19 NOVEMBER 1898, Page 3

We desire to draw attention to a weighty and important

letter in our correspondence columns signed " Catholions," a letter which suggests a scheme for the formation of the new Irish University. Without tying ourselves down to all the details of our correspondent's scheme, we may say generally that it strikes us as a sound and reasonable pro- posal. Our only fear is that it goes too far in meeting Protestant and anti-sectarian criticisms, and so might not in the end be as ungrudgingly accepted by the Irish Roman Catholics as any scheme, to be successful, must be. Personally our sympathies are not with, but against, the ideals of the Irish Roman Catholics in regard to University education. We want, however, the Irish Roman Catholics to be given not what we or anybody else but what they think the best form of University. The object is not to found an ideal University, but to satisfy, and satisfy to the full, the demands of the Roman Catholics of Ireland in the matter of University education. The Protestants are perfectly satisfied with their great and justly renowned University,—i.e., Trinity College. We want the Roman Catholics to feel as fully satisfied in regard to their St. Patrick's University.