IRELAND.
The establishment of the National Schools seems to have led to the disappearance of the old middle-class order of schools in Ireland, and their loss is keenly felt. It is stated that the greater cheapness of the National Schools, in consequence of Government help, deprives the pri- vate establishments of their pupils. To find a remedy for this, Govern- ment is called upon to interpose. On Saturday last, a deputation, in- cluding the Presidents of the Queen's Colleges at Cork, Galway, and Bel- fast, the Reverend Dean Begot, the Reverend Scott Porter, and the Re- verend Mr. Dodd, waited upon the Lord-Lieutenant and called his atten- tion to the subject. They stated, that intermediate schools are required, where pupils may acquire such a knowledge of the classics, the sciences, and the fine arts, as would fit them for a university ; and they expressed a hope that the Lord-Lieutenant would recommend the matter to Govern- ment. Lord St. Germans said he believed there was a necessity for the establishment of intermediate schools; and he would call the favourable attention of Government to the views of the deputation. The establishment of the National Schools seems to have led to the disappearance of the old middle-class order of schools in Ireland, and their loss is keenly felt. It is stated that the greater cheapness of the National Schools, in consequence of Government help, deprives the pri- vate establishments of their pupils. To find a remedy for this, Govern- ment is called upon to interpose. On Saturday last, a deputation, in- cluding the Presidents of the Queen's Colleges at Cork, Galway, and Bel- fast, the Reverend Dean Begot, the Reverend Scott Porter, and the Re- verend Mr. Dodd, waited upon the Lord-Lieutenant and called his atten- tion to the subject. They stated, that intermediate schools are required, where pupils may acquire such a knowledge of the classics, the sciences, and the fine arts, as would fit them for a university ; and they expressed a hope that the Lord-Lieutenant would recommend the matter to Govern- ment. Lord St. Germans said he believed there was a necessity for the establishment of intermediate schools; and he would call the favourable attention of Government to the views of the deputation.
There has been a pretty general movement among the Roman Catholics adverse to the proceedings of Mr. Chambers and Mr. Whiteside in Parlia- ment with relation to nunneries and monastic establishments. Several hostile meetings have been held, not only in Dublin but in the country, in which the leading Roman Catholics have taken part.
The Irish Roman Catholics have issued a " declaration " against the Parliamentary proceedings of Mr. Whiteside and Mr. Chambers in refer- ence to conventual and monastic establishments. It is moderate in ex- pression ; but it denounces the Chambers Committee as an insult and a wrong, and demands equality before the law. It is signed by twenty- three out of twenty-six Roman Catholic Prelates, and several Peers, Members of Parliament, and barristers. Among the three absentee Pre- lates' signatures, is that of Dr. WHale.
The Limerick papers announce the demise of the Knight of Glin, John I. Fitzgerald ; who died of cholera, after a few hours' illness, at Glin Castle, on Tuesday. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the county of Limerick Militia, and one of the oldest magistrates of the district.
A Sligo paper states that the wages of agricultural labourers in that country have been completely revolutionized within the past three months, and the small farmers are in despair at the rates which they are compelled to pay. Nevertheless, considering the enormous increase of late in the value of agricultural produce, it is observed, that wages ranging from ls. 4d. to ls. 6d. per day for ablebodied men are not very extravagant.
A will case of some interest was decided last week in the Irish Court of Chancery. The cause came before the Court in the shape of a petition to take the opinion of the Lord Chancellor on the construction of the will of Mrs. Esther Whelan. By that will, Mrs. Whelan bequeathed Government stock, exceeding 30001., to her son Patrick, and Bank stock to nearly the same amount to her son William. If he survived Patrick, William was to have the Government stock ; but a corresponding provision in favou- of Pa- trick was not made in case William died : it was, however, provided that in case William died first, the Bank stock should become the property of " Daniel Murray, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, or his successors." The will further provided, that in ease both William and Patrick died with- out issue the whole of the stocks should be applied to educational purposes. Dr. Murray died, and subsequently William Whelan. Dr. Murray's suc- cessor, Dr. Cullen, could not, under the operation of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, take the legacy. Arguments were heard on behalf of Patrick Whelan and of Dr. Cullen and the executors of Dr. Murray. The Lord Chancellor observed that the will was obscure and somewhat difficult of construction; but he had come to the conclusion that the Bank stock possessed by William Whelan at his death should be applied to purposes of Catholic education. The bequest was perfectly legal, and the only question was, whether it should be carried out under the control of the Court or by the Crown. He decided that it should be carried out under the Court ; and the Master was ordered to frame a scheme having regard to the terms of the will and the in- tentions of the testatrix.
Mr. Charles Tarrant, engineer of the canal department of the Midland Railway, has been torn to pieces by a locomotive passing over him at En- field, near Dublin. He was walking along the line; his hat was blown off; he attempted to recover it; the skirts of his coat were caught in the ma- chinery of an engine which passed, and he was dragged under it. A Coro- ner's Jury hair) exonerated the engine-driver from any blame.
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