The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland made a public entry into Belfast
on Thursday, amidst the most impressive demonstrations by the sober but strongly-feeling citizens. General Bainbrigge and his staff, the Corpora- tion, with other public bodies, and a vast concourse of merchants, received him in procession; and the populace assembled in an immense concourse, and filled the air with acclamations. On the same day, the Lord-Lieute- nant commenced his active progress through a round of visitations—to the Hall of the Ulster Flax Society, to the great flax-spinning mill of Messrs. Mulholland, and other notable bodies or establishments. From the Bel- fast Board of Guardians he received an address, informing him that the condition of the poorer classes in Belfast is gradually improving, and that out-door relief with its demoralizing effects has been unnecessary. He congratulated them in reply, on the fact that during a period of unex- ampled distress, the poor were maintained without assistance from the Government, and without the imposition of undue burdens on the rate- payers ; and added— "I agree with you in thinking that these results are attributable to the industrious spirit and orderly habits which have long characterized the peo- ple of this city, and to the employment afforded by the prosperous state of trade and manufactures, which I trust may long continue : but they also re- flect great credit upon those who are charged with the administration of the Poor-law in Belfast."
Beyond the most shadowy rumours nothing has transpired with respect to the legal appointments now In the gift of the Government ; nor is it probable that any'definitive arrangement will be come to until the return of Lord Clarendon from his Northern tour. The " rumour " which gained most credence yesterday [Thursday] was to the effect that Baron Richards was to obtain the Chief Justiceship of the Common Pleas ; and that the Attorney-General was to be his successor in the Court of Exche- quer, and Chief Commissioner of Encumbered Estates. Of Mr. Hatchell's elevation to the post of first Law-officer there is no reasonable doubt ; while the list of candidates for the Solicitor-Generalship, instead of being narrowed, grows more extended every day, and leaves all speculation completely in the dark. The name of Mr. Commissioner Longfield has been added to the long roll of aspirants.—Dublin Correspondent of the Times.
Previous page
