The Earl of Kenyon,after presenting petitions against the system of Education at Maynooth, said, he concurred in the prayers of these petitions, and thought that if a committee were appointed, he should be able to show, that a Government grant ought to be no longer bestowed on the college at Maynooth.
The Earl of Cloncurrywas sure, that if the noble Earl succeeded in getting his committee of inquiry, it would be ascertained, that no institution could be better conducted than that of Maynooth, where the first minds in the country were employed in educating the priesthood. He was persuaded, that instead of the sum now given, five or ten times that amount should be granted, if it were desired, that the priesthood brought up there should be of the same class and description as those formerly educated on the continent. This grant to Maynooth was originally made as a compensation for the large sums vested in continental establishments for the education of the Irish priesthood, and lost or destroyed at the period of the French revolution, and also because there was great fear of the intercourse which then took place with the continent, and which the Government of the day wished to check. He must state to their Lordships that the present body of Catholic clergy in Ire-land constituted a very exemplary priesthood; but he was old enough to remember 459 the superior description of men as to learning and conduct amongst those who were formerly brought up on the Continent. The sum allowed for education was to small that persons of the humbler classes only would consent to take on themselves the charge of the sacred ministry. He recollected the time when the first families furnished the priests of Ireland. It would be seen on the slightest calculation that the sum furnished for their education was miserably small, and his only surprise was, the excellent conduct of the priests, considering their origin. He must do them the justice to say that, at periods of the greatest distress and agitation, the only persons who kept the country quiet and secured the enjoyment of liberty and property were the priests.
The Earl of Wicklowfully concurred in much of what had been said by his noble Friend. As to the prayer that the grant for Maynooth should be withdrawn, it appeared to him to be the height of absurdity. No person connected with Ireland would ever recommend such a measure. Parliament having sanctioned such a grant, he believed the best policy would be to increase it in such a manner as that the priests educated at Maynooth should be of the same description as those formerly brought up on the Continent. He believed that such a step would tend more to the tranquillity and permanent improvement of the country than any measure which could be adopted by Parliament.
Lord Kenyanasked the noble Lord whether he was aware of the course of instruction in Maynooth, and whether he had ever seen the class-books? If the noble Lord had, he would no doubt admit the necessity for a committee of inquiry.
The Earl of Wicklowhad not inspected the course of education at Maynooth; but if it were not such as it ought to be, that was the fault of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the Lord Chief Justice, and other functionaries, under whose inspection Parliament had placed it.