The Sun. — London, England, 1845-02-24 00:00:00

We think that a tenant ought to have the power of getting back his property that has been taken under distress, at any stage of the process, before a sale has actually com menced. Some slight alteration of the law will be necessary for this purpose. We recommend that the costs of a distress shall be limited and regulated by law, as is done in England by the statute 57 Geo. 111., c. 93. And there is one further limitation upon the exercise of the power of distress, which we think may be imposed with advan tage. A distress may be made by the landlord or his autho rised agent. It is usually made by the bailiff or driver of the estate, and it does not appear that in practice any written autho rity or warrant is commonly given to the bailiff to make any particular distress. If h e is the known bailiff, it is considered that he is the agent of the landlord sufficiently authorised. This mode of proceeding frequently leaves too great a dis cretion with a class of persons with whom it ought not to rest ' and we think it of imp ortance that the res p onsibilit y should, as far as possible, be m ade to rest u p on the landlord or his agent. We, therefore, recommend that it should be provided by law, that no distress shall be legal unless made by virtue of a warrant or order to distrain in writing, signed by the land lord or his agent, directing the bailiff to distrain the tenants named therein, and bearing upon the face of it the date when, and the place at which, it is signed ; and further, that no war rant shall be sufficient to authori+e a distress which is not so signed within twenty days of the time when the seizure is made. _ Our object is, to provide that the personal attention and judgment of the landlord or the agent shall be brought to bear upon the actual circumstances of each particular case, in which it is thought necessary to resort to the process of distress. We believe that, as the law now stands, any irregularity in any part of the proceeding renders the person making the dis tress liable to be treated as a trespasser ab initio. We think that some alteration should be made in this respect, and that landlords should only be liable to an action for irregularity. We now come to the process of :ejectment. To enable the landlord (unembarrassed by the niceties of re-entry for condi tions broken at common law) to enforce the payment of his rent or to have back his land, was the object of the several sta tutes on tbe subject of ejectment for non-payment of rent in Ireland. The earliest Irish statute is the I lth Anne, c. 2, which, after reciting the difficulties of proceeding at common law, enacts that where more than half a year's rent is due, and the lease contains a clause of re-entry, and there is no sufficient distress on the premises, the landlord may serve a summons in ejectment (similar to the declaration of ejectment in England), without any formal demand or re-entry. The English statute of the 4th Geo. 11., c. 28, contains very similar enactments. In Ireland several other statutes have been passed, viz., 4th Geo. I. c. 5 ; sth Geo. 1., c. 2 ; sth Geo. 11., c. 4 ; 25 th Geo. 11., c. 13 ; by which several statutes an ejectment for non-payment of rent may be brought, if a year's rent or more be due, although there may be sufficient distress upon the pre mises, although there may be no cause of re-entry in the lease, and although there may be no lease, if there be an article, minute, or contract in writing, ascertaining the rent payable, giving a mere title in equity. These statutes entitled the tenant to a right to redeem, on paying the rent and arrears within six months after the execu tion of the habere. _ . The above is a short outline of the proceedings for eject ment in the superior courts. But by the 56 George 111., cap. 85, amended by let George IV. cap. 41, a landlord may proceed in the Assistant Barrister's Court, by ejectment for non-payment of rent, where the rent does not exceed 501. a-year. By the same statute, overholding tenants whose interests have expired, may be proceeded against in the Assistant Barrister's Court, where the premises are held at the above rent, the usual notice to quit being served. This statute has given rise to some complaints. Various returns which have been called for, both by Par liament and by the authority of this Commission, show a formidable number of ejectments served, bat present a some what different appearance, when it is seen in what proportion of cases a decree is taken, or the writ of habere actually put in execution. A careful inquiry into the practical working of this statute, has led us to think that it has, upon the whole, proved be neficial to the tenant. It must be recollected for what it is that the Civil Bill ejectment is a substitute. It comes in the place cf a proceeding in the superior courts of which the costs falling upon the defendant were often ruin ous to him. He has no difficulty of availing himself of the right of redemptien, if he is able to redeem, and he can rely upon matters by way of defence, which without the aid of this statute he could have brought forward only through the expensive and tedious process of a suit in Equity. For instance, before this Act was passed, if a landlord through caprice or otherwise de termined upon evicting a tenant to whom he had given a pro mise of renewal, upon the faith of which promise the tenant had expended his money, the latter could not set up these mat ters as a defence to the action, but the legal right of the land lord must prevail, and the tenant could only obtain relief by a separate proceeding in a Court of Equity. Upon a Civil Bill ejectment the defendant may give evidence of such matters before the barrister, and he may examine the plaintiff himself upon them ; and the judge, acting as a Court of Equity, would decide the cause according to the equity aris ing from all the circumstances proved before him, and at a very moderato expense. Upon the whole, we do not b Aieve that we should consult the true interest of any class in Ireland if we were to recommend the abolition of the remedy which is given by the s'atute :56 Geo,. 111., e. and which is usually described as a Call Bill ejectment. The cheapness of this remedy is sometimes urged as an ob jection to it. 'We cannot think it consistent with any sound principles of legislation, to keep up the expense of law pro ceedings, avowedly for the purpose of deterring any man from attempting to enforce a right which the law profes,es to secure to him. If such right requires limitation, this should be im posed by distinct and direct enactments. And further, in the particr.lar case now under consideration, we greatly fear that an inch ase of expense would operate as frequently against the poor tenant as in Isis favour. Some amendments, however, may be properly introduced into this process. We recommend that in any ejectment brought in any court, the plaintiff should be bound to serve notice upon the tenant, setting forth the amount slue, and tn,w made up; and further, that in any writ of habere issued upoa judgment in ejectment for rent, the amount claimed, together with the amount of costs, should be insetted, and that the sheriff should have power at any time to stay the proceedings, upon payment of she debt and costs. The practice which necessarily prevails under the existing state of the law, upon the execution of a writ of habere, of ac tually senses-hs par ties, and all their goods, out of their houses, is often produettee of much hardship upon the poor occupier, and sometimes leads to scenes of riot and general disturbance. It is worthy of consideration, whether a special form of acknow ledgment, to be indorsed upon the halrere, mar not be esta blished, upon the signature of which by the tenants, the sheriff shall be at. liberty to make a special return of the execution ot he writ. But is such case, it would be necessary to reserve to the court the power to direct further prosess under the habcre, if circumstances should render it necessary. By the present practice, when a mesne lessee exercises his power of redeeming under an ejectment for rent, the landlord may be required to give up the laud to him, without any occu piers upon it ; and it is suggested that eases have occur red in which a mesne tenant has permittsd, or even encouraged, a pro cess of ejectment agninst himself, in order to throw upon the landlord the unpleasant tikk of removing a number of sub-te nants, so that he himself might, upon redeeming, obtain entire possession of the land. This requires alteration. The defendant, upon redeeming, is only entitled in justice to have the land restored to him in the same state as to occu piers in which it was when the ejectment was brought ; and we recommend that the law should be amended in this respect. The possession of the under-tenants, or occupiers, who were upon the land when the process commenced, should, for this purpose, be treated as the possession of the lessee. Some additional words appear necessary in the first section of the 6 and i William c. 75, in order to make it appli cable to a species of tenancy very common in Ireland, viz., a lease for lives, with a concurrent term of less than sixty years ; and also to cases in which the occupier, or any person under vi horn he derives, may have acquired the possession within twenty yerrs, permissively, or as a care-taker, or front the mere bounty of the proprietor. We recommend that steps should be taken at an early period to revise the laws relating to ejectment and distress, with re ference to the suggestions now made by us. As connected with the ejectment system, we have to notice a practice which prevails in some parts of the country, of serv ing, periodically, notices to quit upon large numbers of tenants holding from year to year, not with any fixed intention of pro ceeding upon such notices, but in order to keep up a continual power over the tenant in case he should not pay his rent, or should otherwise misconduct himself, and which may be acted upon from caprice, or in ease of any offence given by the tenant in some matter wholly unconnected with the occupation of his land. With a view to lessen, in some degree, the evil resulting from this practice, we propose that in all such cases the tenancy shall not he determined without twelve months' not ice. We further recommend, with a view of encouraging leases, that the stamp duty, in all cases where the rent does not exceed 501. per annum, and the term shall not be less than 14 years, or more than 31 years, be reduced to 2s. 6d. ; but that this reduction should only apply to leases prepared according to a form to be specified in the schedule of an Act to be passed for that purpose, and which should also provide that all tenants holding under such leases, shall do so on certain simple conditions, including particularly, an undertaking on the tenant's part not to sublet or subdivide, and on the part of the landlord an obligation to make allowance to the tenant for improvements, either according to the mode we have suggested, or such other as Parliament may adopt. We believe that the revenue would gain, rather than lose, by such an alteration. A further improvement would be made, if the practice were introduced of describing, shortly, the buildings (if any) actualry existing, or which the landlord allows to be erected on the premises; and it would be desirable, that a cheap and easy mode of registering such documents with the clerk of the peace should be provided. In any inquiry relative to the occupation of land, the subject of rent and valuation must necessarily come under consideration. We have endeavoured, as far as possible, by our examina tion of witnesses, to ascertain the average rent usually de manded in different places, and the result will be generally seen in the evidence taken in each particular district. But it would be idle to attempt to draw any general cone elusion from the evidence, applying, as it does, to so many dif ferent parts of the country, under every variety of circum stances by which the value of land can be affected. We were glad to find that notwithstanding the great and in creasing competition for land, the practice of endeavouring to fix the fair value by a close valuation is becoming every day more general; and although very loose