ng his
few surviving contemporaries was Bartholomew Price, Master of
Pembroke, a clergyman more distinguished in mathematics than in
theology. The Rector of Exeter* gave a cordial welcome to the most
illustrious of its former Fellows. The Provost of Oriel+ was equally
gracious. In the younger generation of Heads his chief friends were
the Dean of Christ Church,^ now Bishop of Oxford, and the President
of Magdalen.# But the Oxford of 1892 was so unlike the Oxford of
1849 that Froude might well feel like one of the Seven Sleepers of
Ephesus. And if there had been many changes in Oxford, there had
been some also in himself. He had long ceased to be, so far as he
ever was, a clergyman. He had been twice married, and twice left a
widower. His children had grown up. His fame as an author extended
far beyond the limits of his own country, and of Europe. He had made
Carlyle's acquaintance, become his intimate friend, and written a
biography of him which numbered as many readers as The French
Revolution itself. He had lectured in the United States, and
challenged the representatives of Irish Nationalism on the history
of their own land. He had visited most of the British Colonies, and
promoted to the best of his ability the Federation of South Africa.
Few men had seen more, or read more, or enjoyed a wider experience
of the world. What were the lessons which after such a life he
chiefly desired to teach young Englishmen who were studying the
past? The value of their religious reformation, and the achievements
of their naval heroes. The Authorised Version and the Navy were in
his mind the symbols of England's greatness. Greater Britain,
including Britain beyond the seas, was the goal of his hopes for the
future progress of the race. There were in Oxford more learned men
than Froude, Max Muller for one. There was not a single Professor,
or tutor, who could compare with him for the multitude and variety
of his experience. Undergraduates were fascinated by him, as
everybody else was. The dignitaries of the place, except a stray
Freemanite here and there, recognised the advantage of having so
distinguished a personage in so conspicuous a Chair. Even in a
Professor other qualities are required besides erudition. Stubbs's
Constitutional History of England may be a useful book for students.
Unless or until it is rewritten, it can have no existence for the
general reader; and if the test of impartiality be applied, Stubbs
is as much for