Trinity College Dublin.

**

The University.**

Though the cultivation of learning, in Ireland, has been of very early date, yet few traces of the literary exertions of the ancient inhabitants remain, and fewer of their seminaries. About 1311, John Lech, the Archbishop of Dublin, procured a bull from Clement V., for the foundation of a university; and although his object was not then accomplished, it was, nine years afterwards, by his successor, who erected an university in St. Patrick’s cathedral by permission of John XXII. This seminary was protected and endowed by Edward III., but it subsequently decayed gradually until the close of Henry VIIth’s. reign. In 1591, Henry Usher (afterwards Archbishop of Armagh) obtained from Queen Elizabeth, a Royal Charter, and mortmain license for the site of the dissolved Monastery of All Saints, granted by the city, whereupon the present University was founded; which was called the “College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, near Dublin, founded by the most serene Queen Elizabeth.” The charter further appointed, that there should be a Provost, three Fellows; and three Scholars. After numerous subscriptions collected throughout the country, and various donations contributed, the first stone of Trinity College was laid, by Thomas Smith, Mayor of Dublin, the 13th of March, 1591, and students were admitted the 9th of January, 1593. The original charter empowered the surviving fellows to elect to a vacant provostship; but this was altered by a subsequent charter, accompanied by a new code of statutes, drawn up by Archbishop Laud, in 1637, which vested the right of appointment in the Crown.

The next in rank is the Vice-Provost, who affixes the College seal in the absence of the Provost; his situation is of not much more value than a senior Fellowship, and the senior Fellows succeed to it in order of seniority.

The advancement of learning, and the increased number of pupils demanded an additional number of lecturers; for 30 years ago the number of students in the University was only about 500, whereas at present there are about 2,000 names on the books. The income of a senior Fellow exceeds 1,000l. per annum; but the emolument of a junior fellowship, independently of pupils, is very insignificant, probably about 100l. per annum; however the amazing number of pupils each fellow is permitted to accept of (144) amply compensates for the deficiency of a larger salary: in some instances, the income derived from pupils amounts to 1,500l. per annum, and in general it is estimated at about 800l. They are Professors of Science, Classics and Divinity, Anatomy, Surgery, Chemistry, &c. Oriental and European Languages, *Irish *excepted. It was the intention of the wise and provident foundress to have instituted a Professorship of this language in our University, but Lord Burleigh, unfortunately for the ancient history of this country, succeeded in dissuading her from it.

In the reign of James I., a number of livings were forfeited to the Crown by the rebellion of O’Neil; 17 of which were bestowed upon the College of Dublin.

The number of church livings, in the gift of the University is nineteen, few of which are valued at less than 1,000l. per annum, and the income of some exceeds 2,000l. Upon the death of an incumbent, the vacant benefice is offered to every fellow according to seniority; and whoever accepts it resigns his fellowship that day twelvemonths. If he be a senior, his place at the board is filled by the senior of the junior fellows, three days after the occurrence of the vacancy. But if a junior, his place is filled by a graduate of the University, elected after a *public *examination of three days, and a fourth in private.

The candidates are examined publicly in Logic and Metaphysics, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Morality, History, Chronology, Hebrew, Greek and Latin; on the fourth day they are employed in Latin and English composition. The examination is held in the Theatre of the University on the four days immediately preceding Trinity Sunday, and the questions and answers are delivered (perhaps injudiciously) in Latin. It is necessary the candidates should have taken the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The examiners are, the Provost, Vice-Provost, and the six senior fellows; who, in a ceremonious and solemn manner, select the candidate in the College-Chapel, on Trinity Monday. In the event of an equality of votes in** **favour of two candidates, the Provost has a casting voice; and the unsuccessful candidate is rewarded by a sum of money, seldom less than £200, bequeathed by Mr. Madden for that purpose.

The third component part of this corporation is, the scholars, 70 in number; these situations are the reward of classical attainments *solely; *a severe examination is given by the board to each class, when they have arrived at their junior sophister year, two years and a half from the time of entering college. The emoluments of a scholarship are, a dinner at the pensioners’ table for five years, ten or twelve pounds per annum, and sometimes even more; chambers at half the usual deposit and rent of other students; and if the scholar be 21 years of age, a vote at the election of a representative to serve in parliament for the University. The examination is held in the Theatre, during two days in the week before Whitsuntide, and the new scholars are declared on Trinity Monday.

