The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-14 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY.
The meeting of the Senate of the Queen's Uni-
versity was geld yesterday in St. Patrick's-hall,
Dublin Castle. It was the best in point of attend-
ance and interest ever held since the foundation of
the institution 11 years ago. The magnificent hall
was crowded by the elite of Dublin society ; the
Lord Chancellor, as Vice-Chancellor of the Univer-
sity, occupied the chair. The Lord Lieutenant
occupied a seat on the right, and the Chief Secre-
tary on the left. LadyEmilyPeel and Lady Caroline
Lascelles were accommodated with seats on the dais.
Many other ladies of distinction were:present.
The degrees were conferred by the Chairman in
virtue of his office as Vice-Chancellor of the Queen's
University—the president of each college rising as
the name of one of his students was called. This
ceremony, which occupied a good deal of time,
having been concluded, the Lord Chancellor ad-
dressed the Lord Lieutenant, expressing the grate-
ful acknowledgments of the members of the Uni-
versity for the support he had uniformly given to
its interests, lie referred to the fact that the late
Earl of Eglinton had aim,* been its zealous friend.
He was present at the first meeting of the Senate
to confer degrees in 1852, when he delivered an
address full of encouragement to the Senate, and of
hope and kindness towards the students. When
he appeared as Viceroy a second time he gave ex-
pression to similar feelings, His lordship then
paid a graceful tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased earl, saying—
It is fitting that I should leave to others, and in
other places, to speak of the Earl of Eglinton in the
high terms of approval and regard which his noble
and chivalrous character, his eminent qualities of
head and heart, his patriotic feelings, his sound
judgment, and his social attributes justly deserved.
In this place, remembering the occasions when he
stood among us, and the terms in which he was
• then pleased to express himself, I feel that I can
say with truth, in his own words addressed to us,
that he was desirous to promote the success of edu-
cation in Ireland, and that there were very few in-
stitutions in which he took a greater interest than
in this university. I trust that in successive years
we shall continue to be thus assisted and honoured
by the support and presence of those to whom our
gracious Sovereign may confide the administration
of the government of Ireland. While the adminis-
tration is in the hands of your Excellency I know
we cannot have doubt or misgivings as to your acts
or feelings. We recognise in the past and in the
present a very sure guarantee for the future ; and
our gratitude, strong as it is, is not stronger than
our anticipations."
The Lord-Lieutenant in his reply also reverted to
the loss sustained by the death of Lord Eglinton,
observing :
" I cannot pass through the next room to that in
which we are now assembled without perceiving in
the long series of portraits of Irish Viceroys that
two of them have passed away from us within the
present month. (Hear, hear.) In that most short
period we have lost the matured wisdom and un-
blemished rectitude of Fortescue, and the generous
spirit and chivalrous patriotism of Eglinton—(hear)
—and I feel tempted to quote once more the appo-
site lines which I remember using in this place once
before in a happier hour. We have lost from
among us
' Virtus Scipiache et mitis sapientia "
((Applause.)
Last year he had expressed a hope that arrange-
ments would speedily be made for a moderate addi-
tion to the limited incomes of the professors ; he
regretted that hope had not yet been realised, but
he trusted that no long time would elapse before a
beginning would of 1:-:ast be made. The want of

adequate endowments for the professors leaves a de-
pressing influence on the Colleges, as the best men
are discontented with their position, anti are tempted
by higher emoluments to accept appointments in
other Universities. Lord Carlisle adverted to the
fact that the Queen's University has no local habi-
tation like that which Queen Elizabeth had pro-
vided for Trinity College. " Had it been otherwise,"
said his lordship, " I need not say how joyfully our
young academy would have welcomed within its
precincts a gentler and more victorious Elizabeth."
He then referred to the presence of Sir R. Peel in
the following terms :
"It will be in the knowledge of those whom I
address that the act which established the Queen's
Colleges in Ireland was passed during the adminis-
tiation of the late Sir R. Peel. Among the, wit-
nesses of their early progress I rejoice to see at my
side to-day the son of that most eminent statesman
and friend of Ireland. (Loud applause.) There is
no one who left a deeper mark upon the recent
annals of this country. There is no one whose
memory is more intimately associated with the
marvellous work of Irish improvement and progress
than the honoured sire. Most fervently I trust that
the son is destined effectually to carry out the same
beneficent and exalted mission, and that, among
other subjects of hereditary labour, this institution
will largely share and reward his fostering care. I
will now beg to take leave of you, my young friends,
the graduates and prizemen of this day, with the
most heartfelt good wishes for your future distinc-
tion, happiness, and virtue. In the course of these
brief remarks I have brought before you more than
one illustrious name. I will not say that such ele-
vated positions can be within the reach of all, but
in point of actual merit there is no mere human
excellence which another man may not equal and
even surpass. May the blessing of him to whom all
things are possible be ever with you all !" (Loud
applause.)