modes of valuation still pre. vail_ too e x t ens i ve ly, yet there is evidence to prove a growing dispositio n to adopt sounder principles in this respect. It ap pears that in some cases, public boards, having the manage ment of estates, are directed by the Act under which they are Constituted, to advertise and let their lands to the highest bid der ; we think that and just should be given, in such cases, to let land upon a fair just valuation. We must also notic e a complaint that has been brought be fore us by many witne sses. They allege th a t the roads for which the landlord had ori ginally receives! compensation, as well as rivers and water courses, are included i n the measurement of their farms. After careful examination, it appears to that generally this cir cumstance is taken into cons iderati ls on , infixing the rent of the g n farm ; still we are of opinion, that all ground s omission in future s for misappreh ens i on on on this subject should be removed surveys of such roads and rivers fro y m the measurement which the acreable rent is computed. We are glad to find, from the testimony of many intelligent witnesses, that the latter practice is becoming general. AGENCY. It must frequently happen that the landlord cannot give personal attention and su perintendence which, u n d er that present circumstances, are essential to the proper management of land in Ireland. This naturally leads us to make a few observations with respect to agents, a most numerous class, comprising per sons of almost every rank of life, of various qualifications, and upon whose conduct the comfort of a large population and the tranquillity of a district frequently depend. We examined se veral agents resident in Dublin, under whose management numerous estates are placed, some of which appear to be well conducted; but, as a general proposition, we must express our opinion that in cases in which the landlord is not resident it is of importance that the principal agent should reside either upon or near to the estate which he manages. The estates of large absentee proprietor; are frequently naged by a resident gentleman, who supplies, as far as possible, the want of a resident landlord ; other estates are intrusted to the care of persons in almost every situation of life. The business of agents in former times was confined almost exclusively to the letting of farms, and enforcing the payment of rent. . Fortunately a better practice in this respect is beginning to prevail, and most agents now think it their duty o acquire a more intimate knowledge of the property and of 1 e condition of the people. But there is still room for improvement in this respect. In former times the practice of accepting bribes and gratuities by agents, bailiffs, or others connected with the estates, was frequently denounced, and was, we fear, too general. We cannot say that this has altogether ceased, although we are satisfied that such occurrences are becoming more rare. At an early period of our inquiry we directed our attention to the situation of estates placed under receivers in the Court of Chancery or Court of Exchequer, and we obtained some returns showing the extent of property so circumstanced. According to the usual practice, when a farm under a re ceiver came out of lease, a sort of auction was held in the master's office, and the land was let to the highest bidder, and as great difficulties were experienced in obtaining the sanction of the Court in making any outlay or taking any necessary step in the management, these circumstances necessarily caused all property under the Courts to be left in a very unimproved state, and placed the tenants in an impoverished condition. Many complaints on this subject will be found throughout the evidence. The present Lord Chancellor "and the Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer have recently issued orders which will tend to remove some of the evils consequent upon the former practice on the properties of lunatics and minors; and as the attention of both these Learned Judges is fully alive to the subject, we have no doubt that such further improvements will be made as may be necessary to make the new system work properly for the advantage of the property and the tenants. Some difficulties occur in the case of properties brought into Court to be administered for the benefit of creditors ; but it has been strongly recommended, and is, in our opinion, highly desirable, that a similar system should be made applicable to these cases, if the powers of the Court be sufficient; but if this should not be the case, we trust that the Learned Judges will not hesitate to cause application to be made to the Legis lature for such alteration in the law as may appear to them ne cessary, in order to enable them to administer an estate for the benefit of all persons having an interest in it. But as an encumbered estate must at all times be mancged at great expense and at much disadvantage under the Courts, we recommend that every facility, consistent with safety, should be given for bringing such estates to an early sale, rather than allowing them to remain for years the subject of expensive litigation. SALE OF ESTATES. It now rarely happens that land in Ireland is brought into the market for sale in lots of a moderate or small size. Estates are so generally encumbered by family settlements or other wise, that the expense, delay, and difficulty, which would at tend the dividing them, so as to sell in separate or detached por tions, deter a proprietor from taking this course, although a larger sum might be raised by it in the whole. We believe that there is a large number of persons in Ire land possessing a small amount of capita), which they would gladly employ in the purchase and cultivation of land, and a still larger number, now resident in different parts of the coun try, and holding land for uncertain or limited terms at a rent, who would most cheerfully embrace the opportunity of becom ing proprietors. The gradual introduction of such a class of men would be a great improvement in the social condition of Ireland. A much larger proportion of the population than at present would become personally interested in the . preservation of peace and good order ; and the prospect of gaining admis sion into this class of small landowners would often stimulate the renting farmer to increased exertion and persevering industry. We think that some facilities may safely be given towards making out titles to land, so as to lessen delay and expense, particularly with reference to the searches necessary under the system of registry now established in Ireland. • It has also been suggested that expense would be ultimately saved in the trans fer of property, if the memorial should contain a full copy of the deed registered ; and it certainly appears to us, that even if this suggestion should not be adopted to its full extent, it is necessary, with a view to prevent fraud and litigation, that all the powers given, or restrictions imposed by settlements or trust deeds, should be fully set out. Every suggestion, however, for the attainment of these objects, will require consideration by persons of the highest professionsl eminence, before any attempt shall be made to carry it into effect. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. There is a great desire amongst all classes in Ireland for im provement in agricultural knowledge. In many parts of the country farming societies have been established upon a large scale. Without wishing to underrate the usefulness of such socie ties, we must consider as even more impor'ant the adoption of such plans as shall give to the small farmer practical instruction in the heat method of cultivation. In many parts of Ireland the question is not alone, as in England or Scotland, whether improved cultivation will enable a tenant to make a better profit or to pay a better rent, but whether the small portions in which it is certain that, for many years at least, the land must be oc cupied, will enable the holder to provide sustenance for his family, and pay even a moderate rent. The establishment and maintenance of agricultural schools, such as that carried on at Templernoyle, in the county of Derry, or such smaller establishments as that at Larne de scribed in the'evidence of Dr. Kirkpatrick—the employment of an ag,eiculturist who shall give personal instruction and assist ance to the small farmer and peasant—the introduction of a good system of draining, of better implements, better seeds, and improved breeds of cattle—the cultivation by spade, or at the least possible expense, of a small farm as a model, which it it may be within the reach of a poor person to follow ; all these are methods of teaching, each or any of which a landlord or an agent may employ upon a greater or a smaller scale, according to circumstances, and by the use of which be will lay the Lure and solid foundation of general improvement. The mo t advantageous mode of making such arrange ments must be left to the juilgment of individuals as the Cast's arise ; but we with to direct attention particularly to the school at L-Irtie, in which town some public-spirited indivi duals have taken a few acres of land at a very high rent, and have there had imparted by the master of the national school such wieotific and practical farming knowledge to some of the day scholars attending as has excited a spirit of inquiry even in Scotland, so famous for its husbandry, which is likely to add extremely to the utility of the paro chial schools there. The Committee on Agricultural Education, appointed at the meeting of the Highland Society in Glasgow, in reference to the high testimonial transmitted to Dr. Kirkpatrick, thus express themselves, " We cannot but attach value to this do cument on account of the opinion it expresses of so many ex perknceil and intelligent persons—as to its being practicable to irnl.ait to young boys mull agricultural instruction which will be u•eful to them in alter-life—as to its being practicable to impart it in !he existing s,hools, and without interfering vt - Ph the course of education there—and as to its being desirable to introduce such instruction into tile pacish and other elemen tary schools in Scotland." EMIGRATION. _ We have formerly adverted to the report of the Committee on emigration, matte in 1826 and 1827, strongly recommend ing the encouragement of emigration from Ire:and. The fa vourable opinion of the Committee of 1830 has been already stated by us. The Committee on the state of Irelind in 1832, also propose emigration as a mode of alleviating the distress occasioned by the removal of tenants, and recommend the application of pub lie money in aid of any sum which may be given to the removed and destitute tenant by his landlord. The Committee of Poor Inquiry, "consider it due to the whole community, and the labouring class in particular, that such of the able-bodied as may still be unable to find free and profitable employment in Ireland, should be secureol support on l y through emigration or as a preliminary to it." 