The whole body of the students is divided into three ranks, distinguished by the denominations of *Fellow Commoners, Pensioners, *and *Sizars; *students of every denomination are obliged to undergo a classical examination previous to admission; but this is little more than a mere ceremony. The number of fellow-commoners and pensioners admitted into college is unlimited; the former are distinguished from the latter by a more expensive and elegant academic dress; their fees are always double, and they dine at the table with the fellows, which is not permitted to a pensioner. The sizars, who are limited to 30 or 32 in number, have their commons and instruction *gratis; *and though their rank appears degrading, yet many have raised themselves, by their diligence and good conduct, to scholarships and fellowships. The expense of tuition is remarkably moderate; a pensioner’s amounts to but eight guineas per annum; a fellow-commoner pays double that sum; and the annual college fees, which are common to both, never amount to as much as the tuition.

The length of time necessary to graduate as a Bachelor of Arts is, for a fellow-commoner three years and a half, for a pensioner or sizar four years. Instruction is communicated by means of public and private lectures; examinations are held quarterly, at which, premiums are adjudged to the best answerers in science and classics, with great liberality on the part of the board, and impartiality on that of the junior fellows, who are the examiners; and those who have not been sufficiently diligent in preparing for examinations, are disgraced by a fine, and by a judgement which is read out publicly. At the termination of the collegiate studies of each class, previous to commencements or graduating, those who have distinguished themselves at quarterly examinations, by obtaining premiums in either classics or science, arc examined together in one division for a gold medal. This admirable plan for the encouragement of learning was introduced in 1819 by Dr. Elrington, the then Provost.

The buildings of the College, which are of considerable extent and beauty, consist of three spacious squares, called the Parliament-square, the Library-square, and Botany-bay. The grand front, presented to College-green, is 300 feet in length, and of the Corinthian order; the centre is ornamented by a pediment resting on Corinthian columns, and the whole is terminated by pavillions decorated with coupled pilasters of the same order, supporting an attic story. The Parliament-square is entered by an octagon vestibule, terminating at the summit in groined arches, is 316 feet long by 212 in breadth, and built entirely of hewn stone; besides buildings for the accommodations of the fellows and students. This square contains the Chapel, Theatre for examinations, and Refectory. **

The Chapel** which stands on the north side, has in front a handsome colonnade of four pillars, of the Corinthian order, supporting a pediment: the chancel is 80 feet in length (exclusive of a semi-circular terminating recess 36 feet in diameter), 40 feet in breadth, and 44 in height: the seats are of oak; pannelled, and highly polished; and there is, besides, a small but elegantly arranged organ-loft, the front of which is ornamented with carved oakwork. There is an excellent choir, the same which attends both the cathedrals; and divine service commences at half-past nine, and concludes at half-past eleven, in the forenoon of each Sunday. Both this building and the Theatre were designed by Sir W. Chambers, and erected under the direction of Mr. Graham Myers. **

The Theatre**. - On the opposite, or south, side of the same square, stands the Theatre, or Examination Hall, with a front exactly corresponding to that of the Chapel, and of the same internal dimensions. This splendid hall is furnished with tables and forms, at which the students sit during the hours of examinations, and also at public lectures during term; and the semi-circular recess at the end, is fitted up for holding fellowship examinations, in such a manner, that both candidates and spectators are accommodated.

On either side of the hall a rustic basement supports a series of composite pilasters, from which rises a mosaic ceiling, richly ornamented in stucco. Between the pilasters are the portraits of eminent persons; Queen Elizabeth, the foundress, and eight others, who were either educated in the University, or bequeathed legacies to its support. On one side stands a splendid monument to the memory of Provost Baldwin, who died in 1758. A* large Sarcophagus of black and gold marble supports a mattress of white marble, on which the provost is represented in a reclining posture, larger than life, holding his will, by which he bequeathed 80,0001*. to the University; a female figure, emblematic of the University, leans over him in a mourning attitude; at his feet stands an angel, holding a wreath of palm, casting on him a look of benignity, and pointing to Heaven; and immediately behind these figures rises a pyramid of variegated Egyptian porphyry. The whole is executed in a most masterly style, by Mr. Hewetson, a native of Ireland, but resident at Rome, and cost the University upwards of 2,000l It was in this noble apartment that his Majesty was entertained at a magnificent banquet, by the provost and fellows, August 27th, 1821; on which occasion a throne, with crimson velvet hangings, &c. was placed in the semi-circular recess: the organ also was refitted. **

