Mr. Cox of Finsbury has, it would seem, a kingdom
all to himself. He is chairman of the " Honourable Irish Society," and the Honourable Irish Society governs Londonderry. The O'Neits and O'Donnels, it would seem, early in the seven- teenth century, destroyed Derry, and this society of citizens agreeing to rebuild it, received a grant from King James I. of the city and its environs. They hold it ' now, and the population are their tenants, and the 'corporation very much at their mercy. The town, under this odd arrangement, which, however, exists elsewhere to a modified extent—has prospered very greatly; but the citizens have a grievance. Accordingly, Mr. Cox, who, though Punch • has selected him for a butt, is an able man of business, and a-espected in Finsbury, with his associates, received the corpo- ration in State. The city wants longer leases, and some new buildings, and a grant of a block of houses in fee. Mr. Cox disapproved either the tone or the matter of the request, and remarked that he would not give property to people who -came " snivelling " for it. The word irritated the Derrymen as much as the word " subject " did the people who obeyed Louis Philippe, and Mr. Cox, like M. There under the same 'circumstances, was compelled to apologize. The Irish Society are, however, kindly, and, what is more important, wealthy landlords, and Derry will, probably, get nearly all it asks.
Previous page
