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of the purity of your mind, or the strength of your good resolutions, but because you will find, on your becoming further acquainted with the world, that many young men, otherwise well disposed, entertain most erroneous and destructive opinions on this subject. As an humble minister of the pure and holy religion of the Blessed Jesus, and anxious to guard you against all false impressions, I therefore declare that christianity will not permit, but on the contrary, condemns, in the strongest terms, many of those indulgencies which are sanctioned by the corrupt maxims of a licentious age. Beware, therefore, of yield ing to the influence of those inaxinis, as you value purity of heart, the dignity of your nature, and your final salvation.

Another vice against which it be. hoves you scrupulously to guard, is excess in drink. Looking around you, you will perceive that many young men, with every prospect of doing well in this world, have been entirely ruined by this vice. It is the source of almost every evil, that can attach to human nature. It undermines the frame of the bodily constitution, and clothes the vigour of youth, with the decripitude of old age.

It disorders the whole system; destroys the tone of every organ; palsies every nerve. Hence the attack of resistless disease-the convulsed frame-premature death!— But the intoxicating draught invades also our more precious, our spiritual and immortal part. Nor does it destroy only that divine principle of intellect, which is implanted in the human soul: it blunts also the moral feelings; and prepares the way for every vice.-Would you then preserve a sound constitution, a clear judgment, and a heart alive to every good moral emotion?-would you discharge the duties of your pro

fession, with that skill, activity and vigour, which they require-dash from your hand the cup of intemperance. Let those riot, who think not of that Divine Being, to whom? they must give an account of the talents entrusted to them: you have a better sense of religion and duty.. Your mind is so impressed with a sense of the necessity of acting well the part alloted to you in life, that you will beware of suffering the poisoned chalice of intemperance to approach your lips.

Another thing, to which young men are particularly exposed, and against which I most anxiously wish to guard you, is duelling, Men regardless of religion, and the smile of an approving heaven, have impiously exalted what they falsely term the laws of honour, above the laws of God and have taught, that men may innocently attempt to destroy one another, in single combat. We daily hear specious apologies made to justify, or excuse this practice and it is alledged, that men are under a sort of necessity of fighting duels, as they would avoid disgrace and shame. It may be worth remarking to you, that duelling is positively discountenanced by the XIX article of war. But it is prohibited also by an infinitely higher and more venerable authority than that of human legislators: GoD has said, "thou shalt not kill," and "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," and does not the duellist break both these commandments? And how awful the thought! to be the means of sending a fellow creature, guilty of no crime, that merited death, suddenly to appear at the bar of an offended judge! How terrible also the idea, to end thus that period of trial, and that day of grace which heaven has granted us to make preparation for eternity! Is it after parting with

life, in a manner contrary to the law of God, that we shall hope to see his face in mercy? Should any urge the custom of the age, and the established forms of a fashionable life, as warranting the practice; I ask whether we are to fear and obey man rather than Gop? and, I trust, my dear Sir, that a sense of religion, and a regard to your prospects for eternity, will with you prevail over the corrupt maxims and wicked practices of a degenerate world.

Young men are frequently too passionate, too warm in argument, and rash in their expressions By intemperate warmth and unguarded language, they frequently involve themselves in very unpleasant disputes with one another. Your good sense and discretion will teach you to express your sentiments with modesty, coolness and consideration; and to be very cautious in speaking of the character and conduct of those around you. Avoid giving offence, as much as possible; and you will seldom be exposed to receive offence from others. A peaceable disposition, united to a spirit of moderation, will alike protect you from the charge of having done injury to those around you, and from the unpleasant thought of having received injury from them.

by the present scene of things. Ever consider yourself as intended for glory, honor, and immortality: and therefore, while you ardently pant after the prize of earthly renown, above all things study to secure that eternal prize, and that crown of glory, which shall never fade away.

May God Almighty ever bless you, preserve you from all the real ills of this life, and make at you, length, partaker of the happiness of that better life, which is yet to come, is the earnest prayer of Your affectionate, and faithful, &c.

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine.

NINTH REPORT FROM THE COMMIS-
SIONERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION IN IRELAND.

Continued from vol. 5, p. 409.

PRESENT STATE OF THE SCHOOLS.

Drogheda.

