202 THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. tion, an application was made to the Board by the managers, and permission was obtained for the Society's meetings to be held in the chamber over the dininghall vestibule, under certain regulations, which shewed that it was only suffered, not encouraged to proceed. The usual sagacity of the Board was not conspicuous in this transaction, for had they, instead of treating it as an alien, and placing it in a state of surveillance, taken it under their parental supervision and mild form of discipline, they could always so influence its movements as to prevent the crude and exuberant notions of youthful inexperienced ambition, from seriously disturbing the useful and legitimate course of operations which it was originally intended to promote. Left, therefore, in a great degree to their own guidance, we will not say discretion, at the most critical period of man's life, the transition period between the state of pupilage and manhood, it cannot be so great a matter of surprise that some irregularities should have happened amongst them, as that, under such circumstances, so much good should have been done by this society in unfolding the latent powers of genius in so many students of the University, who afterwards contributed to the strength and ornament of the United Kingdom. Having already given a brief outline of the vicissitudes to which it was subjected, we now come to a pleasing part of our duty, in the announcement of its restoration to its original site in the University. This event is thus announced in the "Dublin Statesman," of Nov. 17th, 1843. "THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.-On Friday night this celebrated Society, so conspicuous in the annals of Irish eloquence, and which, after having existed nearly half a century, had been dissolved in 1815, was revived. The Provost was in the chair, and there were also present Dr. Mac Donnell (Sen. Fellow), the Rev. Dr. Luby, the Rev. W. D. Sadlier, A.M., the Rev. Charles Graves, A.M., the Rev. F. M'Neece, A.M., J. H. Jellett, A.M., the Venerable Archdeacon Magee, &c. Judge Jackson, and the Master of the Rolls, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 203 who had been distinguished members of the old society, intended to have been present, but were detained by public business; the rooms were densely crowded with students and strangers, who took a lively interest in this act of justice. "Mr. Foote, who had been one of the committee of seven of the old society, an auditor and trustee of the books, also attended. The opening address was read by Mr. W. C. Magee, an ex-scholar and grandson of the late Archbishop. It was exceedingly eloquent and luminous, and we are glad, therefore, to state to our readers that it will be printed at the expense of the Society. "After the address was read, Mr. Foote came forward to explain some matters relative to the late Society, and produced several letters from the then Provost (Dr. Elrington, afterwards Bishop of Ferns), to prove that he had not, as was stated, been opposed to the existence of that Society, but that he had more than once kindly remonstrated with them upon the course they were pursuing in introducing political subjects of debate. “Mr. Foote also read an address, written to them by the late well known J. Sydney Taylor, in 1818, after the Society had ceased to hold its sittings within the walls of the College, and had removed to Radley's Rooms. "The revival of this Society, at such a crisis, suggests interesting reflections, had we time to indulge them, for this may be said to have been the cradle wherein the genius of such men as the Malones, W. Hussey, Burgh, Flood, Burke, Grattan, Sheridan, Bushe, Curran, Plunket, Croker, J.S.Taylor, Hamilton, North, Perrin, Crampton, Doherty, and many other eminent men first became manifest, and underwent that discipline which raised its possessors to the highest pitch of moral and professional reputation." Thus it would appear that this society still occupies the favourable position in the public mind which it held in its former days of prosperity, and there cannot be any doubt, that as the delusive mists of revolutionary politics have vanished, with their mock "vision of 204 THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. glory," this society will not again suffer its existence. to be jeopardized by political discussions. The following list of its officers will afford the best evidence of its character, and the estimation in which it is held in the University. The Provost (Dr. Franc Sadlier) is President; the Vice Presidents are, the Right Hon. the Master of the Rolls, the Hon. Justice Jackson, George E. Hamilton, M.P., the Right Hon. Frederic Shaw, M.P. The Committee of Management is composed of the Junior Dean, William Magee, A.B., (Auditor); Henry Jellett, A.B., Treasurer; John C. Mac Donnell, A.B. (scholar), Secretary; J. L. Robinson, scholar; Wm. Battersby, scholar; Benjamin Dickson, scholar; Charles H. Hemphill, scholar; Hedges E. Chatterton, scholar. All the Fellows of College are members (ex-officio); these are twenty-nine in number; the other members of the society are at this time (May, 1844) rather more than