in the country. What would result from perfect free trade? Great companies would be formed, whose interest would compel them to keep sufficient gold in their coffers to meet the paper brought to them for payment. There would naturally be such companies, and their competition would keep down banking profits to meet the interests of shopkeepers and others. For this is the true object of banking. It is economy of gold. It is to render it unnecessary to every shopkeeper to keep a great quantity of gold in his shop. The banker takes it and trades with it, paying a per centage to the depositor, to the mutual convenience of both parties. And why this could not happen under free trade no one had ever shown. He did not know he had any other remark to offer; but he had felt it to be his duty to protest against this Bill. Mr. Ross did not think that four banks for the issue of notes was sufficient; and this would be particularly felt in the pro vince of Ulster. Mr. Hawes considered that it would be highly beneficial if there was a great extension of joint-stock banks in Ireland. He did not conceive that this would necessarily be attended with an increase of paper circulation. He did not believe, however, that this measure would be attended with any serious consequences to Ireland; but still it might interfere with the formation of secure joint-stock banks. If he (Mr. Hawes) interfered with the system of banking in Ireland at all, he would endeavour, as much as possible, to assimilate it to the Scotch system of banking. The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought the solvency of the banks would be better secured by not giving them the power proposed to be conferred by this clause, and he must, therefore, oppose it. Sir R. Peel was fearful that if they gave too great facilities for a paper currency, they would in the end generate a tendency to get rid of a metallic currency. Let the House look at the manner in which the enormous transactions at Liverpool and Manchester were conducted; there the only bank notes in circulation were those of the Bank of England, representing sovereigns; and if these notes were abolished to-morrow, sovereigns would be used in their stead, without much inconvenience. Clause brought up and read a first time. the Clause be read a second timeAyes 24; Noes 77: Majority 53. Mr. S. O'Brien moved as a second Resolution, that "And be it Enacted, That in the event of the said Bank stopping payment, or becoming Bankrupt, that such Stock shall be held in trust for the persons, creditors of the said Bank, who shall be holders of the said Promissory Notes of the said Bank, at the time of such stoppage of payment or failure: Provided always, that the said Bank shall be entitled to receive the half-yearly Dividends payable on the said Stock, until stoppage of payment or bankruptcy; Provided also, that the said Bank shall make Returns of their Issues of Notes as the several Banks of Issue in Ireland shall be bound to make such Returns under this Act, and that in case the issue of such Bank shall exceed, at any one time, the amount of such Stock so transferred, that such Bank shall be liable to the same penalties as the several Banks of Issue shall be liable to for their excess of Issue under the provisions of this Act; Provided also, that in case of their withdrawal of their Notes to an tion, then, on proving the same to the satisamount of 50,000l. or upwards, from circulafaction of the said Commissioners, or the said persons so to be appointed, an equal amount of such stock shall be re-transferred to the said Bank." Clause read a first time. On the Question that it be read a second time, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, he could no more agree to that than to the former clause of which it was a consequence. Motion negatived. Bill passed. COLLEGES (IRELAND).] Sir James Graham moved that the Report on the Colleges (Ireland) Bill be brought up. Mr. Bernal Osborne postponed the Resolution of which he had given notice, until the Motion for the third reading of the Bill, in order to afford the right hon. the Recorder of Dublin an opportunity of being present on the occasion. Sir James Graham postponed the statement he had intended to give that evening with reference to this Bill, until the Motion for going into Committee upon it. That Motion would be made on Thursday next, immediately after the Enclosure Bill was disposed of. The alterations h contemplated were of considerable importance. Mr. Hume objected to postponing the measure in any way. He was of opinion that the reason which had been urged for the postponement of the Bill, was a good ground for proceeding with the Committee | man thought that further time was reon Thursday next. quired, of course he (Mr. Sheil) could not expect an answer on that occasion; but he would take that opportunity of asking whether the Government had taken advantage of the delay which had occurred to communicate to the Roman Catholic bishops the alterations which they proposed, and whether they had received the assent of the Catholic bishops to those alterations? Mr. Sheil said, that the hon. Member for Kilkenny had taken for his motto, "religio mihi nulla est." He appeared to think that the object of the measure was to provide secular education for the students at those Colleges; but the Government had stated that they did not look upon it in that light, and that they were anxious to give facilities for religious instruction. When the measure was at first proposed, he (Mr. Sheil) expressed a fear that on this, as on former occasions, a great mistake had been committed in not consulting the Catholic hierarchy-that was an error in policy, it was a signal error, and the consequences of it would be, he feared, most pernicious. After the introduction of the measure, a synod of the bishops took place, and a memorial was