The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-05 00:00:00

SOUTH OF IRELAND.

(atom out owN coNiNstOritANT.)
Cork, Augur 36.
The condition of the poorer classes in this city and the
adjacent country continues to be most deplorable. The
total absence of employment, joined with the high price of
provisions, and especially of potatoes, which form the chief
if not the sole subsistence of the lower orders, have reduced

several hundreds of unfortunate families to misery and
want, mato were heretofore enabled to sustain an existence,
certainly never very enviable, by the unaided exertions of
their own industry. The inhabitants of remote rural die.
tricts, affected by the same causes which have operated in
the city, have ilocted thither in multitudes, with the hope
of procuring-occasional employment or eleemosynary relief,
and of course have frightfully augmented the mass of mi.
sery which it presents. None but an eye-witness can
credit the appalling scenes which are daily passing here.
The streets and roads are infested with crowds of squalid
and half-naked creatures, whose countenances form a com-

pendium of wretchedness, and who importune the passen-
gers at every step with an earnestness and perseverance
which would be irresistible if it were not incessant. In the
_ __

principal streets groups of idle artisans and labourers are
lounging, or listlessly resting against the walls of some un-
occupied house, and occasionally a powerful and able-
bodied man may he seen sinking suddenly to the ground,
exhausted by absolute hunger. When such is the picture
presented to the cursory street passenger, it requires none
of the indulgent credulity of maudlin philanthropy to be-
lieve that the scenes which the interior of the miserable

habitations of the poor furnish are such as must excite
compassion in every human being that bears a heart. Any
attempt at a description of the details must fall far short
of the reality, and could not produce any feelings with
which it is desirable human nature should be familiar. As
to the extent of misery, though unquestionably very great,
it has been variously estimated. Many are of opinion that
above 20,000 persons in the city and liberties are in a state
of distress which renders them proper objects of public
charity. I have heard no person possessing any knowledge
on the subject, who calculated that the present pauper po-
pulation of the city teas below 15,000 persons. In this
alarming and distressful state of things, those who conduct
the affairs of the good people of Cork have exhibited a
singular " pattern of Irish sense." Instead of taking
active and immediate measures for the alleviation of that

wide-spread misery which was hourly increasing, they have
been engaged almost exclusively for the last three weeks,
in convening and holding meetings for the purpose of dis-
cussing the propriety of petitioning the Legislature to ex-
tend the blessing of poor laws to Ireland. Now, if the
whole country was unanimous as to the expediency of im-
porting the system of poor laws, which is by no means the
case, it seems quite clear that the system could not be
carried into operation before the expiration of two, or, at
the shortest, of one year. The existing distress is univer-
sally admitted to be intense and urgent, and to discuss a ge-
neral measure of tlonbtful expediency and remote opera-
tion, before all the practical means within reach were
considered and tried, was, to say the least, pre-
mature, and only serves to remind one of the ancient
ap.mhthegm, that 't while the grass grows the steed may
die." Let me not be understood, however, as ascrib-
ing any thing like the prevalence of a feeling of apathy to
the sufferings and wants of their fellow-creatures to the
wealthy citizens of Cork. On the contrary, this city on
all occasions has been eminent for its display of public
benevolence ; and its charitable institutions, whether con-
sidered as to number or extent, are not rivalled by those
of any other provincial city in Europe. But unfortunately
a sort of mania obtains here for what they call speechiniir.z.
A public measure, which would be discussed and decided
upon elsewhere in a few hours, gives rise to a discussion
here which not unfrequently occupies several days. To this
rage for oratorical display we can alone attribute the prac-
tical blunder which has been committed, in monopolizing
public attention by discussions on the poor laws, whilst
the poor were actually famishing. Under other circum-
stances such a mode of proceeding would be only ludicrous:
under existing circumstances the delay which it has occa-
sioned is a matter of serious lamentation. An adjourned
Meeting was held yesterday, at which the question as to
the expediency of introducing the poor laws was decide&
in the affirmative. I hope, rather than trust, that this will
set the question at rest—at least for the pres.nt—and that
practical means will now be adopted to save the poor from
the horrors of famine. A sum considerably exceeding two
thousand pounds has been collected for that purpose.
Totally inadequate as such a sum must be to accomplish
any material or permanent alleviation of the distresses of
the poor, perhaps it is more than could reasonably be ex-
pected, considering the depressed state of the trading and
commercial community, by which this city is almost ex-
clusively inhabited. If this fund be applied to procure
food for all-who require it, before a week—a little week—
lies elapsed, it must be exhausted. Yet it seems to me
that those to whom the fund is intrusted have no alterna-
tive. To averrthe horrors of starvation, even for a week,
is to effect more than any combination of letters can convey.
For the future, the Government of the country, and the
hearts of that nation which was never dead to the calls of
• humanity, must be relied upon.
I most not conclude without informing you that during
the last week there have been several genial showers,
which it is supposed have been of infinite service to the
late potato crops. This circumstance has caused a sensible
reduction in the price of that article. Potatoes were Is. a
stone; they have now fallen to 10t1., but this is nearly
three times as much as their average price in this part of
the country.