seventy already, although so recently established. THE UNIVERSITY CHORAL SOCIETY. This institution was founded in Nov. 1837, and has for its object the cultivation of choral music, which appears to be quite proper in an University which possesses the privilege and exercises the power of conferring the degrees of Bachelor and Doctor in this very interesting branch of the Liberal Arts. This Society is regarded with much favour: its patron is His Grace the Lord Primate of Ireland (Lord John Beresford); the President is Dr. Sadlier (the Provost); the Vice-Presidents are the Right Hon. Frederic Shaw, M.P., and the Right Hon. the Master of the Rolls. The Acting Committee consists of the Junior Dean, Henry Jellett, A.B., Treasurer; John C. Mac Donnell, A.B. (scholar), Secretary; Launcelot Studdart, A.B., Librarian; Rev. J. H. Todd, D.D., F.T.C.D.; Pelham Mayne, A.B.; H. E. Chatterton, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 205 A.B., scholar; George Finlayson, A.B. The Conductor is Mr. Joseph Robinson. According to the rules of this society, it consists of performing and non-performing members: the number of the latter must not exceed ninety, but they must all have entered the University. The mode of admission is by ballot. The admission fee is one guinea, the performing members pay one guinea per annum; and the non-performing members, one pound ten shillings per annum. The Society meets every Friday evening, except Good Friday, during the season; this commences on the first Friday in November, and terminates on the last Friday in June. The hour of meeting is eight o'clock, by town time, and the music terminates at half-past ten. Strangers can only be admitted to the ordinary practice meetings of the Society by an order signed by two members of the Society; but on the concert nights, each member may introduce a limited number of strangers by tickets, which are to be procured at a certain regulated price from the Treasurer. In these meetings, held in the College Hall, no business that can lead to debate is permitted, the performance of the music selected being their sole object. Visitors whose names are on the College books cannot be admitted, unless they appear in their academic habits. The Society is pledged to dissolve whenever it may be required to do so by the College Board. Thus it will be easily perceived, that there is a very extensive course of education now in active operation in this University-one which embraces all the solid, useful, and ornamental branches of intellectual instruction comprised within the wide circle of the arts and sciences, with only one exception, and that branch is rightly considered to be amongst the most graceful in character, and interesting to mankind, of any in the fascinating sisterhood to which it is related, we of course mean "the Fine Arts," which under this collective appellation include painting properly so called, sculpture, and architecture. Should these arts, which embellish society, be admitted into the course of this 206 THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. University in a somewhat similar mode to that adopted for instruction in modern languages, it would complete the circle of knowledge taught here, and bring the system as near perfection as perhaps any human system of education can be, and would confer upon it a grace and finish that would raise the character of this seat of learning still higher in public estimation. These arts belong properly to times of affluence; they give to riches a wholesome direction, by affording encouragement to works of art; such works render the union of the pleasures of the sense and intellect complete; they define the sentiments of grace and elegance, wherever their influence is known and acknowledged; they divert the mind from sensual pursuits by the exquisite powers of persuasion, at a time when the austere rebuke of wisdom might only hasten to the precipice; and they lead it by flowery paths to innocent instruction and refined recreation. Wherever the arts are cultivated with success, they almost imperceptibly educate the general taste, make politeness of mind keep pace with refinement of manners, and extend the sphere of that good taste, which is directly opposed to all incorrectness in language or conduct. On this interesting subject the author begs leave to quote an extract from the writings of one who was himself no indifferent example of the effects of high and extensive education in the arts and sciences, and whose taste and judgment in the fine arts were of no ordinary description. In describing the influence of the fine arts on society, he observes, "But in the classic ground of taste, how admirably is wealth employed for rational improvement. What a new and beautiful creation does it raise! the memory of which cannot perish with the vicissitudes of states; the ruins of which cannot be buried in the dust that buries power, and wealth, and military glory. Where, now, is the gorgeous dominion of Xerxes, glittering with the gold and jewels of a hundred tributary nations? Scattered on the plains of Marathon, buried in the a The late John Sydney Taylor, A.M., Barrister at Law, who had been a distinguished scholar in this University. |