26 DECEMBER 1846, Page 9

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY NIGHT.

Out-door relief has virtually begun in Ireland. The Dean of Achonry represented to the Commissary-General that it was absolutely impossible for many persons totally destitute to buy meal from the Government stores, even at the cost price; the local workhouse being full. Sir Randolph Routh replies, through his secretary, "that while the workhouse is full, gratuitous relief (by free tickets) for food may be given to the actually in- firm poor who are destitute; but in all other cases the food provided should be sold at a price sufficient to repay the first cost with all charges, in- cluding 51. per cent for storing and selling."

The recent Treasury Minute has met with the unqualified approval of the Reproductive Committee; as will be seen by the terms of the resolution adopted at their meeting on Tuesday last- " This Committee desire to express their cordial approbation of the conduct of her Majesty's Government in reference to the benefits intended to be conferred upon this country by the Treasury minutes of the 1st instant; and they earnestly press upon the landed interests of Ireland the advantages they will gain by avail- ing themselves of that concession. They are thereby enabled to borrow money vnthout the necessity of making title to their properties, on the most advan- tangeous terms, for all purposes of permanent improvement; which will increase the value of land. They are permitted to perform the works with labourers of their own choice, and without the expensive machinery which a labour-rate act of the best kind must involve. And the tendency of this minute (if it be properly carried out) is to accomplish one of the main objects of this Committee, namely, to employ, without demoralizing, the labourer, and to rid the country of a burden- some taxation applied to unproductive works."

The accounts from Ireland mention that very severe weather has set in; of course deplorably aggravating the distress.

We have before us a return, compiled and authenticated by the clergy- men of this union, containing the names and residences of thirty-one human beings who have recently died of actual want —Castkbar Tele- 1PaPh• The Dublin News Letter reports an attempt to murder Mr. John Long- worth of Glynwood, near Athlone, a Deputy Lieutenant. He was tired at while driving up the avenue of his own demesne. Luckily the shot missed its aim; and the horses, frightened by the report, ran away at full speed, and carried him out of the reach of a second bullet.

As a contrast to the almost universal gloom, the Derry Journal mentions a striking example of well-directed and successful energy—

"Amid the want and wretchedness which prevail throughout the greater part of Donegal, it gives us much pleasure to state that there is one sunny spot on which, comparatively speaking, no gloom or sorrow dwells. The beautiful glen of Dauloughey, adjoining the estate of Lord George Hill at Gwedore, is as much distinguished by the comfort and industry of its inhabitants as it is by the beauty of its scenery and its delightfully romantic position. Mr. Russell, an English gentleman, purchased the property a short time ago from Sir James Dombrain ; and no exertion or expense has been spared by him to develop its capa- bilities. He has produced a crop of turnips from the bog which would stagger the credulity of any agriculturist. On every side fencing, draining, and other improve- ments are being made, which, in addition to the great benefits they will confer on the cottiers, will tend to the ultimate advantage of the spirited and enter- prising proprietor. During the whole of the summer, and up to the present time, every one on the estate desirous of having employment had only to apply for it to obtain it; and there are at this moment upwards of fifty labourers constantly employed at le. per day, which is regularly paid every Saturday night. If the other landed proprietors throughout Ireland would 'go and do likewise,' there would be little occasion for Relief Acts or Presentment Sessions."