PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITΙΟΝ. THE character and design of the following pages may, I trust, be collected from a few remarks with which I have been favoured by one of three university friends, by whose judgment and suggestions I have been greatly assisted: "If the object of your work is to give the public a fair view of university life-if you would nothing extenuate and set down naught in malice, but simply vindicate our time-honoured institutions from the aspersions of those who only decry what they have not the soul to appreciate if you would so prepare the minds of youth that on entering College they may seek the society of those emulous in things of good report, and not mistake the example of a few shameless schoolboys for the deliberate sanction of the true representatives of academical feelings-if viii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. you would lay open the system of Oxford education, tracing not only its more evident advantages, but also its secret yet salutary influences - and if, at the same time that you would animate Collegians with a laudable desire to avail themselves of so great opportunities, you would point out, both to themselves and their friends, the danger of debts and other evils;-then, with all sincerity, can I pronounce that you have attained your object. I have no doubt that all your college friends, who read your cautions and advice, will think they recognise more than one of the characters portrayed, and will say with me, Would that my mind had been so guarded, so animated, and informed, before I commenced my university career." J. P. LONDON: January 1, 1845. 1 |