The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-21 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, AUGUST 19.
The election excitement, the most temperate in
our chequered annals, having subsided, the country
gentlemen are called on to consider the Poor Amend-
ment Act. They are now, for the first time, brought
face to face with the misery of the country. They
have long known the origin of the evil—some, at
least, of the remedies—they misrepresented the one
and overlooked the others. However, the arri,,r-
mit, must now be made up ; and the hope of safety
lies in universal employment. They appear to be
fully sensible of their condition, as well as of the
means of extrication. Notwithstanding all the mur-
murs against the Laud Improvement Ad, and the
fear of additional incumbrances, the Gazette is an
index of their new tendencies. The sums demanded
are infinitely below the Scotch in amount, but they
apply to remote and impoverished districts, and will
create both employment and improvement where both
were much wanted. The poor law, with a more
plenary out-door relief looming in the distance
than is sanctioned by the present measure, operates
on their fears, and will hurry them faster than they
intended in the path of social renovation. However,
I may state for their consolation that by the exercise
of vigilance and economy, the pauperism, though of
alarming magnitude, under any circumstances may
still be kept within limits, which may embarrass but
will not overwhelm property. The relief lists are
taken as the test of destitution, but they are noto-
riously unworthy of reliance as the basis of any
future system of administration. In the North Dublin
Union, with a population of 07,065, the extraordi-
nary number of 22,000 at one time subsisted on the
public pottage. These had fallen to 6,350 on Monday
kat, and in the two following days to 4,000. And yet
there have been no complaints of injustice to the real
destitution of the union. Perhaps the same propor-
tion in reduction would fix the true destitution of the
entire population. Of course employment must be
found for the able-bodied hundreds of thousands, or
the relief lists are certain to fill up to the old com-
plement. .

The Dublin unions are very anxious to afford out-
door relief in preference to in-door, as being less trou-
blesome and expensive. With two shillings a week
certain, the poor room-keeper would contrive to get
on in squalid independence, whereas the cost of in-
door maintenance could not be less than three shil-
lings a week, all things included. The guardians
of the north union have accordingly resolved that out-
door relief should be given to the able-bodied without
reference to the workhouse test ; and the commissioners
were requested to issue the orderforrelief. In reply,the
commissioners state that the evidence does not justify
the necessity contemplated by the act, for there is
still room for 400 persons in the workhouse. If the
guardians reserved this large accommodation for the
able-bodied exclusively, and confined out-door relief
to the impotent workhouse inmates and widows
having two or more children, the result would be—
sufficient workhouse accommodation for the able-
bodied in the union who are really destitute. In
conclusion, " the commissioners have to express their
conviction that it is only by the most energetic and
resolute action at the present crisis that the guardians
will be able to withstand the tide of pauperism which
threatens to overwhelm them. If a population of
97,000 attempt to maintain above 20,000 of
their number as paupers, the burthen on the
rate-payers will become insupportable, the well-
being of the small shopkeepers, will be mate-
rially affected ; and no class will be more deeply in-
jured than the honest independent labourer, the funds
ifor whose remuneration will be, in many instances,
diverted to the wasteful maintenance of the indolent
and false." This seasonable and sensible remonstrance

produced a very decided effect on the minds of the
guardians. - - -

The shipping companies have had a very active
season between the export of emigrants and the im-
-1 port of provisions. The Dublin and Liverpool Steam-
ship Company, which have only one boat, the Dublin,
engaged in the Channel trade, held their half-yearly
meeting yesterday. By the report, it appeared the
" good ship" made 32 voyages to and from Liverpool
between the 21st of Nov. and the 30th of June, which
produced 3,0531. The outward shipments, which have
been inconsiderable, are now increasing, while the
inward are on the decline. At the conclusion of the
harvest, the company, with three ships all in the best
order, are ready to take the fullest advantage of the
revival of trade. The balance-sheet showed a total
receipt of 7,0951., the expenditure 4,6091., chargeable
to capital, and for ships and establishment, 2,3341.,
leaving on hands a balance of 1521.
The call of the Rev. Mr. Kenyon has been com-
plied with. Mr. John O'Connell has lodged the ne-
cessary papers to prove his qualification. Already
John A. O'Neil is in the field for the vacancy, be it
Kilkenny or Limerick. Of the former his chances
would be slight, for there be ambitious townsmen
is the city of St. Canice whe can do parliamentary
business quite as well as Mr. O'Neil. Limerick would
be surer ground.
Father Mathew has had a generous welcome
among the "Prentice Boys." " Roaring Meg" did
not thunder in his honour, but 600 teadrinkers wel-
comed him at a temperance soirée.
All sorts of provisions are rapidly falling in price.
The Limerick Chronicle states that cargoes of Indian
corn have been offered for the freight; and with no
astonishment, when new wheat is offered at 13d. per
stone and no purchasers—and potatoes are selling at
sd. per stone, according to the Kerry Eratniner. We
are all in better heart, rejoicing in the present and
hopeful of the future.
The Cork Examiner states that those connected
with the Irish provision trade have had their spirits
much roused by the announcement of a contract for
the navy for 5,000 tierces of beef and 11,000 tierces of
pork.

