local connection. A separate and independent College for theological education is the only instrument we possess for securing any degree of adherence to a common faith. Destroy this tie, send our divinity students to University College, which teaches no theology, and to University Hall, which professes to teach all kinds and degrees of theology,-let their immature judgments be exposed to every species of free inquiry in this age of liberal speculation, without the refuge of such a distinctive institution as Manchester College, and it would be impossible to foresee the effects to be produced upon the future character and position of the Presbyterians as a body: the result may be very prejudicial.

But not only may our link of connection as a body be severed; the estimation in which we are held by other sects may become materially altered. We shall be a body without a head; we shall have no fountain to which to resort for our stream of theology; the world will recognize no institution to which we can refer as a guarantee for our learning or our character. Emanating from University College or University Hall, our ministers will spread over the country, no one knowing whence they came or whither they go:

there will be no certificate that they have any religious faith or none: they may be supposed to belong to any party: they may be Unitarians, Barkerites, Separatists, Independents or Freethinkers, but they will not be Presbyterians. Our long-respected body, the guardians of religious liberty and the promoters of learning and moderate theology, will be no more. We shall be blown about by every wind of doctrine, and doubly exposed to the temptation of conformity, or to adopt the varying fashion of the hour. It may be said, in the ardour of unsuspecting minds, that all these results are desirable; that our youth cannot too early associate with all varying sects; and that any thing exclusive and sectarian is mischievous. But one great purpose of Manchester College has been the maintenance of a separate Presbyterian institution; subject, indeed, to no test or confession of faith, but yet a home and resting-place for Presbyterian theology; and in this respect it has been eminently productive of good.

Another and by no means unimportant consideration is, that Manchester College affords an encouragement to the cultivation of superior learning in all its branches by our ministers; enables us to bestow upon that learning appropriate distinction and reward; and evidences that learning to the world. We can point with feelings of pride to all the past history of the College at Warrington, Manchester and York, as the scene of well-earned reputation by many distinguished men among the Tutors and Professors. There they, having made public their attainment and high character, have reflected a lustre which has shed no mean light upon the Presbyterian Dissenters, who had fostered and rewarded their talents.

Is this road to literary distinction to be closed? For we know too surely that Unitarians are not promoted to Professorships in even the most liberal miscellaneous educational establishments, even where a large support is derived from Unitarian Dissenters. The prejudices of bigotry prevail; the ambition of a connection with men from Oxford or Cambridge is all-powerful. This, the result of frequent experience, is in evidence by the conduct even of the Council of University Hall. They have made only one appointment; but that is not from the Unitarian body. That a separate and a provincial College provides places of reward and distinction to our learned divines, is a

sufficient reason why we should pause ere we agree to merge Manchester College in University Hall.

Another reason why he wished to retain our small provincial College is, that it affords the opportunity of solid instruction to that class of students whom it is its especial object to educate. The system as pursued in large classes at Glasgow or University College, however favourable it may be to a clever youth desirous to pursue an ambitious career in life, is ill-adapted to carry forward to sound learning the great bulk of students, possessed only of moderate ability, upon whom the Professor would probably bestow but little attention. In such classes the instructor is apt to force on the willing and able pupil, rather than to drag up to the mark him who is dull or negligent; and, unless aided by a private tutor, the majority of students learn any thing or nothing, as suits their inclination. This is a system not calculated to supply the place of Manchester College. The majority of young men devoted to our ministry are not, and cannot be expected to be, youths of commanding talent or great acquirement. Our prizes are too few and too small to attract superior merit; nor can our students afford to pay for private tuition. He feared, therefore, that, in the mass of students at University College, they would not be able to acquire such a sound and learned education as hitherto they have received in our own College. This view of the question he (Mr. S.) had adopted upon mature consideration, and without reference to the removal of Manchester College. He preferred its system of instruction. But, especially since it had, by its affiliation with the University of London, been enabled to add to the privilege of quiet and personal study under the eye of learned Professors, the other advantage of competition with all England in examination for honours, he was convinced that it could derive no benefit, but would suffer material loss, by its removal to London; and he would expressly say, that not only is Manchester College successful in its proper objects, but that it is so peculiarly suited to attain them, and secure to us a succession of able and learned ministers, that he felt bound solemnly to call upon the meeting to pause ere it destroyed this building of an hundred years, to engraft it upon one whose very foundation-stone was not yet laid.