agreed to which condemned the Bill in very important particulars, but they gave the Government credit for good motives, and they referred in proof of those motives to the Maynooth Bill. Since that memorial was agreed to, the Government had been called upon to state how far they acceded to the views which had been put forward on that occasion; and the Government undertook a new consideration of some of the details, the effect of which was to produce certain alterations in the measure. The right hon. Baronet had been asked two questions on Friday by him (Mr. Sheil) with reference to this Bill. One was, whether he would consent to the appointment of Roman Catholic and Protestant chaplains, who were to be paid by the State, to attend those Colleges; and the other was, whether it was intended to propose any alteration with respect to the power of the Crown in appointing the professors. The right hon. Gentleman did not then answer those questions'; but the right hon. Gentleman stated that he was prepared to answer the question, and he only postponed it as he believed it would be a more appropriate time to answer it when the Bill should be before the House on Monday (yesterday). He (Mr. Sheil) accordingly came down to the House on that evening with the full conviction that the right hon. Baronet would be prepared to afford information as to whether the Government intended to introduce any alteration with respect to those two important particulars. If the right hon. Gentle Mr. Colquhoun did not see the necessity of calling in to their aid in such a measure the opinions of any hierarchy, much less a hierarchy who had not concealed or disguised their open and avowed approval of political agitation in Ireland, and who gave powerful and efficient assistance to that agitation, as the hon. and learned Member opposite (Mr. O'Connell) could testify-a hierarchy who were pledged to an agitation, the effect of which would be to destroy the integrity of the Empire. [Mr. O'Connell; No.] They were the active supporters of that agitation. [An hon. Member: Dr. Murray was not one.] If hon. Members allowed him to proceed, they would have an opportunity of replying to him; but he would remind them that he was not then on the floor of Conciliation Hall-he was speaking to an assembly of Gentlemen; and whether he differed from them in opinion or not, he was confident they would not attempt to put him down in any other way than by replying to him. Whatever was the opinion of the Irish hierarchy with respect to this subject, he hoped the House would decide it, as it was their duty, on principles of sound policy alone. If Ministers, when they had introduced a system of secular education like this on their own responsibility, departed from it in consequence of what had taken place, he should regret it; for such a course would be calculated to raise an opposition to the Bill more formidable than any which it had yet experienced; for hon. Members near him had stated that the Catholic hierarchy were not the advocates of Repeal agitation; but if he asked the hon. and learned Member opposite (Mr. O'Connell) whether such was the case, he would no doubt answer in the affirmative. Was the hon. Member near him aware that a Catholic archbishop could deprive a priest of his functions, if he disapproved of the course which he took? If such were the case, how, then, could the hon. Member say that the Ro man Catholic bishops in Ireland were not favourable to agitation? like to know what business he could have in Conciliation Hall, or any conciliation assembly. I must again express a hope that the discussion of this measure will be conducted with perfect courtesy and good humour, and I can pledge myself that such will be the case so far as I am concerned. Mr. O'Connell: I don't mean to agitate the question of Repeal on this occasion; and I will, therefere, only say that the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down is a very bad theologian-an exceedingly bad theologian-and being so very bad, it would be well worth his while to inquire a little Sir J. Graham agreed with the last obinto the facts before he makes statements servation of the hon. and learned Member. on such subjects as that of which he has He hoped they would discuss the Bill with just been speaking. No Catholic bishop perfect good temper. It was far from the in Ireland could deprive a priest of his intention of the Government to interfere functions after a formal induction, or a with the Roman Catholic religion. The triennial possession. The hon. Member hon. Member for Newcastle said that it for Montrose has spoken of the interference would be unworthy of the House to comof the Catholic bishops, as if they wished mit the sole discussion of this Bill to any to interfere with a system of education for body of prelates, however respectable. To Protestants, but they have done no such that feeling he subscribed; but, at the thing. I should be happy to hear of Pro- same time, he must observe that the Irish testant bishops interfering to secure reli- Protestants had ample provision made for gious education of Protestant children them in Trinity College, and that the preof Presbyterian clergymen interfering to sent measure must be deeply and pecusecure the religious education of Presby- liarly interesting to the Roman Catholic terian children; and I claim the same prelates. It was a question touching a right for the Catholics; namely, that the large portion of the Roman Catholic poCatholic bishops shall be permitted to pulation, and he was prepared to declare take care of the religious education of the that he did think the opinions of the miniCatholic children. I thank the right hon. sters of the Roman Catholic Church ought Baronet opposite (Sir R. Inglis) for the to be received with respect; he did not say admirable description which he gave of with humble