The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-08 00:00:00

MONDAY EVit'N'INGI S. PTE

OFFICIAL LETTERS OF THE SEVERAL
DEANS OF RESIDENCES ADDRESSED TO
THE PRESIDENT OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE,
CORE.
PROM THE REV. LOUIS PERRIN, DEAN OF RESIDENCES
FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

My dear Sir,—l must ask your pardon for the
long delay I have made about answering your note;
since very shortly after the commencement of this
session I have had, as usual, my weekly meetings
with my pupils. My own pupils have attended with
fair regularity, and some of the others (i e , those
not resident in licensed houses), have also very fre-
quently been with me. Fogarty has not attended , I
believe engagements prevented him; but as he is of
the Methodist communion, I do not feel that he is
bound to come. I have every reason to believe that
my pupils are regular and attentive to public worship.
The return which you made me at the commence-
ment of the session has been reduced, as Ashe has
left the licensed house in which he did reside, and is
with his brother ; and Kingston has not been in town
since Christmas. I need not ask have any other
students, in connexion with the Church, been since
settled at licensed boarding-house, as no doubt had
such been the case you would have informed me of it,
I remain, my dear Sir, yours, very faithfully,
Lours PEaiexN, Clerk.
See House, Cork, March 14, 1851.

FROX THE REV. WILLIAM O'C )NN ,R. ROMAN CATHOLIC

DEAN ON RESIDENCES.
Dear Sir Robert Kane,—lu reply to your note of
yesterday, it affords me great consolation to bear the
same high testimony to the conduct of the Roman
Catholic students of Queen's College, Cork (for what
has passedof the present collegiate year), that I did at
the close of the last year's studies. The students
who reside with parents and guardians, and who do
not necessarily come under my control, are equally
entitled to my praise for attention and for orderly
conduct as those residing in boarding-houses; and I
am happy to be able to add, that whatever may be
the speculative opinions of some wise and good men,
I have not yet seen, nor have the students yet expe-
rienced, danger to either faith or morals at Queen's
College, Cork.
I have the honour to remain, my dear Sir Robert,
yours most truly,

WILLIAM O'CONNOR,
Feb. 20, 1851. Roman Catholic Dean of Residences

PROM THE REV. WILLIAM MAGILL. PRESBYTERIAN DEAN
OF RESIDENCES, TO THE PRESIDENT OF QUEEN'S
COLLEGE, CORE.

Sir,—l have had under my care, for the last ses-
ion, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Hogg, Mr.
Henry, and Mr. Eunson, students of Queen's College.
Week:y lectures on religion. and intended for their
benefit, have been delivered from October to June.
Regular visits were paid to the students at their own
rooms for advice and superintendence; and evenings
were devoted to religious and literary education. All
these means of instruction, together with the usual
Divine services on the Sabbath at the Scots' Church,
were attended by the students with considerable re-
gularity, I have bad reason to be satisfied with
their moral character and habits, their attention to
their religious duties, and their interest in their
several courses of study in which they were en-
gaged. They leave Cork, I believe, in every way
improved, and they carry with them a purpose of
literary industry which may be regarded as the bud of
future promise. The unrivalled advantages they have
enjoyed, aided by the kindness of many of the citi-
zens of Cork, will induce them to commend their
alma mater, and thus collect a harvest of alumni for
future academic honours and pursuits.—l am, sir,
yours, &c.,

