The life and letters of Benjamin Jowett, M. A., master of Balliol college, Oxford.

i88

Life of Benjamin Jowett

[CHAP. VI

character of the University, neither national, ecclesiastical,
nor private, but all three together: to a case so complicated, it
might be urged, it is impossible to apply the simple principles
which regulate either corporate or private property, and College
property might be isolated from the general fear about vested
interests.
To R. R. W. LINGEN.
BALLIOL, Sunday Evening, [I847].
Your master, 'master Doctor Caius,' not the French
Doctor, paid a visit of inspection to our Normal School
yesterday. You can guess his object.
The particulars you can hear from Temple.... My purpose
in writing is to say for myself and for Stanley that we are
quite willing to be guided by your judgement in the matter.
Shuttleworth's name is I think an omen of success in the
scheme, at the same time he is as unfit as the two barbarians
Hengist and Horsa to reform the University, and the prospect
of good is really how far he will be advised by others.
We think that if we and others undertake the somewhat
invidious part he assigns to us, we ought to have some
understanding with the Ministry that they are to support
us, time and opportunity favouring, with a friendly measure
of University reform; in other words, that we are not simply
made a cat's-paw of by Kay-Shuttleworth in a private speculation of his own.
We have, I think, provided this sort of assurance were given,
a sufficient respect for K.-S.'s usefulness to be willing to
act with him in such a cause, unless you dissuade.
To ROUNDELL PALMER, ESQ., M.P.2
BALLIOL, November 15, [I847].
MY DEAR PALMER,
I take the liberty of writing to you under the idea
that you are half an M.P. for the University of Oxford.
I have heard several persons lately speak of University reform,
J. P. Kay-Shuttleworth, M.D., head of the Education Department.
He received a Baronetcy on retiring in i849. 2 Lord Selborne.