The Express.
London, England, 1847-12-25 00:00:00

THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND THE

ACT OF 1844.
Our attention has been naturally directed to that
provision of the Bank Charter Act of 1844, the operation of
which the government has recently suspenehd. We hare
been led to conclude that that provision is tke main provi-
sion of the act of 1344, and that its suspension was inevita-
ble. The principle upon which the act wu based we find
thus laid down by Sir R. Peel, in his able, honest, and lucid
speech of May 6, 1844, to the whole of which we refer our
readers:

Our general rule is to draw a distinction between the privilege of
Untie and the ordinary banking bantams. W think that the privilege
of issue to one which may be fairly and Judly claimed by the date,
and that the banking badmen la one in which there cannot be tou un-
limited and unrestricted a competition.

Sir Robert confesses that he has !against him " the high
authority of Adam Smith and of Ricardo," but "is not pre-
pared to deny the position, that if we had a new state of so-
ciety to deal with, the wisest plan would be to claim for the
state the exclusive privilege of the issue Of promissory notes,
as we have claimed for it the exclusive privilege of coinage."
He consequently thinks it "of emit importance to increase
the power of a single Lank of issue" (the Bank of England).
Nothing,but policy tine sear (just snoop) of opposition pre.
vents him from at once restricting the issue of bank notes to
the Bank of England alone. In the meantime, no new
bank of issue whatever is to be established in the United
Kingdom. Existing banks of issue are not to in-
crease their issue under any circumstances. If
isting banks of issue fail or are dissolved, their cir.
culation is, with the consent or government, to be re-
placed by the circulation of the Bank of England. Private
banks are invited to give up issuing their own notes, and
issue those of the Bank of England instead. That the Bank
of England notes should be the only notes in circulation in
the United Kingdom of England, Ireland, and Scotland, is
confessedly Sir It. Peel's end, and the act of 1844 is as great
an advance towards that consummation as he found it pos-
sible to make. . . . .

Now this is for the sake of security against the danger of
insolvency on the part of private banks of issue. That must.
then be the main provision of the act, which is intended to
guard against a similar danger on the part of the Bank of
England. A bank note is a promise to pay so much gold
upon demand. Any bank unable to pay upon demand
the gold it has promised to pay is ipso focto bankrupt.
The reserve of gold is the palladium of banks. The Bank
of England must, by the act of 1841, always have in
its coffers geld to represent all its notes in circulation beyond
the amount of 14,000,0001., which it is allowed to issue on
the basis of public securities. The average circulation being
about 22,000,0001., the proportion of gold to notes will thus
be about 1 to 3, which proportion, Sir R. Peel has said, past
experience shows to be a safe propor ion.
That there might be no interference with the banking
business of the Bank, in accordance with the principle that
in banking" there cannot be too unlimited and unrestricted
a competition," it was divided into two departments—the
issue department and the banking department, " with sepa-
rate officers and separate accounts." To the issue depart-
ment all the bullion in the Bank on the 6th of May, 1844,
was removed ; and it is this department alone that was
placed under the care of government, and guarded against
insolvency in the way we have stated.
So here we have the old Bank cruelly cut into two helm,
quite independent of one another, one half carefully watched
and protected by the government, the other half free as the
wind, free to do anything, free, if it will, to go to destruc-
tion,—as indeed it very nearly did, on the 23rd of October
last, when the banking department was in that condition
that a few of its respectable depositors could have broken it.
True, there was 8,000,0002. of gold in the issue department;
but that could not be touched, being all represented by notes
in circulation. Ye., by the act of 1844, the banking de-
partment might fail with 8,000,0001. of gold in theissue
department. Now, bad Sir Robert Peel been in power on
the 23rd October, he dare not have refused to the respectable
depositors that the banking department should, in case of
necessity, be allowed to meet their demands with the gold in
the issue department, which is, in fact, what the government
actually consented to.
What would have become of the Issue department after the
stoppage of the banking department ? What, indeed ! What
would have been the value of the 14,000,0001. of govern-
ment securities, upon which two. thirds of its circulation is
based ? No ! whenever the banking department is in danger
the issue department must come to its aid, or tall with it ;
however they may be separated in their lives, in death they
cannot be divided.
Sir Hudibras considered himself folly equipped with one
spur, for the reason, he said, that if one side of the horse
went on, the other would not lag behind. Sir Robert mast,
we should think, be by this time as wise as Sir Hadibras,
and have made the discovery that the two departments of
the Bank he has been trying to separate are, in point of fact,
two sides of the same horse.. _

