It is hardly necessary for me to say that I do not regard the present condition of the University as approaching perfection. A few matters of great importance and wide-reaching influence, which will need some consideration shortly, may be here mentioned, to shew that what I recommend as at once desirable does not blind me to what must soon be considered.
I am of opinion that the colleges might be made much more efficient as educational institutions, and might encourage to a much greater extent than they do, both directly and indirectly, learning of all kinds. I am of opinion that it is desirable, to avoid future complications, that separate and distinct provision should be made for the maintenance of religious worship and teaching within the colleges; that better security should be taken to secure the property of the colleges from waste or improvident management, and that facilities should be afforded for making grants from the college revenues for University purposes, either special or general. It seems to me quite necessary that the problem of the abolition of celibate restrictions should be faced, with a view to the provision, if possible, of other means for securing the advantages which the colleges and the University have undoubtedly derived from these restrictions. I am of opinion that legal provision should be made to enable persons to leave to the University or colleges for a specified time, (say a hundred years,) sectarian endowments, the sectarian restrictions to be reconsidered at the end of the specified time; and I am of opinion that opportunity should be given to try, by temporary arrangements, how in individual colleges varying systems would work.
