The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-08 00:00:00

Criminal Classes of Ireland.

The Judicial Statistics of Ireland for the year 1863, just
issued, comprise returns of a remarkable character. The
criminal classes at large—the known thieves, receivers of
stolen goods, prostitutes, suspected persons, vagrants, and
tramps—are returned by the police at 22,290; in England
and Wales the return was 126,136. As the population of
Ireland is to that of England and Wales about as 1 to 3.7,
these numbers imply that in equal populations there are
above 34,000 of the criminal classes it England to 22,290
in Ireland ; the criminal classes are 1 in 260 of the
population of Ireland, but lin 159 in England. The
number of known thieves in Ireland is returned
at 3,254, being lees than half tho number in an
equal population in England ; and the number under
16 years of age is less than a third of the English return.
The suspected persons in Ireland also-4,438—are little
more than half the number found among as many people
in England. The return c f the number of pi osti Lutes is less
than half the number in an equal population of England,
and the number under 16 is only one-eighth of the English
return ; the number of brothels-657—is little more than
a third of the corresponding English return. On the other
hand, the receivers of stolen goods in Ireland-1,233—are
more numerous than in a like amount of population in
England ; and the number of vagrants and tramps is very
great-9,900 to 8,968 in an equal English population. The
young vagrants are especially in excess in Ireiand-3,399
to every 1,075 in England ; but there are no Industrial
Schools to receive them in Ireland, and to some extent the
number of vagrants and tramps is overstated in Ireland,
owing to a less exact method of enumeration than in Eng-
land, It must be borne in mind that this is the first year
of collecting these statistics in Ireland, and that they had to
be collected retrospectively, so that the books of the different
officers had not been kept with any view of furnishing the
information required. The greater number of large towns
in England is also to be considered. It is remarkable that
in Dublin the criminal class Is returned as 1 in 137, and in
London as only 1 in 243, and the prostitutes are returned as
1 in, 311 in Dublin, and only lin 576 in London. In order
to ascertain the entire number of the criminal classes it is
necessary to add to those who are at large at any time those
also who are in confinement ; this will give a total of 27,452
for Ireland in the year 1863, and for an equal portion of the
population of England 41,995. The total number of houses
of bad character in an equal number of population is rather
greater in Ireland than in England ; the number of tramps'
lodging-houses approaching double the number for a like
population in England. But, while the number of the
criminal classes appears to be so much less in Ireland than
in England, the number of offences committed is greater,
and in some respects the year 1863 contrasts unfavourably
with 1862. There was a decrease in the murders from 41
to 22, but several serious crimes increased—sending letters
threatening to murder, from 10 to 22 ; shooting at or stab-
bing, from 65 to 107; holding forcible possession of land,
from 83 to 135. The excess in Ireland over England, how-
ever, was mainly in offences which are not of a serious cha-
racter. More than twice as many charges were determined
summarily in Ireland as in an equal population in England.
More than 60,000 of these were charges of drunkenness or
being drunk and disorderly; there were little more than
25,000 of such charges in an equal population in Eng-
land. A similar excess appears in charges under the
highway acts. The punishments also indicate that a larger
proportion of the offences in Ireland were of a less serious
character than in England—the proportion sentenced to
whipping, among the whole number convicted, was 14
times as many in England as in Ireland, and seven times
as many were imprisoned above three months. The cases
of murder and attempts to murder were 175 in Ireland in
1863, a much smaller proportion to population than in Eng-
land ; but the malicious offences against property were more
than four times as many as in an equal population of Eng-
land, and assaults (the special failing of the country) ex-
ceeded the number in England in a proportion much beyond
this. 01 the persons tried at assizes and quarter sessions
the proportion acquitted (46 per cent.), was twice as great
as in England. It is remarkable that the committals of the
Irish in England are considerably more than twice as many
as among a like number of the population in Ireland. Thu
average proportion of police to population is more than
twice as great in Ireland as it is in England.

1111XED PUNCH.—Last week, Mr Punch received
a sensation. The Times published a letter, to which
were appended some lines, headed " Prison Verses," These
the correspondent stated to have been found on a prisoner
in a certain gaol. A glance at the verses, which are ex-
an improvement upan
ex-
cessively clever, as Atr Pinch's next words will prove,
slowed him that they were his own. . They adorned his
aretake walxs
Dcorlulncvnaststa,
pfeowenirea,r‘svhagero.,,earndlabroad."
Punch's sensation, however, was not one of pride—
quite the reverse. Re was filled with sorrow that a man
who could and did read _ranch, should not have been pre-
served from error, and should have behaved so evilly as to
deserve imprisonment. As MrPunch moodily brooded over
this fact, he looked at the verses again, and to his partial
satisfaction found that some of them had been altered, And
debased. The criminal had studied them from an impure
edition. This, of course, removes all blame from
Punch. It a doctor prescribes a drug, and that drug be
administered in an adulterated form, it is not his fault if the
patient continues ill. .11r "'melt has sent to the governor
of the gaol a correct copy, to be given to the prisoner when
his sentence shall have expired, and no doubt his reforma-
tion will then be completo.—Punch,
CLAIMS FOR INJURIES IN THE BELFAST RIOTS.—
A local paper states that the sum claimed as presentments
for injuries sustained by wrecking in the late riots amounts
to between £9,'000 and £lO,OOO. According to the custom
of the grand jury in such cases, the amounts granted will
be levied off the barony of Lower Belfast, and as the grand
jurors have the power of defining the district, this large
sum may be assessed on the parish of Shankhill, in which
toe town of „Belfast is bituat‘d.

