Item 52 - William Whewell to Julius Charles Hare

It gives WW 'great pleasure that among a number of our young supporters there is really a desire to establish a better and sounder standard of conservative principle than is implied by accepting Lyndhurst [candidate for the office of High Steward of the University: see WW to JCH, 28 Oct. 1840]. Lord Lyttelton is too young to represent and give expression to this yearning. JCH says 'that the Oxford men have come forwards more strenuously than we have in this attempt to purify and elevate the current principles of action. True: but they have come forward before they know what they have to say; and have promulgated doctrines so hasty and exaggerated, and in many instances so untenable and irrational as to be very unworthy of university men. Is it not better to wait till we can be consistent with ourselves? You think perhaps I talk too much like a system-manager; - be it so'.