deference, but at all events this measure when he called it "a gigantic with respectful attention. In answer to scheme of godless education;" and as the question of the right hon. Gentleman regards the alleged success of the system the Member for Dungarvon, he had to say on the Continent, so far am I from assent- that the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland did ing to that allegation, that I think nothing receive from the Roman Catholic prelates can be more unsuccessful than the efforts a written memorial, and that in addition of those who seek to exclude from educa- to that written memorial the Lord Lieutetion religion, which should be the basis of nant had the honour of receiving a deputait. I believe that religion ought to be the tion. The Lord Lieutenant conferred with basis of education; and I came over from those prelates: he entered largely into the Ireland for no other purpose than humbly subject, and he had reason to hope that to represent the necessity of making reli- some of their objections were mitigated by gion the basis of education, to establish it the explanations he had given. The connot only as a part, but an essential part of sequence of that conference was, the it. I sincerely hope and desire that the Amendments which he had laid on the discussion of this subject will be carried Table of the House. Since that no furon with good temper and good feeling, ther direct intercourse had taken place and that we shall not imitate the hon. between the Lord Lieutenant and the preMember opposite (Mr. Colquhoun) in lates. With respect to further alterations, adopting such a tone, and making un- he would not say, and it would not be founded assertions of others who are ab- fitting to say, that they had been submitted He boasted two or three times that to the Roman Catholic prelates. he was a gentleman, and I think it would plan which had been submitted by the be far more consistent with the character Government was a plan for collegiate eduof a gentleman if he had acted with more cation, from which religious instruction courtesy towards the Catholic bishops. was excluded within the walls; whilst, at He says that he is not in Conciliation the same time, every facility was given to Hall. He is not, it is true, and I should I that religious instruction out of the walls sent. The with the aid of private endowment. There would be ample opportunities of discussing the details in Committee, and there should be full time given before the third reading for the opinion of Ireland to be given upon them. He would not propose the third reading till after a reasonable time; but considering the period of the Session, and considering that he and his Colleagues attached great importance to the measure and to its becoming law in the present Session, he hoped he would not betray undue haste if he did not postpone the further progress of this Bill beyond Thursday. Mr. Wyse had not understood that religious instruction was to be excluded from these Colleges; but that every facility should be given to individuals to endow chairs of religion in the Colieges. Sir J. Graham said, it was the intention of the Government to adhere to the 15th Clause of the Bill, which gave facilities for lectures out of private endowments within the walls of the Colleges, subject to the control of the governing body and the approval of the Crown, but with no endowment from the State. Mr. O'Connell: If they had not religious instruction, the instruction would be worth nothing whatever. Sir W. James observed, that whether Dr. Murray was a Repealer or not, he had always abstained from violent political agitation; and he would ever speak of such conduct in a clergyman of any communion with sincere, hearty, and unfeigned respect. But he could understand, and to a certain extent sympathize with the objections of the Roman Catholic prelates, because pursuits of a purely literary and scientific character might alienate the mind from those subjects which addressed the heart rather than the intellect. The Bill, too, had been unwisely named; it was properly a Bill for providing literary and scientific institutions. It did not profess to give education, and it certainly was not collegiate; it supposed that religious instruction was given elsewhere. Still he should be glad to see the Bill assume more of a religious character. Unhappily, our lot was cast in days when every theologian must become a politician, and every politician a theologian. Mr. Roche observed, that this incidental discussion had better terminate; it was for the interest of all to come to an agreement on the question. Mr. A. J. B. Hope thought the statement of the right hon. Baronet might as well have been made to-night, and then the House would have come to the discussion on Thursday prepared. The Amendments proposed by Sir J. Graham were then read a second time. The Report of the Resolution (for a grant out of the Consolidated Fund) was received, and the Committee on the Bill was appointed for Thursday. Adjourned at half-past ten o'clock. Reported.-White's Charity Estate (Herbert's); Bedford and London Railway; Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester Junction Railway; Berks and Hants Railway; Lowestoft Railway and Harbour; Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway; Yarmouth and Norwich Railway; Castle Hill (Wexford) Docks; Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Tynemouth Extension) Railway; Dundee and Perth Railway; Aberdeen Railway; Quinborowe Borough; Claughton-cum-Grange (St. Andrew's) Church; Claughton-cum-Grange (St. John the Baptist's) Church.' 3 and passed :-Dunstable and Birmingham and London Railway; York and Scarborough Railway Deviation; Leicester Freemen's Allotments; Lady Sandy's (Turner's) Estate. PETITIONS PRESENTED. By the Marquess of Normanby, from Liverpool, for Inquiry into the Sanatory Condition of the Tailoring Trade.