continue to be highly desirable in Ireland, we think that the superintendence and direction of that Institution may, with great advantage, be left to the care of the Society. The schools under their management, we think, form a separate and highly important subject for consideration. It appears to us, in the first instance, to be expedient for the Society to withhold all grants to schools in connexion with, or deriving aid or assistance from, any other society; and that for this purpose, all schools that derive aid from other societies, should be called upon to decide to which they will continue to belong, and the aid from this Society continued to such only as reject that of others. We recommend also, that after the appointment of the new Board, the establishment of which we have suggested, the Society should not make any new grant of money in aid of building any school-room, or undertake to pay the master or mistress of any school which is not at this time in connexion with them, or to which they are not already engaged, but refer all applications for the building of new schools to such Board.. Every facility and power should, we think, be granted both to the Society and to private patrons, to transfer their schools to the care and superintendence of the same authority. We cannot entertain the plan of destroying any existing class of schools, which are useful to a considerable extent, though not so much so as, we hope, they may be rendered. We are, however, of opinion, that if, after the lapse of a certain time, the schools of general instruction which we recommend should be found to answer their purpose, any schools continuing to belong to other societies, and refusing to transfer themselves to the management of the new Board, should gradually cease to receive any public aid. In seeking for the means of establishing in Ireland an adequate number of such schools as we have described, it is hardly necessary to state, that a most zealous wish to promote education exists on the part of a great number of private individuals, who are ready to sacrifice to this object a portion both of their time and property. In addition, therefore, to the parochial schools of general instruction which we have proposed, we have no doubt that individuals will continue to contribute their assistance, by founding schools under their own immediate care. A part, therefore, of the necessary means for the establishment and maintenance of such schools, may be confidently expected from private contributions; and such schools, we propose, should be liberally assisted by the new Board, upon condition of submitting themselves to its jurisdiction. As to the funds for the maintenance of the new Parochial Schools, we recommend that they shall be derived partly from the State, partly from parochial assessments, and partly from payment by the pupils. Looking to the results of our own personal examination into schools of all descriptions, to the practical effects of the system so long and so beneficially in operation in Scotland, we are satisfied that the schools should be founded on the principle of pay-schools, and that the payment should go to the master and the usher. At what sum the rate of payment should be fixed, must depend upon local circumstances. By appointing, in certain situations, a higher rate of contribution, a most eligible class of schools may readily be provided with instruction suitable to a better description of persons. Although, in all cases, payment by each scholar should be the rule, we recommend that there should be lodged, in certain individuals, a pow of dispensing with the payment, and of admitting, as an exception, certain free scholars. Payment, however, should be the rule, and gratuitous instruction the exception. By the gradual reduction of the charter schools, and by the transfer of a part of those which are now maintained by the Association and the Kildare Place Society, a large amount of the public funds at present granted for education will become available for the new schools of public and general instruction. The plan which we have recommended cannot be put into full operation without the aid of powers which can only be obtained from Parliament. We think it, however, desirable to attempt, with as little delay as possible, to establish schools upon the system we have recommended; and we think the grant to the Lord Lieutenant for the general purpose of aiding schools should at once be made applicable to this object. We have already shown, that, according to the present management of that fund, it may be so applied as to assist schools of any description whatever. We recommend that the Commissioners should be enabled, out of the grant made in this session, to fulfil such engagements only as they have actually entered into, and that the remainder of the fund, with such addition as may be thought sufficient, should be applied, under such directions as any new authority to be erected for the purpose may think fit, to the establishment of schools of the description which we have proposed. In the early part of this report, it has been stated, that we addressed a form of return to the parochial clergy of the Established Church, to the Roman Catholic clergy, and also to the several Presbyterian ministers. The form of this return will be found in the Appendix. The information thereby obtained from these several authorities is extremely important. It is, however, so voluminous, that it will require a separate report for its elucidation, and we propose to devote to it our earliest attention. At present, we shall merely state the general result. According to the returns made by the ministers of the Established Church, the total number of schools in Ireland (Sunday-schools excepted) is 10,387, and they contain 498,641 pupils. According to the Roman Catholic returns, the number of schools is 10,453, and the number of pupils 522,016. In the enumeration we have excluded Sunday-schools on both sides, as the children in attendance upon them are almost universally to be found in the day-schools also. The total numbers in education are, according to the Protestant returns, thus distributed :Of the Established Church 91,026 Of the Established Church Presbyterians Protestants of other denominations 91,026 43,236 3,308 . 