IRELAND.

The Earl of Clarendon gave audience, on Monday, to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Town-Council of Dublin, who presented an address of con- gratulation on his arrival as Lord-Lieutenant. It is observed that the deputation bearing the address was composed exclusively of tho Repeal members of the Corporation. Lord Clarendon read the following reply- " My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen—I cordially thank you for your assurance that my appointment as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland has been viewed with satis- faction by the Corporation of Dublin; and I rejoice that, in your opinion, onrgra- eions Sovereign has given a fresh proof of her anxiety to promote the happiness of her Irish subjects, by selecting as her Majesty's representative in this country one who has always and conscientiously adhered to the glorious principles of civil and religions liberty. "It would, doubtless, have been more agreeable to me if, with those flsttering congratulations upon my arrival in this country, which I gratefully accept, it had

not been thought necessary by you to mingle topics of a painful nature; but I should have mach regretted if on any account the municipal representatives of this great city had hesitated to express their opinions with that entire freedom, which, whether collectively or individually, is the unquestionable right of all British subjects.

" I fully admit, and deeply lament, that the social condition of Ireland should be such as you have without exaggeration described it to be. Like you I believe that the terrible calamity of this year, unparalleled almost in the history of the world, has been but an aggravation of that distress which in many parts of the country may unfortunately be regarded as permanent: but, knowing, as we all do, that Ireland possesses a genial Climate, a soil of prodigious fertility and vast mineral wealth, a population hardy, intelligent, and laborious, eager to learn and gasp to lead—that she might to any extent share in the prosperity and progress of

England, and at home to any extent command the capital and enterprise of Englsnd—and yet that her people should be wretched, her trade languish, and her wealth grow less—is a state of things alike anomalous and disastrous.

"Upon the causes of these evils, and the nature of their remedies, you entertain and have expressed decided opinions. I respect them, as I do every opinion, which, like yours, 1 believe to be honest and conscientious; and I am sure, gentlemen, that

from you I may unhesitatingly claim a corresponding regard for my convictions, which are the result of long and deliberate reflection—which in some estential points, especially as regards distinct Legislatures for England and Ireland, differ widely from your own, -bet into an explanation of which on this occasion I should think it neither opportune nor desirable to enter.

- "Differ though we may as to the means, we have the same end in view—to promote the improvement and the welfare of Ireland must be our common pur- pose. You may possibly consider that this Imperial object can alone be secured by the aid of government and of laws; while my belief, founded on experience both at home and abroad, is, that the less a government or a legislature Interferes be-

yond the removals of obstructions and securing of perfect freedom, the better for the community; because the result of legislative intervention in the affairs of in- dividuals has in most cases been to put a check upon enterprise, to destroy self- reliance, and to misdirect capital and industry; and among the best laws of recent days are those which have annulled the legislation of former times.

"To bad laws, most of them happily repealed, many of the evils of this country are doubtless attributable; but towards bringing about a state of things now most to be desired for Ireland, neither laws nor the action of the Executive Govern- ment are indispensable. They may indirectly assist; but they should not, in my •• n't !, alone be relied upon for rendering the land and the sea more productive • they have hitherto been—for promoting habits of order and industry—for giving .security to capital, stimulus to trade, and encouragement to manufactures, which, to judge from the specimens exhibited at the Royal Dublin Society, might, I am convinced, successfully compete with the manufactures of England both in the home and foreign markets. "National benefits such as them depend but in a small degree upon the Govern- ment; they must in reality be the work of the people of all classes, determined to unite for the common good, laying aside, with true patriotism, those political dis- sensions which have so long blighted the prosperity of Ireland, and remembering The past only as a warning for the future. May we not, however, consider the present moment as auspicious for the commencement of a new aera, when from various causes party strife has happily subsided; when an awful visitation of Pro- vidence has brought different classes and creeds into kindly cooperation and sym- pathy; when misfortune has taught men hitherto socially estranged to know and to appreciate each other?. And, gentlemen, if, in fulfilment of the wish you have kindly expressed, I have hereafter the satisfaction of thinking, thought without presumptuously claiming any share in their promotion, that daring my residence in Ireland the social condition of the country became improved—that land was no longer the first necessary of life to the poorest peasant, and that he no longer de- pended for subsistence upon the lowest class of food—that the law was duly obeyed, and education widely extended—that capital was invested with confidence, and industry directed into the most productive channels,-1 shall then consider that day the happiest of my life, on which, with conscientious doubts as to my own fitness, I ventured to accept the office which I have now the honour to hold.'

