The National Register.
London, England, 1821-02-04 00:00:00

No. 1,297.—V0L. XIV.]

MR. BROUGHAM'S EDUCATION BILL.
It is generally understood to be Mr. Brougham's
intention immediately to proceed with his Bill for
the Education of the Poor. The Protestant Dis-
senters feel very warmly interested in favour of the
ti_rofweinoiitjectis tocibethis measure,
dewt Tithiewcoth! mearle
alarm r they are persuaded, on calm and deliberate
reflection, that the proposed plan is essentially de-
fective, and if adopted will retard rather than acce-
lerate the progress of educatien ; that it will be
highly injurious to the interests of religious free-
dom ; and, in its practical operation, prove to
thousands of our fellow countrymen a source of bitter
It is the intention of these observations to show
that the proposed enactment is greatly detective in
these important featurei:—

First—lt has not sufficient regard to the advan-
tages which result from the co-operation of the
public, or to the habits of those classes whom the
measure is intended to benefit, while it cannot fail
materially to injure the schools fur the education of
the poor which are already in existence, and have
been productive of such important benefits to the
country at large.
Secondly—The Bill proposes means for the good
government of the schools, inadequate to the end,
and places great additional power in the hands of
the clergy and dignitaries of the church, while it
provides no adequate chock on its abuse.
And be it further enacted, by the authority
aforesaid, that the ordinary of any diocese wherein
any school to be provided under this act, either on
complaint or on application, shall be situated, may,
from time to time, as he shall see fit, visit such
school either by himself in person, or by directing
the archdeacon of such diocese to visit the said
school, and may visit the said school within any
deanery in the said diocese, by directing the dean of
such deanery to visit the same: which archdeacon,
chancellor, and dean, are hereby empowered and
required, when so directed by such ordinary, to hold
such visitation at the time or times by him specified;
and the ordinary so visiting in person, or the arch-
deacon, chancellor, or dean, so directed by him to
visit, shall have the power and authority to examine
all matters touching the said school, and the conduct
of the master thereof, and to rebuke and admonish
him according to his discretion ; and if he see cause,
to remove him from his office of master.
" And be it further enacted, that the rector,
vicar, perpetual curate, curate, or other minister of
any parieh or chapelry, whether residing and offi-
ciating or not, may at all times freely enter any
school- provided under this act, either on complaint
or on application, within the same, or for the use of
the same jointly with any other parish or chapelry,
and may examine the scholars attending the same, •
touching their proficiency; and may question the
master touching his government of the school, and
touching the proficiency of the children ; and such
rector, vicar, perpetual curate, curate, or other mi-
nister, shall any inquiries directed to him
touching the said school, by, or by order of the or-
dinary of the diocese wherein such perish or
ebapelry is situated.
" And be it further enacted, that from and after
the passing of this act, all bishops and archbishops
who are required by an act made in the forty-third
year of his late Majesty, entitled an act to amend
the law. relating to spiritual pertains holding of
farms, and fur entorcing the residence of spiritual
portions on their benefices in England ;' and by
another act made in the flay-seventh year of his
late Majesty, entitled act to consolidate and
amend the laws relating to spiritual persons holding
of farms, and for enforcing the residence of spiritual
persons on their benefices : and for the support and
ineintenance of' stipeud.ary curates in England ;' to
make returns every year nutters coma:tied with
the residence of the clergy under their care;' shah,
in addition to such returns, and in the holy of the
came, further make u return yearly, specifying the
names of all sehoolniestera in any nay appointed
ander this act, within their cure, together with the
number of scholars taught by each, uud the amount
of the sale of and average yearly met UM( Vi-Velvet!
by each such niatiter ; and ead tl:Lt our, tu studs
"tornarke touching the said school and the education

•