way were removed as soon as mentioned. To this, also, the payment of a legacy materially contributed; and all other objections being waived, the partialities of the students were allowed to have free course. In the meantime, the canvass went on with great spirit; all the machinery employed on similar occasions was called into action. Wit and eloquence-satire, epigram, and pasquinade -were brought to the service of the rival candidates; and the election was contested with a skill and perseverance that, added to political excitement, heightened the interest of the scene, but left the result neither tedious nor doubtful. By an immense majority" the unanimous vote of the four nations "-Campbell was returned duly elected; and received the following notification of the fact from the Very Reverend the Principal of the University:— "GLASGOW COLLEGE, November 15, 1826. 66 SIR, "I beg to inform you, that you have this day been elected Rector of the University of Glasgow for the ensuing year. The statutes require that your acceptance of the office be notified within fourteen days. "I have the honor to be, respectfully, "Sir, AT. 48.] LORD RECTORSHIP OF GLASGOW. 185 CHAPTER VIII. LORD RECTORSHIP OF GLASGOW. THE election of Campbell to the Rectorship of Glasgow was not only gratifying to himself, but of lasting importance to the University. By this act, his young constituents gave full expression to their confidence in his zeal for literature, and his love for that ancient seat of the Muses, of which he was himself a chief ornament. A presentiment of this "sunburst of popular favor," as he describes it, had more than once crossed his mind; but he had formed no idea that it could have been so soon, or so happily verified. He knew that, as a Poet, he had a large share of popularity among the students of the University; but, until the announcement arrived, he had formed no adequate conception of its warmth and unanimity. The rival candidates were men of acknowledged merit, and high standing in the country; and when he measured his own public deserts with theirs, he appears, on the evidence of his letters, to have made up his mind for defeat. The result, however, was a most flattering testimony in his favor.-In his new position, he felt alike the honor, and the responsibility; and, from the first day of accepting the office, he devoted himself to the faithful discharge of its duties. The success with which these were carried out, will appear in the ensuing chapter. the The correspondence to which the election gave rise, though more copious than usual, does not possess much interest for the general reader. It is marked with the party spirit which too often, in those days, characterized popular movements, disturbed peace of families, and alienated fast friends. This spirit has happily subsided: and, although familiarly remembered by his surviving friends, it will not be expected that we should revive those political feuds, which Campbell himself had wished to be forgotten. The history of his Rectorship and that of his literary life, is given with so much clearness in his private letters, that I shall hope to consult the reader's wishes by laying before him, such passages from the original papers, as may convey a distinct notion of the acts of the new Lord Rector, in what he considered the "crowning honor of his life." The resistance offered to his election by the Professors, was "based on political distrust;" and although completely frustrated by the unanimous votes of his young constituents, the mere fact of their opposition was not so readily forgotten. In immediate reference to the course adopted by his colleagues, Campbell thus writes to Mr. Richardson: 66 "SEYMOUR-STREET WEST. LONDON. November 20, 1826. You have probably heard that I am elected Rector of G. C. by the students, against the united wishes of all the Professors-perhaps Miller and Jardine only excepted, and who, I think, had reason to be ashamed to vote against me. Private intelligence has reached me that the animus against me among the regents is particularly vehement. Now I know not how far this spirit may yet be carried. I am ill-—very ill, and write in sharp pain. I have not been without pain, more or less, for weeks; and I am totally incompetent to take the journey with safety. But, sooner than allow myself to be ousted for not appearing in the legal time, I will set off in the mail, if I should arrive dead! Write to Mr. Hill, and get notice from him of two things:-How soon must I, in law, appear on the spot? and will the principal Regents grant me the same indulgence, as to time, which they granted to Mr. Brougham, and Sir James Mackintosh? I have already requested my friend Gray to wait on the Rev. Principal, explain the state of my health, and request the indulgence; so that Mr. Hill has only to second the application by his personal interest. "You may see from my hand writing in what a state my arm is. I cannot apply to our common friend for advice or assistance; and I know not where Mackintosh is. T. C." * From a voluminous correspondence on this subject, I collect a few particulars. The majority of the Professors having agreed to support Mr. Canning, one of the rival candidates, employed all their influence to secure his election. The "Nations," however, mustered very strong in support of Campbell; he was extolled as the beau-ideal of a patriot, a poet, a British classicabove all, as one of themselves-a son of the same Alma Mater; the only man living who could fill the office with dignity, and restore the "invaded rights" of his Constituents! It is amusing, ET. 48.] LORD RECTORSHIP -ELECTION. 