'I hey state, however, that they " do not look to emigration as an object to be permaneni ly pursued upon any extensive scale, nor by any means as the main relief for the evils of Ireland ; but do look to it for the present, as an auxiliary, essential to com mencing a course of amelioration." The Committee on Public Works (second report) in 1835, on the contrsty, cannot concur in the opinion that the social disease of Ireland is produced by a real excess of population. " It may be doubted whether the country does contain a suffi cient quantity of labour to develop its resources; and while the empire is loa-ed with taxation to defray the charges of its wars, it appears most politic to use its internal resources for improving the condition of the populaton, by which the revenue of the Exchequer must be increased, rather than encourage emigra tion, by which the revenue would suffer a diminution, or than leave the labouring classes in their present state, by which po verty, crime, and the charges of Government must be inevitably extended." We should be sorry to see the system of emigration pushed beyond the extent to which it is called for by.the population, or forced upon any persons vho do not cheerfully look to its adoption as a means of providing for themselves or their families; but, after considering the recommendations thus repeatedly made upon this subject, and the evidence of Godley, in which the different views of this subject are well given, we desire to express our own convictions that a well organised system of emigration may be of very great service, as one amongst the measures which the situation of the occu piers of land in Ireland at present calls for. We cannot think that either emigration or the extension of public works, or the reclamation and improvement 'of land, can singly remove the existing evil. All these remedies must be provided concur rently, and applied according to the circumstances of each case. In this view, and to this extent only, we wish to direct atten tion to the subject of emigration. Since the publication of the reports from which we have made extracts, useful regulations have been made and carried into effect, under the superinten- dence of the Emigration-office, with a view to the assistance of those who are disposed to emigrate, and we think that without any considerable outlay of public money, further encourage ment may usefully be given by the Government with a similar object. Prooably the most unobjectionable and useful mode of affording assistance from the public resources, would be to grant portions of land, at a very low or almost nominal price, to those who could show that they are able aed ready by themselves or their dependents, to settle and cultivate it ; and it appears to us, also, that some advantage would be gained if measures could be taken in this country, by the Emi gration Office in common with landlords, or with the persons desirous to emigrate, for securing a location to the emigrant, upon his arrival in Canada, and in some instances providing labour at fair wages, by which means the preliminary steps might also be taken in preparing land for cultivation. By the assistance of such remunerative labour, the poorest class of emigrants may look forward to the purchase of a spot of land for themselves. Much consideration of details will be necessary to give prac tical effect to these suggestions, which may be entered upon by others more usefully than in this report. WASTE LANDS. Connected with many of the largest estates in Ireland, there are extensive tracts of land thinly peopled, and affording op portunities for easy reclamation. Without going the length of supposing that employment for the people upon bringing such lands into a profitable cultivation is to furnish a cure fur the evils of Ireland, we concur in the opinion so strongly expressed in former reports, that very great advantages may be expected from judicious arrangements for that purpose. Undertakings of this nature will be attended with more or less benefit, according to the greater or less degree of judg ment exercised in the selection of spots to be reclaimed, and of prudence in the mode of carrying on the operation. We do not wish to encumber this report with agricultural details or calculations; and general statements of expencss, or of profit, frequently tend rather to mislead than to in struct. We prefer, therefore, appending to this report some notes of Mr. Griffith's (No. 7), as to the extent and nature of the waste lands of Ireland, and we shall give in the Appendix to the evidence, a short account of some of the attempts at reclamation, which we ourselves visited, and several docu otnhge Irish merits relating to the subject. Among the projects Nvast eL formed for Improvement t this Company, purpose, noticeincor porated by 6 and 7 Wm. IV., c. 97, authorised to raise money by sha res , to take land upon lease for the purpose of reclaiming it, and to obtain or selling stash land in a return by letting Company has b een 'in an improved state. That operation since the Act, and has taken upon upon which their capital has ,een employed several tracts e ncouragement and assistance t o many poorun labouring in giving by bringing such land into cultivation ; but tli b eirl i u r n ig ds fa ar rn ? not ilies, large, and their operations are , therefore , limited. Theevinence of Colonel Robinson, managing director of the company, may be referred to with respect to its object and progress, and a printed report of the last year's proceedings is given in the Ap pendix to the evidence. It may be worthy of serious consideration, whether the state might not very usefully make for these purposes, at a moderate rate of interest, some advance regulated within such limits as Parliament may prescribe by the amount which companies or individuals may advance in aid of such operations. But on this point we shall have occasion more fully to speak, when treating of the Public Works Act. The funds which could be so re quired, would not, probably, be large in any one year, and yet a great public benefit would be attained in increased employment for labour, in the progressive extension of productive land, and in the opportunity thereby afforded for the location of indus trious families who may have been, from unavoidable circum stances, compelled to quit their former holdings. A great variety of circumstances may influence the decision of a proprietor as to the best mode of bringing waste land into cultivation. If he has capital, or is enabled to procure it, and is also both able and willing to give, by himself or a resident agent, continued superintendence, he may find it best to engage a portion of the unemployed population as labourers in bringing the land into a remunerative condition before he attempts to let it; or, if he is unwilling to expend his own capital to any considerable extent, he may often do much good by placing industrious poor people in possession of ten or fifteen acres each, erecting, at his own expense, suitable dwellings, and making large drains acting also as fences. He may either charge a small rent, rising gradually up to a certain fixed point ; or else, reserving a full rent from the commencement, he may allow annually large stipulated reductions for the improvements. In either case the tenants should have a security, by leases of sufficient length, fully to compensate them for their labour and industry. But these are minutim into which it would not be proper for us to enter at any length. They must be regulated by cir cumstances, and by the judgment of individuals. We are desirous only of stating our opinion that, under pro per arrangements, the reclamation of waste lands, whilst it gives useful and permanent employment to the labouring population, will, at the same time, produce a fair return for the capital em ployed upon it. PUBLIC WORKS. Having adverted to those agricultural improvements which lead directly to enlarge the productive powers of the soil, im prove the habitations, and increase the comforts of the people; we proceed now to consider those undertakings properly called public works. The Legislature has upon many occasions, fully admitted the propriety of affording encouragement and assistance to such works ; arid the last report presented by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland sets forth in a strong light, the im portance. in a national point of view, of rendering efficient aid to the exertions of individuals in this respect. We beg leave in this place to insert some extracts from that report, and to express our entire concurrence in the sentiments which are there put forward. Speaking of the fund for grants, the Commissioners say— " Much has been done with the aid of this fund towards the improvement of the condition of the people in several parts of the country, but much more remains to be done, and it is to be apprehended that the districts standing most in riled of this description of assistance are, from local circumstances, the least likely to be brought under the consideration or the power of grand juries to relieve them. The execution of such works leads to the adoption of improved modes of cultivation, and the abandonment of the rude and primitive implements in common use, and, opens to the officers of justice and the local authori ties, places which had been the secure haunt and imrenetrable refuge of the outlaw and the robber. We conceive that the advantage of affording aid to the promction of such works, in a statistical, moral, or political point of view, are too obvious to make it necessary to dwell nn the subject at greater length. We are also under a conviction that without the aid of a grant fund of this nature very many measures of improvement that are to be effected by it, will remain unaccomplished for many years." It will be seen that these remarks only follow up and enforce observations of a similar nature that have been repeatedly made in the reports of various Committees and Commissioners, and which have been founded upon the evidence produced before them ; and we trust that such opinions, now again stated by a Board which must have the best means of knowing both the wants and the capabilities of the country, will have much weight with the Legislature, and that there will be a disposition to promote, by liberal pecuniary aid, the execution of such public works as shall, upon due examination, be found likely to con tribute to the general advantage of the country. We refer particularly to the opening of extensive mountain districts, by the formation of roads. We believe that in many instances the principles of sound policy and of a wise economy ought to lead to the under taking, at the public cost, of works of this nature, even al though the inhabitants of the district, or the proprietors of adjoining land, are unwilling or unable to contribute. Whilst it is true, on the one hand, that Government ought not to allow the funds of the State to be applied for the improve ment of private property, it is equally certain, on tl:e other hand, that expenditure upon works calculated to produce public and general benefit ought not to be withheld because the operation will at the same time confer a benefit upon individual proprietors. It should be recollected, that the mere opening of a good road through a wild district does not of itself neces sarily improve the properties through which it passes. This first operation gives encouragement for the outlay of private capital, and affords facilities for its useful application; and the joint t ffect of the whole is at once to stimulate the in dustry and increase the comforts of all parties connected with the immediate locality, and to promote the prosperity of the whole surrounding district, and thereby to add to the general resources of the country•. We are not, however, advocates for any indiscriminate ad vances of public money by way of grant. We are only desirous of impressing upon those whose duty calls upon them to con sider this matter more particularly, that cases frequently will and do occur in which it is consi tent with a wise economy to grant money from the public funds for the execution of a public work from which no direct return is to be expected, and to wards which the neighbouring proprictcrs arc either unable or unwilling to advance any money. We fully concur in the opinion expressed in the report of the Select Committee on the state of the poor in Ireland in 1830 " That the effects produced by these public works appear to have been extended cultivation, improved habits of industry, a better administration of justice, the re-establishment of peace and tranquillity in disturbed districts, a domestic coloni sation of a population in excess in certain districts, a diminu tion of illicit distillation, and a very considerable increase to the revenue." Under the sanction of the Board of Works, large sums have been borrowed and expended in the promotion of works of public utility, and 125,0001. has been granted for similar purposes. It is, ho•.wever, deserving of remark, that while that sum has been granted, the State has derived a profit under the sys. tern of Lars, amounting already to ablut two-fifths of those grants. This has arisen, as explained in the evidence of Sir John Burgoyne, from the difference between the rate of inte rest at which the State has obtained money, and that at which loans have been made under the provisions of the Public Wcrks Act. Sir.ce the passing of the Drainage Act, plans for the im •provement. of considerable tracts have bsen proposed, involving, according to the applications now before