357,249 Roman Catholics Children in education, whose religion is not stated in the In the year 1812, it appears by the Fourteenth Report of the Commissioners of Education, to which we have so often had occasion to refer, that at that time the number of schools in Ireland might be estimated at 4,600, containing about 200,000 pupils. It follows, that during the last twelve years, the number both of schools and pupils has considerably more than doubled. It must not be forgotten, however, that education is still in a great degree administered in the pay-schools of the country unconnected with societies, and, generally speaking, not subjected to any particular control or superintendence. We cannot more fully express the conclusion which we come to upon this part of the subject, than in the words of the Report above quoted: "Were it, therefore, even admitted that the benefits of education are not to the lower classes of the people so great as we conceive them to be, yet the necessity of assisting in obtaining it for them in this country would not be diminished, but increased; for such education as has been objected to, under the idea of its leading to evil rather than to good, they are actually obtaining for themselves; and though we conceive it practicable to correct it, to check its progress appears impossible-it may be improved, but it cannot be impeded. "T. FRANKLAND LEWIS. (L. S.) J. GLASSFORD. (L. S.) (L. S.) (L. S.) (L. S.) A. R. BLAKE. "London, 30th May 1825." To this Report there is an Appendix, containing the examination of witnesses, and numerous documents. FISHERIES. Sixth Report of the Commissioners of the Irish Fisheries (commencing the 6th April, 1824, and ending the 5th April, 1825.) IN their Report of last season, the Commissioners gave a short sketch of the different projects which seemed to them best calculated to give effect to that section of the 59th of the late King, c. 109, which places at their disposal the annual sum of £5000, for the promotion of the coast fisheries of Ireland. Amongst the measures most likely to advance this object, were the construction of small piers, quays, and safety-harbours; the building of hookers, smacks, and small boats, suitable to the fisheries of the different districts; the repairs of tricts; the repairs of poor fishermen's boats; and the promotion of small fishing companies, so as to give an impulse to more important establishments of this nature. On the first head, (the erection of small piers, &c.) the Commissioners beg to observe, that some of those works have been since. completed, and others in progress; but the difficulty of procuring the necessary contributions from those whose private interests must be promoted by their erection, has tended in some measure to retard the progress of similar works, which, if executed, must prove of equal utility to the coast fisheries of Ireland. Ôn the next head, (the building of hookers, smacks, &c.) proceedings for carrying this measure into effect have been taken, and the project seems to promise very satisfactory results. As there is, however, a material difference in the principles laid down for the application of the funds allocated to the hooker and smack building, the Commi sioners beg leave to enter somewhat into the which, from want of capital and suitable craft, have hitherto been but imperfectly ascertained, and only casually visited. The Commissioners have to state, with much regret, the diminution which has taken place in the white fishery of the last year, (particularly on the southern coast,) and without any apparent cause, save the uncertainty which must ever attend the return of such fish as periodically visit the coasts of this country. The success, however, of the preceding years, justifies the hope of a more abundant fishery next season; and the Commissioners expect that the measures they have adopted for the encouragement of the hooker and smack building will tend materially to render the hake fishery (the chief fishery of the south) a more productive source of industry than heretofore. It is, however, with unfeigned satisfaction the Commissioners have to state the gradual increase in the herring fishery of this season: the excess over last season amounts to 13,776 barrels. With respect to the coast survey, adverted to in former Reports, much additional progress has been made, and a good deal of interesting information obtained as to the fishing banks along the western coast. The Board have, however, directed a suspension of its further prosecution for the present, until they shall have given a due portion of attention to the information it contains, and the suggestions