_
If the issue department is to remain under government
restriction, it is evident that the banking department cannot
be safely left unrestricted. If this be done—and was not
this done when the government prescribed the rate of dis-
count ?—there will be an end of "unlimitedsad unrestricted
competition" in banking. And yet this must be done, or
the interference with the issue department will be ineffectual.
It is evident that there is an error somewhere in the rela-
tions of the government with the Bank of England.—
Netocastie Guardian.

BRITISH COLONEBS.—No. I.
The relations of our colonies to the central empire
are considerably affected by their local position, mid the
social character impressed upon each from the circumstanoes
of their first establishment and subsequent progress. The
system of government which is beet adapted to a colony
within twelve or thirteen days' sail of our shores would seem
to require some modification when applied to colonies at the
antipodes. The character of a tropical society must of us
°minty differ in many respects train that of a society
situated towards the northern verge of oar temperate none,
eyes vim albs, us eayaasd of the rase race. Much
greeter mud be oe in the MS of colonies
ampired balayeed. is which a hogs proportion
et the inhaiiimmi gds. from 'nether Mink, and retain
more or les et dee ledivriv, laws, and customs of
their emeeden. Oviedo is- fa the Asthma rases have
entirely ihregeared us wiry did iready eireemeimeed from
throe la eddek aro Wit the mejerity. The widely (lif-
tmen eingdMi me et peer—ea ind ma die differing
web= at lade (eddies den the neeeelliire si dinet• and
the same), de hodto tiresity the isles in whisk cur
1:40111111 dead to ter. Ali there seesidatitime resesisead
the &WM; at our missies %Is gaps la ter Wisp to
. , . •

present a remote of the statist
whole to our readers

First in order, as comprehe
still united to the mother count
the West India group. TI
plantations, and the aimilari
occasioned a general ides
transacting business, and
the ume section of the great
country. Hence has arisen a c
whick pervades the whole. Y
differences may be detected eve
badoes, the seat of the general I
Islands of the Caribbee group,
'eminent for the Leeward gnu
Indian settlements ; and, maki
the labouring clam being negro
lish. Eves among the islands
for example, in Dominica, and
remains of! French email
einstitution of society. J:
Is the next of these sett]
and equally English with
Trinidad, on the other hand, 1
the present century by eonq
power., are still characterised
founders. There are also than
the old English colonies and tb
fleeing in the circumstance that
subdued to the purposes of ma
racteristice of old settled coon
possessing the latter have as ye:
amid the immense forests wh
straggling inhabitants of the se
jetted to different influences frc
continuous tracts of land, like J a
while those of the Caribbee
in this respect an intermediate
Jamaica, almost on the extre
tropics, presents climatic ditri
under the Equator. Lastly, in
possession of which it may be
yet to be begun.
The West India plantations
original colonies of which the
by the American war of indept
British Nurth America are of t
or formed since that event,
government of which we can ti
spired lees by the experience
humiliating loss of the Unite
of our North American
ered as colonial. A large
abandoned as a hunting
Bay Company (in which the IC
lowed up), which with zealous
far as possible, uninitiated eyes
British Oregon is not yet ems
sing incubus. The eastern part
exception of the ear ern townsh
is the nucleus of settlement in •
New Brunswick, and Prince
annexed a few years surlier to
recent settlements, end sewn]
part of Canada, separated fora
moiety, and still more recent),
vinoes already mentioned, is aL
foundland has emerged compare
the condition of a mere fishin
than governed) as if it were a a
nies there is little other differen
climate and natural production
found to exist between the seat
extensive country. Buck India
guish the one from the other
semblance, are mainly attribut
The French Canadians differ to
low citizens of British race. B
loyalists from the United Stan
the seaboard colonies, to whi
from the mother country have
small degree. In Canada
more closely mother country
proportionately large amount of
sad navy among the settlers E
habits eaperinduced by the lc
America differ in a marked mar
cal West Indies ; the coalmen
the annual winter interruption
alternation of wet and dry seas(
tinction between the population
the northern one, where perm
more meted senee of personal
southern; while on the contrary
settlements are in politics char
to the republican sentiment' of
the circumstances under which
bas communicated to them
sentiment.

