IRELAND.
Crowds of paupers, diseased and crippled, are every day driven into the Court of Exchequer by Rebellion Commissioners, and com- mitted to prison for contempt of Court. Among the Commissioners, the notorious Ryan is conspicuous. The Dublin correspondent of the Morniug Chronicle says— "lie passed from the precincts of a gaol, with a charge of murder hanging over him, to become a minister in the halls of justice. I had the honour of making my visual acquaintance with him after this fashion. I saw a large forbidding-looking man driving three unfortunate half-clad beings towards the Court of Exchequer. He urged them along after the fashion that cows are driven to Smithfield. He thrust them here and shoved them there with all the consciousness of petty power. My gorge was up ; and although no Her- cules in my personal proportions, I was about to call the fellow to account, when a barrister saved me the trouble, whose wig and gown I doubt not had their influence upon the occasion. This gentleman asked the bully by what authority lie dared to assault peaceable men, and in the courts of justice too? " They are my prisoners," was the gruff reply. " Your prisoners, Sir ! and if they were ten times your prisoners, does that justify your ill-usage of them ?" Turning to the other men, the gentleman asked for what offence they were in custody ? "Oh, your honour," was the reply, "we are brought here for tithes : this is the Commissioner, Mr. Phil Ryan." " Hah !",exclaimed the gentleman of the long robe, starting back in surprise as be viewed the hero of Dunkerrin ; and then turning again to the victims, be desired them, if they suffered the slightest ill-usage from the person in whose power they were placed, to complain to the Court, when he would state what he saw. The bravo stood abashed. One of the morning papers thus describes his appear- ance before the court—" He stood at the entrance of the side bar, where a
lot of tithe recusants were collected, awaiting in trembling expectation to have the fiat against their liberty sealed, and to exchange the green field and the clear sky over them for the filthy cell and pestilential atmosphere. Public Curiosity was considerably excited by the appearance of Ryan in court, and we confess we were not amongst the least anxious to see this celebrated hero of re- bellion. He is a large, strong-made, athletic moan, apparently between forty and fifty years of age. His eyes are sunken, his forehead retreating, and brow projecting ; his aspect rough and repulsive. As if to give a finish to his ap- pearance, the muzzles of brace ofpistols were seen to project from his waist- coat pockets." Means are in progress to:put a stop to these rebellion arrests-
" You will perceive that the unfortunate tithe-defaulters are committed to the safe keeping of the Marshal of the Court on the ground of contempt, in not answering the bills. It would seem that steps are being taken to remove the hardship legally, and to totally stop the rebellion process, by filing answers in all cases, whether there be a legal defence or not. The answers are to be lung too ; thereby heaping up costs upon the parsons, and rendering proceedings utterly out of the question. If the answers were once put in, the tithe.defaulter might remain secure in his house, and in the enjoyment of. his little property, before the parson could get a final decree. The ease is thus Illustrated : Parson Croker had filed six bills, containing fifty-two skills of parchment, against ninety-three defendants—that is, an average of five skins to each defaulter. If each of these defendants put in a separate answer upon as many skins, the total would amount to eight hundred and thirty-seven skins. If the parson proceeds, be will have to pay 10s. each skin for leave to take out copies ; just 418/. 10s. for all. Ile would then have to take proceedings in each suit, at an expense of about 100/., to examine witnesses in proof of his case. The hearing would cost at least 100/. more, in fees of court and counsel. The defendants not ap- pearing, the plaintiff gets conditional decrees, the fees upon which wind./ be about 300/. ; ninety-three copies of these conditional decrees, setting forum, word for word, the bills and answers, being made out and served upon the several defendants, the parson may again set down his suits to be heard at the cost of lf,0/. more in fees, &c. Well, what would he get ? Ile would merely get decrees referring it to the Chief Remembrances to inquire and report if any and what sum be really due to him for tithe. In this stage the matter may continue to be investigated and litigated for years, with little or no expense to the defendants. But even where there is no appearance or resistance in the Remembrancer's office, the fees on the six bills would amount to 150/. The plaintiff will then have to set down his causes for further hearing ; and if final decrees are pronounced, the fees thereon will amount to 700/. ; making in the whole, cash necessary- to be advanced by the attorney, two thousand pounds ; add the attorney's fees, and three thousand pounds will be but a moderate cal- culation! And where is the parson's return to come from? He would be as ill off as ever. The landlord's claim satisfied, the person of the tenant should be taken for the tithe. Would that pay the tithe? The tenant would be no worse off than he is now; in fact he would be better. He could conic out of the parson's bands through the provisions of the Insolvent Act. You will perceive that even already the clergy are suffering for their proceedings against paupers. There are no suitors found in the Exchequer ; and where the Chief Remembrancer finds the parties unable to pay, they are discharged, the coats falling on the claimant."
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