The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-14 00:00:00

IRELAND.

magistrates for breaking glass in the wiadews of tradesmen,
for the avowed purpose of getting into prison, amounted in
the last four weeks to 85. Fever is making many victims,
and the deed bodies are not unfrequently left adjacent to
the pollee Nations, for the p dice to coffin and commit to
earth. As a necessity, indeed I should say inevitable con-
sequence, the pollee form of Cork have bee. virulently
attacked with fever—km*lmila in seem one of their stations.
To add to t►e horron of this time man-pox is making dread-
ful ravages amongst the children of the poor.

SCOTLAND.
EDINBURGH, Amu. 12.

Political excitement has not been at a lowerpro-
than it is at present, " within the memory of ebb
oldest inhabitant." A party here, which has a the
of town councillors fer its nucleus, will very knot
bably set up a candidate at next election, but they
cannot touch either of our present members. They
are talking of Mr. Miall ; but the idea of asking the
votes of a constituency which (with or without
reason piques itself upon its literary character)
gravely imputed to Sir William Molesworth as a
crime his liberality in giving the world a complete
edition of Hobbes, is preposterous. Orthodoxy (i.e.,
Calvinism) is more deeply rooted in the national feel-
ing of Scotland than of any other part of the empire;
but Scotch orthodoxy rather seeks than spurns an ac-
quaintance with metaphysical writers. From the
founder of the blue and yellow downwards,
every person in Edinburgh affects a smattering
of literature, and every one of them is aware that an
intelligible survey of the history of the philosophy of
mind leaving out Hobbes would be valueless. The
black myalism of Jamaica would have as mock
chance here as the Miallisni of Southwark. The
contest at Glasgow will be a piece of parish polities :
whatever its result, the political tendencies of the re-
presentation of that city will be unchanged. The
opponents of the present members do not object to
their politics, but complain of their inattention to the
local business. They bring forward Mr. Macgregor,
believing that he will advocate the same line of
policy androve a more efficient member. At this stage
of the business it is impossible to conjecture how the
election may go. In like manner, there is little dif-
ference to be detected in the political creeds of the
three candidates for the Dunfermline burghs.
The election will depend upon the suc-
ceed of Stirling or Dunfermline in conci-
liating the majorities of the other boroughs.
Whatever is supported by the Stirling constituency
aid be opposed by that of Dunfermline, and rice
versa. Unless the old influences are much altered,
the chances are in favour of Captain Speirs, who will
stand in a great measure in Lord Dalmeny's shoes.
Mr. Alison 'e recommendations are his rapidly-
..

acquired wealth and personal qualities, whatever they
may be. Mr. Smith's recommendations are, that
being identified with the struggles of the anti-corn-
law league, he is agood card to play against the sup-
porter, of Captain Speirs. It would be rash to say
that he has no chance, but as a general rule it may be
laid down that no Englishman who values his own
comfort will accept the representation of a Scotch
constituency. It isimpoesible they should understand
each other, as sooner or later he is sure to be taught
in a disagreeable manner. The contest for Fife will
be entangled, and its result difficult to fore-
see. The constituency are heartily tired of
their present member, but he is not tired
of them. The liberals are sincerely anxious to Mom
Mr. Fergus, in whom they have confidence; but
Captain Wemyss, who carried the county, by his own
confession, not to please himself, bat to plague the
country gentlemen, will not relinquish the amiable
pleasure of teasing, and his indefatigable and brusque
style of canvassing will deter many of his old sop-
porters from revolt Meanwhile the Tories are soak-
ing out a plausible man to ran away with the lost
while the two Liberals are battling for it. There
are only two other Scotch constituencies in which an
earnest struggle appears to be toward—Berwick-
shire and Ross-shire. Orkney was talked of, but the
latest accounts from Shetland, the supposed strong-
hold of the aspiring candidate, represent even i's
constituency as unshaken in their attachment to the
tatting member. In Rom-shire, Mr. Matheson will
give Mr. T. M'Kenzie a rode shake, if he does not
altogether unseat him. In Berwickshire, the Hon.
Francis Scott (whom the Duke of Bacelengh has
made up his mind to unseat in Rexburghshire) will
be opposed to Lord John Hay. The elections in this
county have always been neck and neck, and so will
the next be.

