On the whole, it must be admitted that the Lords
showed no very great clerical bias during Thursday's debate, and that their efforts to meet the criticisms that have been made on the original amendments were perfectly genuine. Nor, again, was any tendency shown by them to treat the matter in a party spirit. We sincerely trust that these are omens of peace, and we note with satisfaction that the Daily Chronicle in its leading article of Friday—an article showing not only great knowledge of the whole question, but a true spirit of conciliation—speaks of "the political outlook, so far as the education crisis is concerned," as "hopeful." "There is good reason for thinking," it goes on, "that the Bill may after all be passed this Session, if not precisely in the form desired by the House of Commons, yet without any alterations which contradict its essential principles." The Daily Chronicle next points out that the real crux of the matter is, as we have repeatedly said in these columns, the question whether the teacher shall or shall not be allowed to give the denomina- tional lesson in Clause III. schools.
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