yielding to them the half of its patronal rights. On the termination of this suit, Father Jones proceeded to pull down well nigh the whole of the existing buildings and laid the foundations for the College as it now exists. The funds necessary for this work, were partly supplied from his own private resources, and in part received from England, and collected principally from the British residents in the City. The Inquisitor of that time also contributed a sum which sufficed for the building two rooms.
The zealous enterprise met with encouragement and success, and in a short time a sufficient sum was collected to justify the commencement of the work. The building was begun on June 14, 1714. The ancient dilapidated edifice was gradually removed, and on its site were laid the new foundations. In procuring the means for so serious an undertaking, Father Jones received considerable assistance from Father John Shepperd the College Agent in England. In spite, however, of the earnest efforts made for raising contributions, the sums collected were soon found inadequate to complete the work, and it was owing to this circumstance that no less than thirteen years were spent in raising the edifice to the elevation of a single story, and when it was at last roofed, in 1727, the interior was left in so rude and unfinished a state, that for a considerable time the College rejoiced in the name of the "Lisbon Barn."
While Father Jones was engaged in this meritorious work, the number of students was, of necessity, limited. The schools, however, seem never to have been entirely interrupted; and it is not the least among the many honourable testimonies recorded of this zealous and worthy President, that when no one was found to undertake the teaching of the Classics, he condescended whilst head of the Establishment, and though he had previously occupied the Chairs of Philosophy and Theology, to employ himself in teaching the first rudiments of Grammar.
After holding the Presidency for twenty-three years
