IRELAND.

The Dublin correspondent of the Morning Chronicle transmits the most flourishing accounts of the grain and green crops-

" With regard to the grain crop, nothing could be more satisfactory than the account from all quarters as to the quantity and the yield. The green crops, too, are getting on well, with the exception of very partial injury to turnips; but the breadth sown is enormous."

As to potatoes, the report is less favourable—

"It is beyond all question that the potato disease has reappeared, and simul- taneously in various counties, and in districts far distant from each other. But the blight, as yet, is less general than in the two preceding years, and has exhibited itself in a form much less virulent. Up to this time the potatoes at market have been very fine in quality; but a considerable portion of those consumed in Dublin have been imported from England. The price ranges from tenpence to fifteen- pence per stone of fourteen pounds; but at this rate they are beyond the reach of the working classes, who find an excellent substitute in Indian meal and oatmeal, both in abundant supply at very moderate prices. • • •

"No inconsiderable portion of our very limited potato crop has already been con- sumed; so that even if the blight should become general, no very disastrous con- sequences could ensue. There would, to be sure, be a serious loss of food; but po- tatoes have altogether ceased to be the food of the labouring classes and the poor, who constitute fear or five millions of our population."

Mr. Edward Bullen, who has just returned to Dublin from an excursion through the province of Ulster, reports the result of his observations on the state of the crops and of the people.

As to the vegetation—" the grain crop is the finest I ever saw, and reeling ripe"; "the grain crops are equally fine, and of a breadth and style of cultivation that

I never expected to have witnessed in so short a time"; turnip cultivation is general and well conducted; " the bean crop looks uncommonly well "•' " the potato crop looks well," and " I vin strongly inclined to believe that it is safe."

The change in the condition of the people is still more marked. " I watched with feverish anxiety the progress of events on Monday last; sharing in the general dread of the sudden suspension of the late relief system before the possi- ble adoption of the new, and dreading lest society should burst its bounds from the pressure from within: but, thanks to the bountiful munificence of Providence, the crisis passed off in peace. The prospect of the future was so cheering, and the demand for labour so general and immediate, that the public mind appeared to have been suddenly appeased, and subsided into a state of healthy confidence audssaraircritiiqpkiiterywhere I went I saw the legitimate functions of society restored:aud laleeciapparently absorbed into its proper channels. The fields were full of industrious Ince and women, engaged in their legitimate avocations. Some

were reaping, others deeply occupied, in the cultivation of their green crops; and crowds of little children were scattered over the turnip fields, thinning and weed- ing them, and lending their infant labour to the general stock. The appearance of the labouring population was also gratifying in these favoured districts. They looked clean, contented, and happy, able and willing to do their work, and con- scious of a certain return for their exertions; not like the famished-looking phan- toms in the South and West, that I saw toiling on the roads in April last, whose unhappy lot it was to have the punishment of the convict and the felon added to their original infliction, without the consolation that their exertions would be beneficial either to themselves or the community.

"Thorough draining has been executed to a considerable extent in certain places. It is not, however, general, owing in a great degree to the uncertainty that attended the arrangements at the close of the session before last. * * • " The most formidable difficulty I see to contend with for the future, is the total want or almost destruction of stock and cattle throughout the whole coun- try. It appears to me the most alarming feature for the future; for I cannot possibly conceive how the relations of husbandry can be carried out, or the new improvements in draining or reclamation can be made productive or available, without an increased supply of this essential article. If, therefore, the stock question be not taken up at once and properly inquired into—if the facts be not known and stated, and the most vigorous efforts made to supply the deficiency— the consequences will be more disastrous than any we have yet experienced.

" But, on the whole, Sir, I feel confident from what I have seen, that the dark- est hour of any is already past, and that the crisis is over in 'Ireland. Many great impediments to social improvement have been suddenly removed, and a spirit of mutual cooperation now appears to prevail which never before existed."

The Relief Commissioners have made their fifth monthly report. The largest amount of gratuitous relief was distributed towards the end of July. Daily rations at that time were supplied to 2,920,792, besides 99,920 rations sold.• A considerable reduction has since been effected from this maximum; the last numbers being—rations given 2,467,989, sold 52,387. The absolute termination of advances for temporary relief being fixed for the end of September, it is desirable to render the transition gradual. The first steps will be an uncompromising scrutiny of the relief-lists, and the discontinuance of advances to those unions which are best able to bear it.

" Almost every union struggles for a prolonged continuance, chiefly on the plea of want of preparations for the change; arising In many cases from the delay-in making them, although a general warning of what would take place was given so far back as the month of June.

