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out Ireland, the mere knowledge of the existence of a system of revision has produced salutary consequences, by increasing the diligence, accuracy, and careful conduct of the magistrates-and by a more effectual and more pure administration of the law.

The useful practice of assembling frequently and regularly in petty sessions, has been introduced into some counties; and the dangerous habit of administering justice by separate magistrates, at their respective residences, is gradually subsiding.

I have given every encouragement to the extension of the system of holding petty sessions; and, at one moment, I contemplated the propriety of suggesting a law upon the subject. But, having reason to believe that the magistracy is generally disposed to adopt the practice by voluntary regulation, I prefer the experiment of their own uncontrolled good-will, until I can ascertain, by time, whether the addition of legal rule may be necessary to stimulate their exertions.

From the statement of facts contained in this despatch, and from the observations which I have submitted to you, it will appear, that the general condition of Ireland, with regard to the internal peace and tranquillity of the provinces, is considerably improved since the last winter; that the appearance of systematic disturbance is confined to a few districts on the northwestern boundary of the county of Cork; and that, even in those districts, no insurrectionary combination has been manifested; but that a most outrageous attack has been made upon the system of tithes, and upon the rights and property of the church with reference to that system.

That a considerable improvement has been effected in the administration of the law, within the districts which had been disturbed; and that it is reasonable to expect increased vigour and purity in that administration. That the new police had been introduced into the lately disturbed districts, and into others, with general approbation, with the cordial and effective cooperation of the magistrates, and in many instances, with great success in the detection of crime, the speedy apprehension of offenders, and the maintenance of public peace.

That the revision of the magistracy is proceeding regularly; and that the general conduct of the magistrates, in establishing frequent petty sessions, and other useful regulations, affords just reason to expect a progressive improvement in the magistracy of Ireland.

I have not referred in this despatch to the dangerous system of associations under the obligation of secret and mysterious oaths. Having, sometime since, submitted to you a separate despatch, relative to the trial and conviction of several persons denominated Ribbonmen, I added to that despatch some observations, suggesting the necessity of strengthening the law of Ireland against the peril of those societies.

The question of the increase or diminution of the spirit of this association, is stated differently, according to the particular views, imaginary interests, and flagrant zeal of conflicting parties.

In this contention (ludicrous in principle and theory, but mischievous to the state in practice), it is, at least, an advantage to the king's government to have completely detected and publicly exposed the

whole craft and mystery of the Ribbon conspiracy. And I cannot believe that such an exposure, accompanied by such convictions, sentences, and punishments, should neither assuage the zeal, nor abate the bravery of these covenanters, nor relax the holy bond of their illegal oaths, and treasonable con

tract.

But I request your attention to the suggestions which I have submitted, for the more effectual restraint of this system of mysterious engagements, formed under the solemnity of secret oaths, binding his majesty's liege subjects to act under authorities not known to the law, nor derived from the state, for purposes undefined; not disclosed in the first process of initiation; nor until the infatuated novice has been sworn to the vow of unlimited and lawless obedience. The vigour and activity of the law should be exerted to extirpate this mischief, which has been a main cause of the disturbances and miseries of Ireland. The mystery

is now distinctly exposed: I therefore anxiously hope and trust, that his majesty's government will add to the various benefits which they have already imparted to this country, the inestimable favour of abolishing by law, in Ireland, an evil, which has been abolished by law in England. I have, &c. WELLESLEY.

P. S. In examining this despatch, I perceive, that although the necessity of continuing the Insurrection act, is repeatedly to be inferred from the tenor of the facts and observations stated, I have not directly recommended that measure; I request his majesty's government to understand, that I consider the renewal of the Insurrection act, for another year, to be indispensably requisite, not only for the preservation of tranquillity in Ireland, but for the success of all those plans of improvement which may be expected, ultimately, to render the insurrection act unnecessary. W.

SUBSTANCE OF THE RETURNS MADE TO PARLIAMENT ON THE EDUCATION OF THE POOR IN IRELAND.