T appeared from the examina

IT

tion of the Rev. Charles Crawford, taken on the 12th of July 1807, that he had been appointed master of that school in 1789, previous to which time he stated the number of scholars to have been about eighty, of whom about forty were boar ders with the master, twenty with the usher, and the rest were day scholars, six or eight of whom were free. At the time of his examination, there were but thiry-two boys in the school, of whom eight were boarders and the rest day scholars, five of them fice. His salary as master was one hundred pounds per annum, in addition to which he had for some years after his appointment (as had also his predecessor) receiv

I shall conclude this letter by recommending in general terms, habits of industry, diligence, and application. Endeavour to excel in the discharge of every duty requi red of you. Great men haye obtained the laurels of renown, only by indefatigable exertions. Let them be your example, and you may inèd one hundred and fifty pounds per time hope to reap a similar reward. Yet while you look to the rewards of merit in this world, saffer not your views to be bounded

annum for the payment of two assistants at his discretion. There had been also an usher appointed by the governors with a salary of

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sixty pounds per annum, and an house fit for the reception of boarders. It appeared however, that in consequence of the great diminution of the number of his scholars, the governors had for the two last years dis continued the appointment of the usher, and had allowed the master only fifty pounds for an assistant; and since that time the school hav. ing continued to fall off, they have dismissed Mr. Crawford from his employment (with an annuity however of sixty pounds per annum) and appointed the Rev. Lancelot Dowdall in his place. On the 9th of May 1809, Mr. (now Doctor) Dowdall appeared at our board, and stated to us, that since his appoint ment in 1807, the number of scholars had increased from little more than twenty (one of whom only was a boarder) to ninety-eight, of whom sixty-six were boarders and the rest day scholars. His salary as master continues one hundred pounds per annum, which (as he stated and we are of opinion) is scarcely adequate to the situation, considering that he is to keep the school-house in repair, and that there is no land annexed to the endowment; he pays ten guineas per acre for ground near the town, which he must take for keeping milch cows The governors however have made him a liberal allowance for putting the whole of the buildings into complete repair; they have also re-established a head usher with a salary of one hundred pounds per annum, and repaired his house; and appointed a second assistant at eighty pounds per annum, who resides in the master's house. Mr. Dowdall pays a third classical assistant thirty guineas per annum, who also resides in his house. Sixty pounds per annum to a French teacher, and eighty pounds per annum to a writing master and English assistant.

The situation of this school is extremely favourable to its becoming a flourishing seminary, as it formeriy has been, and is likely to be again under the conduct of the present master, who appears deserving of every encouragement. The School-house is spacious, and will accommodate one hundred boarders. The usher's house is also a very good one, and fit for the reception of thirty boys. The school and play-ground are well adapted for those numbers, the former being sixty feet in length and thirty in breadth, with a room over it for the head master's scholars, and the latter consisting of near three roods. On the whole we have much satisfaction in reporting the improved condition of this school, and in expressing our hopes that it will soon recover and long maintain its former character and celebrity.

Galway School.

The Rev. Thomas Canham Wade, at his examination before the board on the 16th of January 1807, stated that he was appointed master of this school in December 1801, at the salary of one hundred pounds per annum, with the addition of a farm of thirty-three acres about a mile from the town, which he lets at four pounds per acre, (besides a field of three acres nearer the town allowed him by the governors for grazing) the whole subject to a head rent to the governors of seventeen pounds seven shillings per annum. He is also allowed to let the lower part of the school-house, which is situate in the high-street of Galway, for shops, the rent of which amounted at that time to ninety-six pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence; his appointments therefore may be estimated at more than three hundred and twen

ty pounds per annum. There is an usher appointed by the gover•

nors at twenty pounds per annum. The master is obliged to keep the house in repair, but it was put into complete order on his appointment at the expense of the governors.— It was stated by him to be capable of accommodating sixteen boarders, but he never had more than one. The number of scholars then in his school was thirty-one, of whom fourteen were instructed in classics by the usher, to whom he allowed the profits of their tuition, viz. four guineas per annum; the rest were English scholars, and taught also by the usher on the sanie terms, except in writing and accounts, in which the master instructed all the boys himself without any extra charge. Since his examination it appears, that the usher has resigned, and another been appointed by the governors. Whether from that circumstance, or from the mas. ter having paid more attention to classical instruction, the number of classical scholars appears by the last return to the governors (which is or ought to be made annually by all the masters) to have encreased considerably. But the situation of the school, in one of the closest and most thronged streets, surrounded by shops, and without any playground, is most unfavourable for boarders, even if the house could properly accommodate them. And having been so represented to the governors by one of their body, who had visited it the year 1806, it has been resolved to erect a new school and school-house at a small distance from the town, on ground be longing to the governors, which was ordered to be inclosed for the purpose this summer.