WILLIAM MAGILL, Dean of
Residences of the Presbyterian Church
Cork, June 14, 1851.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE, GALWAY.
TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
May it please your Majesty,—ln compliance with
the provisions of the Act of Parliament founding the
Queen's Colleges, I proceed to lay before your Ma-
jesty the report of the proceedings of the session
which commenced on Tuesday, the 15th of October,
1850, and which terminated on Saturday, the 14th of
June, 1851.
At two entrance examinations held on the 15th of
October and 20th of December, 1850, twenty-six
students were enrolled on the college books, of these
twenty-four were matriculated and two non-matricu-
lated students. If these be added to numbers who had
entered the Queen's College during the first session,
the numbers admitted since the opening of the college
in October, 1849, will appear as follows.
As great misrepresentations have been circulated of
the number of students attending this college, as well
as of its general success, I deem it right to make upon
this subject a few observations.
In estimating the progress of such institutions at
the Queen's Colleges, attention must be paid to the
district in which they are placed, and the population
and wealth of the towns with which they are con-
nected. Colleges placed in populous and thriving
localities are at once frequented by numerous stu-
dents, who live in their own homes, and who are not
obliged to incur the expense of travelling to or resid-
ing in a distant neighbourhood. The students of the
Queen's Colleges, unlike those of other institutions,
must attend its lectures for at least two terms of each
session—a period varying from five to six months.
It will thus be seen how essential it is to look to the
condition of the town near which a college is situated
to judge with fairness of its real progress. In the
great majority of cases the young men frequenting
the Gal way College come from a distance, the town
of Galway not as yet possessing such a population as
would furnish a large number of students. Taking
these circumstances into account, I do not hesitate to
say that the Queen's College, Galway, has fully kept
pace with her sister institutions of Belfast and Cork
—institutions which, by the confession of all, have
equalled the most sanguine expectations of their
warmest supporters. Nor do I entertain a doubt that,
despite the extraordinary and continued opposition
which appears to be in a great degree concentrated
upon this particular institution, it is destined to out-
live the hostility with which it has been assailed, and to
confer upon the province those countless and ines-
timable blessings which follow in the train of know-
ledge, enlightenment, and civilisation.
I am glad to be able to report that the conduct of
the students (including young men of all persuasions)
his been generally all that could be wished. IF some
acts of insubordination and breach of college discipline
have occurred, they have yielded in almost every in-
stance to remonstrance and persuasion. The college
authorities have but rarely been compelled to resort
to penalties. The reports of the professors, to which
I shall subsequently refer, give, on the whole, a very
satisfactory account of the attention which the stu-
dents have paid to their studies and their progress in
the different branches of learning to which they de-
vote themselves. I feel, indeed, sure, that in no col-
legiate institution do the professors labour with more
indefatigable zeal to promote the interests of the stu-
dents; and it is right to say that, in the majority of
cases, their efforts have been met and responded to as
they deserve. The great dearth of schools in the
province, and the faint desire for knowledge which
has hitherto manifested itself, is strongly perceptible
in the state of preparation of many of the students
who offer themselves for entrance ; and nothing better
can illustrate the necessity and advantage of such an
institution as the Queen's College than the change
which a few months' attendance upon the lectures of
the professors has wrought, not only in the actual at-
tainments of the students, but in awakening within
them a desire for knowledge. Young men, whose
attainments on entering the college were barely suf-
ficient to enable them to pass the matriculation ex-
amination, have within a short time become most as-
siduous and attentive in their studies, and before the
conclusion of the session have evinced an improvement
which has called forth the admiration of their
teachers.

In the appendix annexed to this report will be
found the courses of instruction which are pursued by
the students in the several faculties and schools, as
well the examination fur matriculatio❑ and the scho-

lurships of the different years. I have also adfled;e-
lections from questions given at the scholarship and
priza examinations. These questions will be a test
from time to time of the effect which the college may
produce in elevating the standard throughout the

province.
With regard to the religious instruction of the
Roman Catholic students, and their attendance upon
their religious duties, I think it right to state the fol-
lowing circumstances. By the statutes of the Queen's
Colleges the Crown has been empowered to appoint
deans of residencies for the different persuasions, to
whom complete control is given over every student of
their respective creeds not residing with his parent
or guardian, and who can also call for college penal-
ties upon any student, no matter where resident, who
may not be regular in attendance upon his place of
worship. Immediately on the opening of the college,
in October, 1842, a Roman Catholic dean of resi-
dences was appointed, who continued to discharge,
during the entire of the first session, the high and sa-
lutary duties of his office with the most exemplary
attention It was my grateful duty to lay before
your Majesty, in my first report, the statement
submitted to me by this excellent gentleman,
of the extreme satisfaction he had derived
from the conduct of the students submitted to his
care. This statement was, indeed, a gratifying proof
that the statutes had provided abundant securities for
the faith and morals of the etudents, and that any
danger which might arise could only arise from
Churches not availing themselves of the opportunities
aff ,rded them by the statutes, and from not co-ope-
rating with the college authorities in providing fur
the spiritual welfare of the students. Among Whet
interesting portions of the report of the Roman Catho-
lic dean I beg to refer to the following statement :
I stn happy to say that the Catholic students