STATE OF THI COLINTRY.—The country journals, of
which a number have come up to-day, do not contain much
intelligence of interest. They are chiefly occupied in dis-
cussing the elections. The acceunta of the harvest are most
favourable, and the social condition of the country seems to
present an aspect as favourable as the most sanguine could
anticipate, after a period of calamity so excessive. The poor
law is gradually, but systematically and safely, being brought
into operation, and unifies in some unions in the west of
Ireland, and a few in the south also, does not seem to create
such alarm as was predicted. Fever prevails to a consider-
able extent in the King's County, owing to the neglect of
the local boards. Some painful cases of death, therefore,
are recorded, and in one or two instances deaths from ex-
haustion have occurred in the same county.
The Wexford paper of to-day mentions a fact which ran-
not be uninteresting to agriculturists. A gentleman in that
county bad exhibited specimens of wheat and oats of extra-
ordinary prolificness, the strawgood, and the grain plump and
weighty. The cultivator attributes these qualities to the
circumstance of his having sowed the seed very thin, not
more than six barrels being used to sow five acres. The oats
was of the species called black Tartary, and the wheat was,
the produce of some originally imported from Silesia.
PlRACY.—Lloyd's agent at Westport wrote to the secre-
tary of Lloyd's on the 17th inst. as follows :—" Sir,—l have
to acquaint you that on the evening of Sunday last, the 15th
inst., the schooner Royal Victoria, of and from Belfast for
this port, with Indian corn meal, was boarded by the crews
of seven boats, who proceeded to take off the hatches by
force, for the purpose of plundering the cargo, when they
were opposed by. a force of two marines and an officer, who
had been previously placed on board from the Dasher
steamer for protection. The plunderers having offered
violence to the marines, one of their party was shot dead,
another wounded, and three made prisoners. The occurrence
took place off Eagle Island, in this district."
PROVINCIAL.

COMMISSIONS BY TIIE LORD LIEUTENANT.—Right
Hoa. Francis Earl of Ellesmere to be lieut.-col., R. T.
Gerard, Esq., to be major, in Duke of Lancaster's Own
Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry ; J. Ridgway, gent., to be
lieut., Hon. A. Egerton to be Cornet, in Furness Troop.
LIABILITIES OF TLIE LATE NEW BANK AT PRES-
TON.—At the Manchester Court of Bankruptcy, on Thurs-
day, upwards of 400 debts were proved against the old-esta-
blished firm of Messrs. Clayton and Wilson, carrying on
business at what wu called the "New Beak," Preston, and
it was ascertained that the amount of liabilities would be
about 100,0001. Mr. John Stevenson, ironfounder, Preston,
and Mr. Wm. M'Cartoey, commission agent, Mastehealler,
were chosen assignees without opposition.
SURGEONS FOR EMIGRANT SIIIPS.—The Liver-
pool Merceiry of yesterday says: " We rejoice to hear that,
though the law is yet defective, the fashion is beginning to
prevail of taking surgeons on board of emigrant vessels. The
effect of repeated articles on the subject, and of Mrs. Maury's
advocacy of so proper a measure, has already induced ship-
owners and oharteren to employ surgeons, finding that
passengers had learnt, from the details and arguments
adduced, to make that a sine ftlfa non in choosing vessels
in which to migrate. Tbie ie aa it should be; and many

valuable lives will be saved by these means. But the st:b-
ject must not be allowed to sleep; the law must be adapted
to the good policy of the case." It is stated that no die.
culties have occurred in obtaining the services of surgeons
on the shortest notice, and at very moderate rates of
payment.

