NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tan affairs of Ireland stand out prominently among the events of the last seven days. The leading incidents are—the appointment of a new Lord Lieutenant; the departure of the Marquis of Anglesey ; and the great affiliated meeting of Protestants and Catholics at the Rotunda in Dublin.
The Duke of Northumberland is to be the new Viceroy ; and it pleases the press to laud this appointment. His Grace pleases the moderate of all parties, because he is not violent; the Brunswick people, because he has hitherto been an Anti-Catholic ; their opponents, because his opinions are supposed to be open to change; the Irish, because his rental is three times greater than that of his predecessor, to whom he is equal in a taste for grandeur and show, which will make money circulate among the Dublin shopkeepers.
Lord Anglesey's departure gave occasion to a public exhibition of sympathy, and to some rather flowery description. All Dublin -was in motion on Monday, the day when" Ireland's best Viceroy" was to leave her shores.
"From a very early hour in the morning crowds of persons began to pour into the city, and even those resident in town took precautions to secure good positions. The shops were all closed, business was suspended, and the noise and bustle of commerce were completely hushed. Deep- rooted sorrow was perceptible in every cheek, and gratitude paid to departing worth its best tribute—a tear."
At ten o'clock, the Lord Lieutenant held an undress levee—the last exercise of his authority, and the last homage of his subjects.
" t-le looked in good health, although sorrow seemed to shade his brow; but as this arose out of his love for Ireland, Lord Anglesey must have derived abundant alleviation from the reflection that he discharged his duty well, and that his reward was what Princes can neither give nor take away—the honest and heartfelt gratitude of seven millions of people. Well may Lord Anglesey exclaim, when he surrenders his seals of office into his hands from whom he had received them,' Sir, I am greater than you ; for you can only command the prudence and loyalty of a people- ] do command their hearts.'" Some of the addresses voted to his Lordship by the people were presented. One deputation was headed by the Duke of Leinster, fol- lowed by six earls, seven lords, five baronets, and a considerable num- ber of influential gentlemen of the liberal party. The answer to this address—in delivering which "his Excellency's voice faultered and he appeared deeply affected"—speaks of the manner of his govern- ment, and the state in which he has left the objects of his care. " It was one of the main objects of my administration of the govern- ment of this country, to lead the way to an equitable adjustment of all differences, by showing to all classes of Irishmen, that loyalty to their King, obedience to the law, and kindly feeling and forbearance towards each other, would afford the surest guarantee that a due attention would be paid to every other important object attainable by legal and constitu- tional means ; and I quit the shores of Ireland with the less regret, inas- much as I have seen those views partly accomplished. By concurrent testimony, public tranquillity has been restored, commerce has been re- vived, industry stimulated, and employment thereby in a considerable degree provided for the labouring classes. I therefore most confidently hope that the same means which have produced these happy results will continue to be exercised."
At twelve o'clock, the Marquis bade adieu to Dublin Castle; and the procession—noblemen and gentlemen in carriages and on horseback, and a shouting multitude on foot—moved slowly on to Kingston.
"The windows of the houses in the different streets through which the cavalcade had passed were crowded from the basement to the attic, with persons of every age, who were anxious to bid a fond adieu to him, whose object it was to promote the trade and to harmonize the feelings of Ireland. Many a perfumed kerchief was waved by many a snowy and tapering hand; and many a benediction was poured by beauty and fashion on the head of the conqueror of Irish hearts.' In Baggot-street the shouts and huzzas were appalling, to which, at frequent intervals, the gallant hero who was the object and the cause of them, replied with looks that spoke unutterable things.' The procession, iceberg like, was accumulating. in large flakes until it reached Booterstown, when it assumed an aspect of immensity. It was at this place, certainly, more than a mile and a half in length ; and to think of conveying an iclea of the leelings I:tithe people is out of the question. On every gate were to be seen placards in abundance, each headed Lord Anglesey for ever'—' Civil and Religious Liberty' —` Down with Wellington.' At a respectable private mansion, near the Rack, true symptoms of mourning were exhibited. There were, project- ing from a wall, four poles, from each of which was suspended a slip of black crape, and in the centre was posted a placard, bearing the follow- ing not classic, but evidently expressive inscription
May Heaven's power Protect each hour Of Auglesey—and may The Duke and Peel For ever feel The grief of Erin's sons this day.'
At Kingston harbour, the Reverend Sir Harcourt Lees appeared with an address from the people of Kingston. The Marquis re- turned his answer " bathed in tears, in which he was joined by all around him, especially by his two fine boys." The Marquis then stepped on board the barge under a salute of cannon, and " fare- wells ten thousand times repeated."