-By the Marquess of Normanby, from John Liddle, Medical Officer of Whitechapel Union, relating to the Unhealthy Condition of many parts of that neighbourhood, and for the Appointment of a District Officer of Health.-By the Duke of Buccleuch, from Bradford, Coventry, and Edinburgh, for the Adoption of Sanatory Regulations in Populous Districts. -By Lord Redesdale, from Hinckley, and 2 other places, against the Increase of Grant to the College of Maynooth. -By Lord Stanley, from Provincial Parliament, for Protection and Extension of Privileges to Vessels employed in Navigating the Inland Waters of the Province of Canada. From Macroom, for Protection to Rights of Agricultural Labourers (Ireland).—From Landowners of Crossgar, for Protection to Rights of Tenants (Ireland). -From Protestant Clergy, and from the Inhabitants of several places, in Ireland, for Encouragement to Schools in connexion with Church Education Society. Sir D. Norreys thought there was an end to all hope of mixed education if the THE CHURCH EDUCATION SOCIETY opinion of the Roman Catholic bishops (IRELAND).] The Bishop of Cashel prewas to be received as decisive by the laity.sented a petition, signed by 1,360 clergy dren are instructed in the catechism of their Church." This was one of the dangers he (the Bishop of Cashel) had anticipated from the system of national education. Mr. Mackesy proceeded to say— "I am favourable to the national system so far as this, that I consider it the next best thing where it is impossible to establish a scriptural school." These were precisely the sentiments he (the Bishop of Cashel) entertained. Mr. Mackesy further said "I have acted upon this principle in my own parish; but it appears to me that a school under the Church Education Society might be established with great benefit in the parish of Monksland." men of the Established Church, praying | dren, that the rules of the Board, particularly aid to the schools in connexion with the as to religious instruction, shall be strictly enChurch of Ireland. He was enabled to forced; and I find that the Protestant children say, from direct and positive information, are present, when the Roman Catholic chilthat the opinion entertained by the clergy of Ireland was adverse to the plan of the national schools, especially as some of them were now conducted; in many of them the use of the Scriptures was excluded to please the priests. The Roman Catholics, as was well known, held that the Scriptures alone could not be safely circulated among the people; whereas the Protestants held the very contrary doctrine, that they alone were sufficient, without note or comment, for religious instruction. The clergy of Ireland, therefore, upon principle, objected to any plan or system which did not enforce the use of the Scriptures; for they felt they could not be parties to refusing to children an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the Word of God. He regretted to be Mr. Mackesy had further written to him, obliged to call their Lordships' attention that the establishment of scriptural schools to details so painful; but he held in his was not only desirable, but necessary. hands letters which showed that parents There were a great number of English were threatened with excommunication children there belonging to miners brought for sending their children to schools where from Cornwall, thirty of whom asked for the Bible was taught. On the 8th of the establishment of a scriptural school. January last, a Roman Catholic clergy. He wrote to Mr. Osborne, on whose man, named Stratt, wrote to a most re- estate they had settled, asking for ground spectable gentleman in the county of for a school, and offering any purchase Waterford, named Smith, who had esta- money he chose to ask; but that gentleblished a school for his tenants, stating man refused, thereby showing, that those that he was instructed by his bishop to who talked of civil and religious liberty, excommunicate those Catholics who at- were not remarkable for their liberality to tended his schools where the Scriptures those who were working the mines on were taught. When those schools were their estates, and thereby increasing their first established, Extracts from the Scrip- income. He (the Bishop of Cashel) contures were used, but now those were sidered that scriptural schools ought to be thrown side; and even that was a matter established for the Protestants of Ireland. which he thought means ought to be Mr. O'Connell had lately expressed himtaken to remedy. The Rev. Mr. Wood-self in the strongest terms against anyward, in a pamphlet he had published on the subject of the National Schools, contended that the mixed education given under the National Board was most injurious to Protestants. The Rev. Mr. Mackesy, whom he had been accused of censuring for his opposition to the Church Education Society, wrote, on the 30th of May, 1843, to the Rector of Monksland, a parish containing a large Protestant population, and where he was then doing temporary duty, in these terms:— thing in the shape of united education; and in an extraordinary paper put forward by the Roman Catholic bishops, they had demanded that the professors of several branches of education in the proposed academical institutions should be Roman Catholics, urging, that if their request were not complied with, Roman Catholics educated in those institutions would be exposed to great danger. He (the Bishop of Cashel) would venture to say, that the nearest approach to united "There are a great many Protestant chil-education was, that given by the Church dren attending the national schools; and, as That society posEducation Society. far as I can learn, no sufficient care has been sessed 1,800 schools, containing 100,000 taken by any person on the part of these chil- scholars, of whom 33,000 were Roman |