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able exertions which were manifested by his honourable and learned friend, Mr. BROUGHAM, in the production of this Report. He was sure that the subject could not be in better hands, and he had only to wish that the Inquiries of The Committee might be extended to the state of Education amongst the Lower Classes, and to the state of all Endowed Institutions whatever.3

On the 5th of March, 1818, Mr. BROUGHAM moved the renewal of The Committee, which had already in two former Sessions been engaged in a great and laborious investigation, and from which a large body of Evidence had already been reported to The House,-he alluded to The Committee appointed to inquire into the Education of the Lower Orders. The Committee had not been enabled to complete it's labours before the close of last Session,-but he then pledged himself, that he should move the renewal of The Committee at an early

3 The Parliamentary Debates, vol. xxxvi. p. 1303.

period in the present Session, that it might lay the result of it's labours before The House in sufficient time to admit of some measures being adopted before the close of the Session. After stating to The House some proceedings which The Committee were of opinion ought to be taken, to remedy the want of Education in different parts of the Country,-and after commenting upon the Charter Schools of Ireland, he observed, that there existed throughout the Country large funds, which had been bequeathed by individuals for all purposes of Charity,—and particularly, for the Education of the Poor. For the purpose of investigating the subject, another Tribunal ought to be instituted, besides a Committee of The House of Commons. A Committee of the House could not transport itself from place to place,— it's powers were limited,—and to bring witnesses from different places throughout the country to London, would be attended with great inconvenience and expense. If Commissioners or Agents were appointed

for this business, one journey to the different places would do, instead of bringing Witnesses from all the different parts to London. In many places abuses existed, of which no knowledge could be obtained until persons went to the spot. Funds had also been bequeathed for various other purposes, besides Schools. The House would find that they were but entering on their task, -for they ought to inquire generally into the misapplication of all Charitable Funds, -this was a matter of absolute necessity. He, therefore, anticipated a recommendation to Parliament to adopt a plán of Education for the Poor throughout the Country,—and, secondly, the appointment of a Parliamentary Commission to investigate into the misapplication of the Charitable Funds destined for the Education of the Poor,-and it would be extremely desirable, that a similar measure should be adopted for inquiring into the general misapplication of all Charitable Funds. He concluded with moving, "That "a Select Committee be appointed, to

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inquire into the Education of the Lower "Orders, and to report their observations thereupon, together with the Minutes "of the Evidence taken before them, from "time to time, to the House.” 4

This motion was agreed to, and a Committee was appointed,-who, on the 3d of June, 1818, made the following Report,—

The Committee rejoiced in being able to state, that since their first appointment in 1816, when they examined the state of the Metropolis, there was every reason to believe, that the exertions of Charitable individuals and Public Bodies had increased, notwithstanding the severe pressure of the times, and that a great augmentation had taken place in the means provided for the Instruction of the Poor in that Quarter;

They were happy in being able to add, that the discussion excited by the First Report, and the arguments urged in the Committee to various Patrons of Charities who were examined as Witnesses, had had the salutary effect of improving the administration of those Institutions and inculcating the Importance of rather bestowing their Funds in merely educating a larger number, than in giving both instruction and other assistance to a more confined number of children. As

* The Parliamentary Debates, vol. xxxvii. p. 815.

the management of those excellent Establishments is necessarily placed beyond the control of the Legislature, it is only by the effects of such candid discussions that improvements in them can be effected ;

Since the Inquiries of The Committee had been extended to the whole Island, they had had reason to conclude that the means of educating the Poor were steadily increasing in all considerable Towns, as well as in the Metropolis. A Circular Letter had been addressed to all the Clergy in England, Scotland and Wales, requiring Answers to certain Queries,—and it was impossible to bestow too much commendation upon the alacrity shown by those Reverend persons in complying with that requisition, and the honest zeal which they displayed to promote the great object of Universal Education was truly worthy of the Pastors of the people, and the Teachers of that Gospel which was preached to the Poor ;

It appeared clearly from the Returns, as well as from other sources, that a very great deficiency existed in the means of educating the Poor, wherever the Population was thin and scattered over Country districts. The efforts of individuals combined in Societies were almost wholly confined to populous places ;

Another point to which it was material to direct the attention of Parliament, regarded the two opposite principles, of founding schools for children of all sorts, and for those only who belong to the Established Church. Where the means existed of erecting two Schools, one upon each principle, Education was not

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