the Board, an ex penditure of 600,000/. on drainages, which can only be con sidered as preliminary to greater and more local improvements. PUBLIC WORKS ACT. The Act of the Ist and 2d William IV., commonly caPed the Public Works Act, contains many provisions regulating the terms and conditions upon which Parliament has thought it right to authorise the issue of public money to a limited amount in aid of works in Ireland. he money is to be advanced partly by way of grant, and pa tly by way of loan, and the terms upon which loans are to be made, vary according to the different purposes for which the money is required. For certain purposes specified in the Act, money may be ad vanced to individuals or public bodies, open security, to be repaid by instalments within 20 years after the work is completed, and with interest, at a rate not exceeding les. per cent. above the current rate of interest upon Exchequer Bills. Some alteration has subsequently been made in some of the provisions of this Act ; but as to the points to which we now desire to call attention it remains unaltered. By section 32 it is provided, that advances by way of loan may be made upon the security of freehold or leasehold in terest in land, for the draining, embanking, reclaiming, or other wise improving land ; but it is required that money so advanced shall be repaid in three years after the work is completed, and with interest at five per cent. These terms being generally felt to be unnecessarily disad vantageous to the borrower, only one or two applications have been made for a loan under this section, and this part of the Act, which was evidently intended to promote agricultural im provement, bas wholly failed of its purpese. The Act, after having made provision for the advance of money towards the execution of certain works, particularly the formation of roads and bridges, upon condition of such grants being met by a corresponding advance of money by individuals and public bodies, contains in section 60 a provision in the following words : let and 2d William IV., cap. 33, clause 32,—" Provided further, and be it enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners for the execution of this Act, to make advances in aid of the drainage, embankment, reclaiming, or ether improvements of land, on the credit of mortgagees, as signments, or other assurances of the estate and interest, freehold or leasehold, in such land, which is to be the sub ject of such drainage, embankment, reclamation, or other im provements. Provided always that it shall be made out to the satisfaction of such Commissioners, by competent evi dence, accompanied by the certificate of a skilful enginser or surveyor, approved of by the said Commissioners, that such drainage, embankment, reclamation, or other improve ment, when completed, will increase the value of such land in the proportion of at least ten per centum on the sum pro posed to be expended thereon ; and that a contract with two good and sufficient sureties, to be approved of by the said Commissioners, shall be previously made and entered into for the full and complete execution of such drainage, embank ment, reclaiming, or other improvement, at and for a sum not exceeding the amount of the advance sought therefore, within a period to be fixed by the said Commissioners, not ex ceeding seven years from the date of such advance ; and that in all such cases the whole amount of such advance shall be made repayable within three years next after the period so fixed for the completion of such drainage, embankment, re claiming, or other improvement, with interest thereon, in the meanwhile, at a rate not less than 51. per centum per annum, payable half-yearly, as the said Commissioners shall fix and appoint." And clause 6'3 is in the following words, viz., " And where as, by reason of the communications to be opened by such roads and bridges, great benefit is expected to accrue to the proprietors of the estates in which the same i may be con structed, and the value thereof may be greatly increased, and it is expedient to enable tenants for life and others, having only particular estates, and persons under legal disability or incapacity, to raise money for the purpose of contributing to the making such roads and bridges ; be it therefore, and it is hereby further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful to and for any corporation, lay or ecclesiastical, sole or ag gregate, and for the husbands, trustees, committees, or at torneys of, or for the owners or proprietors of, or any com pany, or any parts of any lands through, or bordering upon which, any such road shall pass, or be intended to pass, or in which any such bridge shall be constructed, or proposed to be constructed, being under coverture, minors, lunatics, or beyond the seas, or otherwise incapable of acting for themselves, and to and for every of them for the time being, and to and for the owners and proprietors of all such land s , b e i n g tesiants in tail for life, or tenants in tail, after possibility of issue extinct, or tenants in dower, and to and for every of them respectively, for the time being, with and by the sanction and consent of the Commissioners for the execution of this Act first had and ob tained, by indenture or indentures under their respective hands and seals, from time to time, and to which indenture or inden tures one of the said Commissioners shall be an executing party for the purpose of signifying such sanction and consent as afore said, to charge the said lands with any sum or sums of money which shall or may be advanced or applied by him, her, or them respectively, in or towards payment of the said contri bution for the making of such road or bridge, and for se curing the re-payment of such sum or sums of money, with interest, to grant, mortgage, lease, or demise, or otherwise subject the said lands unto any person or persons who shall ad vince and lend such sum or sums of money respectively either in fee or for any term of years ; so as every such grant, mortgage, lease, or demise be made with a proviso or condition to cease and be void, or under an express trust to be surrendered, in case and so soon as the sum or sums of money thereby to be secured, with lawful interest for the same, shall be fully paid and satisfied, at a time or times to be appointed in that behalf ; and also with a covenant to pay and keep down the interest in the meanwhile ; and so as every such grant, mortgage, lease, or demise, do also contain a proviso that the person entailed in remainder or reversion to the lands or grounds therein com prised shall not be liable, upon his, her, or their becoming pos sessed thereof, to the payment of any further or larger arrear of interest than for six months preceding the time that his or their title to such possession shall have commenced; and every such charge, grant, mortgage, lease, or demise as aforesaid shall be good, valid, and effectual in the law, for the purposes hereby intended, and shall take priority of all charges and en cumbrances whatsoever and whensoever made." Two important principles have thus been recognised by the Legislature, with respect to the advances of money for the im provement of Ireland -Ist, That it is desirable and proper to give assistance by way of loan towards the agricultural improvement of that country ; and, 2dly, That in cases in which the property of individuals is to derive a permanent benefit from the execution of such works, it is just and proper to give power to persons having limited interests or being under legal disability to charge such property with the repayment of money advanced in aid of such improvements. We believe that the soundness of the view thus taken by the Legislature will he admitted by all those acquainted with the actual state of Ireland, and who are enabled, therefore, to ap preciate the very great importance to the public interest, of the improvement of that country, and the employment of her people ; and we believe, also, that the advance of money from the public treasury, in aid of these objects, under proper guards and restrictions, is consistent with the truest economy, regard being had to the expenditure under other heads, which the state of that country continually calls upon the Government to make. _ _ _ It appears to us, that the two provisions of the Public Works Act to which we have partieu!arly referred, require amend ment, so as to make them more extensively usefri, and order to carry out the apparent intention of the Legislature. We think that the advances authorised by section 32, in aid of agricultural improvements, ought to be made upon the same terms which are prescribed by the Act in other cases of advan ces by way of loan, as to the rate of interest, and the time and manner of repayment. We recommend, also, that the provisions of section 66, to the terms of which we have particularly referred, should be extended, so as to be applicable to all cases of advance by way of loan under the Act.; Such amendments would, in our opinion, only carry out the principle fully recognised by Parliament, and embodied in the Act in question, and would undoubtedly render that Act more extensively beneficial in Ireland. As the section 66 gives ceriain powers, which, under our re commendation, would be more extensively called into action, e consider it right also to suggest the sort of restrictions by which we think that those powers ought to be guarded, so as to prevent abuse. We recommend that two members shall be added to the Board of Public Works in Dublin, of high legal station and character. That upon any application for a loan by persons under any legal disability to charge their estate, it shall be the duty of the Board to examine, not only into the propriety of the im• provements proposed, but also into the state and condition of the property, the interest of the various persons connected with it, and the propriety of making a charge upon the estate for re-payment of such loan ; and that no advance shall be made unless upon the certificate of the Chief Commissioner and the two legal members of the Board, recommending such advance, and stating the nature of the security to be taken. That all advances shall be made by instalments not exceeding 500/. in amount, and that no further advance be made until it has been proved to the satisfaction of the said Commissioners that the former instalment has been properly applied. That in every case of a party applying for an advance, who is entitled as tenant in-tail or for life to the income of the estate to be char g ed , he shall be required to enter into a personal obligation, by way of collateral security, to the extent of double the amount o. instalment of the proposed loan ; and in case the Commissioners shall at any time find that an instalment has been applied to otht r purposes than those contemplated by the Act, it shall be their duty to put such obligation in suit for the recovery of such instalment or any part thereof, with in terest at 6 per cent., and it shall be in their discretion either to stop all further payment in respect of the loan agreed for, or if they shall think it to be for the benefit of the inheritance, to direct the proper application of the remainder by their own officer in accordance with the original proposal. We think that by some provisions of this nature all possi bility of abuse may be effectually prevented, and many im provements effected, which, without aid to be furnished un der the Act of Parliament, must be wholly abandoned. But we further recommend that any advance made under this Act to persons under legal disability shall not exceed in the whole the amount of 50,000/., or such other li mited sum as Parliament may fix. Any application by an incapacitated person for a larger advance should be made un der the sanction of a Court of Equity. We further recom mend, that for those county works for which, by the exist ing law, loans may be obtained from the Board of Works, grand juries should be empowered, with the consent of the Lord-Lieutenant in Council, to borrow money on county bonds, the prineipal to be repayable by instalments, with interest. LABOURERS. We must not omit to notice the system which prevails in a greater or less degree in every part of Ireland, of letting land for one or more crops, commonly known as the con-acre system. The