IRELAND.
Lady Heytesbnry continues seriously ill with gastric fever, and has been in a very precarious state ; her extreme debility leaving slight hopes of recovery. On Wednesday, however, there were de- cided symptoms that the patient had begun to rally.
Lord Heytesbnry has made an important declaration of policy. On Friday, he received from the Remonstrant (Unitarian) Synod of Ulster, an address congratulating him on his appointment, expressing gratitude for the principles of justice and toleration to which Government had given effect in the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, and avowing great confi- dence in the Viceroy's abilities and intentions. In his reply, severally and suitably acknowledging these compliments, Lord Ileytesbury said-
" As regards myself, gentlemen, you may be assured it is my earnest desire to administer existing laws with scrupulous impartiality, and with a full in- tention to recommend such conciliatory changes and improvements as may tend at once to secure the peace and prosperity of Ireland and to confirm the power and integrity of the United _Kingdom."
The Dublin correspondent of the Times attempts to elucidate some allusion to a new movement made by Mr. O'Connell, in his reply to Dr. Maunsell's speech- " Without professing to be accurately informed upon a subject which must be in a great measure a secret to all but the high contracting parties, I believe it may be safely stated that preliminary arrangements are in active progress to- wards laying the basis of a solemn confederation which is to unite the discord- ant elements of Whiggery and Repealism : and it is generally believed, that with this object, the indefatigable Mr. Pierce Mahony, of all and every move- ment notoriety, has been for some time past engaged in procuring signatures to an improved edition of the Leinater declaration,—Improved, inasmuch as the old document pledged itself to maintain the Union inviolate, while the new bantling seeks to abrogate its powers by the formation of a Federal Parliament as the cure for leisb grievances. Lord Charlemont, it is said, will e gn, or has already signed, the compact ; and as the project is manifestly an adroit ruse to cushion Repeal—for the present at least—and to help the Whigs to place, it would excite no wonderful surprise if among the converts to Federalism were to be classed Lord Monteagle and Brandon."
Mr. O'Connell's tour from Dublin to Darrynane has been a triumphal progress. In his carriage rode Mr. John O'Connell and Miss Staunton ; and Mr. Daniel O'Connell junior, travelling by the mail, overtook the party at Limerick, and proceeded in company with them. At every town the houses were decorated with evergreens, and triumphal arches spanned the streets ; inscriptions being hung up here and there, such as 4 Remember the 30th of May," "The glorious triumph of the 7th Sep- tember," "Denman, Cottenham, and Campbell," and the like. At several points of his progress, addresses of welcome and congratulation were presented to the Agitator. His responses were remarkable only for their characteristic style.
The proceedings of the Repeal Association on Monday were desti- tute of interest. Mr. George Hely Hutchinson was present, and active as a member of the Association, handing in money and moving resolu- tions; a spectacle at which Mr. Maurice O'Connell "could not find words to express the great and peculiar pleasure be felt." A letter was read from Mr. Smith O'Brien, exhorting the Repealers to new exertions. The rent for the week was 350/.
Among the notices of insolvency in the Dublin Gazette of Tuesday, is that of "Mr. Thomas O'Brien, formerly of Fairfield, county Galway, and late a Stipendiary Magistrate." This was one of Earl De Grey's appointments, and was the subject of universal ridicule at the time.
The Marquis of Westmeath has prosecuted for riot the people who Tutted down the house which his tenant Talbot built across the way to a chapel at Fowre. It seems that the crowd only pulled down the part of the louse actually across the path ; while the wall was erected on the foundation of one that had formerly stood there. The Magistrates of Collinstown, after taking the informations, referred them to the Law- Peers of' the Crown for instructions and advice.
A case that has caused some sensation in Cork was tried there last week. Lieutenant Robert Bruce Puddicombe, of the Royal Marines, ARS charged with stealing silver spoons and forks from Captain War- ren's house, at Coolgrena, near Cove. Lieutenant Puddicombe was one of the guests at a ball given by Captain Warren ; several articles of silver were stolen during the evening; and a day or two afterwards, ,Lieutenant Puddicombe sent to Cork to sell some silver spoons and forks, which were broken, partially burnt, and the crests and letters with which they had been marked almost erased. The silversmith Stopped them ; and it is asserted that by means of magnifying glasses le discovered amid the erasures the crests and letters which were on Captain Warren's plate. Mr. Puddicombe was arrested. He averred that the forks and spoons were some old plate of his own, which he wished to sell. At the trial, nothing very conclusive against him came out in evidence. No witnesses were called for the defence ; but the prisoner's counsel, Mr. O'Hea, made an effective speech ; and Mr. Pod- dicombe was acquitted, amid the cheers of the auditory. Mr. °Ilea complained of a letter written by Lieutenant Puddicombe's brother officers, in which his guilt was almost assumed ; and the Bench unani- mously condemned the letter, after the trial concluded. Mr. Paddi- combe s appearance at the trial is said to have been manly and pre- possessing.
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