The Express.
London, England, 1848-07-04 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Jrl.lr 2.

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND TIIE AGITATION.—
A considerable number of the catholic bishops were
assembled at Maynooth during the week just closed,
as is usual at this Beason, as the prelates are natu-
rally desirous to witness the examinations in which
their subjects take part. The condition of the country
of course forced itself upon their attention, and they
have taken that part which should be expected from
their position avid character in these times. They
have adopted a resolution binding themselves in their
several dioceses to prohibit their clergy from using,or
suffering their chapels to be used, ter the discussion of
political affairs—prohibiting them from speaking
upon political topics from the altar—from beeomiug
members of political clubs, and from acting as chair-
man or secretary of any political meeting. The
Bishops of Ireland promulgated a similar resolution
in 1834, but in the renewed agitation for repeal in
1843, it was forgotten. The prohibition at the pre-
sent moment is calculated to exercise a restraint no
less strong than powerful on the political organisation
now in progress, especially that of the clubs.
The great event of yesterday is one de-
serving a more than passing remark. The commu-
nication between the capital and one of the chief
cities of In by railway is an historic event, and of
more social value than any other event since the
union. To traverse a distance of 160 miles in five
hours, which in less locomotive times occupied lull
two days, is something gained to the comfort as well
as the progress ot Ireland. The journey from Dublin to
Limerick and back may henceforward be accomplished
with ease iu twelve hours. The reception of the
Earl of Clarendon was not noisy, but there was an
absence of everything like disrespect on the part of the
peasantry. Some remarked that his lordship feared the
"Tipperary Boys." To prove his confide nee he went
in a hack car to Lord Hawarden's mansion, a long
distance from the main road, accompanied by a single
aide-de-camp and his private secretary, and passed
through the ranks of the people in the same unpre-
tending fashion on his return. This confidence
was not unrewarded, for he was received
with several hearty cheers. One remarkable
feature presented itself in the progress of
the journey the wonderful fertility of the
land and the miserable appearance of the tenants'
houses, which spoke ill for the generosity or know-
ledge of their own interests on the part of the land-
lords. Another feature was the absence of green-
cropping ; wheat and potatoes were the chief tillage.
Pasture abounded in all directions. I may here men-
tion a cursory conversation with a farmer at the junc-
tion with the Waterford and Limerick, which is the
property of Lord Stanley. " Who is your landlord ?"
" Lord Stanley." Is he a good mar, ?" " The best in
Ireland." " Why do you say so ?"—" Because when
we were in want, he gave us manure and seed for our
land, and food for our children. He kept the roof
over our heads, and the life in our bodies, and there
is not one of us who would not die for him." This is
a fact for which I can vouch. I now comprehend why
it is that Lord Stanley, in the thick of the agrarian
fire some years ago,_ was accustomed to go out with-
out attendants, staff in hand, enter the cottages of the
farmer, and converse in the fields with the labourer,
and never sustained the semblance of an insult or an
injury. This much is due to the singular popularity
of the noble lord with his tenantry and the surround-
ing peasantry.

SCOTLAND.

J Ll' 1.

The new bill brought in by the Lord Advocate and
Solicitor-General for simplifying procedure in the
Court of Justiciary in Scotland has been sent down
here. Most of the provisions are of a techr ical cha-
racter. One of them will greatly expedite criminal
business in Glasgow. The eighth section is to the
effect, that, owing to the increase of the population in
the counties of Lsua-k and Renfrew, and the conse-
quent increase in the number of trials before the Cir-
cuit Court of Justiciary held at Glasgow, it is expe-
dient to make provision for the greater despatch of
business, and it therefore enacts that it shall be law-
ful for the two judges attending that court to tit and
perform their duties separately.