The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1771: Chapter 88: The Decline of the London University System (Part 2)

This is not just due to the teacher-student bond; perhaps more so, it is because Arthur can fork out some money to lighten his mentor’s mood.

Because just yesterday, the official list of the new Viscount Melbourne Cabinet was published in the London Gazette.

In this cabinet appointment, most of the appointments followed last year’s Melbourne Cabinet list.

However, regrettably, Lord Brougham’s name was not among them.

Strangely, Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister, did not appoint anyone else to replace Lord Brougham, instead leaving the position of High Chancellor vacant.

Lord Brougham was not dismissed, nor was he resigned, nor promoted; he simply disappeared.

In fact, on the night before the London Gazette was published, Arthur had already heard from Lionel Rothschild.

But at that time, he still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking Melbourne might just be hesitant, hence not immediately appointing a High Chancellor.

But when he saw the official appointment notice the next day, imprinted with ”position vacant,” he realized it wasn’t due to a lack of time but a deliberate move.

Viscount Melbourne indeed wanted to sideline Lord Brougham and his faction represented by the University of London.

The reason for not appointing a High Chancellor now is simply concern that appointing someone else to replace Lord Brougham might very likely provoke opposition from the Radical Party within the party. With Lord Brougham’s personality, being energetic and capable, switching him out would downright be a humiliation, if truly enraged, he might lead his faction to break away from the Whig Party.

However, appointing Brougham to power could have even worse effects.

Because Lord Brougham always refused to change his stance on issues like slavery and the Church of Ireland, his stubborn personality and eloquence had made him many enemies within the party and he was quite disliked by the King. Whether it’s party division or the King’s fury, certainly none is what Melbourne wishes to see.

Because of this, leaving the High Chancellor position vacant became the safest option.

First, send someone privately to speak kindly to Brougham, draw a picture for him, and appease his emotions.

Then, when everyone has forgotten about Brougham, Melbourne can straightforwardly send in his trusted personnel.

Although Arthur didn’t see Viscount Melbourne’s roadmap, he’s sure the development of events will likely turn out this way.

The only consolation is that the Ambassador to Russia, Earl of Dalmo, was not impacted by the cabinet list changes this time, but Arthur believes this is likely not because Viscount Melbourne spared him but rather because Britain’s diplomatic system has always favored maintaining stability in external embassies.

Moreover, taking just Brougham down might conceal the agenda, but taking down the Earl of Dalmo too...

That would turn into: ”lice on Darwin’s head—an obvious thing.”

The Whig Party presses step by step, leaving Arthur no choice but to lean towards the Tory Party.

After all, the few cards he can play now are limited.

Even though Victoria is his trump card, the cost of this card is truly high and it would take years before it can be unlocked.

If revealed hastily now, it’s likely to backfire unexpectedly.

On the other hand, the position of Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of London, following Lord Brougham’s downfall, not only severely depreciates but easily becomes a target.

Because lately, Arthur has heard frequently about the potential merger between the University of London and King’s College, forming a brand new University of London.

The University of London received its Royal Charter for teaching formally four years ago, due to the strenuous insistence of then-High Chancellor Lord Brougham, and amidst the surge of parliamentary reform, coupled with Arthur Hastings as a role-model figure, finally leading to a compromise between the Tory and Whig parties, ultimately allowing the University of London to obtain the qualification for awarding degrees.

However, four years later, a new change has clearly emerged.

The University of London, once the progressive base of the Whig Party, is now seen as a hot potato, and Whig support for the University of London under Viscount Melbourne’s administration has significantly wavered. Conversely, to appease the King, quell King William IV’s fury, unite various factions within the Whig Party, Viscount Melbourne intends to make concessions to the Royal Family in aspects he previously disagreed with, such as attitudes towards civilian education and slavery.

And merging the University of London and King’s College is clearly a necessary and win-win sacrifice.

Because the original intent of the Conservative Party in establishing King’s College was to make a stand against the University of London in terms of university education.

Yes, King’s College’s primary task is to counter the University of London, and its secondary task is to educate those misguided members of the National Church who can’t enter Oxford or Cambridge.

And this can be seen from the fact that King George IV was its founder, with the Duke of Wellington personally assuming the position of first principal.

If it were in other fields of struggle, with Arthur’s character and scheming, during his time nesting at Kensington Palace, if he could back down a step, he would.

But there are two places where he has absolutely no plans to compromise.

The first is Scotland Yard.

The second is the University of London.