The pre

sent high price of timber has probably been the reason that no further steps have been taken for carrying this very desirable scheme into

execution.

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Tipperary School.

The Rev. Marshal Clarke, examined by the board on the 12th of January 1807, was appointed master of this school about the year 1796, at a salary of one hundred pounds per annum, with about ten acres of ground, rent free. The house is well situated near the town and was stated to be capable of accommodating one hundred boarders, and to be kept in good repair by the master at his own expense.He has one assistant appointed by the governors, with a salary of twenty pounds per annum, and an house and ten acres of land. He pays another himself fifteen guineas per annum, who resides in the schoolhouse; he stated the number of his scholars to be thirty-six, of whom twelve were boarders, and the rest day scholars, and fifteen of them free.

The present state of this and of Galway school is less flourishing than might be expected from their situation and other circumstances of their endowment. We cannot doubt that this is to be attributed in some degree either to the want of exertion in the masters, or to their not being as highly qualified in other respects as it were to be wished. As far as the former cause may have operated, the power of visitation possessed by the governors, if regn. Jarly or even occasionally exercised, would apply the most effectual remedy; and with respect to the latter, it is much to be desired that some regulation were adopted by the governors in the appointment of their masters, by which the qualifications of the several candidates might be distinctly ascertained.It is stated indeed to be their practice to advertise the vacancies of their schools, with a view to invite persons properly qualified to offer for them; and if this were to be followed either by an actual exa

mination of the candidates, or by such a reference to the places of their education and former professional exertions as might produce authentic and conclusive testimonials of their merit, there could be lit tle doubt of a decision advantageons to the public and honourable to the governors themselves.Something of this sort, we are in formed, took place in the late appointment of the master and ushers of Drogheda school, and the result has sufficiently evinced its utility.

Ennis School.

The Rev. Michael Fitzgerald was appointed master of this school in 1782, with the same salary of one hundred pounds per annum, and under the same condition of keeping the school-house in repair. There is no land annexed to the endowment, except the ground on which the school and house and offices are erected, and a garden and play-ground, making in the whole about two acres. Mr. Fitzgerald stated, however, on his examination, that when extraordinary repairs were represented by him to be necessary, the expense of them had been usually defrayed by the governors.-The house is capable of accommodating forty-two boarders.

Mr.

Fitzgerald had once so many as sixty; but at that time the beds were occupied each by two boys, a practice which he has for some years dis continued. His number at present is thirty-one, and sixteen day Scholars, of whom eight are free. At the time of his appointment, the school had fallen away so, that he found no boarders and only a few day scholars. The governors allow him fifty pounds per annum for an assistant to whom he pays fifty pounds more, besides his board and lodging; he paysanother forty pounds per annum and his board. The school-room is divided into two apartments, one

of forty feet by twenty for classical instruction, and the other twenty feet square for writing, &c. He pays two writing masters, one thirty the other twenty guineas per annum, and a French master thirty guineas per annum, and they all boarded in his house. The situation he states to be favourable for a school, and he appears to have paid a faithful and laborious attention to his duty for a period of twenty-six years. The number of scholars he thinks would increase if the accommodations were enlarged; and he stated that a detatched building for an infirmary was much wanted. This appears to be the case in most of the schoo's on this foundation. He represented also (and we think his representation well founded) that considering the smallness of his salary, a greater allowance should be made for assistants; and that the land annexed to the school is much 100 small. Some of the neighbouring gentry have laudably attended to the encouragement of this school, by annual grants of from five to ten guineas, for premiums to the boys at the half yearly examinations, which are accordingly distributed in books and medals. On the whole, we are well satisfied with the state of this school, of which we consider Mr. Fitzgerald to be an active and meritorious superior.

ENGLISH SCHOOL ON THE COOMBE,

In the City of Dublin. This School was established in the year 1804, at a very considerable expense; the ground is rented at £30. per annuin, and on it a spacious building is erected, consisting of a convenient house for the mas ter, and two large school-rooms, one for boys, and the other for girls, who are instructed in reading and plain-work by the master's wife. Mr. Fox the master is stated to have acquitted himself since his appoint.

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