Mr. Birrell introduced his Irish University Bill in the Commons
on Tuesday. It is proposed to create two new Universities, one in Dublin and one in Belfast. The Belfast University will consist of one College only,—the present Queen's College. In Dublin the Royal University—a merely examining body—will be dissolved, and the new University will comprise the reconstituted Queen's Colleges of Cork and Galway and a new College in Dublin itself. No religious test will be permitted in either of the new Universities, which will be governed by their Senates. These bodies will be nominated at first, but ultimately elected academically,—the Crown reserving the right to make some nominations. Professors will be appointed and dismissed by the Senates, with right of appeal to the Crown; but it is proposed that at first the Professors in Dublin shall be appointed by a Statutory Commission. It is proposed 'to divide the £20,000 from the Irish Church Fund now allocated to the Royal University between the two Universities, and to raise the annual Exchequer grant from £36,500 to £80,000, while £60,000 will be allotted to Belfast and £150,000 to Dublin for buildings. The Bill was received with marked favour in all quarters of the House, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Wyndham, Sir E. Carson, and Mr. Butcher—who, we are glad to see, is to be one of the first members of the Senate of the Dublin University—joining Mr. Dillon in congratulating the Chief Secretary on the measure. The Ulster Members, however, having insisted on a division, leave was given to introduce the Bill by 307 votes to 24.
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