confusion. A loose and vicious system of keeping accounts had been adopted, and innumerable abuses in the domestic economy had begun to be authorized by prescription. To remedy all these evils Father Barnard assiduously devoted himself to a complete revision of the affairs of the College, from the time of its foundation. With infinite toil and unabating industry, he examined every document, caused many of the most important ones which through time or accident were in danger of becoming illegible to be recopied, and by redeeming the archives from the confusion in which they had so long lain, went far to repair the evil consequences of the negligence of his predecessors. He also introduced a regular mercantile method of keeping accounts, and strenuously enforced the observance of discipline in every department. While thus employed, Preston and Allen, as we have seen from the preceding short sketches of their lives, were making successful efforts to increase the pecuniary resources of the College, and to improve and enlarge the building. From the time of the great earthquake until the period at which we have arrived, the portion of the edifice which had suffered from that calamity still lay in ruins, and the rest was in the imperfect state in which it had been left by the President, Father Jones. The house in most parts rose only to the height of one story; the ground floor had never been flagged, and the corridor above still continued with no better ceiling than the tiles and rafters.
By the exertions of the two above mentioned, the ruined parts of the edifice were now restored, the whole building put in a state of good repair, and a comfortable residence provided for twenty-five students and the usual number of Superiors. This improvement was effected between the years 1777 and 1780, and it was on this occasion, as previously stated, that the venerable Dr. Challoner materially contributed to its renovation by a large pecuniary remittance. This venerable Bishop had always expressed the greatest interest in the welfare of Lisbon College, which possibly was quickened by the