DESPERATE ASSAULT AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—
On Thursday afternoon last a very unprovoked and violent
assault was committed in the workhouse at liolbeek, near
Leeds. It appean that a man named Joseph Robinson, late
of Ashton-under-Lyne, was about six weeks ago admitted an
inmate of the workhouse, and had occasionally been em-
ployed as an amistant to wait upon the aged and infirm
inmates. On Monday last he suffered a paroxysm of violence
almost amounting to insanity, but under the attendance of
the medical officer he was considered better on Thursday
morning. Whilst sitting in one of the wards, with four
other persons, one insane, one an idiot, a third old and blind,
and the fourth an aged pencils, Robinson suddenly seized a
Large coal shovel, with which he began a violent attack upon
the two old men, chiefly about their heads and faces. Upon
seeing this the idiot pauper ran to call for assistance, and suc-
ceeded in that object ; but before any available aid could be
rendered, Robinson had inflicted very severe injuries upon
the head of Thomsa Cooper, the blindman, aged 73 years
and had severed one of his fingers by striking it whilst raised
to protect his head from the blows ; and the other old man,
Samuel Gibson, aged GI years, was also severely injured in
the face and about the head. When the alarm was given,
Robinson threw down his weapon and ran away into the
water-closet ; and, on his being followed thither, it was found
that he had inflicted a severe wound on his throat, and had
stabbed himself in two or three parts of his body, with a
knife which he had previously borrowed from the eld man,
Cooper, " to aut his flesh with," as he used to call cutting
his meat. He had also cut and destroyed his shoes and
trousers. All the three men were conveyed to the Leeds
General Infirmary, where it was stated yesterday that
Cooper and Gibson were likely to recover, but that Robin-
son was not out of danger.
WARWICKSHIRE.
_

BURGLARY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.—About
one o'clock yesterday morning the premises of Mr. J. St.
Leaky's cigar warehouse, of High-street, Birmingham, were
entered, as it is supposed, through the grating of the front
cellar, and, after a murderous attack upon Mr. St. Lasky,
the thieves succeeded in carrying away about 301. in cash.
The premises have recently been taken by the present occu-
pier, and, being only partial./ furnished, Mr. St. Losky slept
in the room behind the shop. About one o'clock in the
morning he was alarmed by a noise, and almost immediately
• ruffian in his bedroom seized him by the throat. A
struggle ensued, when Mr. St. Losky, being the strongest
man, succeeded in throwing his a:satinet upon the floor,
and would have overpowered hint, had it not been
for the aid of another bugler, who immediately
came to his fellow's usicance. Mr. St. Lenity woo even-
tually, by strangulation and lons of blood, left exhausted on
the floor, and the miscreants escaped through the back
premises. When able to give the alarm, end the polite
arrived, it was found that the thieves had packed up a con-
siderable quantity of goods, and in their flight had left
behind them two pairs of boots, two hats, and two jackets.
From the quality of these articles, it is conjectured that the
burglars are of no mean order in their vocation. The room
in which the conflict took place was covered with blood, and
Mr. St. Losky, in consequence of the injuries which he
received, was removed to the hospital. He is, happily,
however, declared to be out of danger, although dreadfully
beaten about the head. The police, as yet, have no clue to
the burglars.
WnirrinnvoN CLUB.—On Thursday evening, a
meeting, attended byseveral thousand persons, was held i • he
Music-hall in Birmingham, for the purpose of aiding is the es-
tablishment of an institution on the principles of the Whit-
tington Club of London. The chair was taken by Robert
Martineau, Esq., the mayor; and on the platform were
Mr. Munts, several magistrates, town coun-
cillors, and other influential_ personages t n borough.
In the course of his speech Mr. Monte said that no man in
the world had a greater conviction of the necessity there was
that the " people" of England should be educated. It had
been said in that place a short time since, that the people
must be brought up to the suffrage, and not the suffrage
down to them. He never had a thought but that the people
should be able to govern themselves but he had often la-
mented that they had not arrived at that condition to render
them capable of doing so. He was happy to see that the
people were on the way to improvement, and no-
thing would help them forward more than clubs
where they could enjoy social intercourse. They were like
marbles cut in squares. Why, they were all square. Did
not they all come into the world square ?—all corners : and
did'nt the wisdom and good sense of those with whom they
came in contact correct little faults and rub off the corners ?
And when these corners were rubbed off, they became those
reasonable beings fit, not only to control themselves, but to
govern. From all he had been able to learn with respect to
these clubs he thought they could not be otherwise than ex-
cellent. He urged them therefore to unite for the improvement
of each other, and that without any collision between sects or
political parties whatever they were called, regardless, too,
what name they bad got. Let them show that they could
meet like reasonable kings to discuss all subjects, without
appearing like enemies, because they might differ in opinion.
The hon. gentleman concluded by declaring that as there was
much to be gained in the shape of advantage from such
societies u the Whittington Club, and nothing in the way
of injury, he cordially gave it hi:support, and he expressed
a hope that such ineitutions would spread not only in Bir-
mingham, but throughout the kingdom. After several
stnieches resolutions were passed declaratory of the purpose
of the meeting to aid in promoting the establishment of the
institution.