" The discontinuance of this extensive system of relief, in whatever manner car- ried out, must be attended with distress and difficulty; and all the energy, benevo- lence, and public-spirited expenditure that can be applied, will be required to meet emergency."

Great praise is bestowed by the Commissioners on their Inspecting Officers.

The Fermoy Board of Poor-law Guardians, headed by the Earl of Mount- cashell, Lord Kilworth, and Mr. Burke Roche, mustered in great force on the 18th instant, in order to take into consideration a letter from the _Coin- missioners requiring a rate of 3s. in the pound to be struck for the pile poses of the Temporary Relief Act. After some preliminary discussion, one of the Guardians (Mr. Barry) read the following resolutions- " This Board, as Guardians of the Poor, having minutely inquired into the state of pauperism in the (anion, estimated the sum which would be required for relief under the amended Poor-law at 21,0001.; and, having a credit balanee at the time of 3,0001., they struck rates on the severel electoral divisions at a poundage vary- ing from 5s. to 1s. 4d.; amounting in the aggregate to 18,8261. lls. 3d. That, being now urgently required by the Poor-law Commissioners to levy an additional rate of 22,9501. to repay the advances under the Temporary Relief Act, which rip to the 15th instant amounted to 22,0131., say 9371. within the sum demanded, they have met to consider the condition of the union. Having maturely weighed these premises, the Board resolved-

" 1. That, believing it to be our paramount duty to provide for the maintenance of the poor, we do most respectfully but firmly adhere to our original resolution of striking rates the collection of which is within the range of possibility, in preference to voting taxes to an amount which, as they could not be paid in full, and cannot be 'mid in part, would be wholly unproductive, bringing the Board to bankruptcy and the paupers in and out of the workhouse to starvation.

" 2. That since the opening of our workhouse' which was one of the first in Ireland, every species of relief permitted by the Poor-law has been unsparingly administered by this Board.

" 3. That, whenever it was requisite, rates were freely struck and paid up, so as to keep nearly at all times a balance for unexpected contingencies in our Trea- surer's hands.

" 4. That the rates levied since the Poor-law came into operation amount to an annual average of 4,7251.

" 5. That in July last, when it became necessary, to provide for permanent out; door relief, this Board unhesitatingly struck rates of eight times the usual amount.

" 6. That to insure the collection of this rate it will be necessary for the mem- bers of this Board to exercise all their local influence; and they declare they will, as far as in them lies, assist the collectors to enforce its payment, heavy as the charge inevitably is: but beyond this they cannot pledge themselves. " 7. That to show how intolerable the pressure will be if the Commissioners enforce the immediate payment of their demand, the case of one electoral division, say Macroney, is submitted. The net annual value is 5,8091. 7s 6d., one half- year's rate including. The repayments of the advance, 2,3231. 12s., county cess for half year. Tithe rent-charge, ditto. " 8. That this Board recognizes the principle of property being taxed for relief purposes; but they submit that in England extreme cases have occurred in isolated districts at long intervals where the rates exceeded the net annual value of the rateable property, superinduced in most instances by long and gross mismanage- ment under the old Poor-law, for the repeal of which such facts afford the strong- est arguments. " 9. That in the whole history of taxation there is no precedent for an entire country being reduced to this predicament by the Government exacting the re- payment of a loan at one time, and at a most perilous crisis. " 10. That if the authorities persist in the demand now made, and proceed against a nation as against an individual, as by an extent in aid, the result must be the irretrievable rain of the whole tax-paying community of Ireland. "11. That it is as impossible for the ratepayers of this union to refund at one call made in a season of unparalleled difficulty the entire sum advanced to most an unprecedented and overwhelming calamity, as it would have been for the British nation to pay off the whole expense of the Peninsular war in the year of great commercial difficulty which succeeded the peace. "Resolved—That referring to the declaration of her Majesty's Ministers that the expenditure for relief would be provided for by advance from the national treasury, one half by way of grant, the other moiety as a loan, to be repaid in a period of ten years by half-yearly instalments, this Board now declare their readi- ness to carry out this equitable proposition of the Ministry on behalf of the Fer- moy Union, for which sufficient provision is made in the rates already resolved upon.

