Visitor; Honourable J. O'Neil, M. P., Visitor; H. and J. Johnson, Fletcher and Co., Lewis Tate and Co., J. Barry and Co., J. Richards and Co., J. Bell, Carrick and M'Chan, J. M. French, James Blair, M. P., London, and Samuel Thompson, Mackamore Abbey, Ireland, Proprietors; John Barnett, and W. and H. M'Ewen, Belfast, Managers."

On the motion that the petition should lie on the table,

Mr. HUME supported the prayer of the petition, and trusted the attention of his Majesty's Government would be called to the subject. Should that turn out not to be the case, he hoped the Noble Lord by whom the petition had been presented to the House, would make a specific motion respecting it.

Mr. GOULBURN expressed his apprehension, that if an inquiry into private institutions, such as the one under consideration, were required of the Commissioners in question, they would be overlaid with the immensity of their business. The ultimate object of the petitioners was to obtain support from the public purse; but there were many other institutions of a similar kind both in Ireland and in England, which were equally deserving of support.

Mr. ABERCROMBIE expressed his sur prise at what had fallen from the Right Honourable Gentleman. When he considered the nature of this Institution, he had been so far from thinking that the prayer of the petition would be opposed by any Member of his Majesty's Government, that he had imagined they would express the utmost thankfulness and gratitude to the petitioners for their application. Perhaps the House were not aware of the objects of the Belfast Academical Institution, and of the class of persons to whom its benefits applied. They were applied to the great body of the Protes tants in that part of Ireland. The object was the education of those who were to be the instructors of the Protestants, not ouly as clergymen but as schoolmasters. The object was not, as those who had heard the Right Honourable Gentleman's statement might be induced to suppose, particular and individual, but general. It was a most extraordinary argument on the part of the Right Honourable Gentle man, that the objects of the Institution ought not to be promoted at the public expense, because Belfast was an opulent town, the inhabitants of which, therefore, ought to take the charge upon them selves. Ought private means to be called upon for the support of an Institution which was to educate clergymen, not for large benefices and no flocks, but for large flocks, among whom they were to reside, and to exercise the most powerful

ment.

influence? Was it not most monstrous, that when so small a sum was required for such an object, there should be the slightest disposition on the part of the Irish Government to withhold it? The Right Honourable Gentleman would represent the Institution as if it were only a private one, omitting to state that it had once received the support of GovernWhy that support had been withdrawn he would not then say. The petitioners were quite ready to meet, and indeed challenged every possible inquiry into all parts of their conduct. They desired that every part of the conduct of the Institution, and of the character of every thing connected with it, should be scrutinized and canvassed with the utmost severity. If what he had heard was true, the support of Government had been withdrawn from the Institution because Government had unsuccessfully endeavoured to interfere and obtain the patronage of the Institution.

Mr. FORDE expressed his conviction, that if the proposition were acceded to, such a return would be made as would induce the House to consent to a very liberal grant. The Institution was conducted in the most excellent manner; and when the Catholics had their College at Maynooth supported by Government, for the education of Catholic clergy, it was only fair that the Presbyterians should be allowed the same privilege in their own country.

Mr. SPRING RICE said, he did not mean to enter on the defence of the Belfast Institution, as it had not been made the subject of attack; but he thought that if any public establishments were required in a country, none could be of more importance than an institution for the education and maintenance of the Clergy. They did not require a permanent annual graut; all they wanted was such assistance as would enable them to render their own exertions available; and it was his intention, if he could obtain the concurrence of his Noble Friend (Lord Arthur Hill), to move an Amend. ment, which would open the whole question; for he perfectly agreed, that the Presbyterians were just as well entitled as the Catholics, to receive the assistance of Government. He should now move, as an Amendment,-"That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, praying that he would be graciously pleased to order that the Commissioners to be appointed to inquire into the state of Education in Ireland, should take into their early consideration the condition and resources of the Belfast Academic Institution, and report their opinions on the same to the House."

Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, the real ques

tion which the House had to consider was, not whether a Parliamentary Grant should be made, but whether an Institution, founded for the purpose of supplying the Presbyterian Church of Ireland with Ministers of the Gospel, was or was not a fit and legitimate subject for inquiry; and if the Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Goulburn) should be of opinion that it was a fit subject of inquiry, he could not see how he could resist the motion which had been just made by his Honourable Friend (Mr. S. Rice).

Mr. GOULBURN said, it would seem that he had been misunderstood in what he had stated to the House. What he did say was this; not that this subject was not a fit subject for investigation, but that it would be inexpedient to divert the attention of the Commissioners from other subjects of paramount importance, and to occupy them with a question, now, for the first time, introduced to the House. He could never have supposed that the Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Rice) would, on the occasion of presenting a petition, have, without any previous notice, moved for an Address to the Crown. This was certainly neither the most ordinary nor the most convenient course; it was a course, although within the orders of the House, yet by no means conformable to its practice. He was quite sure that when the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir J. Newport) had proposed the appointment of the Commissioners, if he (Mr. Goulburn) had risen aud proposed, that when they should be appointed, the first subject of their inquiry should be the Belfast Institution, the Right Honourable Baronet would have been the first to state, and he would have been supported by all his friends, that the object of such a proposition was to render nugatory the exertions of the Commissioners, and to divert their attention from the great object of their inquiry. The Honourable and Learned Gentleman (Mr. Abercrombie) had said, that the support of Government had been withdrawn from this Institution, and that the reason of it was that they wished to obtain some patronage in its management. He could only say, that whatever occurred, took place before he had any 'connexion with the Irish Government: and if the Hon, and Learned Gentleman would inquire into the matter, he would find that the Government had proceeded upon very different grounds.