The third group is distinguist
as much by social peculiarities
nucleus of Australian settlemen
tie date of its first occupation,
dation of tLe colony in Van Diet
• comparatively recent period tt
settlements consisted of convict
1812 great numbers of free se
the rapid feetunes acquired t/
country possessed of a soil and
that pursuit, with the further ec
under the designation of assigns
settlers—of whom the wealthier
formed a larger proportion
with any English colonies, excel
land—bas convertra I.l,aviet
small minonty, which, in so far
of society is concerned, may nee
in Van Diemen's Land to the
boning communities, and the is
less colony. The large admixtu.
Australian settlements—the free
their remoteness from European
mate and their peculiar pursuit
character on society there which
greatuess. These settlements, i
than the two senior groups
protective policy. In the
Sydney convict slaves are no.
some traces of their moral it
to remain for some time in the t
Diemen's Land, as has been sari
gaol or penitentiary. Port Phi
sot colony) has had comparati
mixture • in Southern and Watt'
it has been unknown, except
runaways. Port Phillip is a
and Van Diemen's Land. Lars
mother-country have been throv
*Western Australia and New
timed settlement had previously
Wales, and acceuions to thc pop
that quarter. The rapid prom
been in no small degree owing t
stock coming to the vicinity of :
Diemen's Land, both rich in I
Western Australia begins to
quickly since, through the int
Australia, it can more easily of
settlement'.

The Cape of Good Hope will
colonial group. The semi-Du
proper is as distinct in character
in Albany and the adjoining die
of the Cape, or the canny Scotel,
emigrant Boen at Natal. The
strongly impressed by features
As in Canada, we have two inc
Buropean races combined, no
West Indies we have the 1 ;eget
of regarding one race as mare(
nature. And the climate mid I
invite to the same industrial pin
lien continent, tending to the d(
character.

Our group of colonies in the
in ita infancy. Indeed, with t
Malacca (both of inferior import
trading stations thee celoniea
Indies, their products her
unlike. They also differ (rot
in never having been subje
personal slavery, and in bringiu
race into close contact with a t
tion, an element only found
Guiana and Honduras of the
The Strait& settlements are pee
far as they are governed by th
the West India company. But
of these colonies will originate
principles of free trade from the
long war against piracy, of wh
the seats.

There remain only the is
tine, Ceylon, Bermuda, and the
plate this review of our colonial
we have occupied and hold I
it. St. Helena, Ascension, Ho
ranean dependencies are gars
colonies.

It is our purpose, in the ante
to present our readers with as e
as we caa of the resources and
moral characteristics, of each c
Even the present outline shine
interest the subject pomesen—h
of the ruler of this colonial as

IREL.

INTRODUCTION OF 'll
The privy council sat to-4
lin, the Lord-Lieutenant p
clamation bringing the Coo
operation in the disturbei
unanimously. The followit
were present, in addition tc
Liam Somerville, Bart, Sir
Chief Justice of the Quo
Moore (late Irish Attorney-
Baron I..efroy, Judge Ball,
the Prerogative Court), the
General (Mr. Monahan),
fort, the Marquis of I
curry, Sir Thomas Ewa
Iced Clarendon has not
patikkg forward the vower
ram of ultra, gi N. Lug it

