Mr. Fitzpatrick, the upright and independent Member of Queen' s
County, declined attending the public meeting lately held near Mary borough, for the purpose (us it turned out) of vowing hostility against the Tithe Bill of last session. The letter of the honourable gentleman, in which he explained the reasons of his absence, is much admired for its high tone of manly candour and integrity. He states that he did not think he could with propriety appear at an assembly with the de- clared object of opposing the working of an act to which he, in his place as the Representative of Queen's County, had agreed, in the formation of which he had taken part, and against which, during its consideration before the Legislature, he bud riot received any petition or remonstrance from his constituents. It is it fact worthy to be noted, that of the Irish Members whom the Times and other truth-loving journals are wont to denominate Mr. O'Connell's obsequious followers, not more than a dozen have countenanced his present system of agita- tion by their presence at the meetings and convivialities where it is in. culcated. Several of them, Mr. \rigors and Mr. Bryan in the most conspicuous rank, have undertaken to pay the rent-charge for their tenants, in order to facilitate the working of the tithe measure. Some have refused to go to the dinners,—the Attorney-General, Mr. Ball, amongst the number ; others have gone out of the way to avoid them. One gentleman, Mr. Barron, did but attend to record his protest against the Precursor Society ; and many, who were most uncompro- mising foes to the Tithe system before the last session of Parliament, have made no sign. So much for the pretended servility of the Tail. With respect to the progress of the agitation itself, it is not very formidable, though, without doubt, of most mischievous tendency. It makes more noise than work, and can scarcely be expected to succeed. England, which was Mr. O'Connell's right arm in all former great achievements, he has estranged, and is even taking some pains to cast off utterly ; whilst the alliance of the Liberal Protestants of Ireland, which hitherto constituted a most important portion of his moral force, be "must not look to have."—DIthlin Correspondent of the Morning Chronicle.
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