land so let is in some few districts called quar ter land or rood land. Much has been said in condemnation of this system; but still we are convinced that some practice of this nature is essen tial to the comfort, almost to the existence of the Irish pea sant. Under ordinary circumstances, the wages of his labour alone will not enable him to purchase food and other necessa ries, and to pay even the most moderate rent. It becomes, therefore, necessary that he should resort to some other means for procuring subsistence, and these can only be found in the occupation of a piece of ground which shall furnish a crop of potatoes for food. This he generally takes from some farmer in the neighbourhood, upon conditions which vary much, ac cording to the particular terms of agreement respecting the ploughing, the manure, the seed, &c. Although the taker of con-acre ground may, in ordinary sears, receive a good return for the rent which he assumes, yet, as the amount of such rent, although not unreasonable in respect of the farmer's expenditure upon the land, is always large with reference to the ordinary means of a labourer, a bad season, and a failure in the crops leave the latter in a dis tressed condition, subject to a demand which he is wholly un able to meet. A great improvement upon this system is effected where landlords themselves, either by reserving small portions of ground from the larger holdings, or by the application of some portions of land in their own occupation, supply the cower labourers upon their estates with small lots of ground, held im mediately under themselves, either for ones r more crops, or in the nature of an allotment, and particularly if in connexion with a decent cabin. We believe that the good effects of such a sys tem will be manifold with regard to the moral and physical con of the people. Not the least amongst the advantages wig be, that the labourer will be thus brought into direct and fre quent communication with the landlord, who will be able gra dually to give useful instruction as to the most profitable mode of cultivating, the lard, so as to obtain the largest amount of produce. The rent should be a fair rent, and the quantity of ground not larger than can be managed in the intervals of la bour for hire. the different classes of oc cu - In adverting to the condition of piers in Ireland, we noticed, with d eep regret, t h e state o f the cottiers and labourers in most parts of the country, from the want of certain employment. It would be impossible to describ e a d equa t e l y th e pr i vat i ons which they and their families habit ua ll y an d pat i ent l y en d ure. It will be seen in the evidenc e t h at i n many di str i cts t h e i r only food is the potato , their only b everage water , t h at t h e i r cabins are seldom a pro tection against the weather, that a bed or a blanket is a rare luxury, and that nearly i n a ll, their p ig and manure heap constitute their only property. When we consider this state of things, and the large propor tion of the population which comes under the designation of agricultural labourers, we have to repeat t h at t h e pat i ent en durance which they exhibit is deserving of high commendation, and entitles them to the best attention of Government and of Parliament. Their condition has eng a ged our most anxious considera tione.n pUlapce is totl a ti t s trili period temperance in which th e y have so generally persevered, and not, we grieve to say , t o an y increased de nand fur their la bour. We deeply depl ore the difficulty which exists in sug gesting any direct means for am eliorating their condition. We tru t ,uch means may be i found in th e genera l i mprovemen t o f attributable any almost entirely to the habits of improvement that may have taken the country, and in the increased demand for labour, which we hope will follow from the adoption of the suggestions we have already ventured to offer. But there are one or two matters from which, although they may be thought by some of trivial importance, we are of opinion that some di r e c t a d van t age might be derived by the labouring population. We have already adverted to the con-acre system. It will be seen in the evidence that the contracts between the labourer who hires, and the farmer who lets the plot of ground in which the potatoes are to be planted, are usually verbal, and how completely the latter is in the power of the former, in the event of any dispute arising in reference to those contracts. We recommend that a summary jurisdiction should be given to magistrates at petty sessions, to hear and adjudicate upon disputes respecting con-acre, where the plot of ground shall not exceed half an acre. Where a cottier is summoned before magistrates for tres pass committed by his pig, or for a nuisance, in his having a heap of manure upon a public road, it appears not unfrequently that the person under whom he holds his cabin has furnished neither the means nor place to erect a pig -cot, or keep his dung-heap from the road. It is worthy of consideration whe ther, as suggested by several witnesses, a fine might not be imposed upon the person who has let the cabin without ad juncts, necessary alike to the public convenience, and for af fording the means of sustenance to the poor cottier ; and whe ther, in such cases, it might not be desirable to empower magistrates at petty sessions to require the person by whom the cabin is let to provide such adjuncts where possible ; and that, in default of doing so, he should be liable to a fine. Con sidering also the wretched c ondition in which so many cabins in Ireland are found, and the sufferings and disease to which our fellow-creatures, living in such hovels, are expoeed, it would be extremely desirable, if it were possible to effect it, that in all cases of cottier holdings the person who let s th e cabin should be bound to keep it in sufficient repair, and that he should be compellable by magistrates to do so. It may also be proper to enact that the person letting a cabin shall not be entitled to recover his rent by a ny legal process, if it can be shown that he has not kept it in tenantable repair. We cannot, however, disguise from ourselves the great diffi culty of dealing by law with such matters, and the danger lest evils of this nature may be aggravated, rather that , • diminished, by too hasty attempts to remove them by legislation. have, therefore, felt ourselves unable to recommend any direct measure for that purpose. We trust the exposure of such a state of things may lead to its remedy. COUNTY-CESS. We come now, in obedience to the instructions of Your Ma jesty's Commission, to consider the charges upon land in Ireland. The principal of these are the poor-rate and the county-cess. With respect to the former, we have endeavoured to ascer tain, in different parts of the country, the proportion which the valuation, on which it is levied, bears to the letting value of land ; but we have not entered further into the subject, as such an inquiry, to be of any real utility, should . extend over all parts of the island, and there are ma n y in which the poor-law could scarcely be said to have been in operation at the com mencement of our proceedings; we the less regret this, tas the system must, at no distant period , b e submitted to a separate and distinct inquiry. We must, however, observe, that complaints have been made, that the tenant without a lease is at times deprived of thebenefit and when claiming the which the law intended to give him ; legal deduction from his landlord, has been met with the re. mark, "There is no use in my allowing you the poor-rate; as, if 1 do, I must raise your rent." The county-cess, under which general name a levy for many different purposes is raised, has at different times been under the consideration of Committees and Commissioners by whom the reports, fo rmer ly re f err ed to, have been p resented to Par liament. As very little certain information prevails as to the nature and extent of some of these demands, and the control possessed by grand juries, which in this case are supposed to represent the counties, we have called for returns for the years 1841-2-3 fr em each county, of the sums levied, and have sepa rated theminto two tables appended to th is re p ort (8 and 9 ) , one of which will ex hibit th e degree of control veste d by law in the grand jury, ceis applied. and the other the princ i p al beads to which the In the case of the Poor Relief Act, the Legislature decided that in this new tax all property should be liable to the main tenance of the poor, and that the burden should be apportioned between landlord and occupier, as it was considered that each would then have a pecuniary interest in lessening the evils of pauperism, and thereby keeping down the amount of taxation ; but this reason does not apply to the county-cess, which has existed for many years, and always been paid by the occupier. The complaints before us were directed not more against the amount, than against the time and mode of collection, the number and payment of county officers; and the extent of com pulsory presentments; simply to charge one-half of the tax upon the landlord would leave these subjects of complaint un touched. The Committee of 1830, and previous Committees, recommended, that in all future leases a part or the whole of all grand jury assessment be placed on the landlord; but the Committee of 1844 on Townland Valuation, though they quoted at length, anti apparently with approbation, the former reports, recommend that all tenants should have the power of deducting a proportion of the e.ounty-rate, as under the Poor law. We have given to this recommendation our most atten tive consideration, and we cannot concur in the conclusion at which that Committee has arrived. To transfer a burden from the yearly tenant who had equitably engaged to pay it, to the landlord who had not en tered into such an implied contract, would, we consider, be a measure which would materially disturb the existing relatioes of the owner and occupier of such tenancies, whil•t after all, it could produce only a very uncertain and unequal relief to the tenants-at-will. To relieve the tenant holding under lease, by authorising him to deduct from his landlord, woald be to re lieve him from a burden to the payment of which he had bound himself by covenant. The alteration which would charge the landlord with the cess in all future contracts, and also for the lands now licld by yearly tenants under hire, proceeds upon the theory that in the latter case he has the power of reimbursing himself im mediately by a corresponding charge upon his truant. Such, it must however be remembered, is not his exact position; he has no immediate power of determining the tenancy-at-will, and he may have to pay a considerable sum before he is in a condition to obtain increased rent from his tenant : nor will such an operation be facilitated by the immense mass of tenants holding at will, whose interest will unite them in opposition to the payment of an equivalent. Moreover, the advantage of transferring a'l power over county works to the landlord—a necessary consequence of making him the sole cess-payer—we consider to be very doubtful; for, in most instances, the resident occupiers, and not the proprietor, who may be absent, are the parties most interested in opening new roads, or constructing other works of immediate utility. Upon the whole, then, we cannot advise the great change to which we adverted. We believe that it would in many cases create a very unnecessary embarrassment to landlords ; that it would greatly disappoint the tenants, and that it would sew the seeds of much future dissension and discontent. It has been suggested by some of the witnesses that re lieving the tenant from the demand of the ccss-collector would be in itself an advantage ; and although we see difficulties in compelling a landlord to pay the county-cess, yet it may be worthy of consideration whether some inducement should not be offered, in the shape of a per centage, to those landlords who will voluntarily undertake to pay it, and lodge the some with the treasurer before a certain day. Independently of any question as to to the apportionment or payment of the county- cess, there are points connected with the subject that require distinct consideration. We