The united Protestant and Catholic meeting, which has been for some time in preparation, was held on Tuesday ; and although most of the influential persons invited sent excuses, (from England chiefly,) it presented a strong array of noblemen and knded gen- tlemen, a representation of the commercial and mercantile interests, and some thousands of the secondary classes. The Duke of Leinster presided. The proceedings were temperate ; and the re- marks of the speakers conciliatory, but firm, and full of the mag- nitude and necessity of the objects contemplated in the following resolutions,—which were adopted without a voice being raised against them. "1. That no portion of our fellow.subjects are more determined than we are, to maintain the principles which placed the House of Brunswick on the Throne of these realms. 2. That those principles are founded upon the basis of civil and re- ligions freedom. 3. That being personally interested in the condition, and sincerely anxious for the happiness of Ireland, we feel ourselves called on, at the present alarming juncture, to declare our conviction, that the disqualifying laws affecting his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, which in earlier periods were considered essen- tial to the maintenance of the Protestant constitution and religion, have, througlre the enlightened character of the times, ceased to be so, and may with safety to that constitution be repealed. 4. That from the progress of wealth, intelligence, and liberality, which so pre-eminently characterizes the present age, the continuance ef those disqualifying laws operates most injuriously as a bar to the cessation and obli- vion of political discord, and to that union of sentiment and interest, on which the internal peace and prosperity of a nation can alone permanently rest. 5. That, with respect to Ireland in particular, we are of opinion, that those disqualifying laws be- come a primary cause of disunion, by perpetuating those political discontents and religious animosities which distract the country, endanger the safety of all its insti- tutions, and are alike destructive of social happiness and national prosperity. 6. That we are further of opinion, that unless the wisdom of the Legislature shall apply an immediate remedy to those evils, they will, in their progression, assume at an early period, a character which must necessarily augment the difficulties of their removal. 7. That it is of paramount importance to the welfare of the empire at large, and more especially of Ireland, that the condition of this country should be taken into immediate consideration by Parliament, with a view to such a final and conciliatory adjustment as may be conducive to the peace and strength of the united kingdom, to the stability of our national institutions, and to the general satisfaction and concord of his Majesty's subjects. 8. That a petition to his Most Gracious Majesty, in the spirit of the foregoing resolutions, be forthwith prepared, assuring his Majesty of our most unalterable attachment to his throne and person; and praying, that he may be pleased, with the least possible delay, to recommend to his Parliament to take into their most serious consideration the alarming and wretched state of this kingdom. 9. That the following noblemen and gentlemen do form a committee to prepare such petition, and that they be requested to report the same to this meeting before its rising. 10. That this petition be presented to his Majesty by our noble Chairman, accompanied by the following Peers and Members of Parliament. 11. That we adopt the sentiments contained in the Protestant de- claration, signed by their Graces the Dukes of Leinster and Devonshire, and by 7 marquises, 26 earls, 11 viscounts, 22 barons, 2 counts, 22 baronets, 62 members of the House of Commons, and upwards of 2,000 gentlemen of other ranks, all of whom are personally interested in the condition of Ireland ; and that our noble Chairman be instructed to present to his Illajest y, together with our petition, a copy of that declaration, with the signatures attached to it. 12. That the petitions now read, and founded on those resolutions, be adopted by the meeting, and presented to both Houses of Parliament—that to the Lords by —, and that to the Hoese of Commons by —. 13. That we most earnestly recommend the immediate at- tendance in Parliament of all the Peers and members representing Ireland; and that, for the sake of our common country, as well as the empire at large, we trust that all party distinctions and jealousies will be buried in oblivion, so that Ireland may enjoy the benefit of their collective and calm consideration of her wants. 14. That his Excellency the most noble the Marquis of Anglesey is entitled to and possesses our entire confidence; and we trust that no circumstances which may arise in our constitutional struggle for the religious peace of Ireland, will induce his Excellency to relinquish the government of this country : for that, relying upon his wisdom and his justice, we do assure his Excellency, that to adopt the language of a distinguished Englishman, there is no nation of people under the sun that doth love equal and indifferent justice better than the Irish, or will rest better satisfied with the execution thereof, although it be against them- selves, so as they may have the protection and benefit of the law when upon just cause they do desire it.' 15. That copies of our resolutions and petitions be deli- vered to our illustrious countryman, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, by our noble chairman ; and that, at the same time, his Grace the Duks of Wellington be informed, that we confidently expect he may consummate the glory which has al- ready rendered him so pre-eminent, by giving peace,' and above all, 'religious peace,' to his native land, which, by benefiting the state, would confer a benefit upon every individual belonging to it.. 16. The Committee having recommended the Address now read, to His Majesty, resolved that same be adopted by the meeting. 17. That the thanks of the country and of this meeting are eminently due, and hereby given, to the noblemen and gentlemen who constituted the com- mittee for the Protestant declaration, the dinner from the friends of civil and re- ligious freedom to Lord Morpeth, and for the arrangements of this meeting; and we do earnestly request that they individually and collectively will continue their exertions for the success of the great cause in which we are engaged= the religious peace of Ireland."' After the resolutions were passed, the meeting was addressed by Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Sheil. The latter gentleman urged that their Protestant friends should not join thern merely upon parade,
and in the Aeld desert them.
"I call upon you to confederate with us. Come down in a body to the Ca- tholic Association, or rather let the Catholic Convention merge itself into a great national union. Let us strike out the word 'Catholic' and form an Irish Association.' Leinster, Bective, Miltown, Cloncurry, Brown- low, I address myself individually to you, and I tell sou that if you leave us here, your temporary junction will have been of no sort of use. You will say, perhaps, that you dread our violence ; come and subdue it. Be- come our auxiliaries, we shall soon make you our leaders—stretch out your hands and we shall place our standard in them ; and on that standard let no other words be written but 'union, firmness, and moderation ;' for our victories shall be those of peace, and we shall rely upon nothing but the moral power which abides in the justice of our cause. This is the time to make a great and new impression—Ireland is in the crisis of her political fortunes. Ireland has been long knocking at the gates of the Legislature, and has disturbed the slumbers of the cabinet—let her re- peat her blows with a gigantic arm, and they will give admission to the mighty supplicant, if it were only to relieve themselves from the thunder of her knocking."
This speech was heard with general sympathy, and its sentiment echoed by many in the assembly. If the sentiment be acted on, the Catholic Association will be dissolved in an Irish Union.
On Friday last, the men of Devon, at Exeter, rivalled the men of Kent at Penenden Heath, in hostility to the Catholic claims. Lord Ebrington, Lord John Russell, and other eminent Whigs, fought a stout battle ; but their voices were drowned in the clamour of the other party, and when darkness and the Sheriff brought about a division, they were found in a minority.
