THE GOVERNMENT AND DUBLIN UNIVERSITY. pro TICE EDITOR OF TEE
"SPECTATOR."] trust that all those graduates of the University of Dublin who have not already done, so will sign the protest against the proposed changes in the constitution of the University, which were outlined in the speech of the late Chief Secretary for Ireland on January 25th. This is a matter which entirely transcends party politics, and the protest is one which should command the support of all graduates irrespective of political predilections or religious belief.
By the proposed changes-our free and ancient University, after more than three centuries of active and useful work, is to be pulled to pieces, and reconstructed in such a manner that Trinity College, Dublin, will become a mere item in a federation of Colleges to be formed out of various incongruous elements and invested with the name of Dublin University, which Trinity College has alone made famous. The result will be that while Trinity College will lose its present status of being practically identical with the University, the new body will in no sense replace that venerable seat of learning, graced by so many noble traditions, and with which so many distinguished names are associated. The new University is to be governed by a Senate, partly nominated by the Crown and partly elected by the constituent Colleges, many of which will have little in common and some of which are likely to be mutually hostile. Besides Trinity College, the list includes the Queen's College, Belfast, the Queen's College, Cork, and a new Roman Catholic College to be founded in Dublin ; to which will he affiliated.. Magee College, Londonderry, Queen's College, Galway, and the existing Roman .Catholic Institution of Maynooth. The result of the deliberations of a Senate coposed of such elements can only be adequately realised by those who are familiar with the conditions of public
life in Ireland. It means either perpetual wrangling, and con- sequent inefficiency, or a compromise whereby Professors and Examiners will be chosen, not solely for their academic dis- tinetion or intellectual merit, but with a view to satisfying the claims of each constituent element for the due representa- tion of its particular religions belief. That this means the retardation of all progress and liberal education must be apparent to those who are acquainted with the working of present Irish institutions modelled on this basis.
If we tear up the charter of Trinity College, under which for generations men like Burke, Goldsmith, Hamilton, Berkeley, and Salmon have gone forth to enrich science, literature, and public life by their labours, what have we to put in its place P A braitd-new, composite institution, the degrees of which will chiefly shine with the reflected light of the reputation it is seeking to borrow, whose powers for the promotion of liberal education will be paralysed at their centre, and on whose banners will be inscribed the watchword of sectarian strife. By all means let justice be done on behalf of those who are dissatisfied with the existing facilities for University education in Ireland, but not at the price of the extinction of Trinity College.
This question must be kept clear of all party polities, and it is to all University men and supporters of liberal education, as well as to the leaders of every section of political opinion, in England and Scotland, that the graduates of Dublin University appeal, that they will so use their influence that this problem of Irish University education may be solved in such a manner that the honour of our ancient Alma Mater shall be untouched. While the scheme is still only in the air and has not yet been officially brought forward in Parliament, it is not too late to hope that the threatened cataclysm may be averted. For over thirty years the gates of Trinity College have been open to all sections of the population without distinction of creed, and the present protest will doubtless be signed by graduates of every shade of religious belief. All those graduates who have not already received copies of the form of protest can obtain them on application to E. P. Culverwell, F.T.C.D., or to E. J. Gwynn, F.T.C.D., at 35 Trinity College, Dublin.— I am, Sir, &a.,
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