The Book of Trinity College, Dublin, 1591 - 1891. (Marcus Ward and
Co., Belfast.) —This very handsome volume is not unworthy of the subject and the occasion,—Trinity College celebrating its tercentenary. Professor Mahaffy relates the history of the College down to the end of the eighteenth century ; Professor Stubbs, who, it will be remembered, is the author of a history of this period, takes up the tale at this point, and carries it down to the present time. Professor Mahaffy is, after his wont, somewhat iconoclastic. The share of Archbishop Loftus in the foundation is reduced con- siderably below the estimate which that eminent Churchman him- self formed of it; and Queen Elizabeth's endowments are said to have dwindled away. She did, however, give funds when they were greatly needed ; indeed, she was more liberal than usual. Her "foundation " seldom went much beyond licensing other people to exercise their benevolence. Nor does Professor Mahaffy spare, also after his wont, allusion to the present, a practice which we are bound to say adds considerably to the immediate interest of his contributions. He takes, we see, a somewhat more favour- able view of Provost Hutchinson than we find in his colleague's volume, though he is a long way from being his apologist. Dr. Stubbs's chapter is of a somewhat technical character, but con- tains much that will interest the academical reader. A chapter on the Library is written by the Rev. T. S. Abbott. This has the distinction, surely unique among libraries, of having been founded by the Army. Whether it was altogether "a cheerful giver " may possibly be doubted. Seven hundred pounds wss fur- nished out of the arrears of pay. In 1610, it contained four thousand books. " The Observatory," " The Early Buildings," "Distinguished Graduates," "The College Plate," and "The College Gardens and Herbarium," are the subjects of as many chapters. Finally, we have a list of the College and University officers. The illustrations are of an excellence and interest that are worthy of the volume.
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