have, up to this time, evinced a deep sense of the
strixiety which yourself, sir, the coile4e council, teed
the ire body of professors, have felt for their reli-
gious instruction in appropriating cne day in each
week for that purpose. I have had the satisfaction to
see them attend my instructions regularly on every
Saturday. My notes of their attendance enable me
to report that they have been generally present, ex-
cept when prevented by some reasonable cause.
" All students who have been present at my in-
structions have given me the greatest satisfaction, by
the attention which they have paid to the various sub-
jects on which I addressed them, and the thorough
knowledge which I found by interrogating them
they acquired of them. lam happy to report, as the
fruit of such religious dispositions, that on a late oc-
casion several of the students, who had not previously
received the sacrament of confirmation, were confirmed
by the Right Rev. Dr. O'Donnell.
" I am also gratified in being able to report that,
during the visits which I paid to the licensed houses,
I have heard no complaints nor observed any symp-
toms of disorderly conduct ; on the contrary, I have
received repeated assurances from the parties who hold
these houses, that the students have conducted them-
selves in a quiet, moral, and gentlemanly manner."
Such was the satisfactory manner in which, during
our first session, the religious and secular instruction
of the Roman Catholic students went hand in hand,
the latter given by the accomplished scholars who fill
our professorial chairs, a large number of whom are
Catholics—the former dispensed by the clergyman
who, in accordance with the statutes, had entered
upon his office under the sanction of the constituted
authorities of his church. I lament to say that this
gentleman has intermitted during the last session the
performance of those sacred duties which he had dis-
charged with so much honour to himself, and so much
advantage to the college.
In the absence of that minister whom the public
care of your Majesty provided for the Roman Catho-
lic students, the heads of the college have not failed
to use all the weight of their influence and advice in
enforcing upon them a diligent attention to their re-
ligious duties. It gives me sincere pleasure to de-
clare that that advice has been attended to. From
the repeated inquiries I have made, I am able to state
my confident belief that the conduct of the Roman
Catholic students has been excellent; that they have
been regular in their attendance upon their place of
worship, and in the performance of every religious
duty belonging to their creed.
To the cordial support and co-operation we have
received from the reverend deans of the Established
and Presbyterian Churches I find it hard to do jus-
tice. These gentlemen have been instant in the dis-
charge of every duty connected with their office ;
they have endeavoured to carry out the benevolent
intentions of the Legislature, in giving confidence to
the parents of the students submitted to their charge,
aad in blending with that instruction which prepares
a man for his walk through life that higher teaching
which sanctifies and elevates his path. Seine diffi-
culty has been felt by these gentlemen in the case of
students who do not reside in the boarding-houses,
and over whom their control does not extend. They
have, however, endeavoured to compensate by an in-
crease of zeal for that legal authority of which they
are deprived in the case referred to. I may here ob-
serve, that every inducement that could be afforded
to students to reside in licensed boarding-houses
would be in itself an additional security for religions
and morals, by enlarging the power and control of
those ministers, who, in some degree are accountable
for the conduct of the students.
As connected with the distribution of scholarships,
a circumstance occurred towards the commencement
of the session to which I think it necessary to refer.
In awarding those scholarships which the munificence
of the Legislature has placed at the disposal of the
college, the authorities considered that they were
dealing with a fund which was given to promote edu-
cation, and which ought not, under any circum-
stances, to be bestowed upon undeserving candidates.
While they bad regard to the low state of education
in the province, and considered that a high standard
of knowledge ought not for some time to be insisted
upon, they were determined not to confer scholar-
ships upon any candidates whose answering did not
imply such an amount of previous preparation as
would enable them to derive advantage from the
teaching of the professors. Acting upon this princi-
ple, they stopped several scholarships at the exami-
nations held during the first term of the present
session. On one occasion a student who consi-
dered himself aggrieved by not obtaining one of
these endowments, memorialed the visitors against
the decision of the college council. As the transac-
tion involves a principle of law deeply interesting
to all the colleges, and as it tends to show the prompt
attention that is paid to any student who may con-
sider himself unjustly treated, I deem it right to
state the particulars of the trausaction, and the deci-
sion of the visitors.
A few scholarships of the second year not having
been awarded at the first examination of the session
in October, were held over to be contended fur at the
second and last examination in December. On this
occasion the scholarships exceeded in number that of
the candidates ; but, as the answering was very de
fective, the college council determined not to award
any of the scholarships. An unsuccessful candidate
protested against this act of the authorities, and urged
them to reconsider their decision, and to grant him a
scholarship. Upon their refusing to do so, the stu-
dent memorialed the visitors of the college, praying
for an extraordinary visitation to consider his claim,
which he rested upon two grounds—first, that he had
not been examined with sufficient care and perfect
fairness; secondly, and chiefly, that the council had
no right to refuse him scholarship under the circum-
stances in question. An extraordinary visitation was
at once granted to the student, and his case received
the most patient and attentive consideration. I feel
much pleasure in stating that the accuracy, care, and
honour of the professors who examined the student
were completely vindicated, and that the decision of
the college authorities in not awarding a scholarship
upon defective answering was fully confirmed. Bat
I feel equal satisfaction in referring to the prompt at-
tention that was paid to the prayer of the memorialist,
and to the proof which has been thus given that any
student who may consider himselt aggrieved will
have the wrong of which he complains at once inves-
tigated by a tribunal composed of men whose rank,
integrity and attainments place them above the sus-
picion of injustice.
With respect to the educational progress of the stu-
dents, I beg to refer to the reports of those professors
who have been engaged in their instruction, and who
state with perfect candour the real condition and pro-
gress of the students.
The complete foundation, under letters patent
granted by your Most Gracious Majesty, of an uni,
•
versity, where the students of the Queen's Colleges
will obtain degrees, and the attaching to them " all
such rights, privileges, and immunities," as belong
to similar degrees granted by the most ancient and
honoured universities of the empire, is a fit comple-
tion of the system of education which your Majesty
and the Legislature have provided for the people of
Ireland. The establishment by the university of
prizes to be contended for by students from all the
Queen's Colleges, will keep alive a spirit of generous
emulation amongst these institutions. It will be a
gratifying and instructive spectacle to see young i nen
from every province, and of every creed, contending
in honourable rivalry for those prizes which will' at
once confer distinction upon those who may obtain
them. The high and respected names which con sti-
tute the senate of the Queen's University have already
attracted public confidence, and are a sufficient ear-
nest of the success that will attend its proceedin gs ;
nor can I allude to the constitution of that body with-
out expressing the entire satisfaction which every sup-
porter of the Queen's Colleges has derived from find-
ing at its head the statesman who, in an auspicif
us
hour, was called to preside over the destinies of %his
country, and to whom the friends of united education
owe a debt of endless gratitude.
The annexing, by the benchers of the Queen's
Inns, to the A.B. degree of the Queen's Univereity
the privileges that attach to the same degree welen
granted by the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford,
and Dublin, is a just recognition of the high course
of education pursued in the new colleges, and d Des
honour to the liberality of the benchers. The
student who shall obtain the degree of A.B. will
now be called to the bar without being compelled to
attend the extra terms hitherto required of all w-ho
had not graduated in the older universities. Certain
other privileges have been asked from the bench era
for the diploma of elementary law, and the degree
of LL.B. Into the particulars of these demands I
do not think it right to enter, because they are still
under the consideration of the benchers, and because
I have the fullest confidence that every privilege
that justice can require will be ceded by ghat
learned body. I hope, however, it will not be con-
sidered improper to observe, that the Queen's Col-
leges have peculiar claims to the favourable consi-
deration of the heads of the legal profession, as being
the first collegiate institutions that have given to the
science of law its due importance, and that by in-
troducing into its ordinary courses the study of its
noble principles, as well as by the creation of legal
faculties, and the endowing them with scholarships,
have endeavoured to promote the cultivation of legal
knowledge.

