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communicate to them the following observations, the result of our joint considerations:

1. No considerable addition can be made to the existing number of clergymen without additional funds for their support.

2. The salary required for curates at present is not greater than must be paid to deacons under the proposed scheme.

The funds, therefore, which must be raised for the new class of deacons would suffice for the maintenance of an equal number of additional curates; and if the funds of the existing societies for maintaining additional curates were so enlarged as to furnish the means of supporting a larger number than are now employed, it is not probable that the bishops would interpose any unnecessary obstacle to the admission into the ministry of a sufficient number of persons to supply the wants of their respective dioceses, although every bishop must be allowed to judge for himself of the measures proper to be taken for supplying the wants of his own diocese by the ordination of as many persons as may be required, in conformity with the canons of the Church. It does not appear to be expedient to lay down any general rule on the subject, which might control the bishops in the exercise of their discretion, or diminish the securities which now exist for the due preparation of candidates for the ministry.

With respect to the employment of lay scripture readers, it is thought that the question may be most properly left to the bishop of each diocese to encourage or sanction such provision, if he should think fit, in those parishes, the incumbents of which may be desirous of availing themselves of such assistance.

To Viscount Sandon.
Lambeth, July.

**

I remain, your Lordship's faithful servant,

W. CANTUAR.

COLLEGE OF ST. COLUMBA, STACKALLAN, IRELAND.

*THE following is the report laid by the governors before the Lord Primate of all Ireland, at his first visitation of this institution. Though dated nearly a year ago, it appears to have been only lately made public:

MY LORD PRIMATE,

"On the occasion of your Grace's first visitation of the College of St. Columba, the founders and governors deem it their duty to submit to you the following brief account of the progress that has been made towards the attainment of the objects for which the college was founded.

Your Grace is aware that in April, 1843, possession was taken of Stackallan House, of which a lease for seven years was obtained, as a temporary site for the college. The warden and fellows were formally appointed on the 25th of that month, and, on the 1st of August following, the necessary repairs and alterations being completed, the educational department of the college was opened, and at the close of the term, ending on the 16th of December last, there were seven boys on the books.

During the second term, ending on the 1st of July last, the number of boys had increased to seventeen, and at present there are twenty-five on the books of the college.

As the cultivation of the Irish language is one of the principal objects of the institution, it will be desirable to explain to your Grace, in the first instance, the measures that have been adopted for the attainment of this end.

Five Irish scholarships have been founded in the University of Dublin, under regulations which have received your Grace's approval, and that of the provost of Trinity College. These scholarships have already been the means of encouraging and assisting several members of the university in the study of Irish.

Mr. Coffey, one of the first scholars elected on this foundation, who has spoken Irish from infancy, is now a fellow of St. Columba's, and to him has been entrusted the instruction of the boys in that language. Another of the fellows, Mr. King, has also made considerable proficiency in the language, and is able to give very efficient assistance in teaching the boys; he is at present engaged, in conjunction with Mr. Coffey, in preparing, for the use of the college, an Irish primer and reading-book.

Arrangements have also been made with Mr. O'Donovan, one of the best Irish scholars now living, for the publication of a complete Irish grammar for the use of the higher classes.

Twelve scholarships have also been founded in the college itself; two of the value of forty guineas per annum, and ten of thirty guineas; the two former are tenable only by boys who are vernacularly acquainted with Irish before their admission into the college, and the remainder are held on the condition of acquiring that language.

Every scholar of the college is required to learn Irish daily, and several have made such proficiency, that we hope very soon to introduce conversation classes. But while we have thus paid every possible attention to the cultivation of the Irish language, we have not forgotten that another very important part of our undertaking is to establish a classical school of the best and most efficient kind. No pains or expense have been spared to effect this object; and we have been fortunate enough to secure the services of a warden and fellows, to whose zeal and energy is mainly owing the success that has hitherto attended us.

The classical department of the college has been placed under the care of two gentlemen, both of them in holy orders, who have been distinguished for their classical attainments in the University of Oxford; and Mr. King, who is also in orders, and who was formerly a scholar of Trinity College, Dublin, has undertaken to give instructions in science and in Hebrew.

One of the fellows, Mr. Monk, is an accomplished musician, and, with his assistance, the warden has been enabled to establish singing classes among the boys, and to teach them the elements of music theoretically. Their success has been such, that the boys are able now to take part in the Psalmody in the parish church, and to perform occasionally the choral service in the college chapel.

To another of the fellows, Mr. Du Noyer, has been committed the department of drawing, and, although he has joined the college only during the last term, the pupils have made a very considerable progress under his instructions.

A very competent teacher of modern languages (Mons. De Crettes) has been engaged. This gentleman is not a member of the college, but resides in the neighbourhood, and attends daily, or as often as is found necessary, to give instructions. Besides French, which is his native language, M. De Crettes is qualified to teach Italian and German; and any or all of these languages, if desired by the parents of the pupils, will be taught without any additional charge.

