Item 42 - Letter from Edward Hawkins

5 pp

Oriel College - Their new Examination Statute passed through another stage this morning. Thanks WW for his present [Of a Liberal Education in General...2. Discussions and Changes 1840-1850, 1850]. The book arrived at a fortunate moment - 'on the very morning when I attempted to induce our Hebdomadal Board to impose duties on our intended Boards for the appointment (or rather nomination) of Examiners in our several Schools'. However the Convocation rejected all their proposed Boards. The nomination of Examiners will be done in all cases by the Vice Chancellor and the Proctors. With the exception of this, the Statute has been passed. EH still retains his objections to the fourth School [see EH to WW, 11 January 1849]: 'it will prevent the study of Mathematics and Physics, which, in Oxford, was one of the chief things needed. At Cambridge I should not have dreaded its effects so much'. The School will attract the idle men and some of their best men at the expense of severe studies. EH does not suspect the Committee of Council on education of 'any sinister designs, or any hostility to the Church of England'.