4'W
tonli y
• \'•14111111,121:

HER MAJESTY,

BALMORAL, Sept. G.

Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Saxe Coburg and
Gotha, drove out yesterday afternoon.
The Duke of Saxe Coburg went out deer stalking

The Prince and Princess of Wales in
Denmark.

ELSINRIIR, Sept. 6, 1.30 p.m.
The Prince and Princess of Wales landed here
to-day at a little before one o'clock, and with a
hearty and right royal welcome. Any apprehen-
sions which had been entertained on this score, oa
account of recent untoward events, were completely
dispelled, This generous people forgot all past
differences and griefs in the feelings of loyalty
towards their Sovereign, and of hospitality to
strangers visiting their shores, for which they are
proverbial. From break of day the whole popula-
tion of this ancient royal residence, about 8,000 in
number, were up and bury making preparations for
the reception of the illustrious visitors. The quay
was decorated with festoons of flowers and ever,
greens, and flags of all nations, those of Austria and
Prussia excepted. The ships in the harbour were
profusely dressed out with bunting. At the en,
trance to the principal street was a triumphal
arch, bearing the word "Welcome," the initials
"A. E. A.," and the Prince of Wales's feather,
surmounted by a trophy of the Danish and English
flags. All along the street was decorated after the
same fashion. At four this morning a Danish man'
of-war and her Majesty's steamship Aurora watt
down to the Cattegat to meet the Osborne, which
was accompanied by two other steamships. Ten or
twelve Danish men•of•war were anchored off the
harbour. The King and Queen of Denmark and
the Princess Dagmar arrived in an open carriage
and four, accompanied by a numerous suite, a little
after ten, and proceeded to the picturesque old
Castle of the Wort to await the arrival of their
relatives and guests. At twelve o'clock the guns of
Cronborg announced the arrival of the fleet in the
roads, then a salute was fired by all the Danish ships,
whose yards were manned. The band on L. _re nee/
played the "Danish Hymn," and afterwards " God
save the Queen," as the Osborne steamed majesti:
tally into the little harbour. "Rule Britannia'
followed, the cheering on all s:des being enthusi'
astic. Nearly three quarters of an hour were veto'
pied in bringing the steamer to her mooring,
during which time the King, Queen, and Princess
were put on board the yacht in a boat. Then the
Danish standard was hoisted at the main. The
weather hitherto had been fine but threatening, and
there was a slight shower just before the royal part,'
landed. The band on board, previous to the land'
ing, returned the compliment of the military band
on shore by playing the " Danish Hymn." The
Prince of Wales first stepped across the gangway'
which was covered with crimson cloth and strewed
with flowers, the Queen of Denmark resting on hid
arm. The King of Denmark followed, giving hi°
arm to the Princess of Wales, Next came the
Princess Dagmar, and then the royal infant, wh°'
in his nurse's arms,was the object of much interest,
although, unfortunately, asleep, and his face bidder'
from view. The cheering was now renewed with
increased intensity, amidst the booming of a hao"
dred cannon; the burgomaster read an address, after
which there was another burst of loud hurrahs'
After this the choral societies of the town sang
" God save the Queen," which had been translated
into Danish for this occasion. The royal party Oa
withdrew to Cronborg, where luncheon was Pred
pared, and afterwards proceeded to FredensborP
where they are to sojourn during their stay in thi°
country.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster
will leave Motcomb House. on Monday next, for Scotlavao
on a visit to Sir Michael and Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricard°
have arrived at Baden Baden, from Homburg,
The Earl Cadogan lies seriously ill at the family
mansion in Piccadilly, and but slight hopes are entertaluel
of his recovery.

Lord Craw° left town yesterday for his seat/
Crowe Hall, Cheshire, where his lordship will receic°
company.

Lord Richard Grosvenor has arrived at Dunrobill
Castle, on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland•

Baron and Baroness Meyer de Rothschild ball
arrived in town from the Continent.