The Refectory.** - The Parliament and Library Squares are connected by a small quadrangle, at one extremity of which stands the Refectory, a handsome structure, the front of which is ornamented by a pediment supported by pilasters. A spacious ante-hall leads to the dining-hall, a room of 70 feet by 35, and 35 in height; the upper part of the walls and the ceiling are ornamented with stucco, and the lower is oak wainscoting. In this hall the portraits of the following illustrious characters were hung in 1821; viz. Henry Flood, Lord Chief Justice Downes, Lord Avonmore, Hussey Burgh, Lord Kilwarden, and Henry Grattan; over the door is a full-length portrait of Frederick Prince of Wales, father of George III.; at one side of which is a portrait of Cox, Archbishop of Cashel; and, on the other, the original portrait of Provost Baldwin. Over the ante-hall is a remarkably neat and elegant apartment, formerly used by the Historical Society, an institution of great practical benefit to the majority of the students, though the legislature of the University have, in their wisdom, crushed it-perhaps for ever.

On the south side of the quadrangle, immediately opposite the Refectory, stands an old wall, which it was intended to remove, and to supply its place by a triumphal arch of the Doric order, after a design of Sir W. Chambers, with three openings, supporting a square tower with four circular-headed windows, ornamented with Corinthian pillars and urns. **

The Library**. - Beyond the quadrangle is the Library-square, 265* *feet long, by 214 broad, three sides of which consist of uniform brick buildings, mostly devoted to the accommodation of the students. The library, which occupies the fourth side, is an extensive stone building, whose basement story is a piazza, the entire length of the square. Above this, are two stories surmounted by a rich Corinthian entablature, *originally *crowned with a balustrade. Of this building, as it was at first designed, and previous to alterations, a correct painting may be seen in the Librarian’s room; in which apartment is also a portrait of the Rev. John Barrett, D. D. the late Vice-Provost, painted by G. F. Josephs, Esq. II. A. At present, the front has a mouldering appearance, in consequence of the perishable nature of the stone of which it is built.

The building consists merely of a centre and two pavilions; in the western pavilion are the grand stair-case, the Lending library, and the Librarian’s apartments. At the head of the stairs the Library is entered by large folding doors, and the first view is particularly striking. His Majesty, who was received here when the banquet was given in the Theatre, expressed his admiration of. this magnificent room. The exterior library is 210 feet long; 41 broad, and 40 in height, and is acknowledged to be the finest room in Europe applied to such a purpose. Between the windows, on both sides, are lofty oak partitions, at right angles to the walls, on both sides of which the books rest on closely-placed shelves, so that there are as many recesses as there are windows; these partitions are terminated by fluted Corinthian pillars of carved oak, connected at the top by a broad cornice, surmounted by a balustrade also of carved oak, forming the front of a gallery which is continued quite round the room. Here are pedestals with busts of ancient and modern philosophers, historians, and poets, of white marble. The number of volumes in this library is about 80,000.

At the extremity of this room is a second apartment, 52 feet in length, formerly the MSS. room, but now called the Fagel library, fitted up in a uniform manner with the preceding, and containing about 20,000 volumes. This vast collection was the property of Mr. Fagel, a Dutchman, who removed it to London 1794, upon the invasion of his native country by the French, and from whom it was purchased by the University of Dublin for the very moderate sum of 8,0001. **

Manuscript Room**. - Over the Fagel library in the eastern pavilion, is the manuscript room, in which are many valuable manuscripts, particularly those relating to Irish History. There are besides, Persian, Arabic, and Greek in the Greek character, the most conspicuous are the Montfortian and a copy of the four Gospels, with a continued commentary, written in the 9th century. There is a very curious map of China on an extensive scale, drawn by a native in the Chinese character.

The Manuscript room is not opened to the public, and admittance can only be given in the presence of the librarian: this regulation is directed by the statutes for the better preservation of the MSS. Many of these MSS were presented to the College by Dr. Sterne, Bishop of Clogher, and Mr. John Madden. The Library is open every day, Sundays and holidays excepted, from eight to ten, and from eleven to two: there is a Reading-room in the western Pavilion, which is always open during winter, and supplied with fires. The privilege of reading here is granted to Graduates upon taking the library oath, and to strangers who have been introduced to the Provost, on their taking the same oath.