Sir R. Peel then rose, and was greeted with loud
and long-continued cheering. Ho delivered an ani-
mated speech. He said :
"Ladies and Gentlemen,—The ceremony of to-
day has been deeply interesting and impressive.
We have witnessed the conferring of degrees and
diplomas, and the distribution of prizes to the suc-
cessful candidates by the Senate of the affiliated
Colleges constituting the Queen's University. We
have heard the language of well-merited compli-
ment and of earnest encouragement which has been
addressed to the students of this most national in-
stitution. We have seen the most eminent and
distinguished personages in this kingdom—the
Viceroy and the Lord Chancellor—taking an active
part in the proceedings, surrounded by the elite of
our society, and in the presence of all who, by their
character and countenance, can add weight and
dignity to the occasion, nd if I now, by desire,
ladies and gentlemen, venture to appear in this
place, to offer a few remarks, I do so with extreme
diffidence; but, at the same time, I can truly say
that on more grounds than one—yes, personal as
well as political—l have witnessed the ceremony
of to-day with the liveliest emotion, not unmingled
with recollections of the past history of the institu-
tion. (Applause.) The Viceroy has been pleased
to allude to the originator of the scheme, and he
has done so with that feeling and eloquence which
are the cht-Jacteristics of a kind and cultivated
mind. I accept—gratefully accept—in the pre-
sence of the Senate of this University, the compli-
ment. that has been paid—paid by one who unites
to the highest official position, and the qualities
which should adorn that position, that genial affa-
bi.ity and those accomplishments which endear him
sphere.toth
eheatiia
heart
(Hear
every man who comes within his
alludr e' hear.) And, if I may be per-
mitted to
's
Colleges as to a public man, I can say,
what has been veryttriuly said, that the welfare of
Ireland—l bear
tea
ever foremmoosly.to the career of 40
years—was
the words " welfare of Ireland" his thoughts ; and
in bold characters of relief stand conspicuous
upon the bri
pedestal of his political fame. . (Applause.) As
allusions have been made to the
originator
this scheme, I also must be permittedof
to
to one who, by his writings, by one 07llude
most practical works upon the imprisonment of most
land, tended considerably to the establiseenene of-
this institution ; one who came boldly forward and
said, ' If you want to solve this difficulty—why
Ireland, with its material and natural advantages,
with its people physically and morally not inferior
to the people of other countries, at that time was
more backward than other countries—l will tell you,'
he said, why it is more backward. The reason of
its backwardness is that there is a want of indus-
trial education amang the people of Ire.iand! And
ho laid down, with indisputable, for co , this—that
academic institutions which would give to men of
all creeds the aid and advantages of professors of
science, were, perhaps, the best perhaps the only
means of remedying the evil. were
These wordy
spoken long before the question was agitated in
Parliament as to the formation of those Colleges.
And I am glad to have the opportunity of pointing
On this occasion to that man who I know took a ;
very active and interesting part in the establish-
ment.of those institutions ; I allude to the honoured
llpresident of the Cork College, Sir Robert Kane.
lAlVittlee.) Weal, then, I have •
grounds than I
atitutiou. havetlne take a deep interest in this in-
urti:ri watched it from its commence-
ment,aopened to three
glad,.. to see its development. It has
academic advanta %the of the youth of Ireland those
;aied, and it has ttei_t 'which they ware before de-
rendered immense benefits to the

1 cause of popular education, and to the good govern-
ment
and to the character of this country. (Ap-
plause.) And what is the criterion of the success
of this institution ? Not mere numbers. They
would be very significant if it were only that. But
the proof of its success is the great political gain
which has been derived by the establishment of a
sytem in Ireland which has openel to men of dif-
ferent religious denominations combined secular
instruction upon the broad basis of religious equality.