THE INTENDED SALE OF SLIAKSFEARE'B HOUBE
is evidently exciting much attention in various parts of the
country. The Mayor of Birmingham has invited all persons
who may be anxious to promote the subscription now afoot
for the purchase of the poet's dwelling to meet at the public
office in that town on Monday next. A lady in the same
place has made herself honourably conspicuous by the zeal
she has displayed in obtaining contributions, and by her
attempts to interest others in the movement. The Mayor of
Liverpool bestows his patronage upon a performance by
amateurs to be given " in aid of the subscription for the
purchase of Shakspesre's house." We have already
announced that a meeting is to be held at the Thatched-
house Tavern, in St. James'eetreet, next Thursday, when it
will be seen what London is inclined to do in the affair. Two
literary noblemen, Lords hlorpeth and Ellesmere, are to
give their services on the occasion as chairman and vice-
chairman, and a committee is then to be appointed.

THE OLD DEANERY, LINCOLN.-- Workmen are
now busily engaged in demolishing the old Deanery, north
of the Cathedral, the moat modern part of which, called
Wolsey tower, wu built during the short period that the
cardinal wu Bishop of Lincoln. A new building, in the
Elizabethan sale of architecture, is to be built rather more
to the eastward; but it is regretted that the present oppor-
tunity will be allowed to pass over, of opening the north
side of the minster to view.

SALARIES OF MEDICAL OFFICERS.—The guardians
of the Oainsborotigh Union, at a special meeting on Tuesday
last, at which Mr. Wesle, the assistant commissioner, wu
present, resolved that in future a salary of 351. per annum
should be paid to the medical officer of the workhouse, and
that the sum of 3151. per annum should be the total amount
of the salaries of the district medical officers of the union in
proportion to the size of their district of the population. This
is an increase of 1701. upon the sum hitherto paid, or nearly
double the amount of the old salaries. It is stated that the
commissioners are revising all tke union officers' salaries
throughout England.
WASTE ov LABOOR.—There are in some of the
vi es on the Wolda of Lincolnshire, farm•labourers who
regularly walk 1,252 miles in going and returning from their
work, year after year; and several have done so for eight or
nine succesaive years, thus travelling nearly the distance of
half-round the world in that time, besides performing their
regular work. One man can be pointed out who has walked
this distance for 14 years; and others in the same place
whose yearly journeys to and from work amount to 1666
miles ; and all this became of the law of settlement prevent-
ing them from living nearer their work !

PRISONERS AWAITLNO EXECL'TION.—it appear, that
the county magistrates, in consequence of a communication
from the Secretary of State, have had a meeting with respect
to the suicide of the murderess Mary Ann Milner, and have
made an order that in future no prisoner under sentence of
death shall be left unwatched. Though there was no special
order from the magistrates directing that in such eases the
general prison discipline should be departed from—though
ft appears to have been the practice to leave prisoners aen•
tented to death unwatched, and though no blame is stated
to attach to the governor or the matron for not departing
from the prison rules and providing a special watch—some
persons are blaming the chaplain, and are stating that he
ought not to have waited for an order, but should have em-
ployed the night before her execution in her cell in exhorta-
tions to repentance, and in teaching her to make her peace
with Ood.
THE ERECTION OF THE PERMANENT RAILWAY

STATION at Stamford for the Syston and Peterborough line
was commenced about a month ago, and is already becoming
an object of interest. The building for the accommodation
of passengers will not be so extensive as was anticipate);
but it will be very handsome, and quite sufficient for the
purposes intended. The buildings for the goods and engirt
departments will be much more capacious. It is said %fit
the Stamford and Rugby line will be opened before Christ
mu, and that the station will be completed prior to that
event.

COMMISSIONS BYV TIIE LORD LIEUTENANT.—B.
Daridson, gent., to be ensign, Royal Bucks or King's Own
Reg. of Militia ; H. F. Nash, gent., to be comet to 2nd
Reg. of Royal Bucks Yeomanry Cavalry.

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD AND CHURCH ACCOMMO-
DITION.—The pariah of Upton-cum-Chalvey, near Slough,
has been in a state of excitement, in consequence of the
diocesan, the Bishop of Oxford, having put his veto upon
certain alterations which have been made in the new pariah
church ; these alterations giving, as alleged by the vicar and
churchwardens, increased accommodation within the sacred
edifies to the poor. It appears that, after several vestries
had been held on the subject, it was determined by the
parishioner that a passion of the seats in the centre of the
church should be emnerted iaN pow. =Mat &loner/
should be ereeted_.,ftLf tvinag ts al tree
sitting', to 140 Wu Pes
es them
by the erection W 1 v=wa
works being eomosemeld, des seedaneket the 4°- d
the rural dean was obtained -
days since, the bishop, who'
of the changes, visited**.
addidocia which heel bean
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circumstances, a mill a"ling,
beimThstrulaszialled, fed
tede•th=jk.

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