INTRODUCTION. XXXIX The Candidates are then presented, each "father" exhorting his "sons," in a somewhat long speech from the pulpit, and be- fore presenting them "unoquoque patre ante inchoatam prsesen- tationem e suggest© filios suos longiuscula oratione cohortante." The Bedell then recites the names of those who have taken Degrees at the present Commencements, according to the order of seniority. The Proctor in a set speech declares, " by the authority committed to him," that the Candidates are now per- fect Graduates, and dismisses the assembly. There seems to have been no special business assigned in these statutes to the University Senate, except listening to these speeches and exercises, and giving their votes for or against the Candidates for Degrees, and it seems to have been a very rare occurrence then, as it is now, to have a Degree stopped, either by the veto of any member of the Caput, or by a majority of the Senate. This is, no doubt, a healthy sign. It proves that the Candi- dates proposed for Degrees, who must have all received the private grace of the Provost and Senior FelloAvs, have in general been approved also by the Senate, and that there has been practically no collision between the two bodies. It is a great mistake to sup- pose that the powers as to Degrees, committed to the Senate, were intended " as a check " upon the Provost and Senior Fel- lows; the Senate itself, as well as the powers entrusted to it, have been the creation of the Provost and Fellows under the Charter of Queen Elizabeth ; and it is strange that they should have in- tended the Senate as a check upon themselves.^
- The late Dublin University Com- Fellows, and that by the Charter of
missioners (1853) in their Report the foundation ; and have not been de- (p. 9), have said: — "The power of fined by Royal Statute: therefore the the University Senate, if intended as Senate was not intended as a check a check on those of the Provost and upon the Board.] The Commission- Senior Fellows, should not have ers go on to say: — "The power of been left entirely under their con- negativing Degrees is so rarely exer- trol, but shovdd have been defined by cised, that the authority of the Senate Royal Statute." [But the powers of in this respect might be dispensed the Senate have been left entirely to with, and the absolute power of con- the control of the Provost and Senior ferring Degrees left with the Provost