(Applause.) That was what mainly interested Sir
Robert Peel when he introduced and originated in
Parliament this plan. Sir Robert Peel, I well
recollect, said in the House of Commons—' You
may have the opinions that you desire, but I shall
relinquish with the greatest regret the hopes of an
education for Ireland which will give combined in-
struction to the youth of the Protestant, Roman
Catholic, and Presbyterian creeds.' Sir James Gra-
ham, who was one of Sir Robert Peel's warmest
supporters in the establishment of these Colleges,
said,—' Grant this system of education to Ireland,
and you will give her an education equal to that of
the University of Scotland or of Trinity College,
Dublin ;' and I ask you, by the ceremony of to-day,
whether the result has not corresponded with the
expectations those men formed, (Hear.) But,
even still more remarkable, I can point to the late
Prime Minister, Lord Derby. Lord Derby, when,
as Lord Stanley, he introduced that measure of Sir
Robert Peel's in the House of Lords, most strenu-
ously advocated this system. I heard the words
which he then expressed, and which were very re-
markable. He said—' I think that, as you have
given your sanction to an exclusive system in Tri-
nity College, Dublin, for the purpose of supplying
clergy for the Established Church—as you have
connected the theological tenets of the Presbyterian
creed with the College established in Belfast—so I
think you have wisely and liberally agreed to aid
the education of the Roman Catholic priesthood by
supporting the Roman Catholic College of May-
nooth. All these, however, are theological endow-
ments. Now, when dealing with the laity, I entreat
your lordships to permit- the laity of Ireland, of
every creed, to be educated in common, and under
the same teachers, in all those branches of learning
which do not and cannot affeet their religious opi-
nions. (Applause.) Well, gentlemen, as the Lord
Chancellor has just said, 11 years have elapsed since
this scheme has been in operation, and we are justi-
fied in assuming it answered the expectations of
those men who are interested in the welfare of Ire-
land. Now, I have pondered it for these 11 years,
and it does appear to me that, notwithstanding its
progressive development, notwithstanding the
benefits it has conferred upon Ireland, there are
wanting two things to place this institution upon
that footing of comprehensive utility which it is cal-
culated and able to enjoy. Now, if you permit me,
if I am not trespassing too long on your time—
(no, no)—I shall allude briefly to the first and most
conspicuous of those points. (Hear.) It has been
very well observed by a very intelligent friend,
who probably may be in this hall at this moment
—speaking of these Colleges, he said—' These Col-
leges are a centre which colects to itself the highest
and the best of the national intellect, and, then,
under the influence of sound knowledge, fructifies
and developes it for the public advantage.' (Hear.)
Now, that is true to a very great extent, but not
altogether. No doubt, the Roman Catholic and the
Presbyterian laity have availed themselves to a
very great extent of the Colleges, in accordance
with the hopes and expectations of those who
founded them. (Hear, hear.) I believe when this
institution was first founded there were 6,000,000
Roman Catholics in this country, only 100 of whom
were in receipt of academic education ; whereas
now, at the present day, there are more Roman
Catholics on the books of these Colleges at one and
the same time than there were Roman Catholics
who passed through Trinity College in 15 years.
(Hear, hear.) Is not that a proof of the advantages
which this institution has conferred upon Ireland ?
Is it not a proof also that the Roman Catholic laity
of this country have not shown a willingness to
accept Trinity College as the source of their own
academic instruction ? I may say the same with
reference to that most important and influential
body, the Protestant Dissenters, who also have
shown a great indisposition to avail themselves of
the education provided by Trinity College. (Hear.)
What do we find ? We find that three provinces
—Ulster, Munster, and Connaught—have each of
them a College—Belfast, Cork, and Galway; and
what do we learn ? I have been looking at the
rolls of these Colleges, and I find their educational
influences are almost entirely limited to the imme-
diate districts in which they are situate ; so that
while we have Ulster, Munster, and Connaught pro-
vided with collegiate education, we find the metro-
politan province of Leinster and the capital city of
Ireland entirely unprovided with those academic
advantages which the youth of Ireland justly and
properly claim. (Hear.) This should not be so. (Hear.)
We should have Vie metropolitan province of Lein-
, ster, and the richest city in Ireland, uniting within
its limits a more influential Roman Catholic com-
munity than I believe is to be found in any of the
other three provinces, and also a most important
body of the Wesleyan communion, entirely de-
prived, as the rolls of these Colleges show, of the
advantages of academic instruction afforded by
those institutions. (Hear.) Well, now I say that
is one of the points which nave struck me as re-
quiring the attention of her Majesty's Government.