•
nation ry to maintain the character for vigour
which Lord John ltuasell gave him. The Evening
Tort gives the following hat of places agreed to be
homed, the act to be in force from and after dee
•
• igth December:
The county of Limeriek ; the county of Tipperary;
kyesia the
of &wrathy, Tulle, islands, Inchiquin, and
to county Clare; the baronies of Olenahiry and
rgthild, in the county Waterlord; the htronies of Clon.l
cllocit, Eglish, and Garryeastle, in King's County ;
the harocirsof Athlone, Ballintobber,Roscommon, Ballysioe,
Boyle, sod the parishes of Cries., Kileoumey, Kilnemanah,
ssa Kileols, in the barony of Frenehpark, county ROGCOIII-
pod ; the barouire of Leitrim, Mobill, and Catrigallen,
. meaty Leitrim; the baronies of Clonmehon, Tullyhunes,
and Upper Loughtee, county Cavan; and the baronies of
• ;Langford, Oranard, and Ardaish, county Longford.
The principal effect of this measure will be, adds
the szening J'ast, to prevent persona in those districts
rag arms without license after December 29.
•‘vehare no doubt that in those districts where the
'on of arms indiscriminately, even in dwellings,
coosidered dangerous to the public peace, the
powers of the act for calling in arms will be made use
of—and then no person will be allowed to have arms,
even in his dwelling-house without a license. We
understand the stipendiary magistrates will be the
parties empowered to give licenses.
Another decided step has been taken to put down
crime. Precepts have already issued to the high she-
tiffs of the counties of Limerick and Clare, and the
county of the city of Limerick, for special commissions
to be held in the ensuing month. Tuesday, the 4th
of January, is fixed for the county and city of Lime-
rick, and the 11th for Clare. 'f he chiefs Illackburne
and Doherty will preside, and the crown will be re-
resented by the Attorney and Solicitor General.
The number of prisoners on trial for the county
of Limerick are 124, of whom the majority, per-
haps 100, will be tried. It has excited some surprise
that the city should be subjected to such an extraor-
dinary tribunal when there are only three persons for
trial. The cause is quite sufficient. The gaol deli-
very may extend to the city as well as the county,
and there is no reason why the murderers of 'Mr.
Hill should not be brought to as speedy a trial as any
other felons. After a rapid despatch of business in
Limerick and Clare the commissioners will travel
towards the north and south ridings of Tipperary,
and haring done good work there, cross the island,
and settle on the plains of Roscommon.
To remedy a great inconvenience in the detection of
offenders a considerate journal suggests to the autho-
rities that well-appointed jaunting-cars, after the
Illaneoni model, capable of carrying six constables,
should be ready at every police station. A musquetoon
from a neighbouring fledge, or over an high wall,
would soon stay the progress of the curricle, and spill
out the special messengers of justice.
The Mayor of Limerick has received a communica-
tion from the Under-Secretary relative to the floating
docks. Mr. ltedington states that the Lord-Lieutenant
has obtained a report from the Board of Works, to the
effect that a contract has been executed for the com-
pletion of the docks before September, 1849 ; but, in
consequence of some re-measurements, the works have
been delayed. They commence immediately.
All Connaught is rushing towards the out-door
relief. Thirteen hundred were added on one day to
the list of the Ceetlebar union, and yet the multitude
are ea numerous and clamorous as ever The Ranger
supplies the following, which illustrates very forcibly
one of the effects of the land revolution, through
which the Irish peasant is now panning :
We hear of persons, hitherto looked upon as good tenants,
twine tendered possession to the managers of the Castlebsr
estate, which tenders have been refused. We have it also
upon undoubted authority, that several tenants upon the
Breaffy twat., and the estates ardlacent, have tendered their
holdings to the proprietors, in o er to come under the relief
test. We have likewise the authority of a Roman catholic
clergyman for stating that in the electoral divisions of Balla
and Drum 93 families had given up houses and lands, and
made application at the poor house in this town, fur in or
ant-door relief. This is an awful state of society—and yet
those are facts applicable to every electoral division in the
union of Castlelthr.

ROYAL DtiBLINSOCIETY.--TRE EARL OF

CLARENDON.

