323 A SPEECH, &c. MY LORDS, I RISE to give my humble support to the Bill now before your Lordships. I do so, because it is calculated to give increased efficiency to the Tithe-Composition Act of the last Session. A noble Earl opposite, indeed, has stated, that the tendency of this measure is, to allow the clergy of Ireland whatever incomes they may please to ask. I would only observe, that the provisions of the Act of last Session precisely define a certain limit, beyond which it is impossible for any Clergyman to go; namely, the average of seven years, next preceding the agreement; and that the present Bill, instead of increasing, diminishes the possible income, by that clause which takes away from the commissioners or umpire, the power of raising the amount of composition, settled by private agreement, to the seven years' average. But though this clause is unfavour able to the Clergy, though it cedes that which may be fairly considered their right, I do not, on this account, feel myself authorized to oppose the Bill. The Act of the last Session has already been successful to a great degree; a degree extraordinary, and beyond what could have been expected, when we consider the short time allowed for its operation, the complicated interests necessary to be consulted, and the various technical difficulties inevitably arising from that complication. Those difficulties the Bill upon Your Lordships' table will effectually remove: and I own myself desirous it should pass into law, because I am satisfied it will be advantageous to the peasantry, advantageous to the landholders, and not disadvantageous, in the end, to the Clergy of Ireland. But this, or any other legislative enactment, however valuable in itself, cannot in itself be sufficient to place Irish ecclesiastical affairs upon their proper footing. Serious obstacles must be previously removed. False impressions are abroad, respecting the character, the conduct, and the usefulness of the Irish Clergy. Until these false impressions be removed, until the truth and justice of the case be felt and admitted by this House and by the public, Your Lordships will legislate in vain. In hope of contributing |