Several returns were made to the house of Commons, in the course of this session of parliament, respecting the means of education afforded by diocesan and parochial schools in Ireland. The following extracts contain a summary of the information thus obtained on this interesting subject:

Diocesan Free Schools. It appears by the returns, that there are sixteen of those schools in Ireland, in which 486 scholars are educated. The amount of the income appropriated for that purpose is 3,3931. 4s. 7d. The greater part

of this sum is derived from a charge made upon the bishops, clergy, and lay impropriators, pursuant to the 12 Eliz. cap. 1. Of this charge one-third is on the bishop.

Parochial Schools.-The returns under this head are very imperfect. From some parishes no returns have been made, and this occurs in almost every diocese. We give the results as they occur, under the heads of the separate dioceses, arranged alphabetically.

Archdiocese of Armagh.-In this there are 79 parochial schools, giving education to 4,500 boys and

girls. There are 15 parishes which have no school-house; two parishes, of which the number of schools is not stated; and eleven parishes, of which the number of schools is included in the above; but the number of scholars is not stated.

Cashel.-In the 34 parishes from which returns have been made, there are 30 schools, containing 1,491 children.

Clogher has 50 schools, attended by about 2,500 children.

Dublin and Glandelagh contain 112 schools, parochial and others, where gratuitous education is given to about 8,000 children.

Clonfert and Kilmacduagh.-In the returns from eight parishes we find 18 schools, containing 1,087 children.

Cork and Ross.-The returns from this diocese are very vague, and give no details of the state of éducation. The registrar, who makes the return, states-" In the dioceses of Cork and Ross there are 74 benefices, of which six are sinecures, and nine small noncures, without churches or glebe-houses, the income of which are insufficient to support resident clergymen. In these diocesses there are, according to reports made previous to visitations, 50 parish schools kept and supported at the expense of the respective beneficiaries, and probably others not notified. It appears, also, from the registry of the dioceses, that 25 private schools have been licensed, many of which are supported by voluntary subscriptions. There are in the city of Cork several schools supported by charitable donations and bequests. The number of scholars in the different schools I have no means of acquiring a knowledge of."

Cloyne.-In the 58 parishes

from which returns are made, there are 38 schools, containing altogether 1,689 scholars.

Derry.-In 52 parishes there are 48 schools, attended by 2,933 scholars.

Down and Connor.-There are 34 parish schools in these dioceses, in which are instructed about 2,000 children. There are 14 parishes without any schools, and 26 parishes which have made no returns. Besides the parochial schools, there are in these dioceses about 200 private schools, in many of which a great number of the children are educated gratis. The number of children attending these vary from 200 in some, to 20 in others.

Dromore has 24 schools, attended by 1,578 children. All these, however, are not strictly parochial. Many of them are assisted by small funds from the parish, and contributions from such parents of the children as can afford it. Of this class the number is but very small.

Elphin has 66 schools, containing 4,180 children. In many of these some of the children pay small sums, varying from 2s. to 8s. per quarter.

Ferns contains 37 schools, attended by 1,871 children.

Kildare has 19 schools, giving instruction to about 1,000 children.

Killala and Achonry.-There are 76 schools returned in these dioceses, but they are not all parochial. Twelve of them may be called parish schools. Twentyseven are supported by Baptist societies. Several receive their principal support from grants by the London Hibernian School Society, and some are partly supported by the parents of some of the chil dren who attend. The total num

ber of children instructed in the schools is 5,827.

Killaloe and Kilfenora have 23 parish schools, containing 1,456 scholars. The funds from which the teachers are paid are principally derived from a small contribution by the rector of the parish, grants from the society for discountenancing vice, and in some instances by donations and subscriptions, and by small sums paid by the parents of some of the children.

Kilmore has 34 schools, in which 1,982 children are instructed-the greater part gratis.

Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe, contain 15 parochial schools, which are attended by about 1,200 children.

Meath has 66 schools, containing about 5,000 scholars.

Ossory has 36 parochial schools, at which between 4,000 and 5,000 children attend; there are, besides these, several which, though not parochial, give gratuitous education to some hundreds of poor children.

