ENGLISH UNIVERSITIES.

The English universities, like most of those which came into existence in remote times, were formed on the model of the university of Paris; and in the earlier period of their history bear a striking resemblance to the parent institution. Till 1386, England contained only two universities, those of Oxford and Cambridge. The origin of both is involved in doubt and obscurity, and it is perhaps impossible to decide at how early a period schools and places of general education existed in either. The question of the comparative antiquity of the two seminaries was agitated with great keenness in the seventeenth century, but the industry of the antiquaries engaged on either side has not thrown much light on the subject. Some of the more eager advocates of the remote antiquity of Oxford contend that it was a seminary of learning immediately after the destruction of Troy; while the Cambridge antiquaries ascribe the origin of their university to one Cantaber, a Spaniard, by whom it was founded B.C. 375, and from whom it obtained the name Cantabrigia. But though such speculations may amuse and interest the curious, they cannot be admitted as historical facts. The universities of London and Durham are of very recent origin.