The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-17 00:00:00

THB CASE OP THE BEV. MB. SPLAUGHLIN.

The proposed action of suspension and liberation
in the case of the Rev. P. Ilrlaughlin has not been pre,
oeeded with, there being no legal pound', indeed, on whidi
such action could emeriti:illy be raised. Possibly • better
plan, and certainly one which has more prospect of enemas,
Malawi adopted by the Right Rey. Bishop Murdoch, who,
on Saturday last, despainhed to Sir G. Grey a petition
couched in bumble and respectful terms, soliciting a mitip-
tion of the sentence passed on the contumacious priest.
Mr. ll'Leughlin's oosduct throughout the ease does
not meet with the complete approbation of the
more intelligent of the Roman mitholics in the city,
and we understand that Bishop Murdoch supports his peti-
tion, not on any ground that injustice has been dose, or that
the law of the country has been unfairly exercised, but sim-
ply that, though the Bey. Mr. M'Laughlin erred, be did so
for conscience sake, and hes, considering the circumstances
of the whole case, bees too severely treated. The memorial
states the case at length. It is expected that it will meet
with an immediate and favourable reply from Sir George
Grey, so as to allow Mr. Mlanghliii to be pre.
seat with his flock at the approaching high festi-
val d the "church." Meanwhile, his presence in the
North Priam has caused thitherward a perpetual stream
of reverend gentlemen and admiring lake, Mr. li'Lauglilia
being for the nonce elevated into the temporary popularity
of a Roman catholic martyr. In accordance with the prison
rules—the law being no respecter of persons—he has ex-
cheesed the broadcloth for the usual prison garb, and is
employed, wo understand,. in the somewhat monotonous
task of picking cotton. It is but justice to the rev. gentle-
, man to add that, sines entering prison—meeting, of course.
with respectful treatment —he has shown the spirit of a
gentleman sad • Milian in accommodating himself to
the ides which the prises elleiala are obliged to enforce.
—Glasgow Morning Journal.

PROPOSRD DINNER TO LORD PALMERSTON AT
EDINBURGH.—A meeting of the conveners of the liberal
committee was held on Monday, in the Waterloo Hotel, Edin-
burgh, to consider the desirability of inviting Lord Palmer-
ston to a public diaper during his approaching visit to
Scotland. Sir William Gibson Craig was called to the
chair, and the following resolutions were unanimously and
medially agreed to That, in the prospect of Lord f'alm.
an paying au early visit to Sootlsod in connexion with
his office of Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow, it is
desirable that public expression should be given to the
admiration so generally entertained of his lordship's Misfit
policy and valuable services as a statesman, and of the vigil-
aim and success with which, in the true iuteresta of pesos.
he has promoted the safety and maintained the honour a
the country. That Lord Palmerston be respectfully so-
licited to accept a public entertainment in the city of Edin-
burgh on ea early a day as may be remittent with his lord-
shun convenient's." A third resolution appointed a com-
mittee to make the xisormary arrangements in the event of
Lind Palmerston's acceptaaes.
Ma. JOHN LOCUS, M.P., AND HIS CONNTI-
Tcßwrs.—Last evening 31r. Locks, M.P. for Southwark,
addressed a meeting of his conatituents at the Bridge-hones
Hotel, lotideo.birelge. Dr. Chatham was called to the
chair. Mr. Locke was received with loud cheers. Atka
referring to some local topics, the hon. member proceeded to
take a general review of the proceedings of the last session
and the part he had taken in them. He bad, he said, sup-
ported the Abolition of Whipping Bill for juvenile
offenders, although he should not object to support a bill
for the whipping of garotters. (A laugh.) The country
might, he remarked, congratulate itself upon the results of
the Fiench treaty, of which he had been a strong supporter.
He considered the foreign policy of the government
during the last session worthy of all commen-
dation. There was a strong party in the House
of Commons in favour of intervention in American affairs,
but the government bad refused to intervene, and he
believed it had done right. (Loud cheers.) He contested
himself confused on American subjects, but one thing was
Blear to him, that one inevitable result of the preeent
struggle would be the complete and total abolition of slavery.
(Cheers.) He approved of the conduct of the government
on the subject of the fortifications, but be believed a con.
adorable reduction of expenditure would be proposed in the
next seance to parliament, which should have his earnest
support. Several questions having been asked, and aatiotsc-
torily answered, a vote of confidence . and thanks to the
boo. gentlemen for his constant advocacy of every liberal
measure and unvarying watchfulness of the local interests
of the borough was unanimously adopted.
On Saturday last (says the Freeman's Journal) Sir
Robert Peel visited the Catholic University is Ireland, the
Chief Secretary being accompanied by Dr. Nugent, Inepec-
tor•General of Lunatic Asylums. the visit was private
and unofficial, no intimation has* hese given of the Chief
i Secretary's intention. Rev. A. OleughlU, Dean of St.
Patrick's Collegiate Horne, atteeded Sir Robert Peel, and
showed the party through the lecture halls, the librery, and
other rooms of the temporary university boildisp. As it
wee near four o'clock when the visit took place, the lectures
for the day bad rioted. •
Minerviurior PR= HOSPITAL, DEVONSIITIR-
SWAIM CITT.—Tbe aggregate number of patients relieved
IMiring the week ending December 13 was —Medial, 1,379 ;
aurprel, 648—total, 2,027 ; of which OM were new cases.