If we are to be explicit on the objections to
Irish demands, said Mr. Trevelyan, we ought to be no less explicit on the con- cessions which we are prepared to make. And he confessed that he was very much disposed indeed to give the Irish full eontrol of their 'Own education, their poor-law system, their roads and bridges, and public works. He would give a freely elected body the power of disposing of the Irish quota of the Education grant and give that body the charge of the whole education of the country, elementary, middle-class, and University. If that were not sufficient, then the Irish must supplement it by raising for themselves in Ireland what more they wanted ; but the educa- tional policy should be left completely to this freely elected body. And he would do the same with public works, roads, poor-law relief, &c. This would, at least, give the Irish experience in self-government ; and, in Mr. Trevelyar's belief, after twelve years of self-government of this kina, "Irish ideas" would be very different from what they are now. He would give freely and generously all that he could give ; and refuse explicitly and finally all that must be refused if the Union is to be maintained.
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