And this led him to ask, What is University Hall, in favour of which our old established College is to be sacrificed? It as yet has no settled existence, no local

habitation, only a name; scarcely a constitution, except as regards its money matters. He had carefully watched the proceedings of its promoters from the first, to ascertain what shape it would assume, and how far it would demand support; and he had been unable to satisfy himself on these matters. First it proposed to be merely a lodging-house for lay students; then some kind of admission of the religious system was to be adopted; then was added a dining-room and a Principal; and now it wished to swallow up our Theological College. Every thing was uncertain as to its educational constitution; about which, indeed, a considerable reserve was maintained. Its pecuniary success even was not established. Looking, then, to all these things, he could not have believed or even entertained a suspicion, had he not witnessed the fact, that such a number of most respectable and influential laymen, and learned and experienced divines, could have been induced to assemble there, with the determination to uproot the old College from its northern seat, and join its fortunes to those of this unfledged University Hall.

Looking, therefore, to all these various, and he hoped the meeting would consider them not unimportant, considerations; maintaining that for a century Manchester College had fulfilled all proper expectations, had secured instruction of a superior character, and sent forth pupils who reflected the highest credit upon their Alma Mater; remembering that University Hall has not yet been tried, but is wholly unknown except on paper; reflecting that the very existence as a body of the Presbyterians may be endangered by the abolition of our separate provincial College, he again earnestly implored the meeting to make no hasty decision upon so weighty a matter; the question was not ripe for decision, and the arguments embodied in the Report of the Committee required the most careful perusal and examination. In conclusion, he begged to express his thanks to the meeting for their indulgent attention, and should support the motion made by Mr. Kentish.

The Rev. R. BROOK ASPLAND rose, amidst loud cries for a division, and claimed a hearing on behalf of the Committee. He had, in anticipation of the meeting, indulged the hope, and till a late period of the debate the expectation, that justice would be done to the motives of the Committee. That delusion had been dissipated by the remarks, so powerful and impressive, which had

fallen from his friend Mr. Wicksteed. When the Council of University Hall made their proposition for a junction, the Committee of the College found themselves placed in a painful situation of embarrassment. They knew that the subject was, and was regarded as, one of high importance, yet they felt themselves, by their position as a Committee, at that time disqualified from entertaining it. The trust committed to their hands was simply executive. They had received from the Trustees no authority to enter into deliberations and conferences, the proposed issue of which would involve an entire change in the constitution and locality of the College. To-day, they had stated without reserve to the Trustees the motives which led them to give the reply they had given to the London Council. Had the Committee consisted entirely of the friends of University Hall, they must have given an answer to the same effect, however it might have varied in form. They might indeed have added, "We regret we cannot now entertain your proposition; but the delay is only temporary; the annual meeting of Trustees is at hand; make your proposition to them, and we will cordially assist in the discussion and furtherance of it." He thought the Committee were treated with great harshness. They were blamed for not discussing the subject at a time when they believed they had no right as a Committee to enter upon it; and now, when, being in the presence of the Trustees, they felt themselves free to embark on the subject, and to give their deliberate views on a matter materially affecting the welfare of the institution, now it was proposed to expunge from the Address all that related to it. The Committee had a perfect right at that meeting to express their sentiments. The Trustees had an equal right to express their agreement or otherwise with them. The Committee in this Address make their appeal to their proper constituents, the Trustees. The rejection of the Address would be on their part a vote of censure. If that were the deliberate verdict of the meeting, he should feel it as deeply as any man present; but he must be permitted to add, that he should leave the Common Hall with an untroubled conscience, feeling that he, in common with the rest of the Committee, had acted throughout this anxious business with a single view to the welfare of Manchester College. He could not help feeling that the Committee had been treated with great severity by some of their constituents, and with injustice by some of their