A meeting of those favourable to the govern-
ment measure of education is to be held in Glas-
gow on the 13th inst It is summoned by the
lord provost, at the request of a respectable body
of citizens, which embraces among others Dr.
Hill, professor of divinity in the university;
Dr. Barr, one of the city clergy ; Dm Nichol, Angus,
and Mackay ; and Mr. IYOney, well known friends
to liberal education; the ex-lord provost, Mr. Lams.
den; and a great number of the leading merchants in
Glasgow. The Secession presbytery of Kelso are to
petition against it, but discriminating in their con-
sideration of public matters, they are to petition in
favour of the Marriage and Registration Bills.
Petitions in favour of protection to British shipping
are being got up in the principal Scotch ports. No
differential disability, such as the distillers had to
complain of, is set forth, but naked protection is in-
sisted on as the only safeguard of the British mercan-
tile marine. Sir It. G. Booth, of Sligo, is fitting out
at Ardroesan, a fine 800 ton ship called the Eolus,
for the purpose of conveying the poor on his estates
to the North American colonies. The provisioning
and accommodation are on the most liberal scale.
The Edinburgh banks appear to be vieing with
each other in the production of magnificent premises.
A year or two ago the Edinburgh and Glasgow bank
built a new establishment, which is now to be enlarged.
The Commercial bank has just now opened a magni-
ficent structure, on the architecture and sculpture of
which the newspapers are dilating learnedly. The
Western Bank is busily building a new office, and
the British Linen Company are to commence one
forthwith. All thew places are congregated near the
east end of George-street, in the new town.
Mr. John Hunter, W.S., who is probably the agent
of Colonel Gordon of Cluny, has addressed a letter to
the Courant in reference to the statement which lately
appeared in the Inverness Courier, and which was
referred to in the Express, regarding an alleged
interference on the part of government with his pro-
perty. Mr. Hunter says:
The statement is unfounded in almost every partMular.
• • • • It is true that an officer of the board of super.
vision has lately traversed the parishes of Barra and South
Uist, and reported to the board as to the state of the poor
and the parochial boards ant their inspectors—that the
board have made a communication to Colonel Gordon (the
clergyman of the one pariah not being inducted, and of the
other at present incapacitated by illness), with suggestions
for the guidance of the parochial boards and their inspectors.
But it is entirely untrue that any " stringent" measure in
reference to the supplies to the poor of those parishes is
" necessary," or that the proprietor is liable to be subjected,
in regard to them, to any greater, or other responsibility than
other Scotch landlord., should it be found expedient to pro-
vide for those supplies by an assessment instead of voluntary
contributions as at present.

DUBLIN. Aram 12.
REPEAT. ASSOCIATION.—At the weekly meeting to-day.
Mr. John O'Connell stated that the accounts from his
father did not indicate any change in the character of his
malady, but he was not worse. With reference to the re-
jection of his overtone of re-union by the " Young Ireland"
party, and upon the subject of their recent meeting, he spoke
at great length, and while he mid he desired to be personally
respectful to Mr. S. O'Brien, he must designate his asser-
tion of the existence of " a Whig alliance" as a mischievous
and complicated falsehood. A petition in favour of the
Dublin Improvement Bill, now before parliament, was
adopted. The repeal rent was 201.
STATE Or TIRE COOMIT.—The Lord Mayor of Dublin
has received a communkatioa from the island of Grenada,
announcing that a sum of 3,0001. had been subscribed for
the relief of the destitate Irish. The Rev. Mr. Frani', a
clergyman of Tipperary, states that in his vicinity the potato
crop of 1846, "though deficient in produce, has remained
sound." He adds, that the planting of potatoes is
far more extensive than was supposed, and those
"set early are throwing out
nodeuoo is an extraordinary rise in the pof articles of con-
numption be retail, not alone in the markets of Dublin, but
throughout the country. Mutton, of the best quality, fetches
in Dublin 9ld. to Ifkl Bacon (nice cuts) 71d. to &l. Hams,
61d. to 7d. Fowls, ss. a pair ; and vegetables proportion-
ately deer. In felt, every article of consumption, save gro-
ceries, is now from 50 to 75, and even 100 per cent. clearer
than at this period last year. In Castlebar where never in
my recollection has best beef exceeded sd. per pound. lid.
to Bd. is now the price. In Cork the price of mutton is Sd.,
9d., and 10d. per lb.; beef, for best cats, en high as Is. per
lb., and fowl cannot be had at any price. he
firmer have not reared any this year. The stet.
of Cork city is represented in the local papers as most
alarming--not only are diem= and destitution making
havoc, but disorganisation threatens to loosen all social
obligations. The number of individuals brought before the