At the distribution of the annual prizes to the
successful pupils of the Drawing and Model Schools of
the Society, the Earl of Clarendon, so president, having
been expected to attend, • large concourse of the rank and
talent of the metropolis filled the large saloon in which the
meetings of the society are held. About eight o'clock his
excellency, accompanitd by his suite and a number of mill-
tary officers, arrived. Having been led to the president's
chair, the Vice-President addressed his excellency on the
objects, progress, and success of the society, and contended
with a well-merited compliment to the noble president.—
The Hon. See, Mr. Foot, then read the list of sucesseful
candidates—thirty in all—from four different schools of art :
the landscape, tee figure, the architectural, and model
schools.—The diatributiou of prizes having been concluded,
Dr. Cooke Taylor read a paper en Artistic Education in rela-
tion to mechanical improvements and a knowledge of the
principles of art in their application to various Intlila•
factures. APer a few words from Sir W. Behan,
expressive of the obligations of the society to the
president for the kindness end interest he evinced
in the prosperity of the society, the Earl of Clarendon roes
and delivered an address which excited much admiration,
and gave all who heard it an idea that the noble lord under-
stood the true principles of Irish progress. His excellency
said—l can assure you that it has rarely fallen to my lot to
perform a task more grateful than that of distributing these
well-earned prizes, and inaugurating, as I may say, the fu-
ture career of these yeuaz men, whole talents and whose in-
dustry are an earnest of their futuresuccess, and whose works
furnish abundant proof of the utility of having established
public drawing schools in this country. Not only three
works that have been exhibited here to-night, but others
which may net have been thought of sufficient excellence to
merit public reward, do honour to the school and to
the system of teaching there, which was alluded
to in the address of your secretary, and with
which, when I inspected the school, I was particu-
larly struck. It did appear to me clear that the instructors
and the pupils understood each other ; that the teacher
knew how to impart what the pupils desire to learn, and
that the result to both was successful and encouraging.
The great number of pupils that have been attending this
school affords abundant proof how useful it must have been
to many—even in the humbler walks of life—connected
with those different branches of art in which an accurate
knowledge of drawing is indispensable ; and how greatly,
also, it must have advanced the progress of art and the for-
mation of taste, both of which are inseparably connected
with national progress and civilisation. The Dublin So-
ciety may well feel pride in an establishment which fur-
nishes at the same time painters and sculptors, whe enjoy
a European reputation, and alto practical draughtsmen,
whose services are valued and prised in every part of Eng-
land. This society, also, may well feel proud of bring the
parent of all other similar establishments, and amongst
others, those schools of design which are placed In different
parts of the country, and which premium to create a new era
In our manufacturing industry ; for we shall now compete
amongst ourselves in the formation of beautiful designs in-
stead of incorrectly copying from others. We shall have
no longer to beg and borrow, and sometimes worse perhaps,
frost, France. We shall no longer wonder why the French
an so successful in graceful form, in beauty of design, in
combination of colours—all of which were sometime back
a terse incognita to us—because we have discovered that
these things do not come by intuition, but require to be
taught, and that the Frenth, as the Irish now do, conde-
scend to learn them. A school upon the model of the
Dublin school, although with objects more extensive ts
view, was established in London ; provincial schools
have been added, all of which are prospering ; and although
the parent school mud feel proud of the success of her
numerous offspring, yet, I moat say, she cannot but fee
mortified at the neglect with which she hat been treated.
Instead of the last, she ought to have been among the first,
to be considered. Her native talent, although the know-
ledge of it might have been required to be developed in
England, was here known, and rapidly progressing ; and •
school of design, in my opinion, should long since have been
established in Dublin. (Loud applause.) The schools of
design are placed, as Dr. Cooke Taylor has told you, under
the Board of Trade in England, of which I was last year
president; and at the request of my right hon. friend
Mr. Labouchere, I sent over here Mr. Poynder to make
some preliminary inquiries on the subject. The able and
Interesting report of that gentleman afforded a great deal
of information on the state of art in this country ; and I
hope I need not say that his recommendation was most
strongly urged by me on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
(Applause.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with too
much truth, ever pleaded "no effects"—(laughter)—and
although the times, unfortunately, forbid me to hope that
better success would now attend a renewed attempt on my
part, yet I feel that happier days must be in store for =—
that the clouds which have long hung over our national
prosperity must peas away ; and then you may rely upon It
that, whether officially connected with Ireland or not, no
effort of mine shall be spared in order to procure for Ire-
land
an extension of those privileges which England enjoys
in this advantageous instruction in art, which I tun well
assured her native talent and taste well know hew to turn I
to good effect. (Applause.) Towards the furtherance of
this object, and the development of the industry and re-
lenrcee of this country, the Dublin Society has exerted I
itself in a manner which commands, as it deserves to do,
the gratitude of the public; and I cannot here forbear,
ea your secretary has Waded to these exhibitions at which
I was cannot forbear to express the great iris-
faction which I derived from those exhibitions. The first
exhibition was one of manufactures—the infinite variety,'
the beauty, the Mate, and finish of which abundantly prove
that there are here capabilities for perfectly accomplishing
whatever is heartily undertaken. But amongst all the beau-
tiful objects which on that occasion were displayed, I would
own there was one which more particularly arrested my at-
trition. It was one of a very simple and unpretending na-
ture, requiring no particular art or ingenuity in its produc-
tion—it was a woollen fabric, commonlylmown by the name
Of tweeds, and the reason why that fabric particularly at-

