Page:Whalley 1822 A vindication of the University of Edinburgh .djvu/14

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England, confirmed it as such, ordered it to be called by his name, declared himself its Godfather, and endowed it with Lands, in the Counties of Lothian and Fife.[1]

The chief differences between the University of the Capital of Scotland, and those in England, are, that in the former, very little discipline is exercised over the students; they do not live in College,[2] but in Lodgings, in the City; the Students wear no academical dress, except during the ceremony of being admitted to a degree; they are not obliged to attend public worship in the College; nor to subscribe to any articles of religious belief, either when they are first entered, or at any time afterwards.—The fact is, that Edinburgh is upon the plan of the majority of the Universities upon the Continent, and in so far as it approaches more nearly to the general rule adopted in the establishment of such institutions, just so much more is it entitled to the appellation of University, whilst Oxford and Cambridge should be considered as exceptions. Members of all religious sects are often candidates at the


  1. The University in its diplomas, &c. stiles itself, "Acdemia Jacobi sexti Scotorum Regis," this is presumptive proof, at least, that it is of Royal foundation or confirmation.
  2. This is the case, also, in the greater number of Foreign Universities.