The Relief Commissioners have issued another circular with the view of preparing for the approaching cessation of the relief measures. The circular points out that the proper reduction is not made in the lists; people who obtain fall employment being continued on them. The In- specting-officers are enjoined, in conjunction with the Finance Committees, to prepare their districts for the total cessation of the present system.

The stoppage of the public works has elicited an indignant outburst from the Wexford Grand Jury. They complain of the unfinished state of the works, and say—" We shall be prepared to protest publicly against the in- justice of taxing the county for these works until they shall be completed under the original agreement ; namely, a free grant of one half from the Imperial treasury, and a loan of the other half, to be repaid by half-yearly instalments."

The question of " confiscation " has been occupying the attention of the Guardians of the Fermoy Union. Headed by Lord Mountc.ashell and Mr. Edmund Burke Roche, M.P., a large body of landlords met to discuss the striking of a rate for the purposes of out-door relief. The matter has be- come urgent, the Lord-Lieutenant having issued a peremptory warrant for levying a 3s. rate throughout the union. The proportion to be paid by the electoral district of Macroney would, according to Mr. Stephen Barry, be 9s. in the pound. Lord Mountcashell declared that such a purpose re- minded him of trying to get blood out of a flint: it was most unreasonable to expect the payment of these rates. Mr. Sadler called out for "time."

Mr. Roche thought that the needful money should come from the Imperial treasury: it was not a question of poor-rate, but of national difficulty. There must be a strong, powerful, and earnest opposition out of doors. " They should make a stand now; for if they paid the 33. in the pound they would be mulcted again and again, till a fraotion was not left in the country, and till a revolution would spring up." The question of mekiug the rate was adjourned.

At Conciliation Hall, on Monday, there was but a thin attendance. Mr. John O'Connell handed in several small sums of money, and congratulated the meeting on the abundance of Repeal candidates in the field. The con- tributions amounted to 601.

At the request of all the leading Whigs and Conservatives of Kildare, the Marquis of Kildare has consented to stand for the county; and his election is held to be secure.

Mr. E. P. Shirley retires from Monaghan, leaving a vacancy for a Tory candidate.

At the almost unanimous request of all parties, Sir Robert Gore Booth and Mr. Wynne are coming forward to contest the county of Sligo with the sitting Members.

The choice of the Longford Liberal Club has fallen on Mr. Fox and Major Blockall, both known as "Protestant Conservatives," but believed to be now inclining to Repeal.

Besides the present Members, Mr. Butler and Mr. Smithwicko, three new candidates have started for the County of Kilkenny,—Mr. Greene, Mr. Welch, and Mr. Hely; the two former Repeaters, the latter Conservative, but prepared to gulp Repeal if necessary.

The Northern Whig, of Belfast, announces the retirement of Sir II. Sey- mour from the representation of Antrim county.

Sir Horace Seymour is to retire from the representation of Antrim county; to be succeeded by Mr. E. H. Macnaghten, a relative of the Earl of Antrim, and a Whig.

Mr. Shell is to be opposed at Dungarvan by Mr. John Augustus O'Neill, a Repealer.

The Mayo Constitution reports several cases of ships having been plundered of Indian corn off Erris Head. In one instance, the pirates received a fatal check : the master of the smack Emily Maria, fearing he should be attacked, ob- tained a guard of Marines from the Emerald cutter; near Inniskea a number of people boarded the vessel, and attempted to rifle it; but the Marines resisted, shooting four of the agg.ilants dead and wounding several others.

Hayes, a young and inoffensive labouring man of Toomavara, having in some way offended the midnight assassins of Tipperary, live or six of them broke into his cottage at night, dragged him from his bed, beat him, and fired a blunderbuss through the lower part of his body. .A sister having attempted to protect Hayes, the miirderers ruthlessly beat her over the head. The victim was neither bailiff ner'sgent. •