time in which you have lived-of the couutry which bore you—of the College which fostered you, because of your conscientious industry, because of your honourable exertions, because of your high-minded services, because of your Christian lives. The hopes of the age must always be in its rising generation-may you contribute to the number of its ornaments and worthies. WHEN THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY. CONFERRING DEGREES, ETC. [OCTOBER 11TH, 1861.] HEN the conferring of Degrees and Honors had concluded, the' MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR, LADIES, And Gentlemen, I have already had sufficient experience, as the Lord Chancellor has told you, for several successive years, of the able and complete manner in which he sets before us the conditions, requirements, and prospects of the institution in which he holds so distinguished a place, to render it unnecessary that I, or that any one, should attempt to fill up either the general outline or the minute details. It will not, however, be thought presumptuous in me if I merely express to you the cordial satisfaction which I feel at the considerable increase in the number of students now in attendance; at the adequate representation of the different denominations of creed in this country; at the honourable places they have held in the public competitions of the empire; at the extension which has been given to the education of the public at large, as evidenced in the system of middle class examinations, and in the establishment of what I remember at my own University, we used to call, perhaps without due academic solemnity, the "Little-go;" and at the credit and success which are attached to the exertions of the respective professors. And here one only matter of regret occurs to me, that whereas last year I expressed a hope that an arrangement would be speedily completed for securing a moderate addition to the very limited scale of salaries, circumstances have as yet prevented the Treasury from giving effect to the immediate realization of the scheme. I trust, however, that no long time can elapse before at least a beginning shall be made. You have most fitly reminded us, my Lord, that none of these recurring anniversaries can take place without painfully reminding us of the losses and gaps which have occurred in the interval. I cannot pass through the next room to that in which we are now assembled without perceiving, in the long series of portraits of Irish Viceroys, that two of them have passed away from us within the present month. In that short period we have lost the matured wisdom and unblemished rectitude of Fortescue, and the generous spirit and chivalrous patriotism of Eglinton; and I feel tempted to quote once more the apposite lines which I remember using before in this place in a happier hour. We have lost from among us "Virtus Scipiadæ et mitis sapientia Læli." I turn now, however, to a gladder theme. Our honoured and beloved Queen has recently visited these shores, where her presence was hailed with fervent loyalty by every class of their warmhearted inhabitants. It is true that the Queen's University in Ireland has as yet no local habitation in Dublin, like her elder and celebrated sister, the University of Dublin, which owes its foundation to another British Queen. Had it been otherwise, I need not say how joyfully our younger University would have welcomed within its precincts a gentler and more virtuous Elizabeth. It will be in the knowledge of those whom I address, that the Act which established the Queen's Colleges in Ireland was passed during the administration of the late Sir Robert Peel. Amongst the witnesses of their early progress, I rejoice to see at my side to-day the son of that most eminent statesman and friend of Ireland. There is no one who left a deeper mark upon the recent annals of the country; there is no one whose memory is more intimately associated with the marvellous work of Ireland's improvement and Ireland's progress than his honoured sire. Most fervently I trust that the son is destined effectually to carry on the same beneficent and exalted mission; and that, among other subjects of hereditary labour, these institutions will largely share and reward his fostering care. I now beg to take my leave of you, my young friends, the graduates, and prizemen of this day, with the most heartfelt good wishes for your future distinction, happiness, and virtue. In the course of these brief remarks, I have brought before you more than one illustrious name. I will not say that such elevated positions can be within the reach of all; but, in point of actual merit, there is no human excellence which another man may not equal, and even surpass. May the blessing of Him to whom all things are possible be ever with you all. SIR ROBERT PEEL,* Chief Secretary for Ireland, then addressed the University: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, The ceremony of to-day has been deeply interesting and impressive. We have witnessed the conferring of Degrees and Diplomas, and the distribution of prizes to the successful candidates, by the Senate of the affiliated Colleges constituting the Queen's University. We have heard the language of well-earned compliment, and of earnest encouragement, which has been addressed to the students of this most national institution. We have seen the most eminent and distinguished personages in this kingdom,-the Viceroy and the Lord Chancellor,—taking an active part in the proceedings, surrounded by the élite of our society, and in the presence of all who, by their character and countenance, can add weight and dignity to the occasion. And if I now by desire, Ladies and Gentlemen, venture to appear in this place to offer a few remarks, I do so with extreme diffidence; but, at the same time I can truly say that, on more grounds than one, yes, personal as well as political, I have witnessed the ceremony of to-day with the liveliest emotion, not unmingled with recollections of the past history of this institution. The Viceroy has been