IRELAND.
A Parliamentary vacancy is created by the sudden death of Mr. Robert Dillon Browne, Member for Mayo County. Mr. Browne was perfectly well up to Sunday evening, and his illness was so rapid that he expired on Monday morning about ten o'clock.
Mr. Ouseley Higgins has left town for Mayo, and is considered IRielYto secure the vacant seat.
An investigation of some little personal interest took place at the Skibbe- reen Petty Sessions, on Wednesday sennight. The Honourable Cecil Law- less preferred informations against Major William Clerke, late of the Se- ve,nty-seventh Regiment, for a provocation to fight a duel. It seems that Major Clerke is separated from his wife and child. In March last, Mr. Law- less became acquainted with Mrs. Clerke ; and the CAW of that lady gaining the sympathy of the wife and mother-in-law of Mr. Lawless, he wrote to Mrs. Clerke, "offering her the protection or asylum of his house." The offer does not seem to have been accepted; but Mr. Lawless assumed a '- lion of friendship to Mrs. Clarke. He became a. frequent visiter at her Inge, where he seems to have gone at nearly all times aid seasons ; and took her to the theatre and places of public entertainment. Piqued at the artisanslup with his wife, Major Clerke watched the movements of Mr. wless • and having seen him cave Mrs. Clerke's lodgings late at night on the 14th June, relieved his indignant feelings by inditin,g the following let- ter to Mrs. Liiwless- "Skibbereen, June 15, 1850.
" Major William Clerke presents his compliments to the Honourable Mrs. Law- less, and begs that she will acquaint the vile and cowardly scoundrel to whom she has the misfortune to be allied, that it was only to his rapid flight from town that he was indebted for escaping the dog-whip of Major Clerke's servant last night, and that it was fortunate for Mr. Lawless that the Major did not at first recognize his person when let out near midnight from the lodgings of the woman whom Major Clerke is as yet compelled to call his wife."
Mr. Lawless was at first inclined to go and commit a breach of the peace himself, but waited a day or two ; and then the following letter was brought to Mrs. Lawless ; who, on seeing it was in Major Clerke's writing, refused to read it, but handed it to her husband-
" &Mercer', June 18, 1850.
" Madam—With reference to a letter addressed by me to you on the 15th instant, for information of your husband, connected with his undue intimacy with NUL Clerke, in public and private, whatever may be the conduct of Mr. Lawless in flat so deeply injuring me and then placing his personal safety under the protection of the law, I have the honour to say, subsequent and cool reflection has shown me that I was wrong to address that letter to you, the object of my perfect respect, and that nothing but the exasperated feelings of an outraged husband after what had oc- curred the preceding night would have caused me to incur the possibility of doing aught to pain you ; and yet that occurrence, so deeply painful to me, has bocn re- presented to you as an 'attack upon my wile,' as appears by your note of invitation to Mrs. Clerke, which has been hawked alma Skibbereen. I feel assured, 31adain, from what I hear of you, that your kindness and consideration would make allow- ance for my position: I pray you, then, to accept this my apology to yourself alone, as I deeply regret that I have caused a moment's annoyance to a lady. As to my wife's statement of ill-treatment during the twenty-four hours she remained witk her husband and child, be assured that your mind shall soon be disabused as to that flagrant misrepresentation. ' I have the honour to be, Madam, your obedient servant, "War. CLERKE, Major unattached. "The Honourable Mrs. Lawless, Chu:adore."
Mr. Lawless looked on this letter as adding to the insult put upon hie wife—" because where insult is offered to a husband it is offered to a wife" ; and under this further aggravation he took the legal proceedings in question. The Bench resolved to send the case to the Bantry Assizes, and held Major Clerke to bail by sureties for 100/.
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