A deputation of the Trades Union waited on Lord Morpeth
on Monday, at the Castle, for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the Government plan of Irish Poor.laws. Mr. O'Connell headed the deputation, and stated to his Lordship the opinions entertained by the Union on the subject. It would appear from his Lordship's reply, that the Government has not yet come to any decision on the question. His Lordship observed, that the matter was surrounded with diffi- culties; that the Law Officers had given it their most serious and attentive consideration ; and that early in the session a modified sys- tem of Poor-laws would be submitted to Parliament. I told you this nearly a fortnight ago. The fact is, the Executive is afraid to grapple with the question in a bold and manly spirit. Mr. Spring Rice's influ- ence in the Cabinet seems to be completely omnipotent; and so long as it continuo*, the starving Irish have little chance or hope of relief.— Dublin Correspondent of the Constitutional.
Lords Downshire, Farnham, Dunsany, Roden, Bandon, Downes, Enniskillen, and Glengal, have called for the 24th of January, at the Mansionhouse, Dublin, "a meeting of the Protestant noblemen, gen- tlemen, clergy, and landed proprietors of Ireland, for the purpose of petitioning both Houses of Parliament, praying them to adopt such measures as will give protection to the Protestants of Ireland, and to prepare a loyal and dutiful address to his Majesty, calling his most serious attention to the imminent dangers which threaten the liberties of all classes of his Majesty's loyal subjects in Ireland, and the attempts which are making to undermine and destroy the Protestant religion in this kingdom." So far this would seem to be a fairly-convened public Imeeting to discuss the propriety of such a petition : the following, however, shows that no such thing is in contemplation, but that it is to be "managed," as all Tory demonstrations are and have been, by excluding all but "men of the right sort : "—" Admission to the meet- ing will be by tickets, to be issued by the committee of Arrangement, of which further notice will be given."—Globe.
Bank of Ireland Stock fell 8 per cent. on Monday, in consequence of the reduction of the half-yearly dividend from 41 to 4 per cent. There is some anxiety among the proprietors respecting the removal of their charter, which will shortly expire. Mr. Spring Rice would say nothing on the subject when he was in Dublin.
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