He was

quite aware that there was no situation in which a respousible servant of the Crown could be placed, more disagreeable to himself, more unpalateable to his friends, or which laid him more open to

the attacks of his enemies, than to refuse money when it was sought. But at the same time it was his duty to consider well whether the money was demanded on a sound principle; and he was sure the House would agree with him that it would be most inexpedient to divert the attention of the Commissiouers from the more important inquiries upon which they were about to enter.

Mr. SPRING RICE said, the Right Hon. Gentleman had misunderstood him in supposing that he meant the Commissioners should enter upon this inquiry first: the expression used in the Address was early, and it contained not one word at all about a mouey grant.

Mr. C. HUTCHINSON said, the Right Honourable Secretary had treated the question as if he had been taken by surprise. He talked about paramount importance; but he would ask him, what' subject could be more important than the education of Ireland? He could not see how the Right Honourable Gentleman could justify to himself his opposi tion to the motion; for the simple question was, whether the Commissioners should inquire into this Institution?

Mr. GOULBURN said, he thought the main object of the motion was a Parlia mentary grant. His object was not to oppose Presbyterian education, but to avoid the interruption of the inquiries of the Commissioners.

Mr. ABERCROMBIE said, he had distinctly understood the Right Honourable Gentleman to say, that the Commissioners could not, and would not, inquire into the subject.

Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, that when he had moved for the appointment of the Commissioners, he had stated, over and over again, that they should embrace all institutions relating to education; and if he had not so expressed himself, he had fallen very short of the object he had in view.

Mr. PEEL said, a charge had been made against the Government of Ireland, at the period when he was connected with it, to which he pleaded not guilty. He must disclaim altogether, on the part of the Government, any view of patronage, if by patronage were meant any desire to have the nomination of the professors or ministers. It was about nine or ten years since the transaction had occurred which had been alluded to, and not expecting this discussion this evening, he had not refreshed his memory with the circumstances. Formerly the Presbyterian clergy of the North of Ireland received their education and obtained degrees in the Scottish Universities; the practical result of which system had been,

to provide for the North of Ireland as respectable a body of clergymen as ever existed. He considered that it was a great disadvantage to form a college in an extensive manufacturing town; and judging not merely from the result, but forming an opinion à priori, he thought that great benefit must arise from a communication between the different parts of the United Kingdom: it encouraged kindly feelings, dispelled prejudices, and promoted those sentiments which he was

sure the House would be desirous to cherish. He had very great doubt as to the propriety of interfering with the established system of education, and he must avow that there was much in the proceedings of this Institution which he disapproved. What he had said to them was this-if Government consented to

grant the vote, they would then become responsible for their proceedings. All the Government required was some check over their proceedings, and that check to be composed of two persons of the highest rank in the North of Ireland, who should take a part in their deliberations; but they disclaimed all intention of interference with the nomination of their professors. He therefore hoped the Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Rice) would be satisfied with a promise of inquiry at a future period. When the more pressing matters should have been gone through, then it would be very easy to give in

structions to the Commissioners to inquire into this Institution.

Mr. SPRING RICE observed, that provided the great object of inquiry was obtained, it was of little importance whether it was effected by the interposition of Parliament, or by the orders of the Crown. As there was now an understanding relative to that point, he should move that the Amendment should be withdrawn.

Mr. BROUGHAM was disposed to believe that the Irish Government had no

view, by any interference on its part, to possess itself of the patronage of the Institution; but he did think that the tendency of that proposition was eventually to obtain an absolute control over the Establishment.

Mr. Secretary PEEL said, that when a Veto, over the appointment of the Professors, was offered, he declined it as a most invidious exercise. He well recollected, indeed, the discussion had brought it to his recollection, that in the letter alluded to, he disclaimed any interference in the appointment of the Professors.-The Petition was ordered to be printed.

LITERARY.

The Milton Manuscript.-This anxiously-expected work is announced in 4to. for the beginning of the ensuing University press, under the care of Mr. year. It is printing at the Cambridge Sumner, librarian and historiographer to lows; " Joannis Miltoni Angli de Dochis Majesty. The Latin title is as foltrina' Christiana Libri duo posthumi, original will be published a translation nunc primum typis mandati." With the by Mr. Sumner, entitled "A Treatise on Christian Doctrine, by John Milton."

It may be known to our readers that Mr. Hone and the Quarterly Review.Mr. Hone some time ago published a book called The Apocryphal Gospels. For this he was charged with ignorance, fraud and impiety, by a Quarterly Reviewer. He put out a reply under the title of "Aspersions Answered," in which he ingenuously confessed some errors, but convicted the Reviewer of other errors. The anonymous antago nist has returned to the charge, with an acknowledgment of some of his own blunders and new abuse of Mr. Hone.

The latter gentleman has published a rejoinder, in a sixpenny pamphlet, under the title of "An Article for the Quarterly and spirit, and has convicted the ReReview," in which he shews great ability viewer of such dishonest artifices as must disgust even the proprietors of the Quarterly, now, at least, that they are exposed to the public.

WE see with pleasure an advertisement of the whole Works and Correspondence of Sir Thomas Browne, Knt., M. D., of Norwich, under the care of S. Wilkin, F. L. S., and Member of the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh. With the Works will be given the Critical and Explanatory

Notes and Observations of Sir Kenelm

Digby, Dean Wren, Lefebvre, Keck, Moltkenius and others; and also the Life of Browne, by Johnson, with copious and interesting additions. The Editor pro

mises that some of the works shall be collated with original MSS.

NOTICES.

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