The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-19 00:00:00

the help of the Board, and not merely placed in
connection with it byprivate founders or patrons—
the teacher was under the sole control of the
Commissioners, neither patron, priest, nor clergy-
man having authority over him.
No system could have been framed more cal-
culated than this to reconcile moderate men of all
opinions. It united for ordinary purposes of in-
struction those whom religious diversity kept aloof.
It admitted the just claim of the clergy to educate
within theirown province; but excluded them from
interference with the general discipline of the school.
It gave them the right of supervision, but not the
power of control. It held the balance with strict
impartiality between the two contending creeds; and
it fared accordingly. Statesmen of both parties
applauded the project, which agitators of both
parties reviled. The WHALES and the TRESHAM
GREGGS met to oppose it on the common ground of
resistance to latitudinarianism ; while Lord GREY
and Sir R. PEW, united in its support. Though
attacked on every side, it succeeded beyond dis-
pute, and almost without a reverse. The follow-
ing brief statistics will prove our words. The
number of schools and pupils respectively, as given
in the Reports of the Commissioners, were—
In 1834
In 1839
In 1844
In 1849

and they may now be reckoned at about 5,000
and 550,000 respectively, notwithstanding emi-
gration and famine. Nor is this all. In no
single year, except 1847 and 1849, do the re-
turns exhibit a falling-off from those of the year
immediately preceding. The progress has not
only been rapid—it has been steady and con-
tinued. Nor is it true that the Protestants of
Ireland have been excluded from , their fair par-
ticipation in this national work. For, in 1851,
the number of schools under the Board esta-
blished in Ulster, the head-quarters of Protes-
tantism, was 1,878 ; while Munster had only
1,089, Leinster only 1,154, Connaught only,
583. And thiS result is witnessed, notwith-
standing the secession, or at best the neutrality of
a large majority of the Protestant clergy, backed by
the whole strength of the Orange party, and by
not a few of the resident landowners and gentry.
All attempts, therefore, to prove that the system
has broken down in practice are refuted by the
fact. It has worked only too well for those who
dislike its principle and fear its results. So long
as there seemed a chance that Protestant fanatics
I might succeed in accomplishing its subversion,
the priesthood kept in the background, well satis-
fied to leave to their natural enemies the un-
popular office of criticism and destruction. But
this expectation has gradually died out. Lord
DERBY'S announced adhesion, in 1852, to the
system which he had inaugurated in 1832, effected
the final discomfiture of their ingeniously-conceived
policy. Thenceforth it became apparent to the
ultramontanists that whatever was to be done
must be done by themselves. And, doubtless,
the present opportunity is favourable. They
have now to deal with a Cabinet containing,
indeed, many members sincerely opposed to their
designs, and many whose professions of Liberalism
are not less warm than genuine. But it may be
questioned whether these, in point of influence,
form a majority. It is well known that Sir R.
PEEL at one time entertained the idea of largely
subsidising the Roman Catholic priesthood, and
that the present Colonial Secretary, then Lord

LiNooLIN, was put forward as the exponent of this
policy. Mr. GLADSTONE, now de facto leader of
the Commons, is deeply imbued with hierarchical
principles. He, at least, regards with no friendly
feeling an institution whose tendency is to place
the civil above the ecclesiastical power—the school-
master over the priest. The nominal Prime Minister
follows the lead of his subordinate. Sir JAMES
GRAHAM has always been regarded by the "Brigade"
as their chosen champion and friend. The Whole
Irish Administration is in the hands of this sec-
tion ; for it would be folly to suppose that the
amiable cypher who replaces Lord EGLTNTON as
Viceroy possesses any power over such men as
BREWSTER, YOUNG, and KEOGH, his superiors in
ability, and having, moreover, the advantage of a
fixed and well-defined purpose. It is full time,
therefore, not merely for zealous Protestants, but
for Liberals of whatever creed, to watch the pro-
ceedings of a Government whose designs in this
matter are not free from suspicion. Already
Archbishop WIIATELEY has resigned his seat at the
Board. Within our own knowledge, the rec
acts of the Commissioners have driven more

one Protestnnt patron to withdraw his school from
their control. Mr. IVALPoLn's queries in Parlia-
ment have elicited only vague and unsatisfactory
replies. These are omens not without signifi-
cance ; and again we say—let the friends of civil
freedom be on their guard.