urposes as
in its wisdom it may deem beneficial to the best interests of religion
and of the community at large, due regard being had to the rights of
every person in the actual enjoyment of any part of that property." And
second, "That this house will, early in the next session of parliament,
appoint a select committee, for the purpose of considering the
present state of the Irish church, and the various charges to which
ecclesiastical property is liable." The first of these resolutions was
negatived without a division, and the second was lost by a majority of
one hundred and twenty-six against thirty-seven.

STATE OF THE IRISH CHARTER SCHOOLS.

In consequence of the report of the commissioners on education, which
showed that great abuses existed in the chartered schools of Ireland,
Sir John Newport called the attention of the commons to that subject.
After detailing at considerable length the condition of the funds of
these schools, and the barbarous manner in which the pupils placed in
them were treated, he moved, "That an humble address be presented to his
majesty, expressing the marked sentiments of regret and indignation with
which the house of commons perused the details of unwarrantable cruelty
practised on the children in several of the charter schools of Ireland,
contained in the report presented to both houses of parliament by the
commissioners appointed by his majesty for examination into the state of
the schools of Ireland; and praying that his majesty may be pleased to
direct the law-officers of the crown in that part of the United Kingdom
to institute criminal prosecutions against the actors, aiders, and
abettors of these dreadful outrages, as far as they may be amenable to
law." Mr. Peel admitted that the system of charter schools was one which
did not admit of correction, but ought to be extinguished altogether. He
stated that an order had been sent prohibiting the admission of any more
children upon those foundations. He thought, also, that if any of
the masters could be proved judicially to have been guilty of such
atrocities as were stated in the report, they ought not only to be
dismissed, but prosecuted. At the same time he hoped that Sir J. Newport
would so far alter the wording of the motion, as not to assume the
existence of the guilty practices which were to constitute the subject
of inquiry. In consequence of this suggestion the right honourable
baronet withdrew the original motion, and