The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-13 00:00:00

IRELAND.

Donuir, Ocr. 11.
The Hon. Abbot Lawrence and party left Dublin
this morning, ell Holyhead, for the American em-
bassy in London. Tho demeanour of the hon. gen-
tleman, during his short visit to Ireland, and the
interest which he manifested in every matter con-
nected with the social improvement and prosperity
of this country, have left very favourable impres-
sions on the minds of men of all parties here.
The ltev. Alexander King, Independent minister,
has publicly thrown down the gauntlet to Mr. John
Reynolds, NIT., and his colleagues of the Catholic
Defence Association, to discuss at a public meeting,
either before or after the intended meeting of the
association on the 1 ith inst., tho question : Should
the Roman catholics of these countries address the
Pope, urging the legal establishment and practical
security of liberty of conscience in Rome? It is
needless to add that Mr. Reynolds has not accepted
the challenge.
It is stated that a large increase in the demand
for calm, to make lime fur agricultural purposes, is
now perceptible in various districts of Ireland.
Mr. Richard Mahony, J.P., of Dromore Castle,
Kentnare, was placed under arrest a few days since,
on a charge of intending to fight a duel with Mr.
Maurice O'Connell, M.P. Mr. Mahony entered into
bail to keep the peace, his sureties being Mr. Her-
bert, M.P., and Henry Leahy, Esq.
A woman was found murdered near the church at
Passage on Thursday night. The unfortunate de-
ceased received a stab in the neck, which must have
produced instantaneous death. A sailor belonging
to a Greek ship has been arrested on suspicion.
The soldier of the 40th Regiment, who accused
himself of having murdered a young woman in Eng-
land ten years since, was handed over yesterday to
the military authorities at Cork, the charge which he
made against himself having, on investigation, turned
out to be a falsehood.
The quays of Dublin arc daily crowded with emi-
grants embarking either direct for America, or pro-
ceeding there by steamers via Liverpool. No at-
tempts, however, have been made to ascertain the
number of emigrants who leave Ireland at this port.
At a temperance soiree held at Killarney a few
days since, Mr. Morgan John O'Connell, and
Mr. Herbert, M.P., took the opportunity to address
such of their constituents as were assembled there,
touching their parliamentary conduct during the last
session.

The vacation closed in the Encumbered Estates
Court on Thursday, and full hours, from ten to four,
were resumed in the various offices yesterday. It
may be observed, however, that there was scarcely
any suspension of the ordinary operations of tho
court during the vacation. The offices were open,
daily, from ten till three; the commissioners flatted
an immense number of petitions at their own resi-
dences; and the very large number of conditional
orders made out by the secretary bear testimony
to the fact that he was not idle during his temporary
absence from Henrietta-street. Richard A. Fitz-
gerald, Eaq., general clerk and taxing officer, per-
formed the duties of acting secretary for the last two
months. During the past week thirteen new peti-
tions were filed, the properties in these cases being,
however, of insignificant amount, and for the most
part encumbered very far beyond their value.
Some sales have taken place during the week,
under the orders of the commissioners, at Cork, and
some further sales at Ballinasloe. At Cork the
estate of Richard Henry Becher, comprising 11,000
acres, in West Carbery, was put up for sale yester-
day. For any of the lots submitted for competition
up to the post hour the highest bidding was not
equal to ten years' purchase on the net yearly rental
with the exception of one lot, the net annual rent ofl
which was 921. 68., the poor law valuation 3911., and
the hihest otter 1,8301. The estate of Christopher
J. H. tewen, in the county of Mayo, was sold
Ballinasloe on Wednesday. The rates of purchase
upon the net yearly rent of the several lots were'
about 4, 13, 8, and 4 years respectively.