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1847.

L,udon, Manchester, and other stations is to be made
available, is os follows :—A large room is to be taken
near the Exchange News Room (if possible in the muse
building), into which the wires and the whole apparatus are
to be introduced. Here all information of public interest
will be received, and be immediately deeiphered, and pceted
up, for the information of the subscribers to this Telegraphic
News Room. The yearly subscription will be from two to
three guineas, and for this rum the subscribers will be en-
titled to see all intelligence relative to the arrival of the East
and West India mails, markets, to political events of im-
portance, as decisions in parliament, to the arrival of Liver-
pool vessels at other ports, and whatever else may bethought
deserving of transmission by telegraph. The company will
also convey private communications.

TONORANCIS AND CANT.—Out of 40 prisoners for trial
at the Preston sessions, 14 are ignorant of the merest rudi-
ments of education, and the rest an only read and write
imperfectly.

YORKSHIRE
MEETING OT TEI RONAN CATHOLICS OF LEEDS ON
THE EDUCATION QUESTION.-00 Youilety evening • pub-
lic meeting of the Roman Catholic eswiragations of Leeds,
convened by the loading members die respective churches,
was hall intim mirseirosm Wasson to St. Ann's church, to
uprise the of that is Anwar of the government
scheme of 'on. J. Req., was called to the
chair, sadafter • brief Mteibesowy address, the following
resolatioa was proposed by Kr. J. Dsavey Holdforth, and
sessaied ley **Rev. H. Vslssaby :
That fhb ineelthn meows at the seevermset 111111100 of edueetkt
es psalmodist In the thinner et earl; it es • meth hoed-
, Olt thenenthe mom new worthy et en thed mid • Mend
eanthietreden, Mill et ere einewleinee yeekeary any at
every gerwernmet it be the elltheeten et phe esein thereby
enabling then the mare rest b egiseedthe end eneleretesd the
laws aphids they are required te they.
J. Prost, Esq., solicitor, next propossi, sad J. Autos,
Esq., soessitd :
That Ms masa( has heard with alarm SOL earls see maths by
soryagesessimentis sesensre ee Inierdthe devernment me le hither
edema le Whin vat eallthets end rethelellsee, es to render
raihibr that le semi the bees ellbent eassigemlasi their
She die asellths besteeee, to tee mei mallinse to
the eel Isitheetth etas sellehlened eel threat etheleletrn•
Wei le OA they weld he • Nemeth Nam Is a geepolden es
inesillielly Went. be
114 If merely to their expeendlee, say
sea ladinsity Mould be eared le the Wheels body, tide treeting
Meshy pledgee iteeltle rein say sea attethyb by every gendlin.
tem' new within lb peat,
It was then moved by Mr. S. Jackson, and seconded by
Mr, 8. Hayes. that a mentwiel be signed by the chairman,
on behalf of the meeting, and forthwith presented to govern-
ment, craving them to entry out their proposed scheme in
its origteal integrity.