see much that is defective in the present grand jury system, generally, and think it requires further revision. In particular, we desire to see some plan devised for the constant superintendence of the fiscal affairs of counties. We think that by such means the county funds would be more beneficially applied, and more economically managed. The custom which has obtained so much of late years of charging by Act of Parliament, and it may be according to an ill-considered scale, large sums upon the respective counties, and over which the grand juries have no control, has created much discontent, and is liable to serious objection. The great proportion of county charge is thus removed from the reach of the rate-payers, and their power in regulating the county ex penditure becomes quite insignificant. But we shall presently notice this class of presentments. " In considering the subject, we have examined the nature of the respective items of county expenditure—how far they may be considered as fitting matters for local or general taxation— how far the proprietor and occupier are respectively ante • rested in them, and how far they are of prospective or imme diate advantage. As the result of this investigation, we recommend, for the reasons hereafter given, the transfer of the constabulary charge to the Consolidated Fund—of the support of charitable institu tions to the respective unions—and that the cost of erecting permanent county buildings should be borne by the proprietors. These alterations would considerably reduce the gross amount of county-cost ; and we feel hound to say, that, with regard to the remainder, we think that the occupier has the ino.t im mediate interest. The Committee of 1836, and the Commission of 1840, re commended that the office of Clerk of the Crown be united to that of the Clerk of the Peace; and, as we believe that no per son has been appointed Clerk of the Crown since the Report of that Commission, except on the understanding that he held his office liable to future arrangement, we think that the time has come when the offices should be united and held by a resident officer. Where there have not been vacancies in which this arrangement has been entered on, ts e think that there should be as little delay as possible in consolidating these offices, care being taken that the present burden on counties be not increased, for the purpose of giving retiring allowances to those who are perfectly able to discharge their duties. It is worthy of con sideration also, whether the office of Circuit Crown Solicitor might not be abolished as vacancies occur, and his duties trans ferred to the Resident Officer acting as Clerk of the Peace and Crown. By this arrangement the Magistrates would have an efficient legal adviser ready to assist them in all cases of ins • portance, and in investigating the evidence immediately upon the occurrence of crime. The offices also of treasurer and secretary of the grand jury should be united under such arrangements as might prevent an increase in the burdens of the counties, and secure the residence of an efficient officer. The inspection of weights and measures may be at once transferred to the con,tabular; . The inspectors-general of prisons should be remunerated for their travelling expenses, as in Great Britain, particularly as they have now the examination also of lunatic establishments. Th e conveyance of convicts and the expenses of prosecutions should also be placed on the same footing in both countries. The system of county surveyors and their deputies gives rise lo much dissatisfaction. It is worthy of considerat ion whether the plan recommended by the Commission of 1841) might not, with advantage, be appted to the inspection of county work, and whether a small body of surveyors, pllecd un,!er the Coin inissioners of Public Works, might not be sufficient for gen-ral inspection, leaving the details to a superior class of deputies, at an adequate salary. Some of these changes may cause no in:- mediate reduction of expense; we hope, however, that they will insure, if adopted, a better execution of the duties of county officers. But great relief would be derived from an alteration in the time of levy; and the following observations of tha Committee of I s3O appear to us to have attracted too little of the attention of those who have since that time endeavoured to correct ae evils of the Irish grand jury system. " It is in evidence that the presentment system, so far from creating a more useful demand for labour, and thereby improv ing the condition of the poor, has at times a contrary tendency. It is stated in the report of 1823, on the employment of the poor in Ireland, ' that the demand for labour on .the public roads generally occurs at the most inconvenient periods of the year, either during the spring work of the farmer or daring his hay harvest, or turf cutting in the sfimmer. If measures can be adopted to distribute this work more judiciously, it will tend to equalise the demand for labour at different periods of the year, and to prevent the dangerous vicissitudes of an extended demand for labour, suddenly followed by a diminution of the means of employment.' A more equable distribution of these works, and their execution at the times when the demand for agricultural labour ceases, would undoubtedly contribute to im. prove the condition of the working classes." To endeavour to carry out this suggestion, and in accordance with the plan proposed by the Commission of 1840, we recom mend that there should be but one presenting term in the year, at or about the spring assizes, if it be thought advisable to con tinue the annual control of the grand jury, and as the amount of county-cess is very large, that it should be levied and paid into the county bank immediately when raised, so as to be available for the accounting periods, which we suggest might be fixed at the October sessions, before the assistant-barrister, and at the spring assizes or April sessions. In this manner the work done in summer might be paid for in October, and that executed in winter, in March or April; while from the time at which the sessions are at present held, the summer's work is now generally paid for in March or April, and that executed in winter about July or August. It will be seen from the evi dence, that in some of the southern counties it is the practice (required as the witnesses conceive by the law), that no steps be taken for the levy of money necessary to pay a contractor un til he has actually executed the work, so that he must remain without his money for four or eight months longer, according to the season of the year, unless he raise it by discount from the county treasurer; and it is not, therefore, surprising, that the grand jury of Kerry should find that the roads under the Commissioners of Public Works, by whom the contractors are paid monthly, as the work is executed, are kept up more eco nomically than those over which they have control, and should have petitioned to have all placed under that board. When the regular collection of the poor-rate shall be firmly established, we think the charitable institutions may derive their funds from that source more properly than from the county-rate ; this will introduce, also, a much more equable division of the amount between occupier and owner, and a fair proportion will fall on the absentee. We do not, by this pro posal, mean to recommend that these institutions be placed under the Poor-law Commissioners. By the appointment of auditors of accounts, quite separate from the Assistant Com missioners, such a change has been made as will enable the ac • counts to be placed under those officers, without at all render ing it necessary that the superintendence and control of the in stitutions be rested in the Poor-law Commissioners ; but it would be a great improvement in the system if these auditors were appointed by Government, and there were a power of ap peal to the Chief Remembrancer from their decision. This would transfer from the county. cess to the poor-rate a sum of about 130,0001. a year, which would probably be raised to 200,0001. as soon as the system of subscriptions was superseded by the more equitable levy under the poor-rate valuation. This'hasty review of the grand jury system would be incom plete, if we did not refer more particularly to the compulsory presentments, from the rapid increase of which so much dissa tisfaction has arisen. It will be s-en from the returns which we have had prepared, that of the whole amount of money levied under grand jury presentments throughout Ireland, a propor tion of about one-third alone is at the option or under the control of the grand jury at each assizes. The portion, amounting to nearly two-fifths of the whole, which is raised under presentments which these bodies are compelled to make, either under the provisions of some Act of Parliament en • forced by the authoritative direction of the presiding judge of assize, is, in fact, a heavy tax for public purposes imposed exclusively on the occupiers of Ireland. This is a system which should be discontinued as quickly as circumstances will permit. The expense of the constabulary forms the heaviest item in these compulsory presentments. The co:.stabulary force in Ireland, as it. at present exists, is regulated and organised principally under the 6th of Wil liam IV. cap. 13. The power of appointment to the force rests with the Lord- Lieutenant. By clause 5, he is empowered to appoint one inspector general and one or two deputy inspectors-general. By clause 7, to appoint four county inspectors. This has, however, since been altered. By clause 9, to appoint one sub-inspector for each county, or county of a city, or county of a town, and two for the fol lowing counties : —Cork, Tipperary, Galway. These are now called county inspectors. By clause 11, to appoint for each county of a city and county of a town (except the county of city of Dublin), 1 chief constable (now styled sub-inspector). 2 head constables, and not exceeding 100 sub-constables; and to appoint for each barony, half-barony, or other division of a barmy in each county at large, 1 chief constable (now styled sub-inspector), 2 head-constables, and not exceeding 16 sub-constables. This clause also provided, that the Peace Preservation Force, which, at the passing of this Act, was appointed for any dis trict, in consequence of the same being by proclamation de clared in a state of disturbance, or in consequence of the magistrates of any county having certified the necessity for the same, should continue. By clause 12, the Lord-Lieutenant was empowered to appoint an additional force on certificate of magistrates of the necessity for the same ; and By clause 13, to appoint an additional number for any county or district proclaimed to be in a state of disturbance ; at.d _ _ _ Clause 27, provides that the Lord-Lieutenant may remove the force from one county to another, to remain as long as he shall direct. By clause 28, the expense of this removed force was made chargeable on the district to which they are removed. By clause 35, the expense of the force to be advanced out of the Consolidated Fund. And By clause 36, one moiety of such advances, except so much as shall be for the 1. Salaries and expenses of the inspector-general, his de puties, and clerks, 2. And of stipendiary magistrates, 3. And of the receiver of the said force, 4. And of the paymasters in the several counties, shall be raised by grand jury presentment off each county, county of a city, or county of a town to which the same shall relate. A subsequent Act established the "reserve force," which is organised and stationed at a depot near Dublin; the expense of it is paid from the Consolidated Fund, except when it is employed in any county, in which case the moiety of it is chargeable to the district to which it is removed. The constabulary is a disciplined and armed force, stationed in regular barracks, and, under the law, Cie adoption of it is ccmpulsory on the counties. They perform some of the duties required from constables in England; they escort prisoners, which was formerly done by the military; they serve voting and other Poor-law papers, for which they are paid by the boards of guardians ; they attend assizes, elections, and on other public occasions; and although as a detective force