Mier a long debate, the resolutions were carried, by a majority of 30 to 7. A similar step in the agitation has taken by the Grand Jury of Galway, who addressed a long mem 'the subject to the Lords of the Treasury. While they disclaim all wi to "repudiate," they significantly point to the deplorable waste and unnecessary expense of the public works system; and suggest the fairness of having the public works valued by competent persons, their present actual value only to be charged against the counties. The Poor-law, they say, has been introduced at a most un- fortunate period; and although there is every desire to give effect to it, the fact is not to be disguised, that until the effects of the present calamity have passed away, the country cannot both maintain the poor and repay the re- lief advances. These advances ought therefore to be spread over a longer time. With an eye probably to the " Railway" Parliament, a hint is given that Government loans to railways would be very acceptable.

Another document which accompanies the foregoing, in the columns of the Northern Whig, curiously illustrates the inability to pay so loudly pro- claimed by the Galway Grand Jurors. The collector of the rates for the Athlone Union has returned a long list of defaulters among the ratepayers, "which has caused the Commissioners some surprise." faulters the following names appear. Among the de- £. s. d.

John Longworth, Glynn, (Guardian) 13 11 101 Edward Maunsell 6 3 9 The Honourable Gonville French 10 16 111) Thomas Dillon 5 4 7i Miss Trant 4 4 6 Lord Dillon 3 4 6 Theobald Shell 14 13 71.

Mrs. French 14 7 91 John O'Sullivan, (Guardian) 12 4

31

Reverend P. Goold 13 14 31 William Lloyd 90 8 111 E. H. Naghten, Thomastown, (Guardian) 67 5 9i Leonard Hodson, Hodson Bay, (Guardian) 26 18 10 £232 19 tof Mr. W. Keogh, the new Member for Athlone, was entertained at dinner by his constituents on the 19th instant: on which occasion he delivered some very judicious exhortations touching on the necessity for exertion in prac- tical efforts to retrieve the fortunes of Ireland-

" Depend upon it," he said, "you require every possible exertion which the energies of Irishmen of all classes can make, to redeem the country from its pre- sent lost and degraded state. If you do not combine and confederate together, not in lawless associations, but in combinations of industry and enterprise, such combinations as will create capital and employ industry, and develop the re- sources of the country, the land, which you only half cultivate, will be inadequate to the support of the unemployed poor; and year after year, class after class, will sink into the vortex of pauperism, and universal distress will be found the sure forerunner of universal anarchy. In the last year, 2,000,000 of people were thrown upon the Government for support; and notwithstanding all that the Government could do, at least 500,000 had perished of famine and disease. This year they were told that the Poor-law should supply the wants of the people: hut, believe me, neither the Government nor the Poor-law can save the people or raise their condition, unless Irishmen of all classes combine to open new fields of industry and enterprise for the employment of the people. 1 cannot believe that this country, with its navigable rivers, its harbours in which the navies of the world might ride, with such mines of inexhaustible wealth within its bosom, with a people capable of being made industrious, and ultimately pros- perous and happy—I cannot believe that such a people and such a country must be dependent for support on the sister kingdom; that, whilst they were con- tent to be thrown on her for support, they should remain a nation of sturdy beg- gars, and be a by-word among the other nations of the earth. It was not by speeches on the hustings, or rabid writing in the public press, a change in our condition was to be effected; for so long should we be a degraded people, degene- rate and miserable, as we continued to receive the eleemosynary support of the English people. Why, then, not make some effort to retrieve our condition, and avert the rum which we see everywhere around us ? Suppose a number of the trades of this town combine together, and erect a factory, no matter for what pur- pose, it would employ your unemployed, it would inculcate industrious habits amongst your people, and would co er a lasting benefit on our country. Stich an example would be speedily followed by other towns; and eventually poverty, vice, and beggary, would give place to wealth, industry, and prosperity. Unless some such exertions are made, this country will still retrograde, and in the end be plunged in anarchy and blood."

A letter has been received in Limerick from Mr. Smith O'Brien, an- nouncing his intention to accept the honour of the seat for the county which was conferred upon him in his absence.

