In Paris, the College, as it was afterwards called, of Robert de Sorbona, ultimately obtained great celebrity, but was at first quite distinct from the University. Its founder did not call it a Col- lege, but " the Congregation of poor Masters studying at Paris in the Faculty of Theology."[1] He had been Provisor, or admi- nistrator of the funds of the secular theological students, and in 1270 bequeathed all his property to their use, which bequest, however, did not come into operation until 1452 or 1453; so long was it before the foundation of a College in connexion with the University was fully developed. In fact, it has been fully developed only at Oxford and Cambridge, a circumstance in a great measure accidental, arising from the powerful influence of the Mendicant and Benedictine Orders, in the schools of the Uni- versities, and the suppression of the monasteries in England at the time of the Reformation.
But this is not the place to attempt anything like a history of Universities. Enough has been said to show that the ancient Universities existed for centuries without Colleges, and that some of them have never had Colleges even to the present day. It is not, however, denied that the English Universities owe much of their excellent tone and efficiency, as seats of learning, to their Colleges; but it is clearly an ignorant and unworthy prejudice to find fault with the University of Dublin, as if it were no University, because it has but one College.[2] On the
- ↑ "Congregatio pauperum Magistrorum Parisiis studentium in Theologica Facultate." Robert de Sorbonne, so called from the place of his birth, was of humble origin. His Testament, written four years before his death, is published by D'Achery, Spicil. ubisupr., p. 670. In 1251, he became canon of Cambrai; in 1258,canon of Paris; his will is dated Michaelmas day, 1270; hedied 15th Aug., 1274.
- ↑ Sir John Perrot, Lord Deputyin 1584, proposed to suppress St. Patrick's Cathedral, and with its revenues " to begin the foundation of two Universities, and endow a couple of Colleges in them with £1000 per annum a piece." Here the plan was to have only one College in each University: but the scheme failed; and the suppressed Monastery of All Hallows, or All Saints, was afterwards employed for the same purpose, or at least its dilapidated building, for its lands and endowments had long before passed into other hands. See Introd. to Univ. Calendar for 1833. Registr. Prioratus
