The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-01 00:00:00

rEB IRISH &SUET SOCIETIES.

BELFAST, FRIDAY Evasigo.
The Northern Whig of this evening has the fol-
lowing —„The inquiry into the case of the sixteen mimeos
arrested in Belfast on the 6th December, charged with being
members of an Illegal society, commenced this day, at 11
o'clock, to the county gaol. It was believed that the antlicel"
ties had previously chtermitied that the proceedings should
be unabated in private, but one of our reporters attended at
the gaol and was admitted to the board-room, when the
investigation was to take place. He was duly accommodated
by the atrial., but on the snivel of Mr. Tracey, the sti-
pendiary, our reporter was informed that the presence of
representatives would not be permitted, Mr. Hamilton,
crown solicitor, conducted the case on the pert of govern-
ment ; Mr. John Rae, solicitor, appeared for the prisoners;
but previous to the commencement of the proceedings is
addressed these, stating that he woe about to withdrew from
the inquiry, and gave his reasons for adopting that
comes. lie then handed in to the magistrates
(Mr. Tracey, R.M., and Mr. Robert Thornton, J.P.)
• written protest against the inquiry on the following
grounds :—First, that it was contrary to practice and repug-
nant to the spirit of the laws of a free country to hold say
judicial inquiry in a common gaol. Secondly, that it was
derogatory to the position of an advocate to di charge hie
duty in such a plane. Thirdly, that be cumlimed his per-
sonal safety imperilled in the event of any malice between
him end the crown in such • situation. Fourthly, that the
mayor of Belfast and county magistracy were excluded.
Fifthly, that it was unconstitutional to vest the adjudication
of such a case solely in the hands of a stipendiary magistrate,
and on other grounds. Mr. Rae then withdrew, end
the investigation was conducted in strict seclu-
sion. We have ascertained the following gerticulars :
Two:of the prisoners have turned approvers. The informer,
one of the approvers, wee examined, and also Mrs. M'Key,
in whose hour the arrests took place, and her servant. This
evidence occupied six hours, at the end of which time the
investigation was adjourned until next morning at ten o'clock.
It is believed that sufficient has transpired to warrant the
committal of some of the prisoners. The extreme secrecy of
the inquiry I. regarded with great dissatisfaction in the
town. In consequence of Mr. Rae's withdrawal the con-
firmations have not yet been furnished, and the prisoners
have been entirely undefended."

PBBSINTATION OP COLOURS TO THE 144
BBOIMENT BY TEE 1411-LIEUTENANT.

DUBLIN, F/111DLY Niorr.

The second edition of this evening's Freeman
gives en account of the presentation of colours to the 2nd
Battalion of the 14th Regiment of Foot by the Countess of
Rglinton. The presentation took place in the mitosis of the
barracks at Richmond, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant
and a brilliant staff, together with a large number of the Ale
of the city. Sir James Alexander, the colonel of the regi-
ment, in returning thanks to the Lady-Lieutenant, alluded to
the excellent reputation which the regiment bad achieved in
foreign campaigns, and expreesed • hope that his young
fellows would emulate the deeds of the old second battalion,
and preserve pure and unsullied the beautiful colours which
had been presented that day. A grand korner ended the
prxesdlngs.

OSPOILD MIDDLE CLASS EXAMINATIONS.

OXFORD, Dec. 31.

The first report of the Delegacy appointed to
conduct the examination of candidates not members of the
University was presented to Convocation this morning.
If the examination be taken as a whole (say the delegates)
and the peculiar circumstances attending a first experiment
be fairly considered, there is certainly just ground
for saying that a good many of the candidates
showed proofs of having been extremely well taught.
The papers of the rest gave the impression of hard work, con-
siderable intelligence, not roach cultivation, and a singular
I want of purpono. There was often a tolerably wide range of
information, end sometimes no entail amount of original
thought; but candidate. who shnerrd both three frequently
showed little power of putting their information together,
and still less power of expressing it in clear language.
There seemed to be in many instances all the materials of
• good education, but not the form. There is mason to
hope that the attempt to prepare for d, finite examinations

well gradually lead to improvement in this respect. The
experience of a single year would hardly justify the
delegacy in suggesting correctives which the schoolmasters
might advantageously &dolt. The industry which the whole
plainly proves is a foundation on which anything what-
ever may be safely built. Bat any improvement, to be
sound, must be not only gradual, but thoroughly assimi-
lated to what already exists. The probability is, that the
schoolmasters will discover for themselves, year after year,
what can be done in this direction better than others can
point it out to them. What is moat wanted at present Is
close attention to the subjeots included under the preliminary