- -
DBFEAT or TOE ANTI.EDUCATIONUMC—On Monday.
• meeting which Is allowed to have been the largest ever
held in Barnsley, took place in the National School Room
in that town. On the Thursday previous, a meeting had
been got up by the opponents of the government plan of 1
education. and was held in the Court House at three o'clock
in the afternoon. In consequence of the inconvenient hour
of the day at which the meeting was called, and in order to
give the people of Barnsley a fair opportunity of discussing
the question, a motion for the adjournment of the meeting
was carried, against the wishes of the opponents of the go-
vernment plan. The meeting held last night t e Na-
tional School Rom was the result. Mr. Joseph Woodruffe,
the chief constable, on being called to the chair, requested
a fair biasing for all parties, and then called upon Mr. B.
Gill, who moved the first revelation :

ntat thle usetka deeply deplores the laradkiney of the adman
at peered elladad be the Jacealie papolation at We maim boa ea
to oaantlty wary; aad, blind sowthisi *ma
tcortdarrde MO sat dee Naar sheras Oak
It la, tharedbee, *ld ad bey at peramist yeeeide a
educed= /se the Map reaeratlea ; mad Oil wettalag hat
rch=rellandied by her ibjeArs Prtyy ea
obi ta bolt* a biter, cheaper, sad mon ezesalre mem of
Midas.

It was the duty of the patriot end the philanthropist, and
the friends of education generally, to propound and support
a rational system of education, it was their duty to pro-
perly train the infant mind, and set in motion the power of
thought, to teach the child the principles which are calm-
Intel to make him a good man and • useful member at
society. The working classes were not able to Rive their
children a proper educat'on ; if they were able, they would
do it, but, from the low rate of Wel" it was
morally irepousible. They had too much striving
to clothe the body and feed the body, that they
had nothing to spare for food for the mind. The voluntary
principle had been tried, and found quite inadequate to
educate the people. It had been said by dissenters thew.
selves it would take many years to educate the people an
dds principle ; hut he asked what war to become of the hs
bearing population in the meantime ? What had been done
W those who, in 1843, made such an astounding exhibition
la this very place ? Where was the day-school of the Inde-
pendents, of the Wesleyan, of the New Connexion of the
P/121W veMethodists, of the Baptists, and of the HistCalvin-
ist@ ? He knew of only one wheel, the Wesleyan, and that had
sprung out of the measure of Sir J. Graham. The dissen-
tese had not the means to educate the people ; tf they had,
why did not they do it ? It was an axiom that • good govern-
ment man be a paternal government, especially in
the provisions foe the poor, and where was the man who
would come forward and say it was not the duty of govern-
ment to furnish the means of education ? Even Mr.
Edward Baines said, in 1839, that for government to refuse
aid towards educating the people, was a proposition so mon-
strous that it would be rejected with scorn and indignation
By the people. The Lord Chief Janke of England said it
was the duty of the state to educate the people ; and, no
doubt, had the Lord Chief Justice's opinion been on the
other side, that that jump Jim Crow politician, Mr. Edw.
Baines, would not have failed to make ample use of the argu-
ment and the authority. The speaker then went on to contend
that if the government were justified in spending 6.000.0001.
for training soldiers in the art of war, and 600,0001. for an
unconstitutional police, they were surelY justified in spending
2,000.0001 for the education of the people. Also, that the
old adage, prevention is better than cure, here laid geed
with respect to crime. He called upon the vememmot ts
Prevent crime, by • wise, and timel end efeirasgieme
of education for the people.—Mr. liempowa,
working man, who, in addressing the meeting, reed them
to excuse his rrammatical errors, for he knew dos want
of a good national stheme of education, seconded the
motion.—Mr. Edward Parker, of Atchley Stair Foot,
supported the resolution. In some preliminary obser-
vations, he alluded to the remarks of Mr. Flint,
of Leeds, on a former ocession—especially to the remark
that it was no part of the duty of government to interfere
with the education of the people at any time, or in any way ,
whatever. He (Mr. Parker) would like to know wham
that principle was derived. It was not to be found in tor
part,of revelation, nor in the creed of any religion, Pages fie
Christian, Jewish or Gentile; neither in the *twit or the
letter, or the practical working of the constitution ; it was
no p rt of hereditary andition, as the sentiment, of than
who had reared the lads of the constitution amidst all Asl
vieinitodes and crises ihrotegh which it had paned ; dos
primal* hid not been ipodurhod forial:neseeasnarchista or aw
ai palls" dablishadadmina nts tons
▪ *a OW* et dr seer poinsier the ;ti mair
Wks. sae aim mar assindail assimilea
in die padimmiat and ilia Ma fa het be
Parker) l/end it with no puke moldiseity than that
of the Lade Mercury of liras muddle old. (Cheers,
and laughter.) The govaramsat, it aimed. might inter-
fere to prevent the people being poisoned by deleterious
exhalations ; they might enter the Fiesioste of dirt and
darkness ; ignorance was the and, domain they
should not trespass upon. But 1111•1 Mee another
thing. It was very curious that Ike Outtorie at Leeds,
whose odic* was to lay at di polio of the consti-
tution, should have lain there tampon hire he espied the
denimr he now sees. (Cheers.) TY principle was no new
peinciple. The governmest granted 10,0001., and Mr.
Baines did not *loot they increased the grant to 30,0001.,
and instead of making any :complaint, Cerberus rather
wagged his tail in satisfaction, and he (Mr. Parker) remem-
bered a certain allusion in the Leads Mercury about the
70,0001. expended upon the Queen's stabled whilst only
30,0001, was. voted for education. Now, then, it seemed that
this vigilant watch dog, who keeps guard over the consti-
tution that we might rest in aefety,required ten years to poke
him up. Certainly, when he was roused, he appeared
determined to atone for his neglect. Witness the columns
of the Mercury, and the letters be had addmesed to every
eminent man in the country bat the hon. gentleman in the
chair to-niot—(laughter)—who no doubt after this meet-
ing would be favoured with one of these long epistles.
(Laughter.) It was the duty of the government to do for
the people what they could not do for themselves; and
whether the people could ethane themselves he appealed
to the testimony of the two speakers who had preceded
him. He alluded to the state of education at Ardsley.
The schoolmaster was a poor decrepit old MAW, who could
scarcely walk ,• his revenue from the school amounted to 3s.
per week, and the other day the overacr relieved him with
a trifle to keep body and soul together. But Mr. Baines
was afraid of destroying the independence of the school-
master if the rate gave them anything to eat. He (Mr.
Parker) should like the experiment to be tried on the school-
Mader at Ardsley. It was a diagram to our age and civi-
lisation that the schoolmaster, to whom we entrusted
the important task of forming the men of the next
age, should not receive any better remuneration
than an ordinary mechanic. The people must be
educated, for even Mr. Baines put forward the irk
norance of the people u an objection to their having the
franchise. He (Mr. Parker) concluded by heartily support-
ing the resolution. Key. Mr. Beddowesondependent minis-
ter, in propelling an amendment, declared himself free from
party influents and sectarian prejudice. He war for a
national education, but he did not want it carried
on thmugh • power and control that might be
dangerous, and he pointed to the examples abroad to show
that national education, under the control of the state,
was bad rather than otherwise. He did not object
that the measure was unconstitutional, but that it WY intro-
duced in an unconstitutional manner. and he referred to the