The Dungarvan election has fructified in a correspondence between cer- tain burgesses of the borough constituting the Repeal Election Committee and Mr. John O'Connell. The Committee were hot for a Repeal candi- date to be sent to them to oppose Mr. Sheil, and they evidently labour under a feeling that they have been trifled with. In a letter dated the 29th July, they sneeringly express themselves " very much obliged " to Mr. O'Connell for his "great exertions in bringing Mr. O'Neill out at last to make a speech." They add, "the vagueness of your communications has destroyed our confidence in the Hall." Mr. O'Connell's reply is couched in very apologetical language; the burden of it being "What could I do? "

The Pilot supplies an analysis, in the Repeal view, of the state of the Irish representation as constituted by the elections just concluded-

" In Ireland, our readers know, there are four parties—Repealers, Federalists (or Precursors), Whigs (or Liberals), and Conservatives. In England, parties are di- vided into three sections—Liberals, Peelites, and Protectionists. By the table given below, it will be seen that there are 37 avowed Repeaters; 7 conditional Repeaters, or those who will vote for an inquiry into the effects of the Union upon this country; 20 Whigs, who may do the same as these latter; and 40 Conserva- tives." [There being a double return of Mr. John O'Connell for Limerick and Kilkenny, the list contains the names of only 104 Members, whereas the number of Members properly belonging to Ireland is 105. On the assumption that a Re- pealer will replace Mr. John O'Connell in Kilkenny, the Pilot counts that the number in the House will be 38.]

The Dublin Evening Mail, however, declares that there has been no ma- terial change since it put forth the passage on the subject which we copied. The subjoined extract from that journal comprises the views of another Dublin paper-

" It is scarcely necessary to say that no discoveries have been made in the geo- graphy of parties since we last wrote-' but opinions confirmatory of the views we then pat forward have been expressed in different and even opposite quarters. The Castle journal, [the Dublin Evening Post,] in a characteristic rhapsody, in- vokes the shade of Cocker, and admits that, by subtracting 325 from 330, a re- mainder, not of 25 or 30, but of 5 is obtained. The Morning Post leans towards the other side, and calculates the relative numbers of parties thus— Liberals 322

Conservatives 333

" The Herald, again, alleges, that dividing the new House of Commons into the two great classes of Liberal' and ' Conservative; there will be found from 326 to 328 votes in each: but he proceeds to cite 108 names of Repeaters, Radicals, Dissenters, and others, upon whom Mr. Tufnell (the Government whipper-in) will find that he cannot always depend. The Spectator positively affirms that there is no majority in the new House of Commons. If any Ministry desires to work with the present House of Commons, the majority must be made. It can be made by measures, and by force of will.' " The Spectator sees the matter as it is; he perceives truly the Ministerial diffi- culty, and the way to solve it—' Good measures, the resolute will to enforce them —on these reliances alone must depend the existence of the Ministry in face of the newly-elected House of Commons.' Without pledging ourselves to an unqua- lified adoption of our weekly contemporary's definition of good measures,' which is not now before us, we can have little hesitation, on behalf of Ireland, in expressing our general assent to the foregoing proposition. Lord Clarendon, we fully believe, entertains similar sentiments, and deprecates, as much as either Spectator or Mail can do, a revival of the old party charmed with which the Castle organ (we have no doubt, mistaking instructions) seeks, more enter°, to confuse the watchwords of union and improvement,' now becoming intelligible among our fellow-country- men. That those watchwords are listened to with attention and favour by oppo- site parties in the sister kingdom, is shown by the following paragraphs, which we extract respectively from the Spectator and the Standard [the latter echoing Mr Moore's speech] of Saturday last."

An observation in the Dublin Evening Mail, to the effect that Mr. Chis- holm Anstey, the new Member for Youghal, was " pawned upon the good people (by Mr. John O'Connell) as Hibernia ipsis Hibernior," has drawn forth a spirited denial from that gentleman of having obtained his seat through the influence of Conciliation Hall.

" Neither from Mr. O'Connell, nor from any other quarter," writes Mr. Anstey, "except the 112 electors of Youghal who signed the Repeal pledge, did I receive invitation or encouragement to stand for that borough. It could not be otherwise; for I had carefully avoided on my part all communication on the subject with public bodies and individuals not locally connected with Youghal; esteeming it the more constitutional course to refer the question of my fitness as a candidate to the free judgment of the electors themselves. So far from being pawned' on that constituency by my friend Mr. John O'Connell, I had not even the benefit of his recommendation there: nor could he, indeed, have given it without the greatest inconsistency, if I may judge from the Dungarvan correspondence, which I have read for the first time today. " Permit me to trouble you on a less important matter, also concerning myself. During my canvass, the Ministerial papers, both here and in London, abused me very soundly for being, what I certainly was, an Opposition candidate. The same journals now rank me since my election amongst the Liberal,' or ' Whig; or Ministerial' Members of Parliament. If the supposed working majority of 18, or of 30 as some estimates have it, is made up of such elements as myself, I am sadly afraid that these calculations will all vanish into thin air upon the first division of the House. My resolutions are not changed, nor my convictions. What I was when a candidate I am now that I am a Member. I am neither Liberal nor Whig; and I account myself a member of the Opposition, whether Sir Robert Peel or Lord John Russell be the Minister. I am a Repealer, because I am opposed to the innovations and usurpations of Parliament, and because there is no way to restrain the future growth of such but by undoing such as have been accomplished in deed, yet have not as yet had time to take root in the common- wealth."