On the south side of the Library is the Fellows’ garden, a large park laid out in gravel-walks, from which the students are excluded, the fellows, doctors, and masters only, reserving keys to admit themselves ; however, fellowship candidates are always permitted to walk here. **

College Park**. - To the cast of the Library and Library-square, is the College park, a space of about 20 acres, planted and laid out with great taste; here are two ball-courts, and there was formerly a bowling-green for the amusement of the students. As you enter the park from the Library-square, on the right, until lately, stood an old, tasteless building containing a chemical laboratory, and also the Anatomical Lecture-rooms. **

The Anatomy House**. - In that part of the College Park, formerly used as a bowling-green, is the new Anatomy House, built at the expense of the University, after a design of the Messrs. Morrison. It is 115 feet in length by 50 in breadth; and contains an Anatomical Lecture-room, 30 feet square: an Anatomical Museum 30 feet by 28: and three private rooms. The Dissecting-room, extending the whole length of the building, is probably the best disposed apartment for such purpose in Europe, and no means too large for the present school of surgery in Dublin.

The Chemical Laboratory, Lecture-room, and private apartment appropriated to the professors occupy the remote end from the Anatomical-rooms just mentioned. The museum possesses some valuable preparations: those belonging to the College are unimportant, but the present professor’s (Dr. Macartney) collection, which is exhibited during lecture, contains valuable preparations of human, comparative, and morbid anatomy; and if we except the Hunterian, is second to none in the United Kingdom. The School of Anatomy in Dublin has grown into deserved celebrity, to which the facility of procuring subjects for dissection has contributed, and has drawn together a great number of students. Amongst the curiosities of the old collection in the Anatomical Museum are several extraordinary preparations and skeletons: a complete skeleton of a Grampus, with those of M’Grath the Irish giant, and Clarke, the ossified man. The former of these, who died at the age of 20, attained the height of nine feet; of the latter all the joints became bone, so that he was quite incapable of stirring, and died in the most deplorable condition.

In a small building behind the old Anatomy House are to be seen the celebrated wax models of the human figure, executed in Paris by 31. Denone, and presented to the University by the Earl of Shelbourne, in 1752. (They were purchased by his lordship from Mr. Raxtrow, a statuary in London, and have since been repaired; first, under the inspection of Mr. Edward Croker, an able anatomist, and secondly, by Mr. Thomas Wetherell, surgeon.) **

Printing House**. - Immediately opposite the old Anatomy-house, on the north side of the park, is the printing-office, founded by Dr. Sterne, Bishop of Clogher, in 1734; the front of which is a handsome portico of the Doric order, greatly-admired for its architectural chasteness and the beauty of its proportions. **

Provost’s House**. - On the south side of the College stands the Provost’s house, a handsome stone edifice with wings, and a court-yard in front, screened from Grafton-street by a high wall, with a large heavy-looking gateway in the centre; at the rear is a spacious lawn and shrubbery, communicating with the Fellows garden, and separated from it merely by a plantation of ever-greens. The interior of the house is peculiarly elegant; and the hall, staircase, and grand drawing-room, are particularly noble. The elevation of this building is after a design of Lord Burlington’s and is similar to that of General Wade’s house, Cork-street, London, which was designed by the same nobleman.

To the north of the Library-square, is a third square, commonly called Botany-bay, which is an area of somewhat greater dimensions than either of the others, and three of its sides are allotted to the accommodation of pupils. Near the centre stands a temporary building, in which is suspended the great bell, the largest and best-toned in the kingdom.

The exterior of the north side of Botany-bay-square, presents a front of hewn stone to New Brunswick-street, 270 feet in length; the basement story is rusticated, and the windows of the three upper stories are ornamented with architraves. It is protected from the street by a semi-circular sweep, enclosed by iron railing; and was designed by the Messrs. Morrison. **

The Museum**. - Over the vestibule, within the grand gat, is the Museum, an exceedingly beautiful room, 60 feet by 40. The mineral collection contains 1204 specimens, arranged according to Professor Jameson’s system, and described in a catalogue drawn up by Dr. Stokes in 1818. At the foor of the stairs is a nearly perfect skeleton and an Antidiluvian moose-deer, a model of a Roman galley, and another of the Barony of Moresk, in the county of Mayo.

