The Book of Trinity College Dublin 1591-1891Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
History
The Book of Trinity College Dublin 1591-1891
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
On May the 11th, 1726, the Commons voted “That an humble address
be presented to his Majesty, that out of the lands in St.
Christopher’s, yielded by France to Great Britain by the Treaty of
Utrecht, his Majesty would be graciously pleased to make such grant
for the use of the President and Fellows of the College of St. Paul
in Bermuda as his Majesty shall think proper.” The College, though
here named, was never established, but the glow of anticipated
success was the inspiration of prophetic and noble verse--such
verse as Mr. Palgrave tells us is written by thoughtful men who
practise the art but little.
“In happy climes, the seat of innocence,
Where nature guides and virtue rules,
Where men shall not impose for truth and sense
The pedantry of courts and schools;
“There shall be sung another golden age,
The rise of Empire and of Arts,
The good and great inspiring epic rage,
The wisest heads and noblest hearts.
“Not such as Europe breeds in her decay;
Such as she bred when fresh and young,
When heavenly flame did animate her clay,
By future poets shall be sung.
“Westward the course of Empire takes its way;
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
Time’s noblest offspring is the last.”
Most of the critics have omitted to mention Berkeley among the
stylists, probably because of the subject-matter of his work; but
as a master of language he alone of the philosophers ranks with
Plato. A felicity of style, consisting in perfect naturalness and
perfect fitness in the choice of words, has been a birthright of
great Irishmen. There is perhaps no surer test of delicacy of moral
fibre or of intellectual precision than a refinement of touch in
language, such as that of Goldsmith and Berkeley.
After the disappointment in the matter of the University in
Bermuda, Berkeley devoted himself once more to Philosophy. With
Queen Caroline he was so great a favourite that the royal command
frequently brought him to the Palace; and when through some
official hitch he was disappointed of the Deanery of Down, the
Queen signified her pleasure that, since “they would not suffer Dr.
Berkeley to be a Dean in Ireland, he should be a Bishop,” and in
1734 appointed him to the See of Cloyne.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account