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 yeld 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. Lady Emily Peel 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, He referred to the fact that the late
Earl of Eglinton had also 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—

g, 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 scund
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 Scipiatho et mitis sapientia Deli; "

(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 at least 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, and 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 It. 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 It. Peel. Among the wit-
nesses of their early progress I rejoice to sec at my
side to-day the son of that most eminent statesmen
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 priaemen 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. He 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, And 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 characteristics 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 shouldadorn that position, that genial affa-
bh those ity and accomplishments which endear him
of
to the heart every man who comes within his
sphere. (Hear,
tothe
hear.) And, if I may be per-
mitted to alludeoriginator of this scheme of
as to
the Queen's Colleges a public man, I can say,
what has been very truly said, that the welfare of
Ireland—l bear testimony ed'° the career of 40
years—was ever foremost hisin thoughts ; and
the words " welfare of
ustando conspicuous
in bold characters of relief
pedestal of his political fame. eAnpP theu bright
allusions have been made to the originatorseAs
this scheme, I also must be permitted to allude
of
to one who, by his writings, by one of the
most practical works upon the imprisonment of Ire-
land, tended considerably to the establishment of
this institution ; one who came boldly forward and
said, 'lf 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,'
ho said, why it is more backward. The reason of
its backwardness is that there is a want of indus-
trial education among the people of Ireland.' And
he laid down, with indisputable force, 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
moans of remedying the evil. These words were
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-
of those
institutions ; I allude to the honoured
President of the(Applause.) ereiCork College, Sir Robert Kane.
grounds than on then, I have said that on more
I have take a deep interest in this in-
stitution.glad watched it from its commence-
ment, and am
.fourths f to see its development. It has
opened to three
the youth of Ireland those
academic advantages which
, they were before de-
nied, and it has rendered immense benefits to the