The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-24 00:00:00

IRRT.AND.

Drams, .
An influential meeting of merchants and othersin-
terested in the Irish spirit trade was held yesterday
for the purpose of taking steps preparatory to the ap-
proaching oonsideraticm of their cam in parliament.
It as. argued on the occasion that the differential
duty on rum, in their favour, was considerably more
than counterbalanced by the heavy losses they were
subjected to on spirits in bond. And some went m
far as to say that they would willingly give up the
promotion of the differential duty to bare the griev-
ance they complained of removed. It was strongly
urged that the question effected the agricultural in-
terests in Ireland nearly as much se it did those of
the spirit merchan's • and it was resolved that a de-
putation should proceed to London to represent the
sue to government, and confer with members of par-
liament before the question came on for dicctuieion in
the House of Commons.

A numerous meeting was held in Cork City Court-
house, yesterday, to promote the object of tte exhi-
bition of industry of 18.51. Several statements were
made to arm, what is wall known to be the fact, that
in many cases Irish fabrics of superior quality are at
this moment sold as the manufacture of other cone-
tries, owicg to the unfounded prejudice against ttem,
even in Ireland, and that the producers of those
articles must to materially served by being enabled to
exhibit them in their true character, and obtaiLing at
the exs.ibltion the stamp of merit to which trey are
entitled.

On the subject of the abolition of the viceroyalty,
the Fireman in introducing the article from the
Daily News of Monday, makes the following remarks:
Some slily folks at both sides of the water imagine that
the whit project for the abolition of the Irish viceroyalty wan
an economic movement devoid of the usual Mare :lent in
most whig pr.wedings—rank jobbing. The asnmarment
of the plan in parliament has served to open many E ,glish
as well as Irish eye s. The Mail tees nothing of good in it,
and would not support the movement if it hsd foreseen the
end—mire centralisation, and a job to boot. The Daily
News, in a very able and unanswerable aracle which we
subjoin, denouoces the ministerial project risco better than a
cover for "the organisation of a new permanent lob in the
shape of a second Home. office," so far as the economic humbug
is concerned, and a system for governii g Ireland by
"the confidential reporte of mere police ageism," to far as
the better administration of the law in Ireland is concerned.
The Daily News writes strongly in favour of andishiog the
Irish court, and substituting for the aids...dr.:A...is skilful
clerk.. But it %rites as an English journal egainat a system
of centrs'iim which must yet ruin England u p never, d in,
and denaluds on Eoglish as well as Irish grounds, that if
there is to be an Irish minister, Ireland, co. England,
should be his location. " li," says the Daily "an
Irish minister is a specific necessity, then where toe neces-
sity is there let the minister be." We subjoin this remark-
able article in fall. It bids us hope that as is not lost that
is in danger. We yet may strike an *fifties blow when
we find such opinions abroad amongst the progres lye party
in England.
Front the report adopted at the half-yearly meeting
of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland held a few
days since, it appears that the receirs of that useful
association have amounted, for the year 1849, to
2,768/. 61. GI., while the expenditure during the same
period was 2,1711. I3s. 5d., leaving a Velance of
5961. 13e. ld. Toe 24th and 23.1 of July next have
been appointed for holding the next annual cattle
show and meeting at Cork. The most efficient ma-
chinery for utility which the society possesses is per-
haps the system of practical instructors ; nod this has
been useful not merely by disseminating agricnitural
information among the peasantry, but by developing
a spirit zi.f industry among the people in the moat
remote and impoverished districts. The reports of
all the practical instructors tend to show that even
the very poorest of the peasantry are anxious
to help themselves, and that all they re quire
is to obtain the means and information
necessary for the purpose •, and whin we
recollect that for generations they have had neither
the one nor the other, 'tie surely not wonderful that
they should be found in their present utterly destitute
condition. The report states that—
Although Outnumber of gratuitous instructors was limited
at firs: to ten, yet the council having determined not to sup-
ply any seeds, except in dis•ricts where instructors were lo-
cated, who would attend to, and direct the proper sowing
and subsequent cultivation, as the season advanced, and the
funds at their disposal permitting it, they resolved to obtain
his Excellency's consent co extend the number, and with his
sanction ten additional gratuitous instructors were lent out
from the lot of April, thereby establishing an efficient
staff of thirty-two in number, for carrying out the objects
of the society.
A terrific thunder storm visited various parts of the
counties of Limerick, Clare, and Tippsrary, on Sunday
last. The Limerick Chronicle says:
In the country, near Croom, Pallaskenry, and other parts,
the thunder and h./hieing wu fearful, while a shower of
sleet and hail covered the ground, some of the particles of
congealed matter having the form and site of ice lumps. At
Castle Connell we regret to learn that the electric conflict
caused the utmost consternation, for the church was struck
during divine cowls* by a crash which shattered the spire,
and covered the congregation with a selphureous cloud. Our
own informant Ilk fis the effect of the shock to that of a
bomb-shell or great-gun expimion, with instatraneous blaze
of light end then a thick sulphureous smoke. Arthur Lloyd,
son of the county high sheriff, who sat in a pew under the
spire, fell senseless on the floor, and wu removed to the
hens* of John White, Esq., in a state of stupor, the electric
fluid hayloft shot down from the spire and slightly scorched
his neck. There wu a'oto a burning sensation in the leg,
while his feet were cold as marble, and it was near half an
hour before he was restored to consciousness.

