The Express.
London, England, 1854-01-02 00:00:00

IRVI4ND.

--a-- .
• Deems/. Dec. 31.
The first or a series of patted banquets, with
which certain of the Irish regmeastatives are to be
regaled,and whir& give the vent iediaitione of the
approaching session, took piston.* Nierestyma Thera-
day evening, when Mr. W. Kirk, the yeyelar mem-
ber for that borough, was entertaieed. by his con-
stituents. Mr. Kirk, in a plain, straightforward
exposition of his views, which are those of the'prao-
tied reformers of the day, defended the votes which
he had given on tenant right, and on the extension of
the income tax to Ireland-. He showed his views on
the former subject to be identical with those of Mr.
Sharman Crawford. Referring to his vote in support
of the income tax, which he vindicated, be said:
They mart bear in mind that the income-tan was really
imposed on Ireland by Mr. Disraeli, for it was motioned
1
Laos eedget ; sad he (Mr. Kirk) lied heard the mavens!
.4.,:::,:ueunn;),oyl.sagi"3,,,,..innucesd,ll;:iGaittatehthapriirgrudis tiaseftlauttstilina• fspar.:o;:c esoodial4sdtte:4(atath.feerarltit.ie:tutt:
that jWu ue. ' letention to ter the Judge, but not the
was Mr. Disraeli.* . •s• Presbyterian dairyman mid the
Bishop; he would tax 6-,,.:t net the protestant resins"' 1.."
Donna catholic priest, .•• .
would have taxed Maya,. tit College and the Presbyterian
College, but scuds. rich renunes of Trinity College. Bat
the Brat king that Mr. Gladita(suo did was to repeal the
whole of the Consolidated Anna:ties of 8,000,0001. (Loud
cheers.) For hie (Mr. Kirk's) pert, be was called upon to
}my, by the imposition of the income tax, a great deal more
than ha would have had to do towards the Consolidated
Anneitise, but his patriotism overcame his cupidity, when
he saw the benefits which the present state of things would
confer en the tower classes. (Cheers.)
Mr. Sharman Crawford and other speakers fol-
lowed, the tone of the whole proceedings being
that of rational liberality and progress.
A large and influential meeting, presided over by
the Mayor,'was held in Belfast on Thursday, for the
purpose "of affording the inhabitants an epportn-
nity of expressing their feelings on the subject of
Russian aggression against Turkey." The meeting
was addressed at considerable length by Mr Ross,
of Bladensburgh, Mr. David Urquhart, Dr. Cooke.
~ Mr. Bates, and others. .
The following resolutions were unanimously
adopted :
Teat the maintenance of the independence of Turkey
without territorial diminution is incumbent on Great Bri-
tain and Ireland, u well on principles of national honour
as of general policy. That the disposition evinced by the
government of Turkey for the improvement of the internal
condition of that country, for the liberty of their Christian
sibjects of all denonsinauotui, and for the protection of
those who from other states have sought a refuge among
them, eminently entitle the people of Turkey to our sym-
pathy end support in the resistauce which they are so nobly
making to the unprovoked and unjustifiable attabk made
on their independence and integrity by the Emperor of
Bemis. That we hope the (attire policy of this country
with respect to the differences existing between Turkey
and Russia will evince that firmness which is due to the
honour of our nation, and will at the same time be most
conducive to peace, if an honourable peace be practicable.
Two men named Cavanagh have been committed
to Dundalk Gaol, charged with
,a ribbon conspiracy
against Mr. Fitamaunce, KM., and :with having a
quantity of ammunition in their possession.
A subscription has been bet on foot to reward the
fishermen who so gallantly risked their lives in their
efforts to save the drowning crew of &the unfortunate
ship Eva—efforts which were so successful, while
the numerous crew of a large steamer present at the
scene were unable to render the slightest assistance.
Already a respectable sum has been collected for the

u
p r.
Ipoheseweather in the Channel continues to be ex-
ceedingly boisterous, and all the Holyhead and
Liverpool steamers arrive considerably beyond their
time.
A very respectable meeting, composed of men of
various political parties, has been held in Cork, to
organise a public testimonial to Mr. J. F. Maguire,
M.P., as an expression of their feeling for the im-
portant public services which he has rendered tho
city during his year of office.
All the Irish Roman catholic archbishope and
bishops, with one exception, have signed a joint ad-
dress of sympathy to the Archbishop of Friburg. The
solitary exception is " John of Tuam " who preferred
inditing an epistle of his own, which has been for
some days before the public. The joint document
appears in Latin in the Roman catholic organs.
The subjoined letter from the Very Hey. Wm.
Brown, P.l'., to the local income-tax officer at En-
niskillen, may afford some amusement to people in
England. The Weekly Telegraph, which gives it
publicity, tells us, on the authority of a correspond-
ent, that the example of Father Brown will most
likely be followed by the generality of the "pa-
triotic priests" of Derry. The letter is as follows:
Idurlog, December 27,1153.
Sir,—l hereby return the form sent me to be filled up, in
order to show my claim to be exempted from "Income tax.
AU the income to which I have say legal claim is marked
down is the farm. I can aware you, that after linking
through my accounts for the last three years, my annual ave-
rage income, front all sources, not excepting personal dona-
tions, ranged considerably under one hundred pounds. But
whilst I make this avowal to show my respect for the law,
cannot for a moment admit that any commissioner, or num-
ber of commissioners, have any legal right to levy taxes on
my:income. It is not by any authority of Queen Victoria, nor
by any act of parliament, nor by any Order in Council, that
I am parish priest of Cloofeigh and Camas. I have that title
solely from the R.C. Bishop of Derry. From him alone do
I receive the power of serving at the altar and living by the
altar. lib title and rights year wise laws ignore, and if his
rights and title are illegal, soars mine. This point you must
settle before I will feel myself called on to pay incense tax,
even should my income hereafter swell into the mighty di-
mensions of 100/. per annum. I tell you, moreover, should
it be ruled that the Voluntary Contributions" of my good
people are to be taxed, my course is shaped. Should my
lucerne hereafter amount to 1001. a year (and from the pre-
sent aspect of the country 1 think it will), I will appoint a
committee, to be called the income committee. I*lval give
them power to receive contributions for my support until
the sums received amount to 991. 195., with strict orders to
receive ao more for me, but to hand over any sum that may
come after to some charitable purpose; for I can " live
passing rich on 901. a year." The hard-earned shilling of
the labouring man, with a family to support, or the still
more hard-earned lisps nue of the practiced little shirt-
maker, or factory girl, shall be received by me, to be
taxed for the support of bloated Beglisli or Irish officials.
And should this atep be illegal, I bare another course. I
will ask my illegal bishop far another assistant. 8o that if
the laws will not allow me a few pounds out of the contribu-
tions of my poor people, to be returned again to the poorest
of them, I will, at all events, have the consolation of giving
them MOM spiritual aid.—l am, sir, yours Only.
WILLIAM BROWN, Clealeigh, de.
B. Selvage, Esq.