The result of the appeal to the Irish Judges on
technical points m John Martin's case, augurs ill for the success of a similar ap- plication, now going on, in the case of Smith O'Brien and his companions : the formidable array of objections in Martin's case has been swept away by the unanimous decision of the Bench.
A writer, not generally favourable to the Poor-law in Ireland, points to its successful working in several cases which are in- structive if they are not exceptional. The success seems to lie in the strict enforcement of a labour-test, the labour being of a pro- ductive character ; so that the number of the applicants is kept down, and the workhouses are made self-supporting. If, we say, these cases are not exceptional, the result shows what may be done by determined perseverance, even among Irish paupers.
A report pregnant with interest has crept out in the West Yorkshire election movement—that Government contemplates a State provision for the Roman Catholic priesthood of Ireland; Partly, perhaps, out of property belonging to the Protestant Es- tablishment in that country. Such is the construction put upon Young Mr. Fitzwilliam's allusion to the subject; his willingness to support such a measure being interpreted to foretoken the Proposal by his connexions in office. Is it "too late"?
