descend not to their level, we shall never raise up any save a mere fraction of the community, nor will that fraction raise the remaining body. As to the vernacular tongue, whatever that be, if we will not go back and start here, the people, as such, stand still, and are left behind. But truly, on such a subject as that of a liberal education, naturally and necessarily taking its rise from the first tongue in which a people have spoken, and been accustomed to think, embracing too such an aggregate of human beings under the British crown, and after such a detail as the present, one is greatly at a loss what to say. It has been drawn out, and facts placed in this new light before the intelligent reader, in the hope that they will instantly suggest to many the imperative but pleasing duty of pursuing a course, more congenial with the love of country and the good of Ireland. If these poor dear people wish to have education,-and let the reader point, if he can, to that class in this kingdom who desire it more,—and if the language is dear to them, as dear it is, let them have it to their hearts' content, and as the only basis, too, of all effectual information and happiness to the Irish mind in its present condition. Within these few years, it is true, Irish education, properly so called, has been making progress in various districts, which will be afterwards noticed; but still, if a population so large is waiting without doors for instruction by the only medium through which they can at present comprehend and estimate any moral or religious subject, how can it consist with our highest obligations for matters to remain in their present state with regard to schools of a higher description? The bequest of Mr Flood has failed; but, oh! surely, without waiting for any eleemosynary windfall, were the enlightened members of Trinity College to take the subject into impartial consideration, something might and ought to be done, whether within or without the walls. To say nothing of the kind spirit which is now abroad as to this language, they have not to proceed against a wind and tide so strong as that which once unhappily prevailed. In some of the Provosts of other days, there is this one object which they prosecuted con amore; and if busts or pictures are desirable, assuredly Bedell and Boyle, Marsh, and even Hall, deserve them in Trinity College for this alone. When, however, the visitor of any school of learning begins to commend it, for the past pre-eminence or zeal of any of its members in any one department of useful knowledge, there is an awkwardness felt in receiving the compliment. A living representative within the same enclosure, with all the improvements which time has given, is wanted. And, oh! had but a few able men with undaunted constancy only walked in the first foot-prints of Bedell, in what a different state had Ireland been at the present hour! Ere this time we must have had authors upon Irish ground, and in other tongues beside their own, who would unquestionably have contributed to raise the character of this kingdom. Were I, even here, in conclusion, to beg the intelligent reader to fix his eye on the opinions, so decidedly expressed, by successive monarchs of this country, certainly he would reply,-" But how is all this? Has there been all along, somewhere, behind the throne, a power greater than the throne itself? As for the eighteenth century, then, it should seem, all slept ; but have you not already referred to Edward VI., Queen Elizabeth, James I., Charles I., and Queen Anne?" True, I reply, and they must be referred to once more— Meanwhile it only remains for the King again to lift his voice, and see whether no change for the better can be effected in a University of royal foundation,-founded, too, and plentifully endowed, "principallie" with a view to the natives. But, independently altogether of a Professorship in Trinity College, or in the City, or both, (for rivalship here would do great good,) there certainly ought, at all events, to be at least one fine school in Dublin, where Irish should be taught thoroughly, grammatically, and with taste, as a normal or model school for the country; and not only so, but in Cork, Limerick, and Galway, for the benefit of surrounding districts, there ought to be one of a similar description. This, however, will be glanced at again, after we have noticed a subject of still greater importance,-one which, had it been regarded, would have produced, as only one effect, all that for which we now plead; and the English language also, very naturally a favourite theme with many in Ireland, must have acquired an ascendency very different from what it has done to this hour. However strange it may seem to some ears, I refer to Irish oral instruction, or Irish preaching,—a subject which, in the present state of the country, deserves the most deliberate and serious consideration. "It is fit that it should be remembered, that near this city of Dublin there is an University, founded by Queen Elizabeth, principally intended for the Natives of this Kingdom." JEREMY TAYLOR. "We have reason to expect that in all this long tyme of our peaceable government, some good numbers of the Natives should have been trained upp in that College." る JAMES I. "Prudence and skill for the management of ourselves in reference to others, in civil affairs, for public good, is much the fairest flower within the border of Nature's garden." JOHN OWEN. SECTION III. ORAL INSTRUCTION; Including Historical notices of all that has yet been effected in Preaching to the Natives in their vernacular tongue, and the present deplorable condition of the Country with regard to a stated Ministry in the language of the Irish people. READING one day an account of Ireland, of comparatively recent date, and considerable value, when referring to some of the Irish gentlemen resident in certain parts, who are able to speak in Irish and converse with the people, I found the writer add, in passing, that they are thus able not only to "ascertain their wants, but to assist with their advice, and restrain by admonition." Any man, therefore, who, in these parts, cannot thus talk, let his profession be what it may, it seems cannot well do any thing of this sort-cannot ascertain these wants-assist with this advice-or restrain by this warning. I not only understand, but, in some degree, can confirm this remark, having, when in the country, tried the effect of only two or three words in Irish, and the response was immediate-they had reached the heart. But then there is such a thing as the care of the soul, -there are wants of greater moment than any which relate to this transitory state of being,-there is advice, which may prepare for a dying hour,-admonition, which may avert dangers beyond it: and if Irish is necessary for the good and the comfort of these our countrymen, as peasantry, I presume it will not be denied that it must be much more so, when they are regarded not only as rational and intelligent, but accountable beings. But if so, to every minister of Christ, standing upon Irish ground, this is an important and serious consideration. "Not having been able to speak Irish," must another day be regarded as a poor apology; and if there is to be such a thing hereafter as the confronting of parties, for the establishment of criminal neglect and greater condemnation,* the ability of Irishmen in higher walks to converse with their dependants on the affairs of this life may well be pondered by those whose duty it is, through the same medium, to "rest and expatiate on a life to come." Besides, not only by men of his own particular communion, but by all those who upon Irish ground have so long neglected a duty at once so manifest and incumbent, it should never be forgotten that a witness of no common character has gone before them Bedell's grave Is in thy keeping-and with thee But for the present, sat verbum sapienti; here at least I forbear to add more, and proceed to facts. It is rather a singular circumstance, that at such a remote period in the history of Ireland as the fifteenth century, in the year 1483-4, we find an archbishop of Dublin petitioning parliament to relieve him from the inconvenience which its outlawry of the Irish tongue had occasioned; nay, he succeeded in obtaining a statute to be passed, which explains the inconvenience. It shows, that because the English clergy were ignorant of the Irish tongue, the cure of souls in some parts of his diocese, in the very neighbourhood of Dublin, was piteously neglected;" and it enacted, that he should 66 * Matt. xii. 41, 42.; Ezek. xxxiii. 8.; Prov. xxiv. 11, 12. |