declarations of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord
Stanley, at the time that the committee of the privy council
on education were originally entrusted with their powers.
The rev, gentleman enlarged on these topics at some length;
he quoted the opinion or Win. Howitt respecting the coati•
neat*, system of education, .n also the opinions of Dr.
Hoek, to show that the Church of Illaglend ought to
her own resources in eduitsizatesespsople. He oeseleMby
ro pposing the following
That this meeting, rtiMalll pis liberty no Grua:wised& value,
protest &pleat the prepsnsemsmmed apereressent set hails the
minutes at dee emu lOW 41 patty mod. on education, as
Mtn introduced lea maute oeueney le the spirit and pehreptinS
the British cosothalka; as pmedel led isPest in its opeutleut
calculated to Intrudese as esimive emu ot COITUVe
fence, which may he brewed le leer in Or mom rigetidir, awl
tbetetwe meet tug le dewyd sisly Wiper Imo SI i/Vedlie
the prospect et a spasm ei pueuemeat atm mei* et wet end In.
&Jae esterlek but et "Midi the eseiestemes moot be Moen,
aad eatillog tit ojeediellie boom al the petit braes.
Mr. Beady sissegoi lb grit. Thin min aloe
assoAas ansuidami prepossi, teS 'as =Wag Alamely

carried the orivinal resolution, by a large Majority. The
meeting unmated after eleven o'eloek.

