The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-28 00:00:00

IRELAND.

Demur, Met 27.
Few days now pass without bringing some account
of broils or aggressions arising out of religious ani-
mosity in some part of this country. Last week a
great portion of the county of Armagh was disturbed
by a series of rows between the protestant and Ro-
man catholic parties, in which the former appear to
have given offence to their opponents by simply in-
dulging their love for music; which, however, it is
to be presumed, was of a partisan character; the
Roman catholic party being, m the several cases, the
first to have recourse to physical force. The leaders
of the belligerents on both side appeared before the
magistrates on a charge and cross charge, and there
is just one redeeming feature in the affair, namely,
that they arranged their differences amicably on
being recommended to do so by the magistrates. In
the old protestant town of Londonderry, the house of
a parson named James Porter has been repeatedly
threatened and ultimately attacked by a mob simply,
according to the accounts that have bean received,
because prayer meetings were held in it,in connexion
with the presbyterian church.
The new corporation of Dublin are most laudably
employed in reforming abuses which the laissez-jizire
system of their predecessors allowed to accumulate.
Ihev are at present engaged in framing a most use-
ful 'code of bye-laws to regulate the low lodging-
houses, which have been allowed to remain m a
frightfully over-cmwded and neglected state ; and
they arc also engaged at present in an effort to regu-
late the funerals of the poor, which, as evervone who
has visited Dublin knows, are conducted here in a
manner most injurious to the social and sanitary
condition of the citizens. The object of the corpora-
tion, in which they arc see9nded by the wishesof all the
respectable citizens, is to prevent the long lines of
funeral processions from parading the city, as they
now do at all hours of the day, and to discourage the
system of Initial societies, by which these processions
are chiefly promoted.

AsSACI.TING A MAGISTRATE IN THE DISCHARGE
OF HIS DETY.—BALLINASLOE I'ETTT SESSIONS, SATIIIt-
DAY.—The doors of the court were scarcely thrown open,
when every available spot was secured to attend the hearing
of a very painful proceeding which took place yesterday
evening between Mr. Fortescue, C.E. and Mr. Fitzgerald,
B.M. Mr. Fortescue, who was arrested yesterday evenicg
on a warrant signed by the Earl of Clancarty, and gave
hail tor his appearance to-day, C:11110 in attended by some of
his friends. Mr. Fitzgerald took his scat in the box to the
right of the bench. Mr. Fitzgerald gave -his testimony to
the following effect :—I was returning from the lire that
took place at Mr. Boyd's on Friday, and when about
half-way between that and the town, I heard a
horse coming after me ; I went quietly along and was
shortly after overtaken by Mr. Forteseue, who ad-
dressing me in a calm, gentleman-like manner, said
—" Mr. Fitzgerald, can I speak with you ?" to which I
replied, " Certainly, by all means." Mr. Forteseue then
alluded to something that took place ou Tuesday, observing
that he felt insulted at some remarks! made, and calling on
me to withdraw them. I then asked Mr. Fortescue if he
had anything further to add, as I was anxious to hear all
ho had to say in extenuation et himself. He then went
into a long statement, which, not deeming satisfactory, 1
refused to retract HUY remarlZl felt bound to make. Mr.
Furtescue then called on me to give him satisfaction. I
told him, iu reply, I was nut unprepared for what he de-
manded; that 1 had given the matter a good deal of
consideration, and consulted many of my personal
friends on the subject, all of whom were of opinion,
that, even abstracting from the consideration of the
office I held, I was not called on, in the capacity of a pri-
vate gentleman, to accede to such terms. Ile then called
me a rascal and a coward, and quite unexpected—in fact, it
came on me as instantanzsiusly us thunder storm—in a most
assassin-like manner, be struck me a violent blow of his
whip across the face; he then nate ("flat full speed, but not
before I gave him a violent blow of my whip in return. I then
gave him thaw, and on coining up we exchanged setae
blows. My horse then became testier, and passed him,
w hen this valiant hero, who but a few moments before ac-
cused me of cowardice, turned round and rode back. On
my n turn lease I communicated with Lord Chutrarty, and,
on his suggestion, adopted the present proceedings. Mr.
Blake contended that instead of bintliug Mr. Furtescue to
appear elsewhere, the bench was called on to send Mr. For-
tes.eue for trial to the next gaol delivery of the county, if, on
inquiry into all the partieulars,they saw grounds for so doing.
In consequence of a preliminary observation by Mr. Blake,
with regard to Mr. Hyde refusing him a copy of Mr. Fitz-
' gerald's informations until after the hearing, Mr. Ily_de
said the law made it imperative on him to refuse Mr.
Blake's application. This remark he felt bound to make,
lest there should be any erroneous impression on Mr. For-
tesene's mind, with regard to hid conduct as a public officer.
After a lengthened discussion the bench ruled that Mr.
Furtesene should be put under a rule of bail, himself in
1001. and two sureties in 2501. each, to keep the peace to-
wards Mr. Fitzgerald and her Majesty's subjects for seven
years, and also to appear on a further inquiry into the
charge on this day fortnight—Mr. Fortescue was detained
in custody until he and his sureties entered the required
recognizance+, which was perfected before the rising of the
court. —Western Star.