187 at this day, to peruse the clever and often caustic arguments by which his claims were vindicated "against all comers." The enthusiasm called forth on the occasion was shared by most of the young talent in the University; and, though tinctured with much amiable extravagance, the speeches, in praise, or in defence of Campbell, were often eloquent, and in every instance triumphant. Every hour the tide flowed more strongly in his favor; every meeting brought new volunteers to his standard"hoisting counter placards, and shouting their Io-paans over the College Green." One of the ardent leaders, when called upon to record his vote, threw himself into a theatrical attitude, and, at the top of his voice, thundered out " Campbell !" His example was followed by nearly the whole body; and "this show of hearts," as the Rector observed, "made his election a flattering distinction a sunburst in his experience of life—for he loved the College of Glasgow, as the home and birth-place of intellect." * * * * * "Dec. 1st.-I had notice from Glasgow several days ago that I may go and be installed in my Rectorship* whenever I please; so, I think, I shall delay until I can steam it in April. It may be some time before the Magazine allows me to be at Sydenham. Oh, if I had but a thousand a year, and the best horse in all Tipperary, you should not see me editor of this olla-podrida that sickens and enslaves me every month. T. C." In a letter from the late Rev. Dr. Finlayson to a brother minister, we find some further particulars of the election : “Dec. 4th.—You would be happy to learn that our old friend Campbell was lately elected by a most triumphant majority over Mr. Canning and Sir Thomas Brisbane... I hope you will reserve your visit until the Installation, when it would give me the greatest pleasure that we should pay our respects to him. I learnt from the Principal that the students were so numerous, that they had not been in the habit of giving free admissions, as in days of yore, at the Installation; and if any strangers came, that they were to be admitted as the Rector's personal friends. I mentioned to some Glasgow friends the propriety of giving him a public din *The function of Rector was originally that of Judge in serious matters of Academic discipline. Quarrels between students, and between professors and students, could be settled only in the Rector's Court.-This is the case still. Any severe sentence-such as rustication or expulsion could be pronounced only by the Rector-who is styled Lord Magnificus in the old charters.-The Rector is also a visiter and auditor of accounts, and in that capacity has a negative control over the College funds as well as a right of interference-not very well defined in the general management of the University.-Note by a Graduate of Glasgow College, ner, and it will be carried into effect. . . Tam's visit to G. will be to him, considering all that is past, most highly gratifying;-I do most sincerely rejoice in the prospect of it. * * * * J. F." In the meantime, Campbell found abundant occupation in preparing to meet his young constituents in Glasgow. To a friend, inquiring what progress he had made, he replies: "LONDON, February 20th, 1827. "At intervals of leisure, very few and far between, I am reading for matter to make out a sketch of the History of Learning, in two discourses, which I mean to deliver to the Students of Glasgow. How much I wish I were at Sydenham, to read this forthcoming thing to you by portions-to talk over the subjects with you; to have my Scotch pronunciationalism corrected! But, alas! this is mere wishing; it is uncertain whether I may be able to get to S. for a single day, before I go to Scotland; because the Royal Commissioners in Glasgow, whom I wish to meet, are yet uncertain as to time. Their arrival will be announced to me by the students; and in three days from the time of my receiving the announcement, I shall be in Glasgow. When this business is over, I really look forward to be oftener at this place, of all places the most interesting to my mind; to sit on the chair where I first read 'Gertrude' to you; to take down the MS. volumes which you bound; to walk past the wall to which I looked up to M. and you, and told you the news of my Highland legacy! T. C." 66 Respecting the public dinner, with which it was proposed to welcome the new Lord Rector," he writes in terms alike honorable to himself and his constituents: "LONDON, February 22d, 1827. "By all means, my dear Gray, prevent any political dinner being offered to me; for it would be a satire upon my political non-consequence, and a disservice to the cause itself. Besides, nobody can suspect my being a staunch rank-and-file Whig; though anything in the world but a political leader. It is an unnecessary jealousy of my politics to prevent my dining in public with any Tories, who may wish to meet me, and a cruelty both to them and me. A dinner from my Townsmen, and friends, will be an affecting and overcoming honor to me. A Whig dinner would be a burlesque, and I could not accept the invitation. Take the matter, therefore, into your own hands; |