Page:Historical account of Lisbon college.djvu/136

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HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF LISBON COLLEGE.

In the Catholic Magazine of 1834, mention is made of the visit paid to the College, on January 21, of that year, of Lord William Russell the British Ambassador Extraordinary, accompanied by Lady Russell. They went through the various parts of the establishment, and expressed their admiration at the magnificent prospect presented from the Observatory. The next day the students addessed to Lord William a Latin petition for the purpose of obtaining two play-days, to which His Lordship returned an elegant and gracious reply in the same language. The students returned thanks in the following Ode:


Nos tibi Russell generi decori
Muneris nobis memores peracti
Solvimus grates, hilarique laude

Corda resultant.

Illius sic, te generosa conjux
Dotibus famaque micans ubique,
Prcemio per te simili fruentis

Concelebramus.

En nitent horoe roseoe coronis,
En novo soles rutilant nitore,
En novi nobis veniunt honores

Numine vestro.

Pignus hoc ergo pia Musa profert
Vos decus nostrum studiosa poscens
Illud ut suavi et anime benigno

Accipiatis.


Admiral Parker, commanding the English Channel Fleet which was stationed in the Tagus, also paid a visit at the same time. It was, probably, on this occasion that a somewhat amusing incident took place. The Admiral was accompanied by some of the middies who, at the conclusion of their visit, it seems suggested to him to ask permission from the President for the students to visit their vessel. Those who remember what a strict disci-