A Correspondent writes: - I recently came upon an interesting pamphlet, published in 1734, entitled: "A Letter to GW-, Esq., concerning the present condition of the College of Dublin." In the light of twentieth century advancement some of its criticisms are amusing.
"The College," he says, "was never secure from riots, and I have some apprehension that it never will be. There is no system for punishing offenders, and the students shamefully abuse their privileges. Night rolls and tickets are the guard of the boys from evil. These, however, being in the control of the gate porter, he is frequently prevailed upon to excuse them on receipt of half-a-dozen of ale or half-a-crown."
The Fellows are severely criticised. "That they are luxurious, particularly in the article of wine, drinking it much in their rooms, having cellars to keep it in, and that it is better and of a higher price, and a more delicious flavour than it ought to such a degree as to give offence to many." Their idleness, both intellectual and physical, comes in for heavy censure, the author referring scornfully to "their extraordinary taciturnity," which has occasioned considerable remark in other universities. "They sup on syllogisms, are enamoured of their own cobwebs, and bigoted to their by-laws."
The Irish Times, February 2nd, 1931.