he endowment; and Lord
Lincoln and Mr. Sidney Herbert supported it. Mr. Byng, the venerable
member for Middlesex, also declared himself in favour of the measure;
and Lord Ashley and G. A. Hamilton opposed it; Lord Ashley had never
known a measure more important for good or evil, not even excepting the
Roman Catholic relief bill. His lordship contended that the proposal of
government amounted to almost a declaration, that, as far as the power
of enactments and statutes extended, the Roman Catholic religion should
never cease to be the religion of Ireland. But while Lord Ashley opposed
the measure, he disclaimed being actuated by any feeling of hostility
towards the people of Ireland. If he thought, indeed, that this
concession would really content the people of Ireland, he would pause
before he came to a decision in the matter. The bill was further
supported by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lords John Manners and
Russell, Sirs George Grey and James Graham, and Messrs. Cobden, Smyth,
and Shiel. On the other hand it was opposed by Messrs. Bright, dimming,
Bruce, Blackstone, Ferrand, Sharman Crawford, T. Duncombe, Muntz, and
Law. The debate was closed by Sirs Robert Inglis and Robert Peel; the
former against, and the latter for the measure. On a division the second
reading was carried by a majority of three hundred and twenty-three
against one hundred and seventy-six. The battle, however, was not yet
ended. On the order of the day being read for going into committee, Mr.
Ward moved the following resolution as an amendment:--"That it is the
opinion of this house, that any provision to be made for the purposes of
the present bill, ought to be taken from the funds already applicable
to ecclesiastical purposes in Ireland." A long debate ensued on this
motion, which was continued for two nights; but on a division it was
negatived by a majority of three hundred and twenty-two against one
hundred and forty-eight. On the 25th a resolution, authorising a grant
of L30,000 for improving Maynooth college, and for the payment of
the amount requisite for salaries and other expenses, out of the
consolidated fund, was passed by the house; but on the motion for
bringing up the report, opposition to the measure was renewed by Mr.
Law, who moved as an amendment that it be brought up on that day
six months. Another lengthened debate took place, but the motion was
negatived by one hundred and twenty-eight against fifty-two; and several
other