There is one individual in Ireland, who has been in the habit of teaching his countrymen to read Irish on one condition,that the individual so instructed should in return, as payment, engage to teach twelve others,—an instance of philanthropy which, I suspect, cannot be matched, in reference to the English language and I have known a circulating Gaelic school terminate not only in a permanent and independent one, in which Gaelic was taught, but English also, with writing and arithmetic.

:

And the begun in

In some districts of the Highlands, it is true, certain parents, who had little or no regard for the souls of their offspring, were at first indifferent to education, except in English, with a very mistaken view, as it regards only the present life. same policy which we pursued once, has, it seems, some parts to produce the same effects in Ireland. This request, on the part of illiterate parents, has been lately spoken of as a discovery. To us it is by no means new; but it is of importance that the fact, which has been publicly affirmed, should just be glanced at, or it may be observed, as a proof of the necessity of what has been advanced elsewhere. Grant these parents their request, and in hundreds, if not thousands of instances, both money and time are wasted. Nay, they themselves will be unconsciously the occasion of this waste, while they go on perpetually talking Irish, which they must do, if they speak at all. There is, of course, no reason for a word of censure as to their request, but they know not what they ask. The reader will recollect what has been already asserted as to the very transient effect of English education in Irish districts (p. 162-3): but if any one party who had begun with Irish, listen to an argument so weak as this, let them be assured that they have been misled. No ;-let all such keep steadily to their object. When a Gaelic circulating school was first proposed, it might be slighted by some, as not conveying what they call lernin in the Highlands, and larning in Ireland ; but no sooner was a commencement made than the parents were delighted. The promoters of the Gaelic circulating schools may be suspected of partiality by those who have never witnessed their admirable effects, not only in planting knowledge (for what signifies the mechanical art of reading, if it does not implant knowledge ?) but in advancing English permanently : but, independently of their testimony, one of many years and

long experience deserves to be quoted. The Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge, now venerable for its age, having promoted English schools in the Highlands for more than a century, with a candour which did them credit, delivered their sentiments on this subject more than eleven years ago. The following extract from their minutes is dated Society Hall, Edinburgh, 1st May, 1817 :-"

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"The Directors having taken into consideration, that, some time ago, copies of the Gaelic Spelling-book, drawn up at the request of the Society, by the Rev. Mr Stewart of Dingwall, for the purpose of being introduced into those Society schools, which are situate in districts where the Gaelic is spoken, had been printed at the expense of the Society,-Resolved to order, and they hereby do order accordingly, that copies thereof be sent without delay to all such schools; that in teaching the children of parents whose ordinary language is the Gaelic, the teachers of these schools be instructed to begin with the Gaelic spelling-book, and that presbyteries which have Society Schools established within their bounds, be respectfully requested to instruct their Visiting Committees to attend particularly to the effect, which, commencing with the Gaelic, is found to produce on the successful prosecution of the education of the children, and to make this a part of the Reports of the visiting of the schools annually transmitted to the Society."

The course here referred to, indeed, stands to reason,—it is only a falling-in with the order of nature,—it is simply doing to others what we should wish to be done to ourselves,—while, at the same time, however individuals may advise to the contrary, endeavouring to damp the ardour of pursuit, or sway the mind from the straight-forward path, it is scarcely to be supposed, that bodies of men,—that Institutions of only ten or twenty years standing will disregard the voice of one more than a hundred years old, uttered as to another Celtic district, after the experience of a century. The printed instructions which have been sent out, confirmatory of this resolution, should be perused by every one who wishes to be more fully informed on the subject.

In conclusion, I have only to advert to one resolution of the Gaelic Circulating School Society, which in its operation has been found to be most salutary,-" That the teachers to be employed by this Society shall neither be preachers nor public exhorters, stated or occasional, of any denomination whatever.”

This was not only of value to the healthful play of the circulating scheme; but the slightest invasion of a sacred institution, to be conducted on other principles, and demanding gifts of another order, in the exercise of which the gifted party should be absorbed, was deprecated. The schoolmaster was presumed to be a man of conscience, and, having his seasons of teaching to read laid down to him, so as to occupy his whole time, could not be supposed conscientiously to vary from his instructions; but still it was deemed prudent, nay incumbent, to express their sentiments distinctly on the subject.

SECTION IX.

DESIDERATA-ORAL INSTRUCTION,

Or the necessity and importance of ministering the Divine Word in a language understood by the People.

WE have placed this subject last, not because it is conceived to be either last in the order of time, or inferior in point of importance to the preceding subjects of Education or Books; but precisely the reverse. It is first in the order of nature and time, and continues to be invariably first in point of importance. Besides, in conclusion, I am desirous of addressing myself, not so much to measures as to men,-to such as are living with the Native Irish all around them,-to such, especially, as are already engaged in preaching the Divine Word; and that, not with reference to what they can give or bestow in such a cause, but what they might themselves do with heart and tongue,

A number of individuals there are, with whom the writer has repeatedly much enjoyed the opportunity of conversing, and there must be many more, who, with an heartfelt interest in the truths contained in the Sacred Volume, are already furnished with all the advantages of liberal education. Oh! would they but add yet this above all, an ability to converse in the Irish language, it is impossible to say what might be the extent of their usefulness;—not in changing some isolated opinions, for this is worth no man's pains, and far below the ground on which the "legate of the skies" should

stand, but in spreading around them the savour of life unto life, and advancing the kingdom of Him who died for us, and rose again.

Besides, I have occasionally thought it was possible that some might censure, and say it did not become me to close such a detail as this without imploring the men, who, from their professed engagements and their dwelling-place, are so immediately concerned; already on the field of labour, and already preaching in one form of speech.

At the same time I ain perfectly aware, that others may say, all this comes with no good grace from one who remains in Britain, and who, if sincere, might have tried first to set the example. I frankly own, that I am far from being insensible to this remark, though all I can add at present be, that if ever Providence should cast my lot in Ireland, with these views, certainly one of my first objects would be, not only to procure the grammar and dictionary, but sit down and converse daily with an intelligent Irishman, of correct and distinct enunciation, till I should be able to do so with the Native Irish on the things which belong to our common and everlasting peace. In the meanwhile, at intervals snatched from other incumbent avocations, I have thus endeavoured to collect together what perhaps may be of some little service in resolving the present question.

For still, this ministry of the Divine Word, in a language understood by the people, as Bedell used to say, returns upon us as the last and most important of all objects, because it is a sovereign, it is a divine appointment, under a commission which none can revoke. If men below occasionally press the other measures, on this subject, the Christian, and especially those who have taken it in charge to minister the Divine Word, will hear the voice that cometh out from the throne. The terms of that commission we need not repeat, every word of which is so pregnant with meaning and duty to us, so full of pity from above for man below. But every age presents some peculiar seduction from the plainest path of duty, whether to God or man; and at a season when no day is allowed to pass without some eulogy on the power of the press, the noble invention of printing, or the sovereign efficacy of education, it is well to remember, that, however powerless may be the preach