epeated that this bill was "a gigantic scheme of godless education;"
and agreed with Mr. O'Connell in thinking that these new institutions
would be deficient in that species of education which was the only
legitimate one for an immortal being--education in the duties which
every man had to perform, and the principles on which those duties
rested. The second reading was supported by Lord John Russell, who
nevertheless wished to amend it in committee, and Lord Mahon, and
Messrs. Redington, Milnes, Osborne, Wyse, and R. M. O. Ferrol; and
opposed by Messrs. Acland, B. Hope, and Hamilton. Mr. Acland called
attention to the fact that some of the speakers in behalf of the bill
gave an unqualified support to it; and contended that not one of them
had proved that it would give such education as would be useful in any
respect to Ireland. Sir Robert Peel spoke at great length in behalf of
the measure; and announced that, if adopted, and the plan worked
well, government would consider whether the three colleges should be
incorporated into a university, and what power that university should
have in conferring degrees. After a few words from Messrs. M. J.
O'Connell and Shaw in favour of the second reading, though not of entire
approval of the measure, the amendment was negatived by a majority of
three hundred and eleven against forty-six, and the bill was read a
second time. Upon the resolution of the committee of the whole house
for the grant being reported, Mr. O'Connell took occasion to declare
his protest against it; and to thank Sir Robert Inglis for calling it
"a godless system of education." Subsequently, on the committal of the
bill, he again declared his objections to its principle: and Lord John
Russell coincided with him in his statement, that unless the bill was
made acceptable to the Roman Catholics, by providing for the religious
instruction of the pupils, it would be useless. On the first clause,
relating to the grant of L100,000 for building the three colleges and
necessary buildings, Lord John Russell proposed, as an amendment,
to include among the buildings to be thus paid for, halls for the
accommodation of the students. This motion, however, was negatived; as
was also another, moved by Mr. Wyse, on the clause which declared that
the appointment of professors should be vested in the crown, and after
a time limited should revert to parliament. Mr. Wyse desired that
the professors should be chosen, after an investigati