MAYNOOTH In 1834; BY EUGENE FRANCIS O'BEIRNE, LATE STUDENT OF MAYNOOTH COLLEGE. NEW EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED. DUBLIN: W. CARSON, GRAFTON-STREET; W. CURRY, JUN. AND CO. AND J. AND CO. EDINBURGH. M.DCCC. XXXV. 821. PREFACE. About three months since, this Pamphlet was first published. In it's original shape, it contained minute particulars of the personal qualifications of certain individuals connected with the internal government of the College, which forms its subject. Individual peculiarities were commented on more freely, perhaps, than the gravity of the subject demanded. The most influential of the Dublin publishers were prevented from undertaking the dissemination of a work in which they expressed themselves to be, otherwise, strongly interested; and an extensive—indeed, any thing more than a very limited publication of the Pamphlet-was consequently precluded. In accordance with the suggestions of a number of highly valued friends, and specially in compliance with the recommendation of the able Editor of the DUBLIN EVENING MAIL, (who was the first to take up the Author's case about twelve months since, and who, without having any previous acquaintance with him, advocated it with a warmth of feeling, and a degree of ability, for which no language can convey an adequate expression of gratitude,) the present edition has been issued in an amended form. The portions of the original Pamphlet, which were considered objectionable, have been expunged,—and every page of the work has been revised with the utmost care. The Author thinks it right to state that, not a particle of the matter in his original pamphlet has been expunged in consequence of its having contained a deviation from, or even a slight exaggeration of, the truth. To every statement which he then advanced, he still adheres with that unshrinking tenacity which consciousness of rectitude imparts, and while he regrets the "suppressio veri," which has been induced by the necessity of conforming with the punctilious judgment of his publishers, he sends his Pamphlet forth in its amended form to the world, with the fervent hope that the important truths which it undeniably contains, may not fail of awaking public interest, and of arresting the attention of the Legislature to the actual state of an Institution, to the support of which it contributes, without dreaming of what is going on within its walls. Dublin, 9th July, 1835. MAYNOOTH COLLEGE. EVERY one who takes an interest in the welfare of his fellow-men-whose wishes and views extend beyond the sphere of his own happiness, must feel particularly solicitous to ascertain, with accuracy, the state of all such establishments as are set apart for the public instruction of youth. Legislators, in proportion to their intelligence, have ever given to this subject a marked consideration. At an era like the present, when the developement of common sense is becoming every day more perfect, it would be unnecessary to undertake a lengthened proof of so plain a position. The more important the nature of the avocations to which a youth is brought up to apply himself in after life, the more scrupulously careful should be the adaptation of his intellectual and moral instruction to their fulfilment. If he be destined one day to teach others in his turn, it is obvious that his education should receive a direction to that effect, and should be more complete and minute in its details; but, a double, nay, a tenfold degree of vigilance should be exercised, when the instruction which he will have to communicate, is such as to affect both the spiritual and temporal interests of a very imperfectly educated portion of the community; when, owing to a variety of causes, he will have it in his power to exercise over them an in B |