Department for the past year amounted to £41,260 and that the estimated grants for the present year amount to £44,641. Captain H. G. Lyons, LL.D., Lecturer in Geography at Glasgow University, has accepted the appointment of Lecturer in Geography under the Committee, and Miss Jessie D. Latto, L.L.A., has been appointed an Assistant Mistress of Method.

St. Andrews Provincial Committee has appointed Mr. J. W. Williams, B.A., Exeter College, Oxford, as Lecturer in History at Dundee Training College, and Mr. J. P. Day, B.A., Bournemouth, as Lecturer in Geography for one year.

IRELAND.

At a public meeting held in Dublin at the end of last month, on the The National day after the Standing Committee of the Hierarchy University had drawn up their statement against compulsory and Compulsory Gaelic in the New National University, one of the Gaelic. speakers predicted, in words which have since gained notoriety, that, in consequence of that statement, those who had been leading the movement in favour of Gaelic would now "run back like whipped curs and eat their own words." That prediction has not been fulfilled. On the contrary, it seems as if the Hierarchical pronouncement had lent new strength to the movement, redoubling the zeal of its promoters and converting many from half-hearted supporters or indifferent critics into zealous partisans. At any rate, the question-which, at its initiation last year, seemed to all but a few daring spirits a chimerical project, rather to be put forward as an assertion of principle than with any hope of its realization-has now been brought into the sphere of practical politics, and possibly the action of the Bishops has contributed as much as anything else to this effect.

The Executive Committee of the Gaelic League convened a special meeting on January 27 immediately after the meeting of the Bishops' Committee, and drew up a reply to the latter, pointing out that the number of students likely to be turned away from the new University by compulsory Gaelic at entrance was insignificant; whereas the inclusion of Gaelic would attract a great many of the very class in whose interests the University ought to be founded, and that to make Gaelic optional would have the result (as proved by the experience of the Royal University) of making every essential subject an enemy to the study of Irish. The League further asked that, as the Bishops' Committee had pro

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nounced the question to be "one for fair argument," they should give it all the benefits of that position by favouring free discussion of it amongst the clergy as well as laity.

Since then the expression of opinion throughout the country has been emphatic and practically unanimous. Public meetings have been held on a large scale at Wexford, Tuam, Ennis, and other centres in support of the Gaelic cause. In some cases-notably at Ennis-these meetings have been helped by the co-operation of the local Roman Catholic clergy, many of whom (especially amongst the younger priests) are in strong sympathy with the language. On the other hand, several prominent priests, well known as active supporters of compulsory Gaelic, have been silent since the Hierarchical pronouncement, and it is no secret that this has been owing to pressure from higher quarters. Father Hickey, formerly a Vice-President of the Gaelic League and for years one of the most strenuous workers and writers on behalf of the language, has indeed stated, in a letter which appeared in the press, that he was no longer "free" to address a public meeting on the question. Father Hickey has been by no means silenced, however, for his views have just been published in the form of a penny pamphlet and are likely to have a wide currency. He considers that the Irish people have reached a crisis; that the moment has come when they have before them an opportunity, such as has never occurred before nor is likely to occur hereafter, of making a system of education thoroughly national and thoroughly their own.

It is well known that the type of University which many of the bishops (especially Dr. Healy, Archbishop of Tuam, and Dr. O'Dwyer) are anxious to secure is that represented by Oxford, and in this country to some extent by Trinity College; whereas the partisans of the compulsory Gaelic movement are emphatic in their protest that they do not want "a Trinity College rebaptized "-an institution suited to the needs of those Irish Koman Catholics who at present send their sons to Oxford or Trinity, or of English Catholics-but a popular University, free alike from social and from religious hall-marks. The various District and County Councils have also been meeting over the matter, and some 110 of the former and 16 of the latter have declared for compulsory Gaelic; while nine or ten of the County Councils have passed a resolution refusing to strike rates in support of the University until their demand is granted. This is a very cogent form of argument; and, as a member of the new Senate shrewdly observed the other day, there is far more likelihood of resolutions which refuse to raise money being carried into effect than those of a contrary tenor.

The National Convention of the United Irish League met at the Mansion House on February 9 and 10, and, during their second session, considered the question of compulsory Gaelic, the attendance during this part of the proceedings being especially large. A resolution in favour of it was moved by Mr. Boland, M. P., and, after being assailed by Mr. John Dillon, M.P., whose speech was received with very mixed feelings, and being advocated by Dr. Douglas Hyde with much energy, was carried by an overwhelming majority.