A full attendance of Repealers mustered in Conciliation Hall on Mon- day, but the proceedings were devoid of general interest. Rent 521.

The Irish Confederation has commenced active business in opposition to the Repeal Association. A report from the Committee of Organization, signed by Mr. Charles Gavan Duffy as chairman, announces to the ten thousand " unsought " members of the Confederation, that " the time for more direct and extensive action, which it patiently awaited, has at length arrived. The practices that produced the Secession have become so con- firmed that reunion with Conciliation Hall is no longer either desirable or possible."

The organization is not to be merely a physical, but is to be made a moral and didactic one- " Whatever Ireland can do for herself in developing her native trade, it mast teach her and help her to do.

"Whatever she can do for herself in promoting the right of the tenant-farmer, and in bringing tenant and landlord into a common union jar Ireland and against their common enemy, it must do. " Instead of looking idly and impatiently to an aim that may be distant, it meat teach the country to strengthen itself as it advances to liberty, by developing and applying all the resources of the island—by awakening enterprise—by diffusing practical knowledge for each class according to its wants—by guiding the fervour of soul, the sincerity of purpose, and all the great moral emotions which we wasted in words, to practical services for the country." All this is to be effected by Confederate Clubs, to be established in every town and parish in Ireland. "These Clubs would have for their main object, organization, education, and conciliation. But in addition to the general duties of self-instruction, and spread- ing the principles of the Confederation, the Town and Country Clubs will have special duties naturally belonging to each."

The sinews of war are to be provided, much after the approved Repeal fashion-

" When the Confederation stood simply on the defensive, a systematic collection of funds was unnecessary, and the condition of the country made it improper to attempt it. But funds are essential to political operations on a large scale,—asli in the Catholic Association and the Anti-Corn-law League; and the Confederation do not fear to ask them from the people, knowing that the principles they seek to enforce are the only ones on which it is possible to give liberty to the country; and being prepared to account fully and systematically for the expenditure of all funds intrusted to them.

"Year Committee therefore recommend, that each person becoming a member of the Confederation for the future shall pay to its funds whatever sum he can reasonably afford, not less than one shilling : the receipt of which payment by the Confederation shall entitle him to be enrolled a member of his local Confede- rate Clab.

"And further, that a weekly collection of funds be commenced in each club, in the manner directed in the Instructions for the Constitution and Government of Confederate Clubs.'" The army in Ireland at the beginning of the present month consisted of these elements—ten regiments of Cavalry, thirty regiments or battalions of Infantry, two troops of Horse Artillery, nine companies and detachments of Artillery, and two companies of Marines. These give 28,000 rank and file of all arms. There are in addition, 21,682 enrolled Pensioners, Militia staffs, and Recruiting parties. Adding the 10,000 Constabulary, the total force amounts to about 60,000 men.

A moat atrocious conspiracy by three murderers confined in Kilkenny Gaol has been frustrated. The culprits—Larkin, Daniel, and Walsh—were under sentence of death, two of them for the murder of Mr. Prim, the pay-clerk, and a constable. On Monday morning, Lee, a turnkey, let the murderers out of their cells, that they might exercise in a corridor where there were no other prisoners. As Lee was about to leave the corridor, Larkin struck himwith a stone, and in a struggle kicked him; the gaoler ran away, the convicts following; another prisoner came to Lee's assistance, and a door was fastened. Disappointed of escape in that di- rection, the three convicts tried to get at the smiths forge and arm themselves: but the alarm had been raised, and their purpose was frustrated. In the evening, the villains made a confession of an intention to massacre several of the officers of the prison, that they might escape their doom. Three of the turnkeys were to have been killed on Sunday, at mass: a door was fastened which they reckoned on finding open, and they were foiled. They then &tined their Monday morning plan : Lee was to be dragged into a cell and butchered, other prieroners having provided them with stones for weapons; when Leesbould be missed they reckoned that a second officer would arrive, and he also was to be slaughtered; if a third came, the same fate awaited him; and if, finally, the Governor arrived, death was to be dealt to kim. Then the miscreants hoped to escape. Larkin is supposed to have been the guiding spirit of the murderous trio.