A petition from the Presi...
A petition from the President and Directors of the Bcl. fast Academical Institution, with the iMIarquis of DOWN- SaIRE at their head, was last niglht presented to the House of Commons. The prayer of the petition is, that instructions may be given tc the Commissioners now4 about to inquire into thz state of education throughout Ireland, directmng them to examine into the lutility, administration, andresources of the above-mentioned institution. The design wvith wvhich this seminary was establisied appears to be that of providing well-qualified ministers for the Presbyterian Cburch-a large majority of Protestants throughout the North of Ireland being members of that, communion. Now, as a large sum is annually grantetd by Parliament for educating the Irish Roman Catholie Priests, we really do not see hoNv the public money can be employed with justice for such an object, if it cani with justice be refused to the prayer of the Protestant Dissenters. The policy, moreover, of bringing up the Presbyterian clergy at- homne, though not so obvious as that of withdrawing theF Catholic Priests from foreign connexions, is not less cogent withl a view to the general diffusion and advancement of learning among the commercial people of the North of Ireland.