It seems that as the London School Board will derive
certain of its funds from other sources than the rates, it has power, if it chooses, to aid the denominational schools out of each funds, and on Wednesday a great discussion took place whether this course should be at ones forbidden. Of course all the great secularists,—and the semi-secularist thinkers, those who think the tendency of things ought to be towards secu- larist teaching only,—were in favour of this prohibition, and it received Professor Huxley's earnest support. Many of the repre- sentatives of religious bodies, like Dr. Rigg and Canon Cromwell, were in favour of leniency to denominational schools, and especially in favour of paying the fees of children whose parents are too poor to pay for their schooling at any qualified elementary school, whether denominational or not,—a concession which would chiefly affect the children of poor Irish Catholics. Miss Davies spoke in favour of this very moderate proposal, and the debate raged long, yet the decision was not taken, but adjourned for further discussion. We must say, we hold with Miss Davies, that the strict prohibition will be very hard on the poor Catholics.
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