Page:A Catalogue of Graduates who have Proceeded to Degrees in the University of Dublin, vol. 1.djvu/14

viii influence, and the Fellows could no longer bring their complaints, in a private way, before their party in the Government, All things were now done openly, in accordance with the Statutes, and the Provost and Senior Fellows, the legitimate Governors of the College, were consulted about all matters of importance.

But in the reign of James II. things began to change. The power of arbitrarily nominating to Fellowships and other offices by mandamus was claimed; the College plate was carried off; the keys of the muniment room were demanded, and ultimately obtained; the Chapel was desecrated, and the Library seized. In February, 168$6⁄7$ the Provost and Fellows fled to England, leaving only four in the College, viz. Dr. Kichard Acton, Vice- Provost ; George Thewles; John Hall; Jeremiah Allen; finally, on the 6th September, 1689, the College was absolutely seized upon by the Government, the students violently displaced, and the buildings converted into prisons for citizens of Dublin who had incurred the King's displeasure, and into quarters for the King's soldiers.

It will easily be understood that the records of the College