As we ventured to predict, the first reading of Lord
Russell's Bill for the better Government of Ireland proved to be the last as well. Lord Russell pretty nearly repeated his speech on in-
troducing the Bill, dwelling especially on the Belfast Riots and the case of Father O'Keeffe. But laa rather failed to show- how a Secretary of State in Downing street could deal' more effectually with a riot -in Beliast than the official at the bead of the Irish Exeautive iqDablin Castle. In- clx:aad the, success of Mr. Walpole and Mr. Bruce in coping- ,V411` :tlay,London mob does not encourage us to increase the responsibIlities of Downing Street in that regard. Because Irish juries occasionally disagree in regard to capital offences,a'arely in respect to others, Lord Russell would make a majority of eight suffice to render a verdict in all except capital offences; and because the Ecclesiastical Titles Act was such a brilliant success, he would enact that the Pope shall have no jurisdiction within these realms. Surely if Acts and affidavits could oust the Pope's juris- diction, it ought to be exploded by this time. Lord O'Hagan delivered an animated and persuasive speech in reply to LorL Russell, and especially in defence of the Education Commit sioners,—a speech which no noble lord attempted to answer. It is a matter for regret that Lord O'Hagan is not in the House- of Commons, instead of the Upper House, at the moment.
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