The Irish standard., 1906-11-17


and have lett behind them bitter MEM
ories. The bigots of the Irish Parlia'
Y mont took advantage Of the Rebellion
to refuse the grant to the college, un-
sstil the Government, not without difh-
guilty, succeeded in overcoming their
I $ppposition.
During the next half century, the
\ college continued to grow in fame and
4 numbers; but its enemies also multi
piled, and nercer attacks were made
4 on Maynooth, its teachings, and its
Z discipline, in Parliament than were ev-
er made in Dublin. For fifty years
4 the grant continued practically the
same, whilst the numbers were greatly
Increased, and there was no means OF
providing further accommodation. The
buildings were unsanitary and i'll
equipped, yet, during all these years,
\ the British Parliament allowed this
State Of things to continue in the Roy
\ Il College of Maynooth, which would
not now be tolerated in workhouse;
I but not a shillings would they give to
improve it.
At length Sir Robert Peel took the
question in hand, needless OF the howl
raised by many Of his own party, read
in the House Of Commons memorial
$1.o 4,,f nit
liable state of the college. and asking
. Parliament to provide remedy by in
nrsasing the grant.
'.Ths present condition Of this Col
isge Of Maynooth." he said, "is a dis
grace to the Empire. Either cut 1t
adrtft altogether from the State, or
maintain It In a manner worthy Of the
State" The great majority of the
Liberals, scorning to take advantage
OF such a question to emparrass the
Government. supported the Minister,
who was thus enabled to give an an
nual endowment Of $1so.coo to the col
lsge. with grant of $150,oO0 for the
erection Of new buildings. Pugin was
chosen as the architect, and has left
in the beautiful inner quadrangle OF
the college monument OF his genius
In Gothic architecture. Peels endow-
thent enabled the trustees to maintain
Eve hundred free places in the col
IeEe. and give 800 year TO half that
number Of students during the time
they were engaged In their theological
studies.
( This state Of things continued ex-
4ctly for quarter of q century. dur
ing which there was a great develop
ment in the material well-being, as
well as in the intellectual life, of the
college. Then, in 1870, came Glad
stones Irish Church legislation, one
consequence Of which was the with
drawal Of the annual grant from May
nooth; and the severance of its con-
nsction with the State. It was felt to
p0 ul41tVAutdO4S, UuI LAlc N4AA4SLCA ACt
the blow fall as lightly as possible
AZ the Irish Church retained some
thing like fourteen years purchase OF
OF its annual endowments, so four
teen years. purchase Of its own annual
grant was given to Maynooth, with
q provision. however. safeguarding the
life interests Of the then existing staff
since that time the college has had to
rely on It's own resources, and on the
generosity OF benefactors. At first 1t
was q hard struggle and severely taxed
the resources OF the poorer students;
but q large number of free places have
since been established. mainly through
the generous liberanty Of the Irish
prslates themselves.
Ono thing, however, is certain, that
notwithstanding the loss OF It's annual
grant from the State, the college has
had. from every point Of view, during
the last quarter of a century. a mar
! tvoAAVGo 0VVSAOk1A0Aes AAAo 0scklL A4ei1
been largely increased, the students
have notably grown in numbers, the
grounds and buildings are kept In
better style. and a college-chapel OF
unrivalled beauty has been built in the
open wing Of Pugin's quadrangle
sreatly adding to the striking effect Of
tho whole. A new aula Maxima ha.
also been built for public celebrations
and many other notable improvements
have been made in the college Above
all. It is free; it is no longer hampered
by connection with the State.
y SO now. at t . end Of one hundred
years Of Its changeful history, May
nooth has grown from very small be
ginnings to be quite an academic city
with an average Of some six hundred
o<,y l.