IRELAND.
Mr. Smith O'Brien has declined to attend the Brigade banquet at Limerick. In his letter he says "the words Ireland for the Irish is as applicable to Italy as to Ireland;" he regrets the loss of dominions to the Pope, but is of opinion that "he would at this moment be still pos- sessor of those dominions, if his ministers and advisers had not encouraged him to rely upon foreign aid rather than loyalty and the affections of his own Italian subjects ; " he disapproves of foreign legions "whether Aus- trian, French, Swiss, Belgian, or Irish."
A letter of Mr. Smith O'Brien to the Irish-Americans has found its way into the public journals. Drawing on his own experience and his knowledge of history, Mr. O'Brien repudiates the idea of any benefit likely to result from a French invasion. In his opinion it would simply bring about a civil war in Ireland between Catholic and Protestant, and dis- quiet for generations to come, for England would never allow France to hold Ireland. Mr. O'Brien speaks, with just contempt, of the servile acquiescence of the people of Ireland in the fate which sent him and his compatriots into exile, and he argues at length, that the friends of such a country should only apply themselves to internal improvement, inter- national communications, and local government.
The Mail of Monday publishes an on dit to the effect that Mr. Card- well, the Secretary for Ireland, is engaged in a scheme for the recon- struction of the Queen's Colleges, which would involve many important changes.
II The Ultramontane morning journals publish a translation of a letter from the Pope in reply to an epistle from Dr. AlacHale, enclosing a sum of 1000/., making a total of 3000/. contributed to the Papal fund by the Archdiocess of Tuam.
The Orangemen of Derry are making preparations for a great demonstra- tion. It will of course be in direct violation of the Party Emblems Act ; but the "Apprentice Boys" are not troubled by any qualms of conscience on this point. One feature in the approaching -display should not be over- looked. A large body of Orangemen are to come into Derry on the 18th instant, to prevent any counter demonstration. There are also rumours that the bishop, who has earned the deadly enmity of the Orangemen, is to be burned in effigy.
The Dublin Evening journal states—" That Sir Thomas Redington, the Right Honourable John Hatehell, and Mr. James O'Ferrall retire from the Board [of National Education] ; and that Lord Dunraven will take the place of Sir Thomas Rediugton ; Mr. Waldron, D.L. M.P., that °flan James 01 'Ferran; and Mr. Sergeant Lawson that of Mr. liatchell. The additional appointments mentioned are Chief Justice Monhan, Chief Baron Pigot, Mr. Jahn Lentaigne, D.L.,.and Mr. John O'Hagan. We have heard that there -will be an additional Presbyterian appointment to complete the Protestant representation on the Board."
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