their numbers cannot be regu lated with reference to the number of military stationed in a district, yet the authorities appear to be guided by that cir cumstance in their distribution as a corps for the mainte nance of peace. From returns in the Appendix, the amount of the police force sanctioned under the 11th clause, and the additions under the 12th and 13th clauses, will be easily seen. From the evidence of Colonel 111‘Gregor it appears, that the au thorities are of opinion, that under the 27th and iBth clauses, any number of men may ba removed into a county, and be come chargeable thereto, by the direction of the Lord-Lieu tenant, although the number which he is allowed to appoint in, or add to such county, may have been already appointed for, and chargeable to it. Considering the stringent limitations fixed by the earlier clauses of the Act, upon an increase of the number of constabulary in any particular county, it appears to us to admit of much doubt, whether the provisions of a later clause (27) could have been intended to leave it in the power of the Lord-Lieutenant to increase the burdens of local taxation, by adding without limit to an armed force, which, as we have shown, occupy in this country the position of a• standing army, though not voted annually by Parliament. The 27th clause seems to have been necessary to enable a constable to act in a county different from that for which he had been ori ginally appointed. When we consider these circumstances with respect to the distribution of this force—the power exercised by the ,Lord- Lieutenant over it—the entire absence of any control on the part of any person or body in the county—the military cha racter of the force itself—and the fact, that since it has been raised to anything approaching to its present amount, the Government has been able proportionately to reduce the num ber of troops in Ireland—when, above all, we recollect the deep interest that the whole empire must feel in the tranquillity of Ireland, and the public importance of the duties of this body being efficiently performed--we are of opinion that it ought to be treated as a part of the national force, and that it is not advisable or fair to levy a tax exclusively on the Irish counties for the maintenance of it; but that the county-cess ought to be lessened by the amount of charge for this force, so far as:the number fixed by the Act for each county. In the case of an increased force being sent under the pro• visions of the 12th or 13th sections of the 6th of William IV., c. 13, into any particular_county, we recommend that the ex pense of such force shall be barne wholly by the district in which it is required, and levied off the occupiers, until, on the restoration of tranquillity, such force may be withdrawn. There are some other matters which have been brought under our notice in the course of our inquiry, and which, as affecting materially the occupation of land, and the condition of the occupier, require some observations on our part. A great inconvenience is felt in many parts of Ireland from a want of a unformity in weights and measures, and from undue exactions by purchasers of agricultural produce, under the name of allowances for beamage,&c. Under ordinary circumstances, where the buyer and seller may be considered as being on equal terms, legislation on such matters may not be required ; but in Ireland, where the land holder is frequently the occupier of only a few acres, we think he is too much in the power of the purchaser of his produce, and ought to be protected by some alteration in the law in this respect. It has been suggested to us that the laws relating to the leasing of mines by incapacitated persons, in respect to the pro portion of the gross produce which it is necessary for the lessor to reserve, require amendment. In reference to the registration of trees under the:existing law, the benefit which the tenant elerives ceases almost imme diately upon the expiration of his lease • and when the lessor is under strict limitation and legal disability, with respect to the reservation of timber, the tenant agreeing to take out a new lease may have no alternative but either to cut down the trees or surrender his right. A slight amendment in the Act would remedy this inconvenience. The duty on glass, as it is now enforced and levied, operates injuriously on the poorer classes, with respect to the comfort of their habitations, and by enhancing the price upon the lowest quality of glass, virtually prevents its use, even among the occupiers of small farms. • We cannot avoid directing attention to the evidence, almost universally given, with respect to the injurious effect of the loan fund system on an agricultural population. Well adapted as it may be, or useful as it may have proved to tradesmen and oth rs resident in towns and villages, who use the money burrowed as capital, and repay the instalments from their weekly profits, it evidently produces much evil when resorted to by the small farmer for the purpose of paying rent, in which case he has no weekly incomings to defray the instalments, and when resident at a distance from the loan office is subjected to much loss of time in making the repay ments. An important alteration was made in reference to the loan fund system in Ireland by the 28th clause of the Act 6 and 7 Victoria, c. 91, by which the managers of loan societies are empowered to make loans repayable by instal ments, at no shorter intervals than twenty-seven days, and with interest at a rate not exceeding 10. per month in each pound. It does not, however, appear that this alteration in the law has ben' sufficiently made known, or that the extended period of repayment has been adopted. An improved system of loan funds under the provision to which we have referred might operate to cheek the usurious interest which is usually exacted by money lenders from the small farmers, and of which many flagrant instances are detailed in the evidence. AGRARIAN OUTRAGES. In a former part of this report, when we expressed our favourable opinion of the general state of the country, we felt it necessary to allude to some lamentable exceptions. We re gret to find that these exceptions appear to be on the increase. We made inquiry, throughout the whole of our tour, respect ing the existence of agrarian outrages. In Tipperary for a long tuna past, and in some other coun ties more recently, there has prevailed a system of lawless violence, which has led in numerous instances to the perpe tration of cold-blooded murders. These are generally acts of revenge for some supposed in jury inflicted upon the party who commits or instigates the commission of the outrage. But the notions entertained of injury in such cases are re gulated by a standard fixed by the will of . the most lawless and unprincipled members of the community. If a tenant is removed, even after repeated warnings, from land which he has neglected or misused, he is looked upon in the districts to which we are now referring as an in jured man, and the decree too often goes out for vengeance upon the landlord, or the agent, and upon the man who suc ceeds to the farm"; and at times a large numerical propor tion of the neighbourhood look with indifference upon the most atrocious acts of violence, and, by screening the criminal, abet and encourage the crime. Murders are perpetrated at noonday, on a public highway, and, whilst the assassin coolly retires, the people look on, and evince no horror at the bloody deed. The whole nature of Christian men appears, in such cases, to be changed, and the one absorb:ng feeling as to the posses sion of land stifles all others, and extinguishes the plainest principles of humanity. We cannot but feel that this state of things calls loudly for correction, although it does not come within our province to discuss what measures should be adopted under such circum stances fpr the detection and repression of crime. It must be obvious that none of the suggestions which we have offered, nor any measures founded upon them, which Par liament or Government could devise, can be applicable to a state of things so appalling and disorganised as that which we have described. M'e have given our best and most anxious consideration to the means of ameliorating the condition of the well-disposed Irish peasant, and we feel that the greatest allow ance is to be made for his sufferings,his poverty, his ignorance; but we can make no allowance for the deliberate cold-blooded assassin, or for those who abet assassination. We wish it were possible to make the peasantry in these un happy districts aware, that all measures for improvement pre suppose the security of life and property ; that the districts in which both are systematically rendered insecure must be re garded as beyond the reach of such plans of amelioration as we can suggest; and that while crimes of so fearful a character prevail, it is hopeless to expect, in reference to those districts, much practical improvement in the relation of landlord and te nant, or any security for the permanent happiness of the people. " We have thus endeavoured to lay before your Majesty the conclusion at which we have arrived, after the extensive inquiry in which we have been engaged. We are well aware of the difficulties that surround the whole subject of that inquiry. " One class of persons have been accustomed to look ex clusively to legislative interference for a removal of the evils to which Ireland is exposed; whilst others despair en tirely of any beneficial effect upon her social condition from such interference. " We do not agree with either of these classes. We know that the best directed measures of Parliament cannot pro duce the desired effect, unless aided and enforced by the steady, as well as active exertions of the people of all ranks and cond►tions in their respective spheres ; but we are at the same time satisfied that a very beneficial change may be effected by the united and vigorous efforts of the Legislature and of individuals. " We cannot despair when we find a country enjoying such natural advantages as Ireland possesses, with a large extent of uncultivated or unimproved land, and a numerous popula tion, able and willing to labour if opportunities are afforded to them. On the contrary, we confidently believe, that by an examination of the facts as they actually exist, and by a close attention to details, means may be. found for re moving many or most of those partial and particular obstacles, which have hitherto so greatly impeded the bene ficial employment of labour, and obstructed the enjoyment of those advantages which a country such as Irciand is calcu lated to afford. " But this desirable result cannot be looked for, unless the united and vigorous efforts of all classes in Ireland are directed towards it. "Instances are to be seen in every part of the country of estates upon which the liberal conduct and active super intendence of a resident landlord, or of a resident and judicious agent, have estabhshed a system of progressive improvement as to the land, and of increasing comfort to the people, which are, unfortunately, wanting in many other districts. " We trust that one effect, at least, of our labours will be to rouse the attention of many who have as yet thought little upon the subject, and to encourage them to follow the examples thus held out to them. " Above all, we would call upon all such persons not to rest satisfied with any vague or general notion of the state of the population with which they are connected, but care fully to examine all circumstances, in order that they may apply those remedies which shall be appropriate to the case, as well as efficient for the purpose of relief. " The voluminous evidence collected by us, in all parts of Ireland, with the numerous returns and other documents transmitted to us, present a mass of information upon the social condition of that country which mast serve as a useful guide to all who desire to employ their efforts for imPr a „" - d ' meat in the right direction, and upon sound principles apt we feel satisfied that great advantage may be d er ived ov a placing in their true light many facts and ciresmstancel hitherto little known, or greatly misunderateod. " Whilst we have, in various parts of this report, Mite observations in the nature of advice to some of those W ho are landlords in Ireland, we trust, at the same time , to b permitted to remark shortly upon the conduct too often pare sued by some of the class of tenants. There is freq uen tly 3 readiness amongst these to attribute their own wretched con dition exclusively to the conduct of their landlords , some : times with an utter disregard of truth, and almost alw 8 ): - : without admitting, perhaps without seeing, how much of 1 ' arises from their own indolence or want of skill. "The truth is, to use a familiar expression, that faults are in many cases to be found on both sides; and, consideri how uninformed a large portion of the Irish population 15, heavy responsibility rests upon all those to whom th e p oorer classes have a right to look for information and advice. .. 