Mr. Haldane, who followed, appealed to the Ulster Members to
abandon their hostile attitude, or at least produce an alterna- tive scheme,—an appeal which failed in its effect; but Mr Campbell, the ex-Attorney-General for Ireland, while taunting Mr. Birrell with inconsistency, and deploring the sectarian segregation which the measure involved, announced that he bad come to the conclusion that it would not be right to delay placing higher education within the reach of his fellow- countrymen. Sir Edward Carson went further in his welcome of the Bill, advising the Opposition to grant the proposed reform in a generous spirit; and Mr. Birrell, who gratefully acknowledged his support, wound up the debate for the Government, assuring the Nonconformists that he bad taken every step to secure that neither in Dublin nor in Belfast would the University be denominational. The amendment having been rejected by 352 'votes to 38, and the Closure carried by a majority of 279, the Bill was read a second • time by 344 votes to 31. The vote must be regarded as very satisfactory. It shows that the great bulk of the Nonconformists are willing to allow the Bill to pass.
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