As regards the profession of solicitors, a recent act
of the Legislature has conferred some very important
advantages upon the students of the 01l
een a CL.eges.
First, by extending to the degrees of AQu
nd LLB.
the aB.
the same privileges which have hitherto been confined
to the degrees of the Universities of Oxford, Cam-
bridge, and Dublin, students now obtaining these
degrees being entitled to be sworn in as solicitors after
three years' apprentict,ship, instead of five ; and next,
by conferring on all matricul4ted or non-matriculdted
students who shall attend the lectures of the professors
of the faculty of law in the Queen's Colleges the pri-
vileges set out in the following clause

MARY ZEBONE.
James Cummins and William Cummins (brothers),
both of them well known to the police as being most
desperate characters, were placed at the bar before
Mr. Long, charged with outrages of a very brutal
description upon the police and other persons.
The first named prisoner has for a long time been
known by the appellation of the "Slasher," and has
several times been punished far murderous assaults
committed by him ; the other has also been more
than once in "trouble" fir offences of a like nature.
Sergeant Bushell, 9I) whose eyes were shockingly
bruised and swollen, deposed that on the same
morning, at two o'clock, as he was on duty in Hare-
wood-square, he saw a woman leaning against the
rails, and, on his asking her what was the matter
with her, she told him that she felt ill. He advised
her to make the best of her way home, which she said
was near at hand, and at the same moment the pri-
soners made a remark to him the purport of which
he did not understand, and he then went on towards
Dorset-square, on the way to,which spot the prisoners
rushed out upon him from a mews, and, seizing him,
beat and kicked him most severely upon the face and
different parts of his body ; the prisoner James
Cummins also tore a quantity of hair from his (wit-
ness's) head. He (the sergeant) cried out " Murder"
as loudly as he was able, and in a short time some
constables and other persons came to his assistance ;
had they not done so his life would probably have been
sacrificed.

1
A great deal more evidence was gone into, from
which it aineared that the prisoners had assaulted
other police officers and two persons, who, hearing
the cries of murder, went to Bu-bell's assistance.
The pris()ners, who had no witnesses to spe4k in
their belaal• i, said that they were improperly inter-
fered with : in the first instance by the sergeant, and
illtreated b, r him.
Mr. LON. 3 characterised the assaults as being of a
most unprovoked and brutal nature, and therefore
felt himself hound to inftct a severe punishment,
which he hoped would be a salutary lesson to the
prisoi,ers , with regard to their future, conduct.
Each of !file prisoners was fined 203. or fourteen
days' impr iaranment, in two cases, for attacks upon
civilians a: A for assaults ppon the police. James