PaNeft.ta BOARD OF DlUCToas.—At the
usual weekly ratting of the board of directors, held yes-
terday at the vestry rooms, Camden-town, C. Pease, Esq.,
churchwarden, in the chair, some letters from Bermuda
applying for a fresh supply of children from the workhouse,
were laid before the board, and, upon the motion of Mr.
Dyke, seconded by Mr. Prendergast, a committee wag ap-
pointed to select a certain number of boys and girls from
the inmates of the workhouse, to be sent out to the island.
In answer to a remark from the chairman, Mr. Dyke said
that in order to legalise the proceeding, it would be merely
necessary to take the children before a magistrate. Accord-
ing to the recent census the population of St. Pancras amounts
to 167,136, the total cost of taking the census of this eaten-
sive parish being 3121. 16s. 10d. ; for the payment of which
sum the board gave an order: the amount to be hereafter
repaid to the parish by the Treasury. After the trans-
action of other business, of purely local interest, the
board separated.
ItooflaG THE BRITANNIA TUBULAR BRIDGE.—A
sinßuLir and novel process is at present being curried on
with respect to the Britannia tubular bridge. In conse-
quence of the upper surface of the tubes receiving and being
acted on by the wet and atmospheric action, it has been
deemed advisable to roof the top of the tubes; and for this
purpose a complete ridge has been placed over both the
tubes, having a walk down the centre, and the framework
has been completely covered over with cloth impervious to
the ruin. Upwards of 7,000 yards of this prepared cloth arc
required to accomplish the undertaking, which has been
take nby contract. The large hotel which it has been de.
termined to erect closely adjacent to the bridge will contain
no fewer than 500 beds, and will lie connected with the
tubes by a covered walk, and surrounded with appropriate
gardens and pleasure grounds. The works for the erection
of this monster hots I are in full operation : large bodies of
labourers arc employed levelling the ground and forming the
foundation, and no time will be lost in the completion of
this adjunct to the Chester and Holyhead and Carriacou
lines. _

AMERICAN REFORMS IN LADIES' DRESS. Our
columns have already noted the revolution of female dm*
which has lately sprung up in the United States. Our last
tiles of New York papers give one or two further illustrations
athe new rage. An Oswego journal says, " Quite on ex-
citement was produced at the steam-boat landing the day
lector( yesterday, at the appearance of a couple of ladies with
the short Turkish dress. They were travelling in tympany
with gentlemen, and were evidently people of cultivation. A
revolution in female costume is undoubtedly in preparation.
There can be nothing more ungraceful than the long drab-
Wing dresses which sweep the streets and steps wherever
ladies move. As a matter of personal comfort the Turkish
dress must be most agreeable, in addition to its beauty."
Daring an anti-slavery convocation at Syracuse, again,
" Mrs. Burleigh and the two Misses Burleigfi, the wife and
daughters of the poet Burleigh, entered the meeting. The
were dressed in the new costume that is now being adopted
by the ladies. The upper garment was close fitting, and
reached to the knees. Underneath was n loose trousers,
reaching to the ankle. The feet were enclousl in buskins,
and gipsey straw hats crowned all. The eyes of the meeting
wcr; immediately turned towards the ladies. They walked
leisurely through the aisle, took their seats upon the
piatform, and entered into conversation with Abhy Kelly,
George Thompson (M.P. for the Tower Hamlets), and W.
L. Garrison.—Liverpool paper.
THE DELIVERIES OF 1 EA last week were 616,7681 b.,
being 46,0001 b. increase over the previous week. The stock
at tea in London on the 16th instant was 38,168,0001 b., andl
in Liverpool 12,431,0001 b. against 36,610,0001 b., and
8,968,0001 h. at the corresponding date of 18.50. The move-
ment in the London trade this year to the 16th instant has

been as follows:

Total 4434ere1l .
Ezputed .. 1,40,000
Vent east.
etYe ...... 9,500,000
3,040,000

1831.
lb. I
Total delivered 16,203,000
F.-sported-. 970,000
Sent coast-
wise 3,050,000
-- 4,910,1-00

Homo cooonsaption
float Load= 10,484,000
Import et uw moatb,
lAodos 4.948,P00
Ditto Ltoorpool
Deliteryol the month,
Ion& a 11,638100
Ditto Liverpool

lloase coseateption
tram Lemke 114113.090
Import the mouth,
11,06.00
Ditto LI
legiver=nestly
Lapdes 4844.000
Ditte Liverp00l