tracted my attention was, beams I bad been told that it
was largely exported from this country to Glasgow-ear, in
other words, that it could compete with fabrics of the same
kind in the very town whlch hitherto had the monopoly
of the production and sale of that article—that is to say.
this particular fabric mild be produced cheaper in Ireland
than in Ileetisad, sad weld be sold there at the same price
after the ewe of carriage. I thought this was
and encouraging ; because (quality
Wks) ilirraffir the real test of success, in mann-
.lllllllllllll Ma where article* made for general consumption
11111111104 00IIIISIS with thoseof the same kind in the common
'motet, thastenufaeture bad better be abandoned as un-
felditable. Much bas been said, and a groat deal of patriotic
elequenee expended, in the endeavour to throw on England
lie blame of having deprived Ireland of her manufactures,
which I hold to be • most egregious folly ; because manufac-
tures w ill always, and naturallydeave those places where there
is less facility, for those where there is greater facility for
their production. Ever since the introduction of the steam
engine, manufactures will be found to have prospered and
flourished in thee, place* where coal and iron are in juxta-
position. Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and Spitalfields, where
the beautiful woollen and silk goods of England were once
produced, but where now the manufacture of those articles
has considerably declined, have just as much right to cora-
Otin of Lancashire, as Ireland has to complain df England.
The spinning-wheels have just as much grounds for remon-
strance against the introduction of the power-loom; and we
might with as much season object to every scientific
discovery, and every useful application of the bounties of
nature. For some manufactures Ireland has a peculiar apti-
tude and facility—l allude more particularly to the linen
manufacture, and in these, I am well assured, oho will
always be able to maintain her superiority. But the real
staple of Ireland, that from which she ought, and I am
convinced she will, derive her wealth and prosperity, is her
agricultural produce. (Applause.) This leads me to
the consideration of the second exhibition, alluded to
by the secretary. I have some little experience in these
matters, and I do not hesitate to affirm that I never saw
in England, and am quite convinced that England could not
produce, such an exhibition. (Cheers ) Routs were exhi-
bited here two months ago, which evidenced more care,
skill, and better husbandry ; and the increasing number of
competitors, and the interest which the public takes in the
subject, dr Insinuate that a stimulus his been given In the
right direction, and that the agriculture of Ireland is ra-
pidly improving. And just allow me to tell you, that is the
real mode of participating in the manurecturing prosperity
of England. The exportations of cattle and corn from
this country to England, we are all aware, have increased
of late in a manner that is perfectly astounding ; and exactly
in the same ratio they have simulated the manufactures of
England by cheapening the provisions of our artisans.
Provisions are as much a compeacnt part of manufactures
as the cotton, silk, and wool, of which those manufactures
are composed, or the wages of the workmen employed in
their production, I held it folly to say that Ireland does
not bear her part, and an important part, in the manufae,
lures of England ; and she does so by other than indirect
means. It is generally believed, that she has not the same
resources—the same facilities—for sending her children to
the manufacturing districts as England has; whereas it is
a well ascertained fact, that Lancashire absorbs more of
the surplus labour of Ireland than of the whole
south and west of England put together ; and the
manufactures in Lancashire afford a stimulus to the in-
dustry of the Irish agriculturist; for by consuming the
produce exported from this country, as much benefit is
conferred on Ireland as if the looms and spinning-wheels
were at work in Kerry or Tyrone. (Cheers.) It is for these
reasons, I think the Royal Dublin Society acts wisely and
patriotically in promoting, as it does, the improvement of
agriculture. I have really detained you much longer than I
had intended. (Cheers). I will merely in einclu-ion address
one word more of congratulation to the successful competi-
tors fur prizes this evening. You have overcome all those
first difficulties from which many others tura away in dia-
gust and despair ; but it is upon your own exertions depends
your future honourable distinction. In the position which
now lies open before you, remember that we live in an age
of enormous competition, where industry and perseverance
alone can make their way, but where industry and perse-
verance will assuredly be crowned with success. fteneew
her that this is one advantage, particularly the result of
mechanical instruction—that in the description of the
building of machines, of the various beauties of nature,
and in the illustration of the ideas, a stroke of the pencil
is infinitely more effective than a thousand written words.
Remember also that many—l would almost say most of the
beet mechanical improvements —have originated with arti-
sans,; and that fame and fortune have been the just reward
of the practical knowledge so applied. Above all, I am
sure that you will an remember with gratitude, that under
this roof you have not wily acquired tho rudiment of art,
but also habits of industry and application. Leisure will, I
trust, never hang heavy on your hands, nor be employed to
a bad purpose. Yea have already learned that, without
exertion, success is not to be attained; and by using the
same efforts in every direction, and at every part of your
future lives—by using those same exertions which have this
night met with their just reward, you will look forward to
be not only pZrtalsers in wealth, but also good men and
useful citizens, doing honour to the country of your birth.
(His excellency resumed his seat amid protracted applause.)