On the evening of the previous Monday (February 8) the Mansion House was the scene of another large and enthusiastic meeting in favour of Gaelic, the attendance at which was confined exclusively to students drawn, for the most part, from the institutions likely to be affected by the new University University College, the Catholic University School of Medicine, the College of Science, the King's Inn, the Loreto College, and St. Mary's University College (the last two women's colleges); while sympathetic messages were sent from the Columban League of Maynooth (an active students' society, on patriotic lines, in that college) and other institutions. The meeting was followed by a torchlight procession to the Gaelic League head-quarters in Rutland Square, where further speeches were made by Dr. Hyde, Dr. Henry, the Hon. William Gibson, and others.

On the other side of the argument, a petition, protesting against Gaelic as a compulsory subject, has been sent in to the new Senate, with the signatures of seventy-four students, chiefly drawn from the Catholic University School of Medicine-the staff of which is well represented, it may be observed in passing, on the said Senate. At the present moment a counter-petition from Irish students is in course of preparation and has already received over a thousand signa

tures.

Meantime, the new Senate has begun its work and how far it will be influenced by recent expressions of opinion remains to be seen; but it is understood that there are not a few members favourably inclined to the popular demand.

With regard to the effect which compulsory Gaelic (should that measure be carried out) is likely to have on secondary education, it may be observed that about 85 per cent. of the pupils from Catholic schools who entered for the Intermediate Examinations last year took up Irish. As the Catholic schools are those most likely to be affected, it is evident that the hardship resulting from compulsion will not be so widespread as might be imagined. None of the Protestant schools, on the other hand, or very few, have hitherto recognized

Novelties in

THE HOLBORN FILE

Gaelic as an ordinary school subject, and those Protestants who have become interested in the language and its destinies have generally taken it up after their school career.

The Lenten Pastorals of the Bishops to their various dioceses which are appearing just at present contain some references to the new National University-though none to the question of the Irish language in connexion therewith. Archbishop Healy expresses his gratitude to Mr. Birrell for a measure which, while not ideal and open to criticism particularly in the matter of endowment and residential equipment, yet goes a fair way to meet the national requirements, and considers that Galway College in its new capacity will be free from the objections which prevented Catholics from resorting to it in former days, and ought therefore to be turned to advantage by the people of Connaught and Clare. The Bishop of Cloyne urges the necessity of establishing in each constituent college of the new foundation "a Chair or Lectureship of Religion," and also of providing (by subscription) suitable hostels or houses of residence for the students.

Trinity College.

The lectures on Journalism, in Trinity College, which have awakened much outside interest, have been continued during the month by a lecture on "Political Cartooning," from Sir Francis Carruthers Gould, of the Westminster Gazette. The Vice-Chancellor's Medal for English Prose has been awarded this session to a woman-Miss Brigid Stafford, B. A., formerly a student of Loreto College, Dublin.

The reports from the Irish training colleges in connexion with the Gaelic League all show gratifying progress, especiGeneral. ally those from the Belfast College, where the work has grown rapidly and the students now number close on 250, all showing much eagerness in their studies. A successful class in Middle Irish is conducted by Mrs. Hutton, who is a thoroughly equipped Irish scholar and is placing at the disposal of her students not only her knowledge, but her valuable collection of Irish MSS.

The Classical Association of Ireland held its Annual General Meeting for the transaction of business and election of officers in Dublin on the afternoon of February 4. Prof. Dill, of Queen's College, Belfast, was elected President for 1910, and the Council accepted an invitation to hold their meeting in Belfast next year. In the evening Mr. Justice Madden, the President of the current year, delivered a lecture to the (Continued on page 196.)

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members of the Association on "The Influence of Classical Learning upon Elizabethan Literature."

SCHOOLS.

BIRKENHEAD GIRLS' SECONDARY SCHOOL.-On February 5 and 19, the distribution of Certificates took place at the school to the Upper School on February 5, when the Hockey Shield was presented to Form IVA. by Miss Laird; and to the Lower School on February 19, when Mrs. Le Mesurier presented the Rounders picture to Form IIIA. Recitations, scenes from "Julius Caesar" and " Macbeth," and part songs were followed by dancing in the Assembly Hall, and "Poetical Guesses" in the Art Room.