CIIP.SIIIRE.

Runcona.—Last night's Gazette contains the official
announcement appointing Runcorn to be • pert. Its limits
as such are stated to commence at Warrington-bridge, fol-
lowing the course of the river Mersey, and including both
shores until a Hll4l can be drawn from Chapel Farm-house, on
the Lancashire shore, to Bottom church, on the Cheshire
shore, including the shores and waters of the river Weaver to
Frodittarn.bridge The following places are appointed legal
quays.: New Dock, Old Dock, Lower Basin, Old Basin,
Franco' Dock, and Old Quay Docks.
_HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

.....
Tun Caors.—The young wheat wait very much cut with
the frost about a week ego, but the late rain has made a
great improvement in it. A considerable quantity of barley
is out of the ground ; It seems to come up well. Turnips
are all consumed, and graa•keepiog is scarce ; yet sheep
continue very dear. There are great complaints of a de.
ficiency of lambe, in consequence of a great many ewes
having slipped when they were attacked by the epidemic
about six or seven weeks ago. In some flocks, half of the
ewes are without lambs. The wheat in the Fen wee coml.
derably injured by the late frosty nights and warm days
(these extremes are always very injurious to Fen wheat),
but the late rain has made a greet improvement in its ap-
pearance, although the plant i+ in many instances very thin.

WILTSHIRE.
AN INQUEST WU held, on Monday., on the body of E. T.
Culoton, Esq., of Itoundway Park, and a verdict of " Found
drowned" returned. The jure was composed of magistrates
and neighbouring gentry. Deceased was shown to have
been in his usual state of mind on the morning of his death,
and nothing was observed in kis manner that could justify
the suspicion that it was a suicidal act. The pond in which
he was found is surrounded by very steep banks ; and •
person unable to swim would not, if he accidentally fell in,
be able to extricate himself.

- -
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—" Lucia di Lammer-
moor " was performed at Covent Garden last night.
Madame Persiani appeared in the character of the heroine,
and Salvi in that of Edgar Ravenswood. Persiani'a re-sp-
pearance, after an absence of three years, was bailed with
acclamation. Lucia always was one of bar finest parts,and
she now performed it, if possible. more beautifully than ever.
She looked remarkably well, and was in the fullest posses-
sion of her vocal powers. She acted with her accustomed
sweetness and pathos; and, in the purity of her tones, the
grace and delicacy of her execution, her briEiant articulation
of rapid passages, and her rich and finished embellishments,
she left all rivalry far behind. Her reception during the
whole piece was enthusiastic. &lei, who made his first ap.
UanCC on our stage, showed himself to be worthy of his
gairtcontinental reputation. He is tall, and handsome
both in face and figure; and approached nearer the aVal of
the young Scottish chief than any performer we have seen
in the part. His voice is a very pure tenor; less powerful,
we think, than Fraschini's, but much more mellow and
sweet, and more capable, constantly, of soft and tender ex-
pression. In the great scene in the second act, he did not pour
out his wrath and indignation with the terrible force of
Fraschini, the "tenors della maledizione," but in the final
scene, his comparatively quiet and subdued, but intense, ex-
pression of amef, was much more affecting than Fraschini's
loudness and violence. The beauty of hie performance was
fully appreciated, and he (as well asPeniani) was called for
at the end of each act of the opera. Ronconi sustained the
part of Ashton; but the effect of this great performer's
dsiwt (as it may be called) was marred by a severe hoarse-
ness, which so much affected his voice that, after
the first scene, it was found necessary to solicit
in hie behalf the indulgence of the audience. No
this unfortunate circumstance, he occa-
sionally showed great powers both as an actor and a
singer, especial) y in the scene with Lucia, in the second act.
The character of Bidebent was performed by Signor Polinini,
who did it great justice. His voice is of good quality and
considerable power; and all he did was marked by good
sense and propriety. The orchestra and chorus did their
duty adastrably ; and we certainly have never seen this
opera, as a whole, more finely performed. The theatre was
very full in every part.