STATI or Tile COVNTRT.—What the Mayo paper of yes-
terday
led us to look upon es a malicious assault, that of to-day I
informs us has turned out a murder. A carman named
Kennelly was set upon in Castlebar on Monday night by I
some persons who appear to have laid in wait for him ; he was
badly beaten, and on the next night died of his injuries. This
murder seems to have been prompted by private malice, and '
had nothing agrarian, or of the character of those assassina- I
tions which call for coercion. The townspeople very credit-
ably pursued the assailants of poor Kennelly, captured two
of them, and handed them over to the police. A notice from
a natty who signs himself appropriately enough, " A deter-
mined murderer," was served a few days since on the ears-
taker of a gentleman residing near Clonmel, warning bins
that if he continued in his charge be would be killed. A
desperate attempt at assassination has been made in the King's
county, near Shannon harbour. The object of the attack
was Major Mae Lean, who was fired at on Sunday night last,
about eight o'clock, as he was returning from the harbour to
big own residence. He is fortunately uninjured. The
King's County Chronicle, which notices this attempt, states
that Major Mac Lean is en excellent man and gives a great
deal of employment. He, some time since, removed
or discharged a herd, and this person's successor was
beaten the first night he appeared at his duty,
A man named Meehan, who was 'aught stealing bay from
• neighbour's, snapped a pistol—fortunately it did not ex.
lode--at the owner for preventing him. A man named
Costello, who was tried at the last Nenagh Assizes for • bar-
' hereto murder, but with respect to whose guilt the jury
could not agree, died in the gaol of that town a few nights
since. It is said that distress of mind greatly contributed to
this event. The servent man of Murphy, a farmer, mur-
dered on Thursday last by persons who attacked and robbed
his house, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned
in the murder. The Limerick Chronicle states that Murphy
was shot deliberately, and though he had not made resist-
ance, and the robber. were in pomessisn of the money.
Toll Smarten.—The Wexford Independent states that
a vessel, dismissed, her rigging trailing alongside, and com-
pletely on her beam-ends, was seen near Kslmore, on the
coast of that county, on Monday. Some fithermen ap-
proached in their boats, but did not board her, she lay so
deep in the water. There was not a gout on board, hut the
crew is supposed to have escaped in the long-boat, u that
was not on board. The name of the vessel is not mentioned,
but it is added that she has since gone down in Ballytiegue
Bay. Perhaps this vessel may have some association with
the following tale of wreck related by the agent for Lloyd's
at Bkibbereen, who writes from Skibbetamt, Dec. 20 :
I have to Morn you that Cepteht MUM, Ilmea master of the skip
Lad OlmilllMY Ws. tam Orate Ibr UMW Mum,
mad le me kg irmanaerat. flevpserbleasille Mama
cm et bit gm and • boy yeeted lo Wpm mi Mead dm to w-
tag elregmeameset—Oa IMlnelega a beam me gawk hes and
Mho bar railer, Wm aMdi the dig Mom unneempeatie and
smiestjmiltra sadalemerwzitimaNee.
wad take to the
ewe the alp. la tie lava g
ames in
ad wtr the aea
ailetasisdlainamailltsd sad made a leek mid eme g bet eat
Ssib *nub the wreck ht the fir* teak dm maited swap Ye
imilesettmesd her mane. She etemeg 011.1. Pim ea
Mideme OM I &aft It), with yellow sides eel pewee nem Thee
Merle melt Mee this Merino made end Id Ihem le por-
ta; beam dr et I Mask p.m., tie em mei inn la Mid.
ems warm mid mat Yr Met Mee; the tote elt Mete the
rater min Memel; ea Mid me ma melded eeppett to
pet We the bed. ltd.'s, h;erd, ant •Mikamei de led made the
atisiogi, dm aim made le meek Or mak the third thm During
then fgat the Mk the AIM ado limet and her IBlts em
me my Meashe Islam The imphia.ms mm, end
boy, sweedied to the rsaamiibc nand IMM thembis ea It; two.
MS vim" verimill an the tops melted Mee the male mit over,
me ma diet-to ell four lot Oa the 17th the mmed.hoesee
MOM leinerde Om Cheri they eme the Owe light time digkeek.
and an de lMder beteg to hem ea doe rowedgmemoredial by
riln GM woes, end tithes& Pei we detak, were mited le • Om
Mt, and Mien la • very admitted state. Itemiser made two
vrkli IM have proceeded to-day to Cork on thdr way lei lated.