1 The foundation of almost all the evils by which the socti, condition of Ireland is disturbed is to be traced to those feel ings of mutual distrust which too often separate the ela s ' .,; of landlord mid tenant, and prevent all united exert ion the common benefit. s lot "It has been truly said, that confidence is a plant of is growth. It is, however, a plant which will flourish Well Irish soil, if cultivated with patience and with care. " We say particularly with patience, because we beu . e .s that many excellent persons, having the best intentat towards improving the cultivation of the soil and the CO,:d dition of the people in Ireland, have been too easily diver t from their course by feelings of disappointment at the sru As, progress which is made towards the attainment of those ea," t and little result which is perceived from their 111 ' anxious endeavours. s "We would earnestly impress upon such persons , and to t o all who have the interest of Ireland at heart, not hastilibio relax from those exertions which circumstances may en eat them to make, in forwarding the march of improveni" amongs t their poorer neighbo s iirs. u se s s " Without touching upon the political or other cs t, which may have contributed to create a feeling o f distr ig we cannot disguise from ourselves that the Irish peasan'4, inclined to look with suspicion upon all attempts of 18 7 y lord to inculcate new habits or to introduce new plans f°l management of his lands. ake " Every considerate and benevolent landlord will 01,y much allowance for this feeling. He will not suffeM. exhibition of it to turn him aside from any scheme 01 ' c d provement upon which, after deliberation, he has deterow to enter. , ii 6 itmen. "He must be prepared for frequent disappoin bud - will ocasionally meet with ingratitude and injustice if he perseveres in a spirit of kindness, united with firn w 7 a d, of purpose, he may confidently look to a well-merited r t ot, probably in the advancement of his personal il l s tich but certainly in the improvement of the district in he lives, and the increasing comfort ofihe people around " All which we humbly — certify- to your Majesty. " DEVON. " R. A. FERGUSON.• " GEORGE A. HAMILTO,', " THOMAS N. REDINGV " JOHN WYNNE. J . P. KENNEDY, Secret " February 14, 1845." COURT CIRCULAR. w e; The Queen and Prince Albert, the Ladies and Gent,'": of the Court, and the Domestic Household, attended vs service yesterday morning in the private Chapel at 130c2;00, ham Palace. The Bishop of London preached the s t n er and the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay assisted ; forming the service. , b e His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge N' ;se Majesty yesterday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the Eg a d ; in Waiting, took equestrian exercise in the Riding near Buckingham Palace, on Saturday. cled ir bi Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, at' e-n Dec/ Lady Fanny Howard, Lady in Waiting, arrived st, t op e ingham Palace, in a carriage and four, at halft — frog.; o'clock, on Saturday afternoon, from her residelte",„aier, more House, near Windsor. Her Royal Highness re ', 10 ;1 P to luncheon with her Majesty and Prince Albert: - ese, three o'clock left the Palace for Gloucester House , I° i, visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of GloucesteS the afternoon the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady 'OOO Howard, took her departure on her return to F l 4 House. 0 01 Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the °color, of Mount Edgcumbe, the Marquis of Ormonde, Buckhy, and Colonel Wylde, honoured the kW Theatre with their presence on Saturday evening. Meld The Duke of Cambridge attended Divine servi ce mornin; in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-stre et • Knesebeck was in waiting on his Royal Highness. del His Royal Highness the Duke of 'Cambridge , attes olpto Blron Knesebeck, honoured the Marquis of Nort,,:pce with his company on Saturday evening, at his resit' Piccadilly. Mr. Bentley and Mr. George Clerk bad an intcrsle Oct' the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday , a t D ' s • Y• residence in Downing-street VISO D }De The Chairman and Secretaries of Vie London Society had an interview with the Earl of Aberde en t l Foreign-office on Saturday. C ol° Dispatches were received on Saturday at the Office from the Governors of the West India Colones' otftj4, Mr. J. Strettell Brickwood, Public Works, Le 3 ,,,, i 'ith t South Sea house, had an .interview on SaturdaY "fl Chancellor of the Exchequer. ne The Earl of Morpington expired on Saturday es his residence in Grosvenor-square. 01 1 The Duke of Wellington and Sir Frederick '1 tended the early service yesterday, in the Chapel .n,1 1 . 6 1, 5 James's. The Rev. Dr. Wesley read the P l ' 9 6:ive preached the sermon. The Earl of Devon, Lords, gri l d G. Paget, and Lady G. Paget,• attended the die:_ s cosp r , The prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. Knapp. t he ;o'4 service the Rev. Mr. Hall, the communion by the !on' Sleath. The sermon was preached by the Nebo!' ° h p. Op; The anthem was, " Ohl where shall wisdom L'",, (Boyce). Sir George Smart presided at the organ, Duke of Montrose, the Marquis of Salisbury, Lor d , h gl ies' ,ll 4 l, Wharncliffe, Lords Ernest Bruce, Canterbury , 135 ;0: Courtenay attended the evening service in the - C ll4- fr ° St. James's. , er tief The Grand Duchess of Baden arrived at -;' °s t I A 0 Ostend, on Friday evening, and slept at the Ship In e t o . i' l ,v Royal Highness travelled, on Saturday, by the r 8,1,010 far as the station at the Bricklayers' Arms, where sit ceived by the Duke of Hamilton and her son-ini2l l!! Marquis of Douglas, accompanied by whom her RS-,,,,0" ness proceeded to his Grace's residence in Portman SPORTING IN TELLIGE-NC . . lIUNTING APPOINTMENTS. , • Linlithgow and Stirlingshire lids, Tues., Armada° Ile Thur., Bannock Burn-gate; Sat., Bangour. Cod Witneshatn harrs., Thur.; Newbourn-hall ; Sal - ",,d e tielno o; South Berkshire hds., Wed., Padworth ; Fri., Eur"doir Duke of Beaufort's lids., the first hunting day at on the second at Vete Rocks-101. K e y ne s ' , Crawley and Horsham hds., Thurs., Horsted Broadbridge Heath. Vr °g Cumberland stag hds., Wed., Greyhound Inn' Fri., Bosley Hill-11. Ackton harts., Thurs., Car4enlees New Inn. don ' J O , • Haydon hds., Wed., Ellerington H 311; Sat., 1 3 ,u' we il Hambledon hds. Wed., Basing Park; Fri. 31° 0 H. 11., Tues., Hinton House; Thurs., Chilton co' Sat., Five Lanes (Holvbourne). Green ; Lord Southampton's has., Wed., Woodend Whistle Wood; Sat., Salcey Lawn-11. gat . 9 Vine hds., Thurs., Red Lion, Clarken Gre en; " ,4514 clere-11. a te/ N. F. 11., Tues., Stoney Cross; Thurs., L e vetes " Alderholt Park-10 3 7 4 . Pembrokeshire lids., Thurs.; Ford Bridge- 10 ' , 1 0 1" Prudhoe and Derwent hds., Fri., Blaydon t e 01 ' Mr. Pim= r has let Alice Hawthorn for t.l she has rejoined Hesseltine's stable. St o)3l , #ll`l _.... • , , MR. HUNT'S CURE OF STAMMERING' o r j ste,":: 01; 0 candid opening of his natural and efficacious ~"•o ' ss 5 , !,1 witnessing not a few of its successful applio''' cio e Der cfinkmonneondonl shouldfidwtt confirmed l hmn e tag d heut g dete oh : 1 ono ssm: o v fiiptot important. rtht allacha onet opinion,uti parently desperate as well as less distressingtbe ge,,iog: have, to the utmost of our power, prornotedral bler4 . lvra . %ieto%ts'e ffi etshhyacaad:setseamtrirdodneetdousobf ernthatelieire,,:ittiolifipicooolagiaosOo4:oo,o reected gentlemen who has for many a Yeal -0 ,"4. P c. The following, in addition tit, es other distinguished testimonials, will, we o p public attention still more especially to Di x. ' 1 4 ' t, office o e doi l e fs l N i c - s Lr e i n r on u r p i di nunlbaepltriiios°::): s e 'o ci r t 1 80:f g i : t o il C S e v1 : 11 : j :: ' i ! . 7, Piree o f solatory practice : 7 . 4 0 • Al ice 44 manSloll4lol.lSegof fog; c 0 " When holding the office of Sheriff, 11r. 1 10t ' ie for, tli i ,, pir i k made me acquainted with the principles of his eYcessfill„lB as stammering, and unreservedly showed me their 5gC s olo' 0 1 5 . 0 in the case of George Pearson, who witnessed the trelt o ot vict io t o. on her Majesty's life, by Francis, and whose inaP e ;,,v ce o ,ooe. t lie prevented him from giving an instant alarm ; au",.711 co:',,t tie that if Mr. Hunt's instructions are attended to ~o " e l u t b c ,o l t e ' t/ 011 ; , ' genre, they are perfectly adapted to confer pen; r this a- Pi ' . tt, numerous class of the community who suffer tirme,NAY, i;tl '' WM. l‘tA' / t ort ' tli e fi l o . d in a pt NEW QUEEN'S COUNSEL.—MESSO. .. we rnO l 'ege - Hayward, and Gurney, were sworn in thib gr, Stine Chancellor's private room at Westmins ter ' Channell received a patent of prece dence at the sam e 0 9cl.' BIRTHS. gilbe r ' ,01, On the 29th ult., the wife of George James v p Vienna, of a daughter. 01 0 " E . , of d 0, On the 6th inst., the lady of W. A. Pi ocahintr:e la 410, Leicestershire, of a son. On the 14th inst. at Galway, Ireland, 31) Davis, Esq., R.N., of ' a daughter. Cam pbell' of t ile On the 18th inst., at Edinburgh, Mrs. C wood, of a son. ifif e the I Coventry,the l9 th in o s f t . a , f t P' On tin 18th inst., at the East India Colleg e ' ,„Se Johnn n Rev. Henry Melvill, 8.A., of a daughter. lady ° , , Oe n ' a so t n }:owey, cent, the On the 20th inst., at Grosvenor -cos Stanley, of a daughter. ---1,5,3' • Li e to MARRISD. rch, P ul 2 lin fine4 o On the 14th inst., at Monkstown Clnl,_ Artis Lni, Wi nant Archibald J. M. Boileau, Ou t he 1114 _ 1 G e orge 4 Georgiana Elizabeth, eldest d a pter Of .., oi $ . d 50 , ' gei Boileau, Esq., of Monkstown, Dublin. Chapman'_ third v io 0, Cornwall, the "lf, On the 18th inst., William John c • 1 to ~,Ini )", -_, O O ll Benson, Esq., of Upper Woburn -place, ~,horeAi daughter off athan Horn, Esq., the Green -1-," O J Y DIED gh, his E 2; .. e ellen - ~. o f On the 30th ult., at St. Petersbur CO_ ~. Ate' a, then econ- ifeoratt, On the 9th inst., at Bath, Sophia, .. ii i , Wes 0 80. John Charles Bnstow, Esq., of Eusemerear iv ootto te miral Greig, Member of the Imperial nue" a dao , Po On the 12th inst., at Tockenham, near 0 of Lien Wilts, Isaac Stafford Brown, Esq. a i Artille r P Ado' nant-General John liurton, of the Bo) ~;zabeth 1.4, On the 16th inst. in Argyll-steet, .r," ht - s 4l*. aUg daughter of Capytin ' Hilliar d. On the 13th inst., at Brighton, Judith , rail 00 her d pit' Dr ger ~f Mr. William Lewis. Cumberland -sire v r ,' ens on , " On the 19th rust., in Cumbei:la On the 18th inst., at Seyrnaur of Dlr. Step./ 40g , On the 19th rust., Hester, wife 1 of ' dlg' liament-street. r e $ 1 the EA , ag e so n Genera f ow, uteri, On the 13th inst., at Brighto i ‘,.. n ,. o f in a Lie _.. h poict.er /ersitto'';.,sll, ham, G.C.B , Colonel fc the 3d Re,iinte e L , ; s , On the 22d of October on board dr •.,,tive,, • nt Dia as .0, r Edmund Leicester, 52d Reg ot , jam - lints On the 15th inst., John Lett, the son •••5. .., 1 .; $1 Ag a ' di A v Esq., of Blackheath -park, aged 10. , , street, Conn ell, 1 .- r ~,,,,us.- , . z _be, On the 17th inst., at Hertford, i i ..! ..,,, ~... vi o On the 18th inst., at Blackheath bill i'-';',l. bott, relict of the late 11. Abbott, Esq. , ag e' " r raDO f°lo. London: Printed and Published bY No. 112, Strand, Printer. at The S V Stra id, in be Precipet of the SavoY, 1/1 Middlesex, Monday, February 24, 1845. - I Tlll+l SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENUATG, FEBRUARY_24 I 1845. P.Ol to bi )40(.4 tire, 4 ~r.