Case No. 1, contains ornaments from the Marquesas, Friendly, and Sandwich Islands, New Zealand, and Otaheite. No. 2 Otaheitean dresses and models. No. 3. New Zealand articles of dress and implements. No. 4. Shells. No. 5. Cloak made of feathers from the Sandwich Isles. No. 6. A very curious collection of Irish antiquities – various celts, chip-axes, arrow-heads, hunting-spears, of brass, and military spears; the war-axe, golden crescents, head ornaments, fibulae, curious headstall and bitt, found in Roscommon; the Liath Meisicith, or incense-box of the ancients, consulted only upon the interests of the church or election of a king.

The most interesting curiosity is the Irish harp, once the property of King Brian Boromhe, the history of which is this: Donogh, the son of Brian, laid it with the golden crown, at the Pope’s feet in 1023; a subsequent Pope presented the harp to Henry VIII. of England, but kept the golden crown; Henry gave it to the first Earl of Clanrickard, in the county of Clare: from thence it fell into the hands of counsellor Macnamara, of Limerick, and in 1782 was presented to the College Museum by the right hon. W. Conyngham. The O’Brian arms, viz. The bloody hand supported by lions, are chased in silver upon it. On the sides of the front arm of the harp are carved two wolf dogs:- both arms are of red-holly, the sounding-board is of oak. This beautiful remnant of the taste of our ancestors is rapidly mouldering away, but its chaste proportions, as well as a testimony of its merit, might be well perpetuated by a good model. It is hoped that what has been stated will be considered a sufficient refutation of Mr. Bingley’s assertion, that this very harp was Welch.

Near the Irish case is a collection of volcanic minerals, presented by D. Latouche, esq. in 1790, the catalogue of which was printed in Catania, in Sicily. Beside this stands another flat case, in which are Cingalese Almanacks, graved with a stylus, which is also deposited in the case. No. 7 contains a few stuffed animals. No. 8. A mummy, a model of a Chinese galley. &c. No. 9. In this are some serpents preserved by Bullock. No. 10. Miscellaneous, unimportant, except an enormous lobster’s claw. No. 11 is entirely occupied by the figure of an Otaheitean warrior.

No. 12 contains a copy of the Koran, in letters of gold, on a roll of Indian paper, which shuts up in a box about two inches long and one in diameter; an Almanack printed in 1666; and a model of the combination mirrors of Archimedes. Near this case hangs a cast of a shield exhibiting, in bas-relief, the capture of Rome by Brennus. There is a very curious collection brought from the South-Sea Islands, and presented to the University by Dr. Patten.

In the centre or the great room stands a stuffed camel-leopard; at one corner is a model of the Giant’s-causeway remarkable for the accuracy of its execution; and, beside it, lie some of the basaltic joints, of which the causeway is composed. **

Astronomical Observatory**. - On Dunsink Hill, about four miles north-west of Dublin Castle, stands the Observatory, founded at the instance of Dr. Henry Usher, late professor of Astronomy in the University. In 1774, Provost Andrews bequeathed 3,0001. and 250l. per annum, for building an Observatory and supplying instruments: by means of this donation, a handsome house was erected, presenting in front a facade of two wings, and a projecting centre, crowned by a dome.

Besides apartments for the professor, there are two rooms particularly appropriated to astronomical purposes - the Equatorial and Meridian rooms. The former is beneath the dome, which is intersected by an aperture of two feet six inches in breadth, and is moveable by means of a lever and projecting cogs, so that the aperture may be directed to any point of the horizon. The Meridian room, on the west side of the building, contains the transit instrument, and the cele-brated Astronomical Circle, which is universally acknowledged to be Ramsden’s best performance; this instrument is minutely’ described in Dr. Brinkley’s work on Astronomy; and the valuable discoveries, relative to parallax and refraction, which the professor has made with this celebrated piece of mechanism, are recorded in the Twelfth Volume of the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy.

Botanic Garden. - About two miles to the south of the Castle, a space of about four acres has been enclosed for a Botanic Garden; and though but of late formation, it is exceedingly well supplied with both exotic and indigenous plants: but it is altogether eclipsed by the magnificent gardens of the Dublin society at Glasnevin.

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