ixMifrtrT-



Practical Suggectumc. 77

to stand in the way of its foundation in Edinburgh. By fiur the
greater number of students at present reside in lodgings, which
are neither so comfortable^ respectilble, nor economical as a well
arranged Hall| (similar to the Private Halls about to be instituted
in Oxfordi) might very well be made; and to suppose that they
would not willingly bywI themselves of the offer of such a means
of bettering their conditioui is to suppose in them an avernon to
improvement which we are not entitled to predicate of personsi
for the most part, under forty.
In any attempt to introduce the custom of the Common Table -
into the Scottish Universitiesy the want of die beautiful dining-
halls which exist in so many of the colleges of the ancient univer-
sitiesi and which add not only to their picturesque character in
the eyes of a strangeri but what is far more important, exerdse
a refining influence on those who frequent them, would no doubt
be severely felt The present, however, is the age of the revival
of Gothic architecture, and here would be as noble an occasion
as could be found for calling the recovered art into play. But
even though these, and many of the oUier indications of ancient
wealth, were awanting for a time, — though both the hall and
the table were of the plainest description, we feel certain that
they would still confer important benefits on students, situated
as we have represented many of those at Edinburgh to be.
Though we do not altogether subscribe to the doctrine tiiat

Cttfolt, and not minced meat, make Christmas piee^

we are clear that

Tis mirth, not diahea, aeta a taUe off;
Bnitea and ianatiea eat and noTor langfa.