Raphoe has 40 schools, attended by about 2,000 children.

Tuam. The return for this diocess gives six parishes, in which there are schools. Three of these only are attended. The inhabitants of the others are chiefly Roman Catholics, and prefer to send their children to teachers of their own religious persuasion, rather than to the licensed Protestant teacher in the parochial school, though in most instances the latter is much more qualified to communicate instruction.

Waterford and Lismore have 52 schools, where children are for the greater part gratuitously instruct ed. They are not, however, all parochial; many of them are sup

ported by subscriptions; several are Roman Catholic charity-schools. The total number of children varies from 2,500 to 3,000.

The funds for the support of these schools are derived from a small contribution by the rector (seldom exceeding 31. or 4l. a year, and in general not more than 21.); from small grants by the society for discountenancing vice, and the London Hibernian school society; from occasional subscriptions and donations; and in many instances from the small contributions by the children of such parents as can afford it. The parish school master is in general the parish clerk, for which last duty he has in most cases not more than 10l. a year. He also, in cases where the parish furnishes a school-house, lives rent free, and has from half an acre to two acres of ground on which to raise provisions (potatoes) for his family. With all these advantages, his income seldom exceeds 30l. a year. But half the teachers in the schools mentioned in the above returns have not near that sum arising directly as the reward of their scholastic labours. Thirty pounds a year are a considerable property in some districts in Ireland, and the fortunate possessor is always an important, and often an enviable personage,-in the village circle, aye, and not seldom in the more extended one of the smart country town. According to the returns, it appears that many of those patient drudges, who "teach the young idea how to shoot," have not 10l. a year as the reward of their exertions. in this way. Of this, perhaps, the rector contributes his 21., and the rest is supplied by the London Hibernian school society, or by that for discountenancing vice.

The consequence of this is obvious, that the poor children committed to his care must be sadly neglected, whilst the teacher is exercising his skill in several other professions. In those returns, many complaints occur against the conduct of the Roman Catholic priests in persuading their flocks to withdraw the children from those parochial schools. In one return it is stated, "that a great diminution of the number of children attending Protestant schools had taken place, owing to the interference of the Roman Catholic priests,

who, though every precaution is taken against any interference in the religious principles of their persuasion, have succeeded in withdrawing many of them from the schools." In the return from another parish in the parish of Dublin it is stated, that "in one school 120 Roman Catholic children attended until the reading of the Holy Scriptures was introduced last month." It is to be deeply regretted that such bigotry should exist, and particularly amongst an order of men, who from education ought to know better.

RETURNS OF THE INCREASE AND DIMINUTION OF SALARIES IN PUBLIC OFFICES.

By an act, the 50th George 3rd, c. 117, it was enacted, "that between the 1st of February and the 25th of March in every year, if parliament should be sitting during any part of such period, or if parliament should not be sitting, then within 40 days after the commencement of the sessions of Parliament in such year, there should be laid before both Houses of Parliament, an account of every increase and diminution which shall have taken place within the preceding year, ending on the 1st day of January, in the number of persons employed in all public offices or departments; or in the salaries, emoluments, allowances, and expenses, which may have taken place, or been paid, granted, received, or incurred, for, and in respect to, all officers and persons belonging to, or employed in, or by, or in the service of, all public offices or departments, specifying the amount and nature thereof; and distinguishing every increase or diminution in the amount of all allowances or compensations grant

ed or allowed as retired allowances or superannuations, to any person or persons having held any office, place, or employment, in any such public office or department, or having been employed in any manner in any public services under any such office or department; and specifying in every such account the time and length of service of every such person, and the amount of salary and allowances received by such person immediately pre ceding his superannuation, and the nature of his services; and also specifying the grounds upon which every such increase or diminution in the establishment of any public office or department, or any salary, emolument, allowance, or compensation, or superannuation, as aforesaid, shall have been made, granted, or allowed." Pursuant to this act, an account, as above described, has been laid before parliament every year. The following is an abstract of that presented in the present session, for the year ending the 5th of January, 1823 :

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