The Limerick Chronicle says that General de La-
hitte, the Frcnch Minister of Foreign Affairs, is
married to the grand-daughter of a Limerick lady,
the incomporably beautiful Jane Harold, the non-
pareil of her time, who married Mr. Cotter, a Cork
gentleman.
The present great depreciation in the Irish butter
trade is caused (says the Limerick Chronicle) by the
very few samples of good brand to be had in the
markets. Of 1,390 firkins brought up at Cork weigh-
house on Thursday, only 17 were found worthy of
first quality mark.

Tan ROSCOMMON PE RAGE.—It has been stated
that this ancient Irish peerage became extinct by the demise
of t►e late earl, which was announced is the Doily News a
few days ego. The correctness of this etatsmrnt, however,
will soon he tested, as Mr. Dillon Browne, M.P.Ator Mayo,
is at present actively engaged in asserting his claim to the
dormant title,.

------
I)UIHJN UNIVESSITT. - FELLOWSHIP EXAMINA-
Tions.—llis annual examination c.mmeneed yesterday
morning, and on no former occasion was thcre evidenced
leas of that excitemint which nerd to be exhibited within
the walls of Alma Mater on the part of the public. There
are two vacancies to be tilled up, and twelve candidates
presented themselveli„ _

STATE OF TOR CEOPB.—The weather for the post
few days has been very favourable to vegetation, and • great
change has taken place in the appearance of the growing
crop,. In grass lands especially the rain has does much
goal; early meadows, however, are still much under the
state of forwardness usual at this season. We are gratis
CA to learn that the damp done to the potato plant
by the frost has been leas etas was generally anticipated,
and even in NM where the leaves seemed blighted a
rapid recovery is taking place. On the whole, the state
of that crop may be. considered as favourable. As to thu
4nality of the seed planted this season, we have co hesi-
tation in stating that it was very superior to that of the
put four years; and 119 a 001361d•r•bi• advance has bees
ceiibited in the in •of culture and
_preparation of the.
soil, we may expect, under Divine Providence, • fall
average cr.,p of this valuable article of fo..d. Farman
an at length beginning to see the great value of mangold
wurtsel—the moat valuable of all bulbous roots for winter
feeding—and this season a vary considerable breadth of
ground is under its cultivation. The brearda of wheat and
oats look strong and healthy; the former, in some unshel-
tered ground, had experienced a slight damage by the frost,
and was partially discoloured, teat it now appears fully re-
covered, and is considered as very promising.—Basher of