ulwark of national security.

While the ministry on some occasions exhibited all the external signs
of moderation and good humour, they, on others, manifested a spirit of
jealousy and resentment which seems to have been childish and illiberal.
Two or three young riotous students at Oxford, trained up in prejudice,
and heated with intemperance, uttered some expressions over their cups,
implying their attachment to the family of the pretender. The report
of this indiscretion was industriously circulated by certain worthless
individuals, who, having no reliance on their own intrinsic merit, hoped
to distinguish themselves as the tools of party, and to obtain favour
with the ministry by acting as volunteers in the infamous practice
of information. Though neither the rank, age, nor connexions of the
delinquents were such as ought to have attracted the notice of the
public, the vice-chancellor, heads of houses, and proctors of the
university, knowing the invidious scrutiny to which their conduct was
subjected, thought proper to publish a declaration, signifying their
abhorrence of all seditious practices, their determined resolution to
punish all offenders to the utmost severity and rigour of the statutes;
and containing peremptory orders for the regulation of the university.
Notwithstanding these wise and salutary precautions, the three boys, who
in the heat of their intoxication had drunk the pretender's health, were
taken into custody by a messenger of state; and two of them being tried
in the court of king's bench, and found guilty, were sentenced to walk
through the courts of Westminster, with a specification of their crime
fixed to their foreheads; to pay a find of five nobles each; to be
imprisoned for two years, and find security for their good behaviour
for the term of seven years after their enlargement. Many people thought
they saw the proceedings of the star-chamber revived in the severity
of this punishment. The administration, not yet satisfied with the
vengeance which had been taken on these three striplings, seemed
determined to stigmatize the university to which they belonged. The cry
of jacobitism was loudly trumpeted against the whole community.
The address of the university, congratulating his majesty on the
establishment of the peace, was rejected with disdain, and an attempt
was made to subject their statutes to the inspection of the king's
council; but this rule, being argued in the court of king's-bench