IRELAND.
The nomination of the candidates for Athlone took place on Wednes- day. ?dr. Keogh was opposed by Mr. Norton formerly Chief Justice of Newfoundland ; supported by the Lucas party and the Derbyites. A third candidate, Captain Bralrazon Higgins was also put up.; and two other gentlemen were proposed, apparently for no other purpose than to give them an opportunity of speaking. The nomination-scene was, as arsual, one long row. Mr. Keogh, by virtue of his enormous voice and unquestionable popularity, obtained a hearing; but Mr. Norton was com- pelled to address himself to his friends in a corner. There was no vio- lence, only noise. The show of bands went for Mr. Keogh ; a poll was demanded for Mr. Norton, and yesterday was fixed for the polling.
Lord Massarene headed a deputation to Earl St. Germans on Saturday, to present a memorial praying that he would recommend her Majesty's Ministers to abate the consolidated annuities incurred under the Labour Rate Act. [It will be seen from Mr. Gladstone's speech on Monday that these annuities are to be remitted.] Inhabitants of Newry, "of all denominations," have signed a petition to the House of Commons stating that "the National system of Edu- cation is one of the greatest blessings ever conferred upon Ireland," and praying that "no measures may be adopted in any way calculated to dis- turb this admirable system "; but that a system, based on the same prin- ciples, may be established for the middle classes. It is observed that Newry is a "type of the country at large "; as it contains a population of 3000 Established Churchmen, having two churches and three .clergymen; 10,000 Roman Catholics, with three chapels and five priests ; used 7000 Presbyterians and Dissenters, with eight chapele and eight ministers.
The Sligo Journal suggests that no change in the condition of Ireland would now stay the tide of emigration ; and in all probability the coun- try will within the next twenty-five years be entirely repeopled by Eng- lish and Scotch. The Limerick Reporter states that throughout the coun- try the people are "leaving as quickly as they can" : those who have not the means of going to a colony emigrate to England. Many emi- grant-vessels leave Belfast, carrying away "the very bone and sinew" of the country—a comfortable and superior class of farmers. The Banner of Ulster exclaims that this expatriation would not occur "if Government were discharging its duties aright."
In the Court of Queen's Bench at Dublin, on Thursday, Mr. Wallace of the Anglo-Celt was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine of 501. for the published libel on the Thirty-first Regiment, in relation to the de- plorable Six-mile Bridge affair.
Hackett and Noonan, the murderers of Mr. O'Callaghan Ryan, of Clonmal, have been hanged. Before they came upon the scaffold,. a clergyman an- aounced to the crowd that the criminals had confessed their guilt, and begged the prayers of the people. Many hundreds fell upon their knees and prayed for the murderers. It is reported that Hackett gave this account of his motive for the crime : he held a farm of Mr. Ryan at 3/. an acre; times got bad, and he offered his landlord 2/. an acre ; it was refused, Hackett was ejected, and Mr. Ryan then let the farm to another man at 2/,
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