The interest in the debating "Unions" of the two great English universities is at present very great. The debates are mostly political, and the party lines of English politics are marked even in these societies. At Cambridge we are informed that at present the Liberals are in the majority, and that Mr. Gladstone's government may have the satisfaction of knowing that its course meets the warm approval of one section at least of the educated community of the country. By means of these debates a lively and well-informed interest is maintained in all public questions. It seems a great pity that a greater enthusiasm in such matters should be manifested at the ancient universities of an effete monarchy than in the colleges of this great republic, where superior culture too often eschews practical politics and political discussions.