8 APRIL 1848, Page 1

Society in Ireland is in a state so thoroughly disorganized

and depraved, that, happily, we have no parallel to it here, in spite of Chartist turbulences. Its people are arming, not for self-defence, not for any definite object, but siniplY to spite a Government that does a little towards enforcing the laws and much towards sup- Porting the people. But the people wish to have all support from Government and no enforcement of laws; and so they will have

revolution, and they are armiug. to effect it. The fomenters of rebellion, the Irish Confederation, continue their direct incen- tives to bloodshed; an unscrupulous defiance of law' which alone would mark the demoralized state of society. A body of Con- servatives is said to havejoined the rebel party : we do not believe it—a stray Conservative or so may have been caught tipsy, to commit himself to treason ; but that any number of Conservatives should be so mad, even in Ireland, is past belief. Disappointed landlordism, resenting- the Poor-law Act, may incline landlords to disaffection ; but a positive abetting of rebellion is impossible for such a class, even m Ireland. The old Repealers are snatching a disgrace beyond the reach of art, in trimming betwixt revolt and passive obedience, with a cunning too transparent to deceive, too equivocal to satisfy : rivalry and cowardice seem to be the •motives. Colonel Browne, an officer of the Dublin Police has been detectedin employing in Orange

spy, who entrapped into dealing in pikes, and then ins formed against them. Of course, Government will prove its aver- sion from treachery so vile and so discreditable, by removing Colonel Browne : but what a state of society