during the last two years. The Presbyterian clergymen of six neighbouring parishes had themselves all become Teetotallers, and had induced their flocks, to the number of 2000, to enrol themselves as members of the Temperance society; showing-what I had already seen in several Catholic districts-that there is no agency so effective, in this respect, as the example of the pastors of the people to lead them in the right way.

Coleraine, like almost all the coast towns of Ireland, is situated on its own river-and a noble river the Bann is, viewed from the bridge on either side. But the town, though finely situated, is not fine; on the contrary, it has a very common-place look, though there are some streets of a good size and with good houses in them. The population in 1841 was 6255, and in 1851, 5920; showing a decrease of 335 during the ten years. Like Londonderry, Coleraine has its central square or diamond, with the Town Hall or Courthouse in the midst of it. It has also avery good market-house, of comparatively-recent erection. The public buildings are hardly worth notice. The best-looking is the Catholic chapel, on the left bank of the Bann, and the new National Model School, a little below the town on the same side of the river. This last is a very handsome building, creditable to Irish taste.

Coleraine is the most Protestant town we have yet visited. It probably retains nearly the same

proportions of the different religions as in 1834, when the two parishes in which it is contained (Coleraine and Killowen) gave the following results: English Church, 2167; Presbyterians and other Protestant Dissenters, 4996; Roman Catholics, 2100. This return makes the Catholic element considerably less than one third of the whole.

In its suburbs the town exhibits long rows or streets of thatched cottages; a feature which exists in almost every Irish town, and always conveys the impression of meanness. Here a portion of the houses in the cottaged streets are slated; but usually they are thatched. I visited some of the cottages, and found them still very untidy and ill-furnished, though somewhat better than similar tenements in the south and west. In one of these, an artisan's, the family were at dinner; and I was rather surprised to see the same rude habits as to eating, and the same humble fare, as in the poorer country districts. The meal consisted entirely of potatoes (placed on the naked table,) except a modicum of some small fish (salted) placed in a dish, to be eaten with the fingers as a relish. These houses have small gardens attached to them, and pay a rent of from 1s. to 1s. 6d. a week.

Like Londonderry, Coleraine is very rich in schools, of all denominations. I paid a short visit to several. There are three National Schools; two having a boys' and girls' school each, and one (the Model School) containing in addition an infant

school so that, in fact, there are seven National Schools. I was only able to visit the new Model School, and the school in Killowen Street, which last is frequented chiefly by the Catholics.

The Model School is a handsome new building, only opened in March, 1850. I found it in admirable order, the children all actively at work under masters and mistresses evidently well qualified and zealous. Besides the children, there were in the boys' school eight pupil teachers, and in the girls' school four, qualifying for taking charge of other schools. At the time of my visit there were in the boys' school, 82, with an average attendance of 65; only 15 of the number being Catholics. The master is a Presbyterian. In the girls' school there were 63 on the rolls, with an average attendance of 54; 17 out of the 63 were Catholics. The mistress is a Catholic. In the Infant School there were 62 on the books, with an average attendance of 54. Out of the 62 there were 15 Episcopalians and 10 Catholics, the rest being Presbyterians. The mistress is a Presbyterian.

In the proper school-hours, at certain times, the extracts from the Scriptures are read by all the pupils; but, on the day set apart for distinct religious instruction, the children of the different denominations are separated, in order to be catechised in their respective systems. The master assured me that there were found no difficulties in carrying out this arrangement.

I regard this school as a model school in every

sense of the word. The master and mistresses are of a superior stamp, and the children conspicuous alike for their excellent appearance, their emulative zeal, and their proficiency. I observe by the Official Report of 1850, that although these schools did not open till the 31st of March, they had in September the following numbers on their books:-boys, 77; girls, 76; infants, 45; while in the same month of the following year (1851) their numbers were as follows:-boys, 53; girls, 71, infants, 56.

The National School in Killowen Street had, at the time of my visit, on the books 56 boys, with an average attendance of 30; and 46 girls, with an average attendance of 37. There were no Protestants in the boys' school, and only four in the girls. Both the master and mistress are Catholics. The few Protestants are catechised by their own Minister in a separate apartment. The present low rate of attendance at the boys' school is accounted for partly by the demands of the harvest, but chiefly because there is only a substitute master, the proper master being absent. In the official reports of this school there were on the books in September, 1850, 53 boys and 67 girls; and in the same month in the following year, 76 boys and 91 girls.

The only other school I visited was one belonging to the Honorable the Irish Society. It has the largest and finest school-room I had seen in Ireland, and the educational arrangements seemed very excellent.

The history of this school is interesting. It was originally founded by the Irish Society so far back as the year 1705. After many vicissitudes, it was abandoned in 1739, and an infant school established. This also continued many years in an unsatisfactory state, when the Society finally erected the present school, which was first opened in 1821; its first master and mistress being sent from the London Borough School, on whose principles it was established.

In the Superintendent's report for the first year, a circumstance is mentioned, very touching in itself, and illustrating the sad condition of the poorer classes of Coleraine only thirty years since. I quote the master's words:"In consequence of the wretchedness of the children, in point of habiliments, great numbers being unable to appear on Sabbath-days at any place of worship, the Superintendent hath established in the Society's Institution-room Sabbath-evening readings, connected with singing, to which not only the children of the inhabitants, but hundreds of others flock, in connection with their parents, many of whom are equally wretched in point of accommodation as to dress. Here they can appear with comparative comfort; a small portion of the room being lighted on one side for the use of the singers and the respectable part of the inhabitants, so that on the other side, which is comparatively dark, the poor creatures can have the advantage of hearing the