The state of education in Ireland is truly lamentable, and her legislators could not confer a more signal blessing upon the country, than by providing an ample remedy for the present defec tive system. The most sanguine hopes, however, may be formed from the establishment of Lancas terian schools, if some of the prejudices of the cas tholic poor could be overcome. It is not the defi ciency of means which causes this neglect, but the unskilful application of those means. The people of Ireland," observes Mr. Wakefield," are, I may alinost say, universally educated. Many of my readers will no doubt smile at this expression, but I must beg leave to re-assert, that I do not know any part of Ireland so wild, that its inhabitants are not anxious, nay, eagerly anxious, for the education of their children; yet, crowded jails, ferocious turbulence, habitual slothfulness, gloomy bigotry,' are traits in the Irish character, constantly exhibited to the public view." But the desire manifested to obtain it, and to that de sire numerous writers bear testimony, is all; the manner in which it is conveyed deserves the utmost censure. The common schoolmaster is generally a man who was originally intended for the priesthood, but whose morals had been too bad, or his habitual idleness so deeply rooted, as to prevent his improving himself sufficiently for that

office. To persons of this kind is the education of the poor entirely entrusted; and the consequence is, that their pupils imbibe from them enmity to England, hatred to the government, and superstitious veneration for old and absurd cus toms. This, however, does not present the whole picture of education in Ireland. There are char tered schools, and free schools of royal founda tion, or founded by individuals; and thousands are annually expended for the maintenance of these public institutions: but they are so perverted from their legitimate objects, so neglected, and so abused, that no really good effects, as to the na tion, are produced. The following are the schools of royal foundation in Ireland, which were founded by Charles I. and endowed with larger estates by his son Charles II,

This tabular view of the value of each foundation, and the amount of good produced, will sufficiently prove the defects of these public schools. In some places, the school-house has been suf

fered to go to decay, as at Raphoe; while at others, as at Cavan, there is no school-house at all. At Banagher, the Hon. and Rev. Richard Ponsonby is schoolmaster, and at Carysfort the Rev. Sir Thomas Foster, Bart, both appointments being rendered mere sinecures. In no case are the funds of these endowments made applicable to the real extent of their power in providing education for those who may require it. There are schools of private foundation at Navan and Ballyrowan. The lands belonging to the former were let in 1896 for 14651. 158. ; but the appointments to both these masterships are considered as gifts which require no duty. The charter schools were founded in 1733 by George II. for the purpose of instructing the children of the popish and other poor natives in the English tongue." These schools, however, are regarded with great aversion by the catholics, and when they pass by them, they generally give vent to their curses. "Have not the protestants," they cry, "robbed the necessitous poor of their children, to bring them up in their own religion." The view in which these people consider the system is worthy of notice. The Roman catholic never believes education to be the object; religion alone presents itself to his mind, and engrosses his whole atten tion. On the whole, there is no want of means to educate the children, but the application of those means is most defective.

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With four archbishopricks, Ireland possesses only one protestant university, that of Dublin. This institution was first projected by Archbishop Leech, about the year 1311; but death having interrupted his design, it was revived and exécuted by Bicknor, his successor, and enjoyed moderate prosperity for about forty years, when the reve nues failed. In the reign of Elizabeth, the uni versity was refounded by voluntary contribution under the auspices of Sydney, the lord deputy! In 1591, it was removed from the precincts of St. Patrick's church to the site of an Augustine monastery, and received a charter from Elizabeth under the style of Trinity college. The first James and Charles were liberal benefactors. It consists of a chancellor, vice-chancellor, provost, vice-provost, twenty-two fellows, and thirteen professors of various sciences. The number of students is commonly about six hundred, including twenty scholars on the foundation, and thirty ser vitors or sizors. The prevailing principle' is to make advancement the reward of exertion. Ad mission is granted only to those who, on exami nation, appear to have improved themselves at school. Scholarships are given to the best clássi cal scholars who have arrived at their third year,

and entitle the possessors to a small annual income, and to a place in the corporate body. The

more lucrative and honourable situation of a fellow is only obtained by many years of hard labour, and by being superior to other candidates on a long and very difficult examination, Quarterly examinations are also held for the under graduates, and premiums given to the most distinguished answerers, the good effects of which are visible in the exertions of the students. The building consists of four quadrangles, and it contains a library of great extent and value, which has been enriched by the celebrated Fagel, collection from Holland. There are also a hall for examinations, a chapel, a printing-office, and convenient thea tres for the different lectures. The member who represents this university in Parliament, is not required to exhibit any landed qualification, and is chosen by the fellows and students; the latter form by far the majority. Being young men of liberal education, inspired with that honest boldness, and warmed with that patriotic zeal, which are peculiar to youth, they are independent in their choice, and return the man whom they conşider most worthy of their confidence. Adjacent to the university is a park; and an observatory has been erected on the calcareous rock of Dul surk, about four miles to the north-west.

Intimately connected with this question of na tional education, is that of instructing the catho lics of Ireland. Justly sensible of the great evils attendant upon the practice of the catholic youth seeking their education in foreign countries, to