Wright

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ The pupils of the figure-school, are occasionally provided with a living figure, to perfect their sketches of the human frame, and all this is gratuitous. About two hundred pupils partake of this advantage, and from the exhibitions of native genius and education presented at the annual display of drawings formerly made in the society's house, the beneficial consequences were manifest. ”

“ 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. ”

“ There is, besides, a factory for making all kinds of implements connected with husbandry, according to the latest improvements. To encourage the breed of cattle, the society have an annual spring show, of black cattle, sheep, and swine; on which occasion premiums are distributed; and, by an adjudication of rewards for broad cloth manufactured in Ireland, from Irish wool, cloth of an excellent description has already been produced.
The society is supported by occasional grants from Parliament, donations, and the subscriptions paid by members on their admission. ”

“ 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 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ It is open every day from ten till five, and from seven till ten. There is also a reading-room, with English, Scotch, Irish, French, and American newspapers. The business of the society is conducted by a president, four vice-presidents, and a committee of twenty-one, chosen annually from amongst the members, by ballot, besides a treasurer, librarian, and assistant. Terms, for the first year, two guineas, afterwards one. Every member is admitted to the advantage of the lending or circulating library, on paying one guinea per annum additional. ”

“ In a niche at the end of this noble apartment, will be placed Behnes's statue of his Majesty. On the basement story is the school-room, 40 feet by 30, where the pupils are gratuitously instructed in architecture, landscape and figure-drawing, by eminent masters. There are two other apartments, one for making drawings, the other models from life. All the apartments are warmed by heated air ”

“ 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 Library, on introduction to the Librarian. Botanic Garden, on Tuesdays and Fridays from twelve to four; but, a member can introduce visitors at any time.
The subscription to become a member of the Society for life, is 30 guineas; the number of members is about 500.
One object of the institution is, to encourage improvements in agricultural science and practice. Premiums are granted to planters of nurseries; and such is the effect already produced, that many millions of young trees have been planted, and extensive nurseries formed.
To Botany they have given liberal encouragement ”

“ The members can consult the books at pleasure. The society occasionally bestow premiums for the best essays on given subjects, and persons not members are at liberty to become competitors. These compositions from their Transactions, which now amount to twelve or fourteen quarto volumes of exceedingly interesting matter. Members are elected by ballot, and an entrance fee of five guineas is required, with a subscription of two guineas per annum. There are 180 members. Parliament grants to this Institution 7001. per annum. ”

“ 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 ”

“ The MSS. are bound in 17 vols: most of them are copies of those of Bishop Sterne, made by Walter Harris, the historian; from whose widow they were purchased for £500: they contain copies of the Annals of Innisfallen and Multifernan, and several tracts on ancient Irish history. The only original documents known to exist in this collection, are those which formerly belonged to Archbishop King. Harris's catalogue of these MSS. is imperfect.
On pedestals, in the piers of the recess, stand two well-executed marble busts by Van Nost, of Dr. Prior and Dr. Madan, the founders of the Society. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ Then follows the names of the original members - Messrs. Carolan were the builders.
Farming Society - This society was instituted in 1800, and incorporated by royal charter 1815. Its objects are the improvement of agriculture and live stock, and the growth of timber. Of this institution, so important in such a country as Ireland, the late Marquis of Sligo was the founder. It is directed by a president, a vice-president, and 21 directors;- five of whom are changed every year: candidates are elected by ballot. ”

“ Characteristic collection. 2. The Systematic. 3. Geological. 4. Geographical. 5. Economical.
The Irish minerals form a distinct collection, distributed according to the arrangement of the thirty-two counties, and is called "Museum Hibernicum." This valuable collection of specimens is open to students at all hours, and to the public on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12 to 3 o'clock. Sir Charles G. S. Giesecke, is the present professor.
The Drawing School, is divided into three departments; landscape, figure, and architecture, to which is added a school of sculpture or modelling ”

“ Garden arranged on the system of Jussieu. 3. Garden of Indigenous plants (to Ireland) , disposed according to the system of Linnaeus. 4. Kitchen Garden, where six apprentices are constantly employed, who receive a complete knowledge of systematic botany. 5. Medicinal plants. 6. Plants eaten, or rejected, by cattle. 7. Plants used in rural economy. 8. Plants used in dyeing. 9. Rock plants. 10. Aquatic and marsh plants. - For which an artificial marsh has been formed. 11. Cryptogamics. 12. Flower garden, besides extensive hot-houses, and a conservatory for exotics. ”