, 1891-03-21
IRELAND.
Dublin, Feb. 10.

Mr.. Balfour received to-day a new distinc-
ton, and Trinity College, Dublin, an addition
to its roll of honorary graduates by the con-
ferring of the degree of l. Id, honorts cGusa,
upon the Chief Secretary, by the unanimous
vote of the University. 1t was not generally
known that the ceremony would take place
to-day, as it was reported that Mr.. Balfour
would not be able to remain IN Dublin
to receive the degree; but if this report
was an artifce to avoid a demonstration
in the college it was q signal failure,
for the short notice of his intention to be pres.
ent which was given this morning was sutficl-
ent to draw a large assembly in the examina-
tjon-hall, where the p~roceedlngsltook place.
The hall was crowded long before 10 o'clock,
the hour fixed for the ceremony. The audience
included several ladies, and the students mus
tered in great force. While waiting for the
event of the day, they chiefly amused them
selves by singing God Save the Queen and
airs from the pantomime. Nearly all the
College dignitaries and officials were present.
At l o'clock the procession of Masters and
Doctors. followed by the members of the
Caput and the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour,
entered the hall. The Chief Secretary met
with an enthusiastic reception from the whole
assembly, the students cheering vociferous1y
again and again, and singing when the accla-
nations subsidized, "For he's a jolly good fell
low" The Rev. DR.. Haughton, the Senior
Proctor, attempted to read the grace of the
Provost and Senior Fellows, and challenged
attention by observing that ANY man who
interrupted him did not know Latin" But
the noise and excitement of the students made
it impossible to hear him, and the reading
was a piece of pantomime. After some time
Mr.. Balfour was conducted to the front OF the
Caput, and cheers for the new Doctor were
renewed with great feryour. A brief lull then
took place, in the midst of which Mr.. Palmer,
the Public Orator, read his Latin grafton,
which was interspersed with such chat as,
well pass you,' and "Mr. Balfour do you
understand that?' At the conclusion of the
address Mr.. Balfour subscribed his name to
the register and resumed his seat amid loud
calls for a speech.
The ordinary degrees were then conferred,
and at the close of the proceedings NJ r.Balfour
was conducted by the Provost. the Rev. DIR.
Makafy, and others out of the hall, while the
audience stood and cheered. Meantime the
students, who had been unable to obtain ad.
mission into the hall, assembled in great
numbers outside, and when Mr.. Balfour came
out they gathered around him and cheered
with wild delight. They called loudly for a
speech. MIR. Balfour, who was being conduct
ed to the dining-hall, did not respond at first
to the call, although impressed with the
warmth of their welcome. But at length,
after comforting with the Provost, he stood
before the steps OF the building, and, address
ing the students, said -
Gentlemen,-I am afraid it is contrary to
all precedent upon an occasion like this that
one who has received the honour of q degree
at your University should make any public
u~tterance on his own account, but your insist
ence has been so cordial that svith the leave