pleased to allude to the originator of the scheme, and he has done so with that feeling and eloquence which are the characteristics of a kind and cultivated mind. I accept, gratefully accept, in the presence of the Senate of this University, the compliment that has been paid-paid by one who unites to the highest official position and the qualities which can adorn that position, that genial affability and those accomplishments which endear him to the heart of every man who comes within his sphere; and if I may be permitted to allude to the originator of this scheme of the Queen's Colleges as to a public man, I can say what has been very truly said, that the welfare of Ireland-I bear testimony See APPENDIX, Sir Robert Peel's Speech, October, 1864. to a career of forty years-was ever foremost in his thoughts; and the words, "Welfare of Ireland," stand conspicuous in bold characters upon the bright pedestal of his political fame. As allusions have been made to the originator of this scheme, I also must be permitted to allude to one who, by his writings, by one of the most practical works upon the improvement of Ireland, tended considerably to the establishment of this institution-one who came boldly forward and said—“If you want to solve this difficulty, Why Ireland, with its material and natural advantages, with its people physically and morally not inferior to the people of other countries-was more backward than other countries? I will tell you (he said) why it is more backward. Because there is a want of industrial education amongst her people." And he laid down, with indisputable force, this; that academic institutions which would confer on men of all creeds the aid and advantages of professors of science was perhaps the best, perhaps the only, means of remedying the evil. These words were spoken long before the question was agitated in Parliament as to the establishment of this institution. And I am glad to have the opportunity of pointing, on this occasion, to that man who I know took a very active and interesting ⚫ part in its establishment. I allude to the honoured President of the Cork College, Sir Robert Kane. I have said that on more grounds than one I take a deep interest in this institution. I have watched it from its commencement, and I am glad to trace its development. It has opened to three-fourths of the youth of Ireland those academic advantages which they were before denied, and it has rendered immense benefits, not only to the cause of popular education, but to the good government and to the character of this country. And what is the criterion of the success of this institution? Not mere numbersthey would be very significant, if we looked only at that. But the proof of its success is the great political gain which has been derived by the establishment of a system in Ireland which has opened to men of different religious denominations combined secular instruction on the broad basis of religious equality. That was what mainly interested Sir Robert Peel, when he introduced and originated in Parliament this plan. Sir Robert Peel, I well recollect, said in the House of Commons, "You may hold the opinion that you desire, but I shall relinquish with the deepest regret the hopes of an education for Ireland which will give combined instruction to the youth of the Roman Catholic, the Protestant, and the Presbyterian creeds." Sir James Graham, who was one of Sir Robert Peel's warmest supporters in the establishment of these Colleges, also said—“Grant this system of education to Ireland, and you will give her an education equal to that of the University of Scotland, or of Trinity College, Dublin." And I ask you, by the ceremony of to-day, whether the result has not corresponded with the expectations those men formed? But, even still more remarkable, I can point to the late Premier, Lord Derby: when, as Lord Stanley, he introduced to the House of Lords the measure of Sir Robert Peel, he most strenuously advocated this system. I heard the words which he then expressed, and which were very remarkable. He said:" I think that, as you have given your sanction to an exclusive system in Trinity College, Dublin, for the purpose of supplying clergy for the Established Church-as you have connected the theological tenets of the Presbyterian creed, with the College established in Belfast-so, I think, you have wisely and liberally agreed to aid the education of the Roman Catholic priesthood, by endowing the College of Maynooth. All these, however, are theological endowments. Now, when dealing with the laity, I do intreat your Lordships to permit the laity of Ireland to be educated in common, under the same teachers, in all those branches of learning which do not and cannot. affect their religious opinions." Well, Gentlemen, as the Lord Chancellor has told you, many years have elapsed since this system has been in operation; and we are justified in asking, has it answered the expectations of those men who founded it for the welfare of Ireland? Now, I have considered it for these eleven years, and it does appear to me that, notwithstanding its progressive development -notwithstanding the benefits it has conferred upon Ireland-there are wanting two things to place this institution on that footing of comprehensive utility which it is calculated and able to enjoy; and if you permit me, I shall allude briefly to the first and most conspicuous of those points. It has been very well observed by an intelligent writer, who probably may be in this hall at this moment; speaking of these Colleges, he says:-"They are the centres which attract to them the highest and best of the national intellect, and then, under the influence of sound knowledge, fructify and develope it for the public advantage." That is true to a certain degree, but not altogether. No doubt, the Roman Catholic and the Presbyterian laity have availed themselves to a very great extent of the Colleges, in accordance with the hopes and expectations of those who founded them. I believe, when these institutions were first founded, |