BRAMLEY (GUILDFORD), ST. CATHERINE'S SCHOсhe Musgrave Exhibition, which has recently been founded in memory of the late Canon Musgrave, has been awarded to Winifred Jenkins. The Musgrave Memorial Prize for Religious Knowledge has been gained by Mildred Titley, and the Special Prize for Modern Languages (£5 in books) by Hilda Goldsmith and Cecile Wright. In the Cambridge Local Examinations twenty candidates passed. Among the juniors Grace Rudbery was placed in Class I. with distinctions in Religious Knowledge, English, French, Latin and Music. Three distinctions were gained in English. Annie Habberfield-Short has passed the Advanced Grade of the R. A. M. and R.C.M. in Pianoforte Playing. In the Local School Examination of the R. A. M. and R.C.M. two Honour Certificates and thirty-four Pass Certificates were gained in Pianoforte and Violin Playing and Singing.

CLAPHAM HIGH SCHOOL.-In the Grand Concours of the Société Nationale des Professeurs de Français en Angleterre, held in November, 1908, the Sèvres Vase presented by M. Fallières was won by Clapham High School. The following honours were also obtained :— Silver Medals, D. Abbott, M. Fowler; Harrow Prize, M. Fowler (hors concours); Perret Prize, M. Fowler (hors concours), K. Hood Barrs; mention honorable for Literature, K. Hood Barrs. Twentytwo certificates were awarded. The following successes have been gained in Music :—L. R. A. M. (November, 1908), I. Hall, M. Holford, G. Owen; Associated Board (Local Centre), Violin, Advanced Grade, M. Whitten; Piano, Advanced Grade, A. Bailey; Intermediate Grade, L. Chittock, K. Smither. In the Secondary Training Department eleven students have gained the Cambridge Teachers' Certificate, three with distinction in teaching. In the Examination for the Higher Certificate (Part II.) of the National Froebel Union, twelve full certificates and five distinctions were gained. The distinctions gained by Old Girls include: B.A. Hons. in Modern History (Internal), E. Piper; B.A. Hons. in Classics (Internal), G. Oram.

GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.-The official opening took place on January 14. The building is designed to accommodate 350 pupils. It stands on a site of about four acres, which has been conveyed from the Corporation to the Governors in consideration of The cost of the building and a payment of £21 for sixty years. furnishing amounts to about £14.000. Lord Stanley of Alderley, who presided and was presented with a golden key, congratulated the architect, Mr. W. B. Wood, on the handsome and well planned building. The cost, too, seemed to him very moderate. At Manchester, where he had just been attending a conference, it was reckoned that to build a secondary school to fulfil the Board of Education requirements cost £50 a head. Alderman Hartland, Chairman of the Governors, was afterwards presented with his portrait, a gift from the staff. The frame had been carved by Miss Barwell, the Head Mistress.

LEINSTER HOUSE SCHOOL, HYDE PARK.-Nina Marks took First Class Honours in Group H (History) of Cambridge Higher Local, with distinction in the Special Period, a Pass in Group B (French, distinction in the Oral), and a Pass in Group C (Mathematics). Lucy Frances Nettlefold took Second Class Honours in Group H (History), Cambridge Higher Local, with distinction in the General History and a Pass in Group C (Mathematics). Marguerite Bunyard was awarded a Bronze Star by the Royal Drawing Society in the Annual Exhibition; and Anna Broman gained the full Certificate for Honours taken in all six divisions of the yearly Examination of the Royal Drawing Society. TONBRIDGE SCHOOL.-The completed portion of the chapel was dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury on February 9. A west end, vestry, cloister, and organ have been added. The total length of the building is now 172 feet-chapel proper 136 feet and ante-chapel with stone screen 36 feet. The Archbishop, in his address, dwelt on the chapel as the centre of the common life in an English public school. The man who first gave to the chapel this prominence and force was Arnold of Rugby. What struck the intelligent foreigner as the most distinctive and peculiar feature of English life was its public schools, and that feature, he was thankful to say, instead of waning, was becoming more marked and prominent. Among the distinguished company who attended the ceremony were the two ex-head masters, Dr. Wood and Canon Tancock. In the afternoon the foundation stone of the new sanatorium was laid by the Bishop of Rochester. WINCHESTER COLLEGE.-The Rev. E. de G. Lucas, the missioner (Continued on page 198.)

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