16 DECEMBER 1854, Page 9

IRELAND.

Some time ago, the Dublin Protestant Association sent a communica- tion to Mr. Disraeli, enclosing a resolution agreed to at the meeting. Mr. Disraeli replies, that he is flattered, and will consider what the Dublin Protestants have to say ; but, although he believes that the enduring greatness of the country depends on Protestant principles, still he does not believe such a policy is dependent upon penal legislation. What is wanted is, that the principles and practice of the constitution should be placed more in harmony ; and that there should be an end of that am- biguous conduct which has existed on the part of Government of late years—which has terminated in producing "anarchy in the Church and feebleness in the State."

The Nation of Saturday last contains an article denouncing Dr. Cullen for having deserted the Democratic party, for rendering weighty services to the present Ministry, and for desiring "to walk in the ways of Dr. Mar ray, and that section of the hierarchy whom the people have, from of old, named Castle Bishops."

• The Guardians of the South Dublin Union have passed resolutions that the recruiting-sergeants for the Line be requested to attend in the work- house and "make a selection of such ablebodied paupers as are fit for service" ; whereupon such paupers as are employed as cooks or otherwise in the house are to be " discharged, for the purpose of being enlisted."

Mr. Richard Augustus Bethell, son of the Solicitor-General for England, appeared in the Dublin Insolvent Court on Saturday, and applied for his discharge. His debts were 12,0001. For about half that sum he had re- ceived consideration ; some 4000/. represented betting-losses, 10001. is for in- terest, &c., during a year ; 125/. lost on Australian gold-mining shares. One item was 11001. on a promissory note, for which he received 100/. His assets were nil. When Mr. Bethell contracted these debts, he was in the receipt of 3001. a year from his father ; his wife received 100/. a year ; he had gifts to the amount of 600/.; and his practice at the bar was set down at 1501. When he came of age, in 1851, his father paid his debts-8001. ; and in his examination he said, that as they had thus been paid once, he thought his father would pay them again. The application for his discharge was op- posed by Mr. Murfin, a London solicitor, for whom Mr. Bethell betted on race-horses, and one Byfus, a jeweller, from whom Bethell once bought a diamond braeelet for 901., paying 301. in cash, and giving bills for the re- mainder. "Pledged the bracelet a few days after for 561." " Byfus was a man who attended races, and sold jewellery, but did not keep a shop." The opposition rested on the ground that Mr. Bethell had procured his own arrest, but there was no evidence that he had done so. Another opposing creditor, Mr. Berry, opposed for a bill of 100/., discounted when Bethell was com- pelled to fly the country. One Brown, to whom the insolvent was in the habit of giving blank acceptances, persuaded Mr. Berry to discount the bill. Berry was not known to Bethell. Mr. Crieghton, who appeared for the in- solvent, dwelt at great length on the characters of the opposing creditors, whom 'he represented as attempting to victimize the father through the weakness of the son, believing that the Solicitor-General for England would never consent to let his son figure in an Insolvent Court. The Commis- sioner remarked, that two of the opposing parties had not come into Court with clean hands, and could not expect much favour ; but Mr. Berry stood in a different position. On Wednesday, Mr. Berry withdrew his opposition. The Commissioner, commenting on the disgraceful conduct of the insolvent, gave him his discharge on the ground that the two remaining creditors de- served no consideration.