octavo volume, which is now very scarce, it is said to be the work of C. N. C. F. P. D., i. e. Cornelius Nary, Consultissime Facultatis Parisiensis Doctor. Two years after this, he published, in folio, a History of the World, grounding his chronology on the computations of the Septuagint, which he undertakes to prove to be that of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. He also, about this time, printed a short History of Ireland, the copies of which are now very scarce.

The Revolution in France, which affected the Irish colleges in so many other places, was, of course, fatal to that in Paris. At that eventful period there were not less than 180 Irish students, viz. 100 in the College des Lombards, under four masters, and in the Irish Community, Rue de Cheval Vert, there were 80 more, under three masters. This seminary, however, has been so far restored by the late King, Louis XVIII., and is now called College Britannique, as it unites the three ancient colleges, denominated English, Irish, and Scotch. In the Irish department, the professors, sometimes exclusively Irish, at others, French and Irish, are selected by the President, who receives his ultimate appointment from the King of France.

In conclusion, of these foreign seminaries it may be stated, that there are at the present moment about one hundred and forty students at different colleges on the Continent. Seventy of these are at Paris, about twelve at Rome, and the remainder at Salamanca, Lisbon, and various private French seminaries. A good many who go abroad do so without any certain destination, but the great body intend returning to their native land. The funds still remaining in existence, consisting principally of foundations made by Irishmen, as already stated, who either funded sums of money abroad, or sent them from Ireland, are calculated to be sufficient for the support of about sixty students, at 800 francs annually for each, if the entire income be so applied.

The great change produced by the French war and Revolution suggested the necessity of Maynooth College. It was resolved upon in 1795. The statutes, however, were not printed till 1800, and in the list of Professors there will be found one for the Irish Language: but the fact is, that though

there was a Professor of Modern Languages in the original draft, the vernacular tongue itself was entirely overlooked, at least it is certain that there was originally no provision made for an Irish Professor. But the set time for treating this longproscribed language with common candour and more enlightened policy, it is to be hoped, had nearly arrived. The tongue itself, however, as if in conformity with ancient usage, must not it seems even yet receive, in every respect, any formal and legal acknowledgment; yet indebted, as it had often been, to individual benevolence and an attachment most natural, it was at last favoured with a Professor's chair, upon its own native soil, and the appointment was printed among the others since the period referred to. It was a single individual, and he an Irishman, who enjoyed the gratification of thus far befriending his country. Mr Keenan, a scrivener in Dublin, "sunk one thousand pounds of his hard-earned property, the produce of a long, laborious, and economical life, for L.60 per annum, to support an Irish Professor for teaching and instructing the students the Irish language in the Irish character." According

ly, in July 1802, the Rev. Paul O'Brien, author of the Irish Grammar, in the Irish character, already mentioned, was appointed to the chair. In June 1820, he was succeeded by the Rev. Martin Loftus: but even this chair, the only one in Ireland, was vacant recently, and I am not aware of any successor being yet appointed, otherwise I should have mentioned the name. The books used, besides the Irish Grammar and MacCurtin's Dictionary, are the Irish New Testament and Donlevy's Catechism.

In the effectual education of any tribe, there is a course to which nature not only points, but constrains. In every instance it is demonstrable, that the benevolent visitor or resident must sit down and begin with the people, where God and nature had begun with them. If we 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 ver

* History of Dublin, vol. II., p. 929.

nacular tongue, whatever that be, if we will not go back and start here, the people, as such, stand still, and are left behindBut 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, meagre though it be, 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 imperious 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 ia is, let them have it to their heart's 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 wind-fall, 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 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 re

presentative within the same inclosure, 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.

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, 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.

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 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 re