SCOTL AND.
EDI/OH/ROE, Dac. 23.
The Flax-growin;; Society of Scotland has now
been formed in Aberdeen. The prospects of the so-
ciety may be estimated from the consideration that,
of the 70,000 tons of flax annually imported into the
country, 4,500 tons are landed at Aberdeen, the value
being 180,0001. The freightage of flax along the
east coast of Scotland amounts to 120,0001., which
would give the home grown an advantage equiva-
lent to 21. an acre. It was recommended that only
one-twentieth of each farm should at first be tried,
and that competent parties should be procured from
Ireland and Belgium to give instructions as to culti-
vation. The printed instructions of the Irish society
should also be extensively circulated.
Whilst thus assiduously prosecuting art, nature has
been bountiful to the granite city, by landing on its
beach, during the recent storm, a veritable whale. In
length the monster was 48 feet, and in circumference
30, and its oily resources are estimated at 7 tuns ; but,
instead of going to the "common good" of bon accord,
as the Balm Yellowleye of this city anticipated, the
Admiralty has claimed the carcass and all its contents,
although it is possible that a favourable ear may be
given to a petition that the skeleton be deposited in
the College museum. During the time of the whale
lying in state, the beach has been a fashionable pro-
menade ; " and," says the Journal, " the feelings of
wonder excited in the minds of the juveniles will not
soon be forgotten by them."
THE 811111[77 97 EDINBURGH, Mr. Spain, liar been
seised with typhus, ared is in a Critical state.