The House met again on Monday night, and it was
at once apparent that it was, then at least, in no humour for serious debate or conflict, but rather in that frame of mind in which there is a great desire to scuttle over difficulties, and reduce even the most embittered adversaries to a disposition for compromise. But there is still a very serious difficulty before the Government, even if the Local Taxation Bill and Mr. Forster's amendment of the Education Act are of a kind to pass muster without much opposition. That difficulty is, as usual, Irish. Mr. Bouverie gave notice on Tuesday that he would next Tuesday (29th) move the following resolution :—" That the removal of the Callan Schools, Kilkenny, from the roll of the National Schools of Ireland by a resolution of the National Education Commissioners of the date of January, 1873, in consequence of the alleged contumacy of the Rev. Robert O'Keeffe towards his ecclesiastical superior, is greatly to be deplored, and deserves the disapprobation of this House." The House will probably not approve of such a resolution coming on for debate pending the trial on the point, which must take place in Dublin early next month ; for a debate in the House of Commons would certainly greatly prejudice that trial ; but if judgment goes against Father O'Keeffe, Mr. Bouverie will then be quite at liberty to bring forward his motion, and it is as likely as not that Mr. Bouverie will carry it, and certainly that would be a serious censure on both Lord Hartington and Lord O'Hagan, who are both of them members of the Board of Irish Education, —that is, on two leading members of the Government.