held out in it. Although the regulations adopted by the Board for the peaceable and legal prosecution of the fisheries have tended much to the attainment of that object, yet a spirit of outrage will at times break out, and call for the interference of the powers vested in the Commissioners under the act of the 59th of the late King, c. 109. Were it not for the occasional exercise of those powers, that vast and productive fishery, which periodically occurs on the western coast detail of the arrangements decided on for their construction and ultimate application. The arrangement laid down for the building of hookers, (a species of boat peculiarly adapted to the southern fisheries,) was a grant of one-fourth their estimated cost to such adventurers as were disposed to build the same, conformable to an approved plan, and to supply the remaining three-fourths from their own private means. The arrangement for the smack and smallboat building was formed exclusively on the principle of loan, repayable by instalments at stated times, so as that the whole may be liquidated at the expiration of a certain period, when the boat will become the property of the fisherman. In the mean time, the proceeds of each instalment are to be applied to similar uses, thereby adding annually to the number of boats, and consequently multiplying the means of employment and food. On the third head, (the repairs of poor fishermen's boats,) the Commissioners beg to observe, that loan funds for this desirable object have been established in many of the maritime counties, and essential benefits experienced from them in those quarters where local difficulties have not tended to impede their prompt operation. Those difficulties are, however, every day diminishing; and as the principle on which this species of aid is given, renders repayment by easy instalments absolutely necessary, the benefits arising from such loan-funds become thereby perpetuated. With respect to the fourth head, (the encouragement of small fishing companies,) the Commissioners entertain sanguine hopes that the speculative spirit of the times will tend to the establishment of fishing companies on a more extended scale than was originally contemplated by them. By such associations the productive fishing banks which surround the coasts of Ireland may be fairly tried; but of Ireland, would be rendered of little moment, by the turbulent spirit which, prior to the formation of this establishment, had nearly destroyed the once flourishing fisheries of the Bay of Galway. A similar spirit had lately evinced itself in the south, at Dungarvan, and would have probably produced the most serious consequences, were it not for the timely interference of the Board, aided by the local magistracy of the place, and the very judicious conduct of Mr Barry, the inspector-general of fisheries for the southern province, whom the Board found it necessary to send there for that especial purpose. In order to enforce their regulations for the protection of the southern fisheries, the Commissioners were compelled to hire the services of a small-decked boat for the better portion of the summer, and found the measure of great benefit in maintaining order, and preventing illegal and destructive modes of fishing. The Commissioners have much satisfaction in perceiving the improvement which has taken place in the fisheries of some parts of the coast, where the districts (originally too extensive) have been divided, and the duties of the officer confined to a more reasonable extent of shore, more immediately with in the scope of his powers to manage. The following extract of a letter from the Lord Bishop of Killala will prove satisfactory on this head: "When in Dublin, you were pleased to furnish me with all the papers necessary to explain to the people here (Killala) the encouragements given to the fisheries, and the regulations to be observed. On my return to Killala, I made the undertaking a subject of conversa tion with the gentlemen of my neighbourhood, had the papers sent from house to house, that all might read them, and then to the merchants of this town. The people also, who go out in the boats, had full information. The efficient officer of the Board has duly attended, and the consequence has been such as must prove satisfactory to them-to me it is very gratifying. I am also assured by many, that more herrings have been taken this year than in the twenty years preceding; that, besides the local supply, abundance was sent into the interior of the country, many miles distant; and by the return of your officer, it will be seen that a large quantity of well-saved fish is in casks ready for exportation. Such a thought never occurred to the people here before, and this is their first attempt. I contemplate with pleasure the probability of its leading to a far more extended fishery, when the proper vessels for the deep sea, and tackle, shall be acquired. Certainly a multitude of people has been greatly benefited by what has been done," &c. &c. The Commissioners observe with much pleasure a further increase in the number of men engaged in the Irish fisheries, as taken from the local officers' customary returns to the 5th April last. The gross number stated in the report of their last year's proceedings (season 1823,) was 49,448. The number given in the present report is 52,482, being an increase of 3034 men. The following is the substance of the more important returns annexed to the Report. |