The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-05 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Aran. 3.
You were informed yesterday, by electric tele-
graph, of the significant fact that Dr. Cullen was
placed at the head of the list of three whew names
are to be transmitted to Rome for the selection of a
rummy to the late Archbishop Murray. The elec-
tion took place with all the usual formalities, which
were invested on the occasion with the utmost pomp.
The sombre paraphernalia of mourning in which the
Roman Catholic metropolitan church had been enve-
loped since the death of the late archbishop disap-
peared duringtho night, and yesterday morning that
tine building was seen once more in all its splendour.
The altar was arranged fora solemn high mass; an
excellent choir was in attendance, and the church
was crowded with a respectable congregation, with
the exception of a portion of the centre nave which
had been railedoff for the accommodation of the clergy
who were to take pat t in the election. At the conclusion
of the mass the laity, and such of the clergy as were
not entitled to vote were required to leave the
church, and accordingly retired, when the doors
were closed, and the election proceeded, the three
suffragan bishops, the parish priests, and canons alone
being present The total number of electors in the
archdiocese is 34, and of these three were absent. The
votes were as follows :

Archbishop Cullen (Digniesimus)
Very ROT. Dean Meyler (Dignior) 9
Rev. L Dunne, P.P. (NV*
. .

The following were also put in nomination :—Rev.
William Meagher, who had 5 votes; the Rev. Dr.
O'Hanlon, of Meynooth, 3 votes; the Rev. Dr.
Russell, of Maynooth, 2 votes; and Rev. Dr. Miley,
president of the Irish College, Paris, 1 vote. The
three first names, to which the epithets of dignus,
dignior, and dignissimus, are applied, are, however,
the only ones which will be forwarded to Rome ;
and with so overwhelming a majority in favour
of Primate Cullen, even if there had not been any
understanding on the subject before, it is easy to see
that the Pope will inevitably appoint him to the va-
cant see. I have called the result of this election a
significant fact, and such it undoubtedly is. No
more marked evidence of the feelings which predo-
minate in the great body of the Roman catholic
clergy of Ireland could be given, and these feelings
are thus clearly indicated to be those of total
obedi-
once to the wishes of Rome, and total indifference to
those of any English government. The public were
pretty well prepared for this result by general ru-
mour, as it was well enough understood that, if Dr.
Cullen were really a candidate, his election was cer-
tain; but the circumstance hat his appointment
would reduce him to a lower grade in the Roman
catholic hierarchy of Ireland was still a difficulty
through which most people could not see their way.
The Tablet of this morning says, on the subject of
this election :
The descent from a higher to a lower ecclesiastical dignity
presents no greater difficulty. Everybody knows that Pope
, Pius IX. was Archbishop of Spoleto, and from that higher
dignity was translated to the bishopric of Imola ; and we
are informed that such descents, though not positively fre-
quent, are of no unusual occurrenceon the continent.t.ln
the present instance the dignity of papal delegate will rule
, over all minor questions of rank and precedence.

Rumour adds that Dr. Cullen is likely to be in-
vested, not only with the privileges of " papal
delegate" or legate, but with the full-blown honours
of cardinal ; but this, notwithstanding the number
of improbable things which come to pass, is scarcely
credible.
It is understood that the Hon. Mr. Preston, son
of Lord Oornutnston, and Mr. O'Neill Segrave are
the Defence Association's candidates for the county
of Dublin, in opposition to the present members,
Colonel Taylor and Mr. Hamilton.
Mr. Serjeant Shee has addressed the electors of the
county of Kilkenny. His principles, which are well
known in this country, are those of tenant right,
free trade, anti-state-church endowment, and anti-
Ecclesiastical Titles Act. There can be very little
doubt of his success.
Sir Charles Coote is up for the Queen's county on
the tory interest, and his friends flatter themselves
that his appearance will frighten all competitors
from the field.
It is generally understood that Mr. Butt, who has
been most unfortunate in all his electioneering. pro-
jects, has not the remotest chance of getting in for
Youghal.
A dreadful murder was discovered yesterday morn-
ing in the county of Kilkenny. The body of a poor
woman, supposed to be a hawker, was found near a
gate in a field, with dreadful fractures on her head,
• purse which she carried having been rifled. A
man and his wife have been arrested on strong sus-
picion.
On last Sunday, respites were received by the
Governor of the Maryborough Gaol, commuting the
sentence of death, passed last assizes on Matthew
'Colgan, John Fahy, and William Bergen, to trans-
portation for life; and yesterday these convicts were
transmitted to the Mountjoy government prison,
preparatory to their being sent to one of the penal
settlements.

THE SPEAKER'S SEVENTH PARLIAMENTARY DIN-
waft took place on Saturday. There were present—Mar.
ui* of Chandra(Lord of the Treasury), Earl Jermyn,
Viscount Villiers, Viscount Lewisham, Viscount Newport
(Vice-Chamberlain), Admiral The lion. W. (Jordon, Roo.
Col. Clive, lion. Ernest Duneombe, Hoo. Capt. A.Duncombe,
R.N., Sir Henry Willoughby, Capt. Sir George Tyler,
R.N., Capt. Hushout, Mr. Manners Sutton, Ms. Tatton
Egerton, Mr. FeHowes, Mr. Wm. Beckett, Cul. Oilpin,
Mr. Elliott Lockhart, Mr. Monsell, Mr. Peers Williams,
Capt. Howard Vyso, Col. Chatterton, Mr. WeggsProsser,
Mr. Ambrose Ooddard, Mr. Batmen (Lord of the Treasury).
lion. General Arbuthnot prevented through indisposition.