In carrying out the remainder of our plan, we have experienced considerable difficulties, chiefly arising from the inadequacy of our present temporary house to supply the accommodation required. We must, therefore, take immediate steps to procure a permanent site for the college, and to erect, without further delay, the necessary buildings.

For this purpose we must endeavour to add very considerably to our funds, by an earnest appeal to the friends of religious education; and the support we have already received leads us to entertain a confident hope that such an appeal will not be made in vain.

To one donor, whose name we are not permitted to mention, our most grateful thanks are due, for the munificent gift of £2,000, which is to be made the foundation of a permanent endowment.

We are also under deep obligations to several zealous friends for most valuable presents of carved oak furniture, of plate for the service of the chapel, of a large bell, and of an organ which has cost £600. Our benefactors have prohibited the public mention of their names, and therefore we can only express in this general way our thankfulness, and our conviction that the welfare of the institution is effectually promoted by donations such as these. They enable us at once to give to the house an air of dignity; they remove, in a great measure, the appearance of a new establishment; and they tend to create those associations which have been found so important as auxiliaries of education in our ancient schools and colleges.

The liberality of our friends has also enabled us to collect together a most valuable and useful library. We have had your Grace's permission to employ the munificent donation which you were pleased to contribute to our funds, in the purchase of books, with which we hope to connect your name, and thus to record the honourable patronage you have given to the college, in a more permanent manner than if we had expended your Grace's donation in the general purposes of the establishment. Other friends have also contributed some valuable books, so that we are now in possession of a most useful library of classical, theological, and miscellaneous literature.

We consider it a most fortunate circumstance that we have been enabled, in this early stage of our labours, to form a library so admirably adapted to promote the purposes of the college, that it cannot fail to be felt as a great addition to the value of a fellowship, in the estimation of the class of young men whom we would desire to engage.

A temporary chapel has been fitted up in a manner we hope not unbecoming its destination. And here again we are indebted to the munificence of our friends, of whom we can only name the president and fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford.

In the internal discipline of the college we have desired to follow, as closely as possible, the model of our ancient institutions, and to exhibit the religion of our church in all its reality and purity. For this purpose we have provided that daily instructions shall be given in the holy scriptures, and in the Church catechism and formularies; and we have placed the college in close connexion with your Grace, and with the bishop of this diocese, resolved to sudmit ourselves in every respect to the guidance of your Grace's advice and authority, and to anticipate, if possible, your wishes.

Acting upon these principles, we feel that we can look with confidence for the divine blessing upon our labours, conscious that we are aiming only at the promotion of God's glory, and the welfare of His holy Church.

We have provided, with the bishop's sanction, that morning and evening prayer shall be said daily, according to the order of the Church, in the chapel which his lordship has been pleased to license for the purpose. But on Sundays and all other holidays when there is public service, our chapel service is suspended, and all members of the college attend in the parish church.

The success that has hitherto attended our efforts, and the present most prosperous state of the institution, may be taken, we trust, as a proof of the soundness of the principles upon which it is conducted. To the warden and fellows our warmest thanks are due, for the manner in which they have at all times received our advice and suggestions; and we cannot allow ourselves to doubt, that the same Providential Hand which has already raised up for the college, agents so admirably fitted for their work, and inclined the hearts of so many of His servants to befriend it by their munificence and their prayers, will continue His blessing, and provide for it the means which are necessary for its permanent and efficient endowment."

Intelligence.

Oxford Theological Prize. "That a divine revelation contains mysteries is no valid argument against its truth."

The subject above stated, as appointed by the judges for an English essay, is proposed to members of the University on the following conditions, viz. :—

1. The candidate must have passed his examination for the degree of B.A. or B.C.L.

2. He must not on this day have exceeded his 28th term.

3. He must have commenced his 16th term eight weeks previous to the day appointed for sending in his essay to the registrar of the university.

In every case the terms are to be computed from the matriculation inclusively.

The essays are to be sent under a sealed cover to the registrar of the university on or before the Wednesday in Easter week next ensuing. None will be received after that day. The candidate is desired to conceal his name, and to distinguish his composition by what motto he pleases, sending at the same time his name sealed up under another cover, with the motto inscribed upon it. The essay to which the prize shall have been adjudged will be read before the university in the divinity school on the same day in the week next before the commemoration; and it is expected that no essay will be sent in which exceeds in length the ordinary limits of recitation.

Mrs. Denyer's Theological Prizes.The subjects for the year 1846 are"On the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for the salvation of Man."

"On the Christian Duty of Humility." Persons entitled to write for the abovementioned prizes must be in deacon's orders at least; and on the last day appointed for the delivery of the compositions to the registrar, have entered on the eighth and not exceeded the tenth year from their matriculation.

The compositions are to be sent under a sealed cover to the registrar of the university, on or before Saturday, the 28th day of February, 1846. None will be received after that day. The author is required to conceal his name, and to distinguish his composition by what

motto he pleases; sending at the same time his name, and the date of his matriculation, sealed up under another cover, with the motto inscribed upon it. P. B. SYMONS, Vice-Chan. Wadham College.

