On Monday the Duke of Richmond gave a very disappointing
reply to Lord Carlingford in relation to the admitted deficiency of Irish training-schools, and the means by which the Govern- ment propose, or rather do not propose, to supply that deficiency. The Duke of Richmond intimated that nothing was to be done in the way of admitting teachers residing in denominational seminaries to the training-school in Marlborough-Street, first, because the training-school is not now full ; secondly, because it would not be an economical way of training teachers even if the school were full; and thirdly, because Cardinal Cullen had declared that such a concession would not meet his views. To all which the reply is very obvious,—first, that the Marlborough-street School never will be full while the Roman Catholic teachers are compelled not only to learn, but to live there ; next, that if satellite-seminaries round a central school are not absolutely the most economical means of training teachers, they are the most economical means of which the circumstances of Irish society admit ; and lastly, that if Cardinal Cullen finds he cannot have his own way, he will probably take what he can get. The truth is, that successive Governments have been cowardly in the matter, and probably dread a Protestant uproar. It is hard work for a Protestant Government to rule a Catholic island so near to its own doors.
Previous page
