The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-24 00:00:00

The adjourned debate on. Sir H. Cairns' motion, taking
objection to certain assistance afforded under the rules of
the Board of National Education in Ireland to convent and
monastic schools, was resumed by the O'CowNon Dort,
who spoke at some length against the motion.
Mr BLACK said there could be no doubt that the funda-
mental principle of the national system in Ireland had been
violated by the rules of the commissioners, whom he would
now recommend to retrace their steps.

Mr HENNESSY contended that, in the face of the op-
position which the system had encountered in Ireland, it
was impossible that it could ever be successful, and moved,
as an amendment, to omit the words relating to convent and
monastic schools from the resolution, in order to make it
general in its terms.
Mr BLAKE having seconded the amendment,
Sir R. PEEL expressed a strong opinion in favour of the
national system cf education as administered by the com-
missioners, and observed that if ever he had called anything
connected with it in question it had been solely from a i.e-
sire to maintain the institution in its integrity upon the
basis on which it was originally established—namely, the
social regeneration of the people. It had encountered diffi-
culties of no common order, but It had surmounted them
all. If, however, the mixed system were to be substituted
by sectarian grants, a blow would be stauck at the very root
of the system, for it would be contrary to the very idea that
had animated its founders. With regard to convent schools
they were a part of the national system, with which they
bad been connect. d since the year 1835 ; they had worked
well, and had 40,000 children attending thorn. On the
whole, he argued that the system of national education had
acted in harmony with the wants, wishes, and feelings et
the people of Ireland.
Mr G. HARDY said that the children who were edu-
cated in convent schools were, in fact, u' der a denomina-
tional system, for their teaching was entirely denominational
and sectarian, and it was these schools that had been de-
stroying the district model schools. He was surprised that
the Chief Secretary had held out no hope of a remedy being
proposed to meet the evils that were complained of, and
recommended the institution of an inquiry into the whole
system by means of a royal commission.
Time debate was continued by Mr Maguire, who supported
the amendment; Mr Butt, who opposed both resolution
and amendment; and Mr L2froy, who supported the origi-
nal motion,

The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER argued
that the history cf the nati,nal system of education in
Ireland was that cf a series of modifications, the object of
which was to conciliate, supp ,rt, and malre the system as
universally acceptable as possible, and he denied that any
exceptional favour had been shown to convent schools
The same favour bad been offered to other schools, and
accepted by the Presbyterians; and if it had been re-
fused by the Episcopalians, they had themselves only to
blame.

Sir H. CAIRNS having replied,
Atter some observations from the ATTORNEY•GENERAL
for 'RYLAND and Mr WHITESIDE,
Mr HENN EbSY said he gould not press his amend-
ment it tha hon, and learned gentleman would withdraw
his resolution. (Hear, hear.)
Sir G. GREY said the Gavernment would vote against
the amendment, and then the division would be taken upon
the original resolution.
The house divided--
For Mr Hennessy's amendment 8
Against ...........
Majority
The house then divided on the original resolution, but
before the tellers handed in the numbers,
An Hos. MEmnau called attention to the fact that Sir
G. Bowyer had given his vote for the Ayes and then voted
for the Noes. ,

The SPEAKE a then call3d the hon. baronet to the table
and asked him whether the fact was as just stated.
Sir G. BO WYER said that when the question was put
from the chair he had said "No," but afterwards, in order
to insure a division, he had thought it necessary to contra-
dict the Speaker. (Laughter and cheers.)
The SPEAKER said that under *the circumstances the
lion, baronet having challenged the decision of the Speaker,
and said that the Ayes had it, his vote must be eccorded
with the Ayes. (Laughter.) 4°
The tellers then reported the numbers thus—
Ayes ...... .
Noes ......
Mkjority ..
The 13s-dation was therefore rejected.
The Accidents Compensation Aot Amendment Bill was
read a third time and passed.
Mr BARING obtained leave to introduce a bill to
authorise the enclosure of certain lands, in purauance of the
report of the enclosure commissioners.
Mr M. GIBSON obtained leave to introduce a bill to
amend the Harwich Harbour Act (1863).
The other orders were disposed of, and the house ad-
journed at 10 minutes past 2 o'clock.

During the last few days there has been rather
less animation in the Foreign and Colonial Produce
Markets. Sugars have barely sustained former
prices, while the transactions in Tea have been
unimportant. Coffee has been in some instances
rather oneaper, but a good demand has prevailed
for rice at full rates, In the tallow rehrkot there
has been mere activity, and quotations for both
present and forward. delivery show an upward move•
meet,

LIE REPRESENTATION OP EAST SUSSEi.--Visa
count PeVeDEey, M.P., the Conservative member for
the eastern division of Sussex, has just issued an address to
his constituents, announcing his intention to retire from
the repres• ntation of the county upon the dissolution of the
present Parliament. The reasons assigned for his lord.,
ship's retirement are the heavy expenses attending a con-
test .d election in Sussex, and also the precarious state of
his he lith•

X.VD7TLI !um As —A' rrr q::;nor cf the' yens
de retires dc t avoth., Alexander Dumas SVSE recently itskeci.
why I.l' did nit brans hie ::eta, He replied, "L.; jE too 011‘,,