The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-31 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY MORNING.
THE POLITICAL PRIESTHOOD.
The Nation of to-day makes a fresh revelation in con-
nection with the threatened repression of priestly inter.
ference in temporal matters. The organ is now credibly
assured that it is assented to in a well-informed
circle of this city, that the Government, appalled by
rumours which havereached them of the influence wielded
by the Catholic clergy against their candidate at the
Meath election, have determined to introduce a bill early
next session for the purpose of preventing any future in-
terference of the kind. Without disputing the Nation's
sources of information upon any movement conne'zted
with the church of Rome, the foregoingstatement, as fir
as regards legislative intervention for the abatement of
a crying scandal, must be received for what it is worth.
If it be true that Dr. Cullen, with the sanction and autho-
rity of the Pope, has determined to limit the duties of
the clergy to affairs of a spiritual nature—and some such
policy is generally supposed to be in contemplation—
why not let the hostile parties adjust their own squabbles
without dragging them before the British Legislature ?
There is not an educated Roman Catholic in Ireland who
is not heartily ashamed of the late display at the Meath
election, and so universal is this feeling that it iu more
than doubtful whether such a trial upon the patience of
any constituency would be again ventured upon even
without the interference of the Court of Rome or the
Parliament of England. The Tablet itself is almost
abashed at the agencies employed to effect the return of
Bishop Cant well's nominee, and suggests the ballot as
the only remedy for those who complain of priestly
domination and mob-intimidation.

THE IRISH CHURCH.
The new Dean of Down (the Rev. Mr. Woodward)
was formerly one of the secretaries of the Church Educa-
tion Society, but has long since modified his views upon
the educational question, and is now a supporter of the
national system. As a churchman, his leanings are be-
lieved to tend towards the high rather than to the low
party. The former, however, comprise but an insig-
nificant section of the clergy of the established church
in Ireland.

FRENCH
PROVISION CONTRACT
have
learnt Du6lin Mercantile AdrertiBer says
learnt with much satisfaction that our enterprising fel
low-citizen, Mr. Michael Smith, of Copper-alley,has
-
entered into a contract with the Government of hslm-
perial Majesty Napoleon for the supply of several hun-
dred tierces—about 1,000, we believe—of Irish beef, to
be delivered at the port of Brest or Cherbourg a
definite period. This event is a novel one in the eqtufber•
vial history of our city. We are not, indeed, aware that
a Dublin provision merchant has ever before now had
such a mercantile transaction with any French Govern•
went. If such did occur it must have been a long time
since ; and the country is indebted to Mr. Smith for thus
opening an important branch of trade with Franey."

TRADE AND AGRICULTURE.
A Westmeath journal mentions a gratifying fact that
the Tx..rinyards throughout that rich agricultural county
present. an appearance of abundance superior to what
has been heretofore witnessed. This circumstance, it is
fairly remarked, assumes vast importance when it is con-
sidered that the Payment of rents is almost universally
Con-
n advance ofuniversallyormer years, demonstrating as it does
that the circumstances of farmers have greatly improved ;
for in past years the payment of rents at this season ne-
cessitated in most casts the unreserved sale of oat-stacks
and other farm produce.

Turning to an opPosite guarter, a letter from Belfast,
"
published in the Derry Stanritard, supplies the following
information : The work
Pe^ole being all pretty well
employed and in the receipt of far earnings, the fare-ing
ranks having had quite a carnival of it for the last three
months, and even farm labourers enjoying a good mar-