[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.. ") SIR,—Although the House of
Commons vote on the Irish Roman Catholic University question was for the moment adverse, it must not be considered that the matter is in any way settled. Many Members, like Mr. Balfour himself, realised that as it came up in opposition to the Government proposal to go into Committee the Government had a claim on their supporters to oppose it, and although in favour of the University, were compelled to vote against the Motion as it came np. Personally, I prefer an undenominational University, but the Irish Catholics assert that their people object to this on conscientious grounds, and as I want to see them educated without violence to their conscience I yield my wishes to theirs. But there is one point which was not brought out in the discussion, and to which I had wished to call attention if time had admitted, and which might modify the fears of the opponents and the hopes of the advocates of this measure. In the Canadian province of Quebec we have two Universities,—Laval, a French Catholic Univer- sity; and McGill, English and undenominational. The elementary schools of this province are on the separate system, and in the Roman Catholic schools, according to 1896 returns, there were, roundly, a hundred and seventy-five thousand scholars, and in the Protestant schools twenty- seven thousand, showing a preponderance of the former of nearly seven to one ; but when we turn to the University attendance we there find that the proportions are almost reversed, the Roman Catholic University at Laval having two hundred and fourteen students against thirteen hundred and fourteen in the nndenominational McGill, and this where there is the double barrier of language and denomination. The French Canadian hierarchy have at least as much influ- ence amongst their co-religionists as the Irish priesthood, so this consideration would tell equally. The education at Laval is excellent, but McGill is splendidly equipped, thanks to the liberality of Lord Strathcona, Lord Mountstephen, and other. public-spirited Canadians ; and although there may be other causes at work which swell the numbers at McGill, such as attendance from a distance, I think it may safely he asserted that when a seeker after knowledge is induced to decide on a University career be will go where he can get greatest advan- tages; and the effect of a competitive teaching University will be to stimulate into greater earnestness and effort the existing institution, and thus both will benefit, whilst the conscientious objector can meet with what he specially desires. The experience of Quebec might not improbably be repeated in Ireland.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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