~~

11

F

Mntch for 50/.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTEFISALL'S. MoxnAr. SI!PT. 3.

The hefting yotcriLie left Be.le 'Di the name favourite as at the
owning houses in St. James's at the close of the week-9 to 4 was
biker, but the closing offers did rot reach quite so high. Bedlam-
Be was scot back a point, very heavy sums being laid against
him by one of the beet judges in the coon ; it apprttrs likely that
Mu/alto charge places with him before the week is out, 10 to I
being taken fr..cly, and a good party to hock him. /.cull Wham-
ttifre's two keep pretty reit toge.hcr. with scarcely any variation in
tnr odds. I'ry went back a point or two, 14 to 1 being laid.
'.'ur are i.e stationary, and The General has taken a more favouralitn
; fvw when are deserving of notice. The current odds at
• o'clock nrty he thus quitted :
It to 4 ate.: Belzoni, Laken
11 to 1 ci:tit Itectlatutte
tti to 1 ag-t Mulatto
1:: to 1 agst The Brogan, tak.
13 to 1 apt Crusericr
14 to 1 apt Paul Pry, taken
18 to I eget Tarmre
Al to 1 aget The General
Full Main starts for the Cop at Pontefract ; his success there
n ill decide whether he runs fur the St. Legrr.

33 to 1 agat Shortwaist
40 to 1 era Pirate
40 to 1 art Afar Adam
1(90 to 15 agat Fanny Davics
ln9to to 10 agar Game
11101) to 0 art Full Moon
lUOO to 5 agat Barelega.

A MILESEA RACKS, AvG. 211.
The Pony Cup, value 51.11.—.Mi1e heals.
'4r. W. Owen** b. h. IW. . I I
Mr. 0. Own'. bl. f. 7st. II lb. . . 2 2
The Anulenea Cup. value 30/.—Two odles.
Me. A. T. ()raffles bl. h. Jack, I ht. Illb. - - I
Mr. R. W. Williams's bl. m. Aggravating Sal, Ilst. I Ilb. 2
Mr. C. 11. Frana's br. f. by Piamor. Mat. 41b. - .
Mr. R. Prichard's gr. h. Dart, Ilst. I Ilb. . - 4
Mr. W. Williams's br. m. Meg Merrilies, list. 111 b. - 5
Mr. 0. Owen's bl. h. Captain Rock, lost. fib. . . 6
A very good race.

Farmers' Pure, • due 501.—Two-mile heats.
31e. E. Griffi Ws h. h. Careen, I Ist. lllb. . 1 1
Alt. 11. E. Boggle's h. m. 31n11, I2st. Ilb. - 2 2
Air. W. Huntitigton's ch. f. APIs rove, lOst. - 3 3

:11r. R. T. Griffie.'s bl. L. Jack beat Mr. C. Evans's b. h. Woldt.
math—Two miles.

Lrdiei value :111/.—Two mile heats.

........ .... _ .____ .... _ _ . __ ______
Mr. R. T. 11r.flith'.14. h. ...
Jack, 9.t. 41b. - - 1 2 1
AI% R. 11. Wllltannis b. h. Burnby, 93t. 41b. - - 2 1 2
.qtr. E. G1111143'4 b. h. Cameo, list. - - - 4 3 3
Mr. R. Prich.rre g. h. Mr, 114. 11b. - - 3 4 dr
',three others drawn.—Ao excellea race.

