The accounts from Ireland present a dreadful picture of the
state of the country. The counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, and Kildare, are infested by organized bands of ruffians, who consider the commission of murder a mere trifle. We could fill pages with the details of these shocking occurrences; but, with a slight vari- ation of names and places, the accounts which have been furnished during the last two or three winters of the state of Ireland, will answer very well to describe what is going on there at the present time. At the foot of long letters from the Irish correspondents of the Daily Papers, detailing the outrages which are perpetually occurring, we sometimes find, in a short sentence, a key to the whole of the fearful history. We extract one of these expres- sive notes from a late letter of the Times correspondent- " The several tithe eases for Nenagh and Cashel (upwards of 10,000) are all adjourned to the 21st instant, at Cashel."
Ten thousand prosecutions for tithes going on in the same county at the same time ! When we take into consideration who the persons are who are thus compelled to pay, and who are to be the recipients of the money thus extorted, our wonder at the disorganized and. savage state of the country disappears. Yet the pretence sfor all this atrocious oppression is a religious one ! More, than thirty of the Irish members have promised to attend. Mr. O'Conereee's National Council in DUblin on the 18th instant Last year seven only attended. This does not look like that de- cline in the influence of O'CONNELL which has been2s& often predicted, and asserted to have taken place, during the last two years.
The Volunteer Society is filling up. The payment of one shil- ling subscription entitles a man to be admitted. It is said that as the Act for the Suppression of Illegal Societies, termed by O'Correraee "the Algerine Act," has expired, there is no law by which this new association can be put down.
There have been numerous reports current during the past week, respecting the intention of Government to adopt strong measures for the coercion of the Irish malecontents. It is said that the co-operation of the Conservative leaders has been sought by Earl GREY. This will no doubt be afforded, so far as the em- ployment of force is concerned; but their concurrence in the measures for the entire abolition of tithes, and the reform of the Church Establishment, will not so easily be obtained. If we can keep the Irish in subjection by the use of bayonets and ball- cartridges, what need is there to useamilder and more conciliatory measures? This has been the policy adopted by the Tory party for the government of Ireland. They have " sown the wind"— the whole country is "reaping the whirlwind."
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