(Hear.) It does appear to me that an arrangement
might be made which, by extending this liberal
system of education into tall the provinces, would
be carrying out the original plan of the men who
founded these Colleges, but which plan at the mo-
ment was only temporarily adjourned, for th© pur-
pose of subsequent adjustment. (Hear.) The other
point to which I may be permitted to refer is one
which relates to the placing of this University on
a par with the University of Scotland and with
Trinity College. It is more easily dealt with, and
why ? Because we do not want to go to the Go-
vernment for grants in order to effect it. It can be
dealt with by a proper exercise and display of the
public spirit of this country ; and I believe there is
in Ireland as much public spirit as there is in Eng-
land or Scotland. (Hear.) What is it to which I
allude ? I find that the youth of the Queen's Uni-
versity cannot compensate themselves with those
scholarships and exhibitions, and prizes, as the
older Universities do, I find, by reading over the
memorandum of the Queen's Colleges, that there
are only 10 exhibitions for graduates connected
with each College, of £4O a year each, tenable for
one year, and the sum at the disposal of the autho-
rities for the purpose of giving prizes to under-
graduates is extremely small. It is given away in
prizes of books,:and in affording means, I believe, for
the purpose of maintaining students in the course
of the University. (Hear.) Compare this with
what we find in the older Universities, and it will
appear most inefficient; and I say the public spirit
of the country ought to come forward and en-
deavour to place the Queen's University on the
footing of other academic institutions. (Hear, hear.)
If you allow me, I wish to take this opportunity. of
saying that, as I am so firmly convinced of the im-
mense advantage which would accrue to the youth
of this country by offering exhibitions for competi-
tion, I will myself, with the permission of the
Senate, establish three scholarships of £4O a year
each—one for each of those colleges—for the space
of 10 years. (Applause.) I only hope the example
which I set may be followed by those who have a'
more direct interest in the welfare of this country.
(Hear.) I do not take any credit to myself for doing
this. I esteem it as an honour to be able to assist 1
in the work which was founded by my father— 1
(cheers)—and I accept this position, as I may almost
say, on the plea of ' founder's kin.' (Renewed
cheers.) I have spoken with the secretary of this
,University, and I have to-day placed in his hand a
memorandum bearing on the subject. (Cheers.) I
hope that others will come forward and assist in
establishing 10 or 12 scholarships, exhibitions, or
what you please to call them, for the undergraduates
of this University. (Applause.) At all events, I
myself, for a period of ten years, will establish
annually three scholarships of £4O each—one for
each of those colleges. (Hear, hear.) I have, I fear,
too long trespassed on your time—(no, no)—but
before I down I cannot refrain from saying that
each succeeding anniversary acknowledges the
justice—the nothing more or less than justice—that
has been paid to the youth of Ireland by the exten-
sion of academic institutions. (Hear, hear.) Each
succeeding anniversary acknowledges that the
h(iaeeer.b)e been exertions of those who laboured to remove the
difficulties which arise from various religious creeds
iv
crowned
ladies
with most eminent success.'
of Yes,sand
gentlemen, the in-
gathering
the fruits so to speak, which we
have this day witnessed
s a proof of the wisdom of
the past. It is the onlyreward'labours
ofr eward,
perhaps, but it is
those men who strove
to improve the educational soil of Ireland for
that seedtime and harvest from
now reaping such immense
and recurringwhich Ireland is
(Hear.) I say that man • no benefits.
,matter who he is or
where he may be, must indeed be callous and in-
different to the welfare of his country who'will ilo
join in thankfulness to God for blessing the work
t
, from which social improvement and sound learning
have flowed through all the channels of this coun-
try. (Hear.) One word more and I have done.
' Go on, I would say to the youth of this University.
Continue to advance in the career of knowledge and
in the fear of God. Keep to those paths by which
you have been enabled to master not only the rudi-
,nents of classical knowledge, not only to become
pro
ficieets in the various specialties of arts, of medi-
cine, and of law,
but which have enabled you
thoroughly to appreciate those noblest creations of
antiquity which, consecrated by 0
the genius of Greece
and .Dome, have became hallowed by the dust of

time. (Applause.) Yes, the youth of this Univer 1
sity, many of whom now, for the first time, young
and inexperienced in the world, are about to enter
into a wider career—a career, perhaps of social,
perhaps of political competition, but, at all events,
before one and all of you lie open the struggles of
life, its inequalities, its difficulties, its temptations,
andits successes. Grapple with these difficulties
and these temptations with spirit and determina-
tion, and success will crown your exertions (hear) ;
but recollect and be not unmindful in that moment
that your success and the rewards which will accom-
pany it will not only be a source of gratification to
your own individual feelings of just and honourable
ambition, but that it will not fail to reflect a bright
ray upon those who devoted in your youth their
time to your service, and who have laboured that
you might become, in the pride and manhood of
your vigour, an ornament to society and a benefit
to manhood." (Loud and prolonged applause.)
This terminated the proceedings.