The Express.
London, England, 1849-09-10 00:00:00

IRELAND.

Dimas, SEPT. 8.
The Frees of last night devotes two columns to a
weak reply to your recent article, complaining of the
propos:l of thePresa to prnctically banish metaphysics
and ethics from the courses of study proposed in
the new colleges. These atticles in the Press
emanate from an influenttal quarter, and deserve
attention from their origin, if no! from their com-
p( sition, which is more careless than the treatment
of such an important topic would require. It is
contended in them that the philosophy chairs should
be advt. d as much as possible to the oath-lies, but
that argument pea to prove that catholic professors
should have b-411 appointed. I. is worthy of remark
that the Irish have been always taunted for their
fecundity in orators, and their sterility in philoso-
phers. The nationeil intellect has born illustrative
rather than reflective, and Trinity College has only
within On last years made any progress in the
culture of the moral sciences. The Preu wishes
that mrral philosophy shou'd be sparingly cul-
tivated, and teat the mind of Ireland should
r aspire to originality or freedom, but exist
wealth:ally in the intellects of colter counties.
Views We complimentary to the intellect of Ireland,
than the timorous, shrinking, compromi•ing notions
put forward by the Prefix, on the subject of the col-
leges, could scarcely be promulgated by the bitterest
em my to Irish talent.
It is rather amusing that the PresP, while objecting
to the study of philosophy, highly recommends the
attentive examination of Irish history.
The name of Mr. J. L. Arabin, recently Lord
Mayor of Dublin, appears in last night's Gazette
amatgat the insolvent debtors.

FIRES.—NAHROW ESCAPE OF THE CITY OF LON-
DON THEATlLZ.—Yesterday morning, shortly betas three
o'clock, a fire broke out upon the premises belonging to Mr.
Trutt, • milder. carrying on busin,sr in Primrose-street,
Biabopegate. The flames commenced in the ironmongery
stores, separated from the City of London Theatre by only a
few feet Owing to the strenuous exerions of the firemen,
the ft emu were prevented from extending to the theatre and
other sterounding property, but the storm were burned out,
and the premises in the occupation of Mr. 'Menton, grocer
and coffee roaster were severely damaged by water. Toe
origin of the flee is unknown. Mr. Trott was insured in tie
Phoenix Fire office.—Last evening the exrensive range of
premises termed the Southern Mart, No. 61, Stones End,
B &noels, Immediately facing the Police-coert, were disco-
vered to he on fi-e. The premises were in the occupation of
Mesqes. Palmer., Franks, and Co.. hat and cap factors, and
owing to their preeximity to the Unicorn inn and outbuild-
ings • fearful conflagrawn was momentarily expected.
Several engines qnickly attended, and the brigade were
enabled to confine the filmes to the premises in which they
commenced, but they were not extinguished until a serious
amocnt of property was des'royed.—A fire also broke out at
No. 4, Paris-street, Steatite, but owing to timely assistance
the damage done was trifling.
THE MAIZE CROP IN THE PARK.—About two
mouths back we mentioned that an experiment had been
made in St. dunes's-park, by permission of the Commis-
sioners of Woods and Forests, in order to ascertain whether
the main plant might be aucceasfully cultivated in this
country. We are now enabled to announce the result It
is right to premise that the experiment was made under dis-
advantages which must be manifest to every practical agri-
culturist. The spot in which the seed was put down abutted
on a nursery of young tree and flowering shrubs, which, es
is well k"own, absorbs • large proporti a of the nutrition
from the soil, whilst the foliage deprives the seighhooneg
plants of the hem fit of heat, light, and air, all of which con-
tribute to healthy vegetation. No withstanding these draw-
backs, the little maize crop be. fully realised all that was
anticipated. It was sown the latter end of May, and new
is the beginning of September it is ripe tor entivag. The
appearance of the plant is peculiarly graceful, far more so,
incised, than that of any ordmary torn field. The stems,
which run up perfectly straight, are generally from four to
five feet bleb, and are much thicker than the large wheat
straw. They throw out, from the root upwards, a nixes-
sion of flatten* leaves, the stem terminating in a little tuft,
from which spring the ears of cons, somewhat irregularly
clustered; and, in this instance, apparently not heavily
laden. However, from the concurrent opinion of al
practial agriculturists, many of whom have taken a lively
tot in the experiment, at seems not unlikely that the
mails. pleat will be very general y sown henceforward. Its
wain r. commendations are—eheapnas of seed, sapi I growth,
pimplici'y of cultivation, and comparasively large production.
One imporant fact, however, must not be lost sight of by
those who may feel disposed to speculate is mains sowing.
It ri quires a sunny upset tad a warm soil. Amongst these
who are about to experimentaliss upon • large scale next
year, are Prince Albert, who proposes sowin t a piece of
la .d t Flemish-farm; the Doke of Richmond, at Goode
I wood; and the Duke of Norfolk, at Arundel.