colleagues, who, inflamed by a passionate zeal for University Hall, had thought it not unbecoming them to endeavour to anticipate the verdict of that day, by circulating throughout the kingdom a onesided statement, with an expression of their "regret" at the course pursued by the Committee-such expression being, of course, a vote of censure. With respect to that document, so extensively circulated, he was enabled distinctly to tell the meeting that it was entitled to somewhat less importance than appeared. He had received from more than one gentleman the assurance that it was not unreservedly subscribed. Several had expressly intimated that they signed only that part of the document which called for a full and impartial discussion of the locality of the College. Yet the names of these gentlemen appeared undistinguished from the rest, as if they approved all that the paper contained. This he could not regard as a fair and candid proceeding. On another point he was desirous of defending the Committee. It had been that day alleged against them, that they had insidiously introduced into the Address reference to the Owens College, in order to distract the attention of the Trustees from the better merits of University Hall. Now, if the gentleman who hinted that charge had attended carefully to the Address of the Committee, he would have perceived that the Owens College was not introduced to the notice of the Trustees that day for the first time. The sentiment expressed by the Committee in their Address had last year received the unanimous sanction of the Trustees. What was said on the subject of Owens College was, in fact, little more than a repetition of what was said in the Address last year. It was indeed said to-day that the Owens College was only ideal He thought the objection was not very suitable from the advocates of an institution equally, if not still more, ideal. The prospects of Owens College were, to his mind, more satisfactory than those of University Hall. He preferred the ideality of Owens College with its £100,000, to that of University Hall with its tenth part of that sum. He greatly feared that the Council would find themselves unable to complete their schemes with the funds at their disposal, and he could not think it right to risk the very existence of the College, by allying it with an institution which might be bankrupt before its doors were open. A strong opinion had been expressed by Mr. Heywood against the suitableness of the instructions likely to be given at the

Owens College for the purposes of Manchester College. Now, with all respect for the Member for North Lancashire, than whom he knew few more candid men, he must say there was an evident bias, a strong colouring in the evidence he volunteered touching Owens College. Coming as it did from a Trustee under Mr. Owens' will, that statement was calculated to carry great weight with it. He was glad, therefore, that that gentleman had been gently cross-examined by their excellent Principal. He had proved a somewhat reluctant witness, yet he had admitted the whole case which the Principal intended he should, with respect to the object and constitution of the Owens Trust. He very much regretted that the course latterly adopted by the Council of University Hall had forced him to oppose them. The interests of his Alma Mater were very dear to him; and when he found that the College was to be destroyed, as a separate institution, to promote the Hall, he could not hesitate which side to take. He regretted that so little had been said by those gentlemen who opposed the Committee's Address in the way of rebutting its arguments. They remained for the most part unanswered. If there were on the other side the means of replying to them, let them consent to an adjournment, that the subject might be more fully discussed and a deliberate vote might be taken.

Mr. HEYWOOD said, in explanation, that his personal friends had signed the paper objected to without reservation. If others had signed it improperly, it was their fault, not his.

With the exception of Mr. Richard Martineau's speech (which was in favour of the removal of the College), we have now given the most important addresses. We will only add that the discussion, in conjunction with the Committee's Address, considerably modified the opinions previously entertained by some of the Trustees. As a proof, it may be stated that three gentlemen present, who had previously signed Mr. Heywood's Memorial, did not vote with him-one not voting at all, and two voting with the minority.

J. J. Tayler in the chair. After some introductory observations, Dr. Beard said that four strips of land demanded the attention of those who desired to form a distinct conception of the surface of Palestine. These were the line of sea coast, the hill country running north and south, the vale of the Jordan, and the highlands lining the eastern border. They all had for their common origin the lofty mountain ridge, which, running off at right angles from Mount Taurus, formed the high midlands of Palestine, and a long line of transJordanic table-lands. Limestone was the predominant formation in the southern half of this range, though basalt was not unfrequently seen. In its northern part, this line of mountains bore the name of Lebanon (or the white mountain), so called from its being the only height in the vicinity whose top was covered with perpetual_snow. After noticing the valley of Jordan, which was stated to run southward from Lebanon in a deepening depression, till it sank in the bottom of the Dead Sea, to the extraordinary depth of 3029 feet below the level of the ocean, Dr. Beard adverted to the great diversity of level by which Palestine was characterized. The distance from Hermon to Sinai was about 400 miles. The summits of the two extremities of this line rose to about 9000 feet above the Mediterranean. Nearly midway, in the bottom of the Lacus Asphaltites, was a depression below that level of 3029 feet. From the highest point in the Sinaitic group, 8168 feet, there was a sudden fall to the tableland bearing the name of Jebel el Tyh, which was but 4358 feet above the sea-level. Proceeding in a westerly direction to the Wady el Arish, the elevation was not more than 2832 feet; and so sudden was the fall from this point, that Suez stood only two feet above the Mediterranean. Passing on the eastern side, the Arabah, near Kadesh, was 90 feet below the level of the ocean, from whence there was a sudden drop to the Dead Sea, whose surface was 1341 feet below that level; and taking its depth at 1688 feet, the depression would be 3029 feet. Dr. Beard then read several extracts from

Schubert, Russeger and Olin, relative to the physical aspects of Palestine, and made further references to the great diversities of level observable in that country. One effect of this diversity, he said, was found in the great variety of vegetable productions in