The following horses me arrived at' Warwick for the Rams,
whlrti commence this day :—lLengwaist, Cain, f. by Partin
Comedian, Cricketter, Leviathan, f.' by Si, Oliver, f. by Toilers,
Double Entendre, Shnkapeare, St. David, Fairlawn, b. e. by
spectre, Louisa, Pantie, Enamel, Sir Gray, Harriette Wilson,
Arschne, and several others.

Partridge shooting commenced on Friday, and perhaps there
never was a season which presented such a plentiful supply of birds.
They are, however, remarkable strong on the wing, and the want
of cover for them, owing to the early harvest, makes them wild
and shy, and adds considerably to the labour of the fair sponsman.
fhe poacher has been more sueces4ul, and we hear that immense
int:tubers of birds have been netted.— 6;lu:wester Journal.

l'artridge shooting c.nmenced on Friday. The birds, we under-
t.ta Id, are plentiful in Wale glees; but in tl.is neighbourhood it
a tiro ight that there would be more shooter.. than game. The
t aten,..ve moor. on Stainntoor never abounded more in game
than they do this season. This is partly attributed to the great
tires on the Yorkshire Fells adjoining, which deprived the hirdt
of cover, 3 ai partly to Ikea:rice w.htch that has been kept.-65e.fficld
Nercitry.

Last Friday wu not quite an fatal to the partridges as had been
a7ticipcted, the birds bun very shy. and uncommonly active on
the wtng. Fiestrrate shots, itevcribeicss, filled their bags pretty
vicall.—%sesee.r Advertiser.

SITw AND-LANE REGATTA.—This (Tay will he a grand one for
t* a inhabitants of S. Clement Panes. St. .11.ory.le.Strand, &c.
'Etre prate is the fourth annual one givr n by the Indies and llentle.
man of the above pariahea, and eoniata Ma new wherry, and other
prizes. to he contended Err in three hams, by the watermen belong.
Mg to Arurdel.strert and Strand.fsne stairs. The wager is what
is termed " oar's wager," and eight pair will contend fur the
ptur..., The distance to be rowed is from buoys moored off'

;mall I u o t cough the c?n,re arch of
r.iturn at ihe north shore round a boat lying oft' the Fox under
tie 11.11, and down through Itlactation-bridge up to the
priz %her' y, moored between Arundel-qabs and Sirand.lane-
,airi. The first two boats h each or the previous heart• to
V., the grand and final heat. The Erst heat will start at two o'clock
, reels& y„

Pan WIIARF REGATTA.—The annual contest for a new
wh •try.will take place tn.ntorrow, by seven pair of sculls. The
e oripentors all belong •o the stain, and the distance precisely that
it farmer years. The contest excites considerable interest, and
ninth money will change hands on the occasion.
The Dover Regatta will lake place on Thursday next.
A•cu En v.—Monday ae'n;light. a grand Target of the Woodmen
•Itt Forest of Arden wax held on Menden Heath, when the
31a,tar Forester's gold medal was won by the Hon. Heneage
Leggy; the Seniar Vertlerer's silver medal by the Hon. and Rev.
Awaited Begot; and I henry Cad Adams, Esq. was declared Lim.
•• DI it of the Target. Wednesday was appointed for shooting for
.e silver arrow, and many bowmen 'rambled ; but from the un.
vourable state of the weather it was postponed till Friday, when
was shut for at 9 score yard., and won by the Lord Warden.
Lady Harrier Scott having drawn No. 11, the Warden's number.
received an elegant gold arrow. The bugle horn of Arden was
then shut for at 11 score yards, and also won hy his Lordship, who
.enamel xix arrows in seven ends. Mr. Tyler was the fortunate
ithier of the Warden's number, and received a beautiful gold
litighs. In the evening the Digbeian gold n edal was presented to
Inc finr. and Rev. C. Finch. as captain of numbers, and the silver
reoai to the Secretary, the Rev. T. C. Adams, as lieutenant of
ambers.