[47] Cf. the interesting article on this eminent man by Professor G. Stokes in the Jour. R. S. of Antiq., Ireland, for 1890, pp. 17, seq.
[48] In the MS. preserved at Armagh, containing an account of Adam Loftus’ eloquence on the subject of Trinity College, the writer, who lived about the centenary of its foundation, says (p. 227)—“Of the old structure there remains no more than the steeple, which belonged to that said monastery [All Hallowes] which was lately restored and beautified under the Government of Thomas Seele, late Provost of this Colledge.” Seele began the enlargements of the College, which succeeded one another rapidly for the next century and a-half.
[49] Harris’ Ware. Loftus was made Archbishop of Armagh at the age of 28!
[50] In his MS. autobiography, preserved in his Library. For an interesting account of Archbishop Marsh, see Christian Examiner, vol. xi., p. 647. 1831. The ill education of the young scholars has again become a grave difficulty in Trinity College, since the establishment of the so-called system of Intermediate Education. The old hedge-school masters sent us better pupils.
[51] Printed in the Christian Examiner, vol. ii., p. 762, 2nd series (1833).
[52] Bishop Dopping, in his letter to the Hon. Robert Boyle (Boyle’s Life and Correspondence, vol. i.), gives an interesting account of these classes, at which he states Fellows and Students attended to the number of eighty, and that they, following the Provost’s example, made considerable progress in the Irish language.
[53] Dunton speaks of it in 1699 as about to be built. The present Royal Hospital at Kilmainham is the oldest secular building of any importance about Dublin. It was finished shortly before 1700, when it must have been quite unique.
[54] e.g., Mr. Dunbar Ingram.
[55] It may be read in Taylor’s History (pp. 55, seq.) or in Dr. Stubbs’, who gives Archbishop King as the original authority. Mr. Heron tells us that one of these members was a Roman Catholic.
[56] “He promised that he would preserve them in their liberties and properties, and rather augment than diminish the privileges and immunities granted to them by his predecessors.”—Abp. King’s State of Protestants, sec. lxxix.