MURDERS ON BOARD AN IRISH EMIGRANT SO':
—We (Freeman's Journal) take the following distressi"
account of a double murder from the Philadelphia liequirer
of the 19th ult. :—" The ship Lady Emily Peel, Capt. J6e.
Denny, arrived at this port on Wednesday night, from Mre
donderry, with cargo of pig iron and 314 emigrant passel
gers. During the passage two of the female emigrants 13°_,
into a fight, during which ono of them received injuries °
such a serious character as to cause her death. Another A3ll
occurred yesterday between the crew, during which °llje
stabbed another, killing him instantly. Thevessel was haul%
into one of the wharves above Race -street, and during ri);
morning some six or eight of the crew indulged ratheci
freely in drink. Subsequently two of them, nave
D Jugherty and M'Keever, returned to the ship, when
difficulty sprang up, and a new general row ensue'
Joseph M'Master, the boatswain, a quiet inoffensive 11;
in endeavouring to quell the disturbance, became I.lid
volved, and was attacked by Bl'Keever, and a 00
man named John Gallagher, also one of the partioipo.4S
in the first quarrel. M'Master, a powerful man, 1"-,.
fast getting the better of his adversaries, when M'lCees'e;
drew a large sheath-knife from his belt, such 110 at
carried by seamen, and plunged it into M`Maste.r
neck. The blade entered under the left ear, penetratill
one and a half inches, cutting the jugular vein and carofia
artery, The blood gushed out in torrents, and the injurr
man fell to the deck without uttering a word. M,KeeTer:
who was excited, missed his step and fell, the some
with whioh he had committed the murder entering his rigm
thigh, inflicting a frightful wound, which bled profuselri
The deck of the vessel was by this time
,ono mass of clod'
blood, and the greatest excitement and consternation Pre;
vailed among the some ICO or 200 emigrants male an
female, who were yet on board. 111'Keever was render':
helpless from the loss of blood and was picked up and takes
to the hospital. lle also received during the fight a secel.B,
cut over the left ear. Being stupefied with liquor, the V',
ciso nature of his wounds cannot be ascertafined until re
day, although they are of a very serious character, and
prove fatal. The murdered man was a native of Beira
Ireland, and aged about 35 years. Ills murderer is a Oril6
of Derry county, Ireland, and aged only 21 years. 1,%;
affair was at once communicated to the police authotitiei:
Lieut9nant Bowers, with a large force of men, was s,ooll
board, and arrested nearly all the crew. to await the resil

of the coroner's investigation.
THE LATE FLOGGING OF GAROTTERS AT KIO:
DALE.—Daring the past week two of the three rl3l
who were recently flogged at Kirkdale gaol wore reniofeof
to the prison where they are to undergo the remainder e
of their term of penal servilude. It may serve as a wareiti°
to others to state the effect the flogging had on the culpritS,'
The first two were Sharpies and Smith, the former of gli°3
had been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude, with ;
lashes, and the latter to 12 years and 18 lashes, for havill,l
with three others, garotted Mr Lawrence, in Clareec;;
street, on the night of the 9th June. Sharpies seems
.10
have been the strongest, as he was able to bear the ivil°o
of his stripes; but we understand that he has since been t
a bad state, and has told his friends that ho would soollei
have his period doubled than be flogged, as it was dreadfls;
Smith fainted while undergoing his punishment, and WI:,
taken to the hospital, where it is said ho still remains. rf
other man, William Courtnay, who was sentenced to
years' imprisonment, with 12 lashes of the cat, for havirjl
in company with others, garotted a young man na133:0
Cooper, in Scotland-road, on the 25th July, fainted
he had received about half the number of lashes, and W.,-
taken to the hospital, but ho has since been removed.
Leeds lifereurg.
Loss OF A LIVERPOOL SlllP.—lntelligenee
reached Liverpool yesterday of the loss of the °13:0
Sea Palk, and that the ship's longboat is missing•Wito
portion of the crow. The Sea Park, a vessel of 744 tone, `'t
built at South Shields in 1815, and she was the property
Messrs. Hargrove, Fergusson, and Co., of Chapel-str'ell'
in this town. She was commanded by Captain W. Ste:,
and on the 15th of April last sailed from Cardiff for
On the 13th of July she foundered at sea in lat. 25 deg•tbe
sec. south, long. 40 deg. 58 see, west. The crew took t°„l.
boats. The longboat,which is missing, contained the 'O,
lowing petsons : Capt. W. Bell; Wm. Gambles, carpe o
ter; Peter Radford, steward; James Itush, cook; 4/°a,
llutchinson, able seaman ; John Bourke, ordinary segul,,
The portion of the crew which got into the pinnace larl'tj
at Rio Janeiro, and were thence forwarded by the fi ?.by
West India Mail Steampacket Company's steamer Olin,
to Southampton. They arrival yesterday in Liver<t,
The Sea Park was insured with the Liverpool 110
writer's Association.

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