The delegacy propose next year to encourage examination
in the rudiment' of faith and religion by sating marks in
the division lists to the names of eucceseful candidates, and
those who wished that religious knowledge should be allowed
to affect the division lime, wished also that candidates should
be permitted to accept the examination in ths Bible, but
decline that in the Prayer-book. The delegates could not
grant this wiihont fresh authority from the University ; and
they do not see any rufticient reason to justify them in
applying for that authority.
During the year many requests ware pressed on the dele-
gacy for the recommendation of spoilt' text-boob. Con-
sidering that there to this diekence of opinion among school-
master., and that the scheme, as it originally stood, was not
adopted without deliberation, the delegates have thought it
' best to wait for the results of longer experience.
On examining the requests for fuller and more precise
regulations, it al peered that it would be in many cases de-
lusive, and in some imposeible to comply with them. There are
many points in a scheme of this kind which can never be
reeds really intelligible by words ; and almost every ad-
ditional sentence introduced into the regul tu me would open
the door for the possibility of an additional misundtr-
standing. The only part of the regulations where it ap-
peared clear that greater precision would be of advantage,
was that which related to the subject of drawing; and the
necessary changes have accordingly been made. .

Numberless suggertions of detail, bemiring partly on the
arrengements, partly on the papers, have been laid before
the delegacy. Some of these are very valuable, and will be
of great nee in the work of next summer. All of them
will receive consideration as the time for acting on them
approaches. s
'' •

The delegates conclude their report by repressing their
opinion that the esperionce of this year boa just dim% u tar se
ad short art esperieher could, the pawing of the statists. The
number of candidate. provw, that the school., are glad od the
aid ; and the character of the work gives promise that the aid
will not be thrown sway.

Tne OLD YEAR AND TUC Nzw.—Several clergy-
nun of the chinch of England, being incumbroia of churches
to the toetropobo, held midnight eerrtres Wit night, for the
pogrom, of enaloing their congregations to observe with
eoleteinsty the departure of tbe old and the coming in of this
new year. At St. Michael's Cnorch, Burleigh-street,
Strand, the incumbent of which I. the Rev. A. G. Edowirt,
there .112 a serval, commencing at halt-past ten o'clock, and
the Holy Communion was edministered towards the •
of midnight. At St. Mary's, Soho, sad Weet-streett'PhrrpeLck
St. Gib. a, there were eerviotia at eleven o'clock. At St.
Mark'. Church, St. Marylelione, there was a midnight ear-
vim, and. sermon by the Rev. J. M. Bellew, the minister.
Stools, eerviors were held at St. Paul's, Bermondsey, by
the Rev. W. Duncan Long, the mimater • and in many other
churches in toinnexion with the eatahlisiment. The night
was observed with great solemnity in all the 1% e.leyan chapels
of the metropolis. Amongst the other religious denominate
no recognised systole of '• watching" prevails ; but inkeany
other plums of worship special service. wet. hrld.
ACCIDENT TO THZ REV. MR. WAGNER AT
MD011'10:4.-1114, Ray. A. Wegner, of St. nod's, Brighten,
was yesterday superintending wine alterations In Wyman-
berme., the whole of which has hems perch...it for • house
of mercy in connexion with St. Paul's Church, when he wee
suddenly precipitated, by a decayed portico of the floor giving
way, into a well SO feet deep. He had presence of mind to
ext..' his anus, and thus save himself from going below the
@wised. Fortunately, some of the workmen beard the crash
of the woodwork and relic,, d the rev. gentleman from his
perilous position.-2 Itc Union.

'ARMONIUMS—NEW MODEL—CRAMER,
aqua im 0i... xi. moo lowa

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