4 NOVEMBER 1843, Page 1

It is to be hoped that the course of affairs

in Wales may have some influence in Ireland ; where, though working with a larger machinery, which it has taken a longer time to bring into active use, the plan of Government appears to be not dissimilar. The military occupation has been followed by steps for appealing to the ordinary law; at the same time, two Commissions are appointed to inquire into practical grievances—the cost of workhouses and land-tenures ; while information on a third point, the financial position of the Established Church, is in process of collection. The principal Commission, that on land-tenures, is composed with impartiality ; and the Chairmanship has been given to the Earl of DEVON, a Mi- materialist, but one who enjoys the confidence of all parties : he is a good landlord, he has been all his life practised in public business, and the dispassionate and impartial character of his mind is ge- nerally recognized. Whatever the result, therefore,—and as- sumptions, never perfectly judicious or just, are here particularly objectionable,—there is thus far an appearance of activity and fair- ness. The course of events in Wales is a little ahead of that in Ireland, and things are on a smaller scale ; and thus the conduct of Ministers in the Principality may be considered a working-model of what is to be done in Ireland,—not a bad augury for the sister kingdom.

Some such impression may be gathered from Mr. O'CoertELL's language. He hypothetically praises the Laud Tenures Commis- sion, and applauds the Government policy in Canada ; as though

even the Arch-Repealer still thought that something might be got from the "Saxon" Government by showing a willingness to be bene- fited. It is a pity that a similar disposition did not animate the leader of the Irish sooner ; for then much evil might have been avoided in the interval. If the state of Ireland is in anything worse at the end of 1843 than it was at the end of 1841, what has caused the change—to whose conduct is it owing ? to Sir ROBERT PEEL'S, or Mr. O'CONNELL'S ? If there is any difference, what difference of conduct has produced it ? What has Sir RonEaT PEEL done to effect the change ; what has Mr. O'CONNELL not done ? In short, his enterprise to benefit Ireland in spite of England is as un- reasonable as it is hopeless. The new Ministers were encountered with a determination to find them criminal—to trap them into crime if they did not rush into it spontaneously. True and wise Irish patriots would have cast about to see what use could be made of the new Cabinet for Ireland's good. The harmless controversy between the Repeal Association and Mr. STURGE continues. Mr. STURGE asks for an explanation as to the objects of Repeal ; believing, truly enough, that the English people never would concur in separation ; and wishing Imperial questions to be left to the Imperial Parliament. Mr. O'CoNNELL replies with one of his mystitications; making out that what are called " Imperial questions" really relate to the prerogative of the Crown, such as the management of the Colonies and the making of peace or war. But is not the granting of supplies for a war with Europe an Imperial question ? is not the conduct of emigration, which might be made to regulate the balance of population in the empire, an Imperial question ? is not the regulation of trade an Imperial question ? However, it is well to see the Agitator so innocuously employed, as in theoretical controversy with JOSEPH

STURGE.