Proposed Missionary College at Canterbury. The want of an adequate supply of ministers, duly prepared by special training to labour with effect in the dependencies of the British empire, has long been felt, and of late has been frequently expressed by those who have been called to preside over the colonial churches.

In relief of this deficiency, it is proposed to found a college, of which the object will be to provide an education to qualify young men for the service of the church in foreign settlements, with such strict regard to economy and frugality of habits, as may fit them for the special duties to be discharged, the difficulties to be encountered, and the hardships to be endured. And there is reason to believe, from the result of a very extensive inquiry, that a considerable supply of persons willing thus to dedicate themselves may be looked for from our endowed grammar schools and other sources.

A site in the metropolitical city of Canterbury (the ruins of the ancient Abbey of St. Augustine), has, by the gift of a lay member of the church, been devoted to this design. And the sums derived from the limited applications of a single individual-independently of the site, and the assurance, from its munificent donor, of yet further assistance towards the erection of the buildings, in addition to a large donation to the general fund, already amount to £39,000.

It is proposed, therefore, to commence immediately the principal quadrangle of the college, which includes the chapel, hall, library, and apartments for fifty students, with the requisite accommodation for the officers and servants of the establishment. The arrangements of the building will be so constructed, as to admit subsequent enlargement.

The institution will be formed on our own collegiate models, and his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury has consented to give statutes for the future government and regulation of the college.

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The appointment of all the officers of the college will be vested in the two metropolitans and Lord Bishop of London, as the prelates more immediately connected with the church in the colonies. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be the perpetual Visitor of the college.

It is proposed to endow and support the institution by free contributions, and by such moderate payments as may be required from the students; it being understood, that no contribution shall convey any right of nomination, or of interference with the government of the college.

The property of the college will be vested in trustees.

The following provisional committee, for forwarding the preliminary arrangements, has been appointed by his Grace the Archbishop :

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The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lichfield.

The Right Rev. Bishop Coleridge.

The Ven. W. R. Lyall, Archdeacon of Maidstone.

The Rev. Dr. Jelf, Principal of King's College, London.

The Rev. B Harrison, Domestic Chaplain to the Archbishop.

Joshua Watson, Esq.

A. J. B. Hope, Esq., M.P.

His Grace has also been pleased to nominate the Hon. Mr. Justice Patteson and William Cotton, Esq. as treasurers, and the Rev. Edward Coleridge, as honorary secretary.

Lord Morpeth upon the Education of Farmers.-At the annual dinner of the members of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Beverley, Lord Feversham presiding, after grace had been said by Archdeacon Wilberforce, and the usual loyal toasts had been drunk, Lord Morpeth, in proposing "Success to the Society," having made a few remarks upon the exhibition, spoke as follows:-"I have sometimes been led to apprehend, amidst all the perfection to which the breeding of stock and the exhibitions of cattle have attained, from the faultless symmetry of the short horn to the unquestionable proportions of pigs and sheep-amidst, also, the perfection which has been attained in the department of agricultural implements, of which your field to-day afforded such various and admirable specimens I have sometimes been led to apprehend, whether we bestow on all occasions a corresponding degree of cul

ture and attention upon that which you will all admit to be the most important breed, the noblest stock of all the human animals; whether amidst the increasing care and skill which day by day, and year by year, are expended upon the farm, we do all we ought to do to the farmer. Now, I am well aware that out of the materials here before me I must at once meet with the most satisfactory and triumphant refutation. Many, very many farmers

here present there are, who may safely be pointed out, and then I might be asked, where would you look for more intelligence, for more enterprise, for more worth? In the face of such an exhibi

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tion as we have seen to-day, where would you desire better evidence of the skill and ability which are bestowed upon the management and cultivation of the land? Where, and under what system could you wish to better the results that are set forth in the farming of the Wolds, and in the show fields of Beverley? Now, I am the very last person to counteract or weaken such a satisfactory testimony; but what I wish for us all to strive for is, to make what is now partial become universal-to make the whole mass what the pattern samples are now made of. It would be superfluous at this time of day, and upon this occasion, to descant upon the advantages of education. Education is probably now more abundantly provided for than at any former period of our history. whilst the best and most approved methods of education are at the service of the wealthier classes, and the mercantile and commercial classes in our larger towns, and while, on the other hand, there is a multitude of schools now open in our country parishes and villages, where the children of the agricultural labourers, and the working classes generally, may receive a daily improving system of education, it has seemed to me, and to others far more competent to form a sound opinion, that there is a deficiency in the special and appropriate modes of education best fitted for the sons of farmers. Now, the importance of this point turns very much upon the importance which ought to be attached to the class of farmers, and to the rising generation of English farmers. I, for one, attach the very highest importance to that class. I think they fill the most important place in the social scale of the British commonwealth. I think they have high duties to discharge,-first, to

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