66 comparison of his own commodity ;" and then, "he kept so miserable a Christmas," as Dublin had never seen before.* But his viceroyalty is famous for the founding of Dublin University. Perrot had some years before proposed to convert St. Patrick's cathedral into a college; and the project was bitterly opposed by Archbishop Loftus, who had other uses for the revenues of his two cathedrals; and "was particularly interested in the livings of this church," says Leland, “by leases and estates which he had procured for himself and his kinsmen"-being, in fact one of those rapacious bishops censured by Dr. Mant, who alienated the lands of the church, and reduced many bishoprics as low as sacrilege could make them." Nothing, therefore, was done for that time but, after Loftus had procured the recal, disgrace, and death of Perrot (for he never could forgive that sacrilegious attempt in a layman) he determined to signalize his own zeal for education, and heartily co-operated with the queen in her renewed plan of a college. And instead of despoiling his churches for the purpose, he pointed out, as a convenient site, that "suppressed" monastery of All Hallows, then in the hands of the Dublin corporation. He convened a meeting, prevailed on the mayor and aldermen to give the ground and buildings for so meritorious an object; and to collect funds, circulars were addressed to the principal gentry of Lee's Memorial. Mant. "History of the Church of Ireland,” p. 445 the Pale, entreating assistance by way of private contribution: but Dr. Mant gives the reply of one person to that application, and seems to infer from it that the proceeds thus obtained were very small:-" He had applied to all the gentlemen of the barony of Louth, whose answer was, that they were poor, and not able to give anything." There were forfeited lands, however, in the south; and some abbeys which had lately fallen into the hands of English rapacity ;-O'Dorney in Kerry, Cong in Mayo. Besides innumerable monasteries in Ulster, long since "suppressed," as we saw; but where the monks still contumaciously did their alms-deeds; and prayed for the souls of many an Irish chieftain who had endowed their houses to that end. Some of these a generous queen could bestow (in a certain anticipatory manner) upon her new Protestant college. The college, indeed, was long kept out of its northern property-" was frustrated," as Dr. Leland has it, "of the benefit of its grants by the wars in Ulster :" but being a true undertaking college, it took the "letters patent" in the meantime, and was content to wait, like other undertakers, and realize the queen's bounty by degrees, as the sword of her generals and the plots of her statesmen should extend English power in Ireland. Thus was founded and endowed, by a Protes tant princess, this great Protestant university, for strictly Protestant purposes with Catholic funds, and upon the lands of a Catholic abbey. CHAPTER VIII. O'NEILL IN ARMS-CLONTIBRET. A. D. 1594—1595. Ir had become too plain that Hugh O'Neill was not likely to answer those politic ends for which Elizabeth's government had been so long protecting and cherishing, and, as they believed, educating him. His ingratitude, as English historians term it, had become too apparent. "Though lifted up," says Spenser, "by her majesty out of the dust to that he hath now wrought himself unto, now he playeth like the frozen snake." And nothing better, Spenser fears, would be the result if Shane O'Neill's sons could be taken out of the hands of this Hugh, and set up as rivals to his power-for "if they could overthrow him, who should afterwards overthrow them ?" Wherefore he infers "it is most dangerous to attempt any such plot."* However the queen's councillors, pondering these things with care, and believing that O'Neill was the main hope of the northern confederacy, advised the Deputy, as the best that could be done in the mean time, to offer O'Donnell " pardon," provided, says Moryson, "he would sever himself Spenser's View. p. 180. from O'Neill;" a proposal which, it hardly needs to be said, took no effect. Imagine the haughty Beal-Dearg receiving that offer of an English pardon ! Private orders had been given to Sir William Russell, the new Deputy, to make a prisoner of O'Neill if ever he should have him in his power; of which the chief had immediate information through a friend. "It is credibly made known unto him," says Lee, "that upon what security soever he should come in, your majesty's pleasure is to have him detained." Yet, in contempt of this base plot, O'Neill appeared in Dublin immediately on Russell's landing, where he found himself formally accused before the council, by his mortal enemy, Bagnal, of various articles of treason—of confederating with the Northern chiefs, of being The O'Neill, of harbouring priests, and finally, of seducing the accuser's sister and carrying her off to Tyr-owen. It was debated in council whether the chieftain should be detained a prisoner to answer these charges, notwithstanding a protection" he had obtained: but the majority, either through scruples about violating the protection, or from some secret affection for Tyrone,"* declared that he ought in justice and honour to be dismissed. Ormond, however, informed O'Neill privately that Russell would obey his orders from England and arrest him unless he speedily escaped from Dublin. And no man better knew the treacherous devices of English policy than this Earl of Ormond, 66 Camdeu. Queen Elizabeth. 66 whose indignant letter, in reply to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh (when similar orders had been sent to himself), is recorded by Carte:— My Lord, I will never use treachery to any man, for it would both touch her highness's ho nour and my own credit too much; and whosoever gave the queen advice thus to write, is fitter for such base service than I am. Saving my duty to her majesty, I would I might have revenge by my sword of any man that thus persuadeth the queen to write to me." By advice of his friend Ormond, O'Neill fled from Dublin, made his way, with some risk, through the Pale, for Russell had been drawing a cordon around him, escaped to the North, and prepared to stand on his defence. It was about this time (594) that Captain Thomas Lee drew up the celebrated memorial addressed to Queen Elizabeth, and intended to inform her how her servants in Ireland executed the trust committed to them. Lee had commanded some troops himself in various posts on the frontiers of Ulster during Fitzwilliam's administration; and he indignantly describes the many villanies and cruelties of that officer and his creatures; but the most remarkable feature in the production is the strong affection which the writer manifests for O'Neill. O'Neill is his hero: in assertion of O'Neill's loyalty and truth, honest Lee is ready (perhaps rashly) to lay down his life. "If he were so bad as they would fain enforce (as many as know him and the strength of his country will witness thus much with me,) he might very easily out off many of your majesty's forces which are |