The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-28 00:00:00

The New Association of Ireland.

LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM.
The Lion of the Fold of Jadah has recently
published the following letter, addressed to Alder-
man J. B. Dillon, and dated St. Jarlath's, Tuam,
December 6 :
Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your respected letter, and
the accompanying requisition to the Lord Mayor, to call an
aggregate meeting, with a view to forming an association for
the objects stated in the requisition. With regard to the
objects there can be no question of their great importance,
and the only wonder is how the representatives of Ireland,
at least those of the popular constituencies, have been so
long and so generally silent on the legislative requirements
of the country up to the eve of the dissolution of Parlia-
ment. But though there is no question regarding the im-
portance of the objects not so with the agency proposed to
carry them into serious and practical effect.
The zeal to found an association at this crisis reminds us
of the great association founded in 1851, and from its fate,
and the consequences that followed, one may draw a lesson
in estimating what would be probaby the result of the pro-
jected association. No association now to be formed for the
good of Ireland could surpass, or probably equal it in the
number and order of its members, in the pledges by which
the fidelity of parliamentary candidates was sought to be
secured, or in, the unusual solemnity with which its first
meeting was inaugurated. The sequel need not be told.
It is written in the present prostrate condition of the coun-
try and the dispersion of of its people, Yes, after allowing
in latter times, their own share to bad harvests, this state
of things is brought about by the breach of the covenants
then made by the treachery of the representatives
then unfortunately trusted by the acquiescence
of entire and principally corrupt municipal constitu-
encies—in the scandalous violation of engagements of which
they were the witnesses, it not the securities, and finally, the
ominous silence of a large portion of the once popular press,
at first rather,,loud in its censures of the political apostasy,
but gradually adopting a more tolerant tone, until it sub-
sided into gentle condonation of this hideous national be.
trayab Nay more, those infamous men who betrayed the
best interests of the country were not content with silence
on their misdeeds, but had the hardihood, together with
their supporters, to assume the language of complaint, and
to arraign the conduct of those clergy and people who
laboured to carry out the policy to which all classes of
society were then so clearly committed.
Are we then justified in expecting from the association
now contemplated more favourable results P lam nut
insensible to the lamentable condition of the country, or
to the necessity of great and generous exertions to save the
people from utter extermination, nor am I indifferent to the
observations regretting the want of union, and expressive
of a wish that all past errors and mistakes should be for-
gotten. The long-continued reluctance to unite with con-
victed delinquents, and the speedy failure that followed every
attempt to create such an association, are matters of deep
significance. They show what a shock has been given to
public confidence, which must be restored ere there can be
a hope of forming any effective confederation. This caution
in trusting objects so often delusive, through the dishonesty
of those who betrayed the people, is creditable to the virtue
of the nation. Finding how much they were deceived and
injured by public men, the people should naturally
expect from those who were parties to the injury and
deceit a sincere and sorrowful acknowledgment of their
errors, as well as a sincere pledge of their resolve not to
repeat them before they could again be invested with
the country's confidence. This should be the first neces-
sary preliminary to the construction of any national asso-
ciation.

But it may be said that there was no such delinquency
as is assumed, and that therefore there is no need of apology
or reparation. I have no doubt but this is the opinion of
several who would wish to take a prominent part in the
association. The avowal of that opinion would be credit-
able to their candour, and not less useful in enabling the
people to shape their own course, than the confession of
having pursued a wrong career.
Giving, then, this large section of the community credit
for sincerity in their views who can see nothing faulty in
what has been done, and who have not a word or a feeling
of reproach for the most notorious of dead or living public
delinquents, what is to be expected from an association
in which these opinions might prevail ? Nothing, in
all consistency, but that those who hold them are prepared
to play over again the same old game in which they could
see no harm. To sanction such a result it would be the
'probable one—l am not at all prepared. I cannot enter into
alliance with any who manifest no regret for the violation
of former solemn engagements. To have been once deceived
is in no way discreditable. It only argues a too generous
confidence in the faith and integrity of our fellowmen. But
to be deceived again, by entering into unconditional fellow •
ship with many who were unfaithful to their trust, one
could scarcely escape the reproach of being a willing party
to the deception.
Such are my views on the important subject of the re..
quisition, and which I feel due to you, to myself, and to the
country thus to explain in reply to your communication.
If I thought that against a large section of men, 'who look
solely to their narrow, individual interests, careless of the
fate of the great mass of the people, you and some few
others in whom I have confidence could muster a sufficient
force to be at their post to watch and bass their selfish de•
signs, I might then be induced to give any little influence
I may have to the experiment. But, aware that the sell
seekers are always more ingenious in devising, and more
active in prosecuting their schemes than those who genera
ously labour for the common weal, I must respectfully de-
cline affixing my signature to the requisition.—l have the
honour to remain, my dear sir, your faithful servant,
JOHN, Archbishop of Tuam.
J. B. Dillon, Esq.

FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.—At the last
sitting 6t letter was read from M. de Tchihatchef
describing the phenomena attending an earthquake expe-
rienced by him at Florence on the 12th inst. During the
month of November there had been abundant rains, and a
vio'ent south wind had prevailed, which, towards the end
of the month, changed to N.E., and up to the 11th inst. the
weather had been beautiful, the mean temperature being
10 deg. centrigrade above freezing-point, and the minimum
not exceeding 3 deg, below. On the 11th the wind turned
again to the south, but the sky was still clear, and the mean
barometrical reading was 759 6 millimetres (29 0 inches),
On the 12th the wind blew from the S., S.W., and N.W,,
the thermometer was 111 deg., and the barometer
757.9. At 50 minutes past four, p.m , a strong undu-
latory shock was felt, which lasted ten seconds, and
was followed by two other slighter shocks at 6 and 50
minutes past 6 p.m. Immediately afterwards the sky
became overcast, the: thermometer fell to 750 4, and it
rained incessantly for the three following days. The centre
of the commotion was found to be of Fares zsla, 45 kilom.
north of Florence. What renders this observation re-
markable is, that at Florence earthquakes are rare, and
that:the centre of the commotion manifested itself for the
first time in the limestone of the Appenines. M. Hou-
zcau sent in an analysis of common , hydrochloric :acid,
showing that it contained between two and nine
gms. .of arsenic. Dr Netter communicated oertain
observations of his, from which he concludes that in
typhus fever the state of the patient's mouth
ought not to be disregarded. It is generally the
seat of corrupt matter, which becomes brown, sooty, and
even black, attracting parasites, and emitting fetid emana-
tions, Now the air penetrating into the lungs passes
through this focus of infection, and putrid air is thus con-
veyed into those important organs. Is it not probable, Dr
Netter asks, that the continual ingestion of bad air contri-
butes more or less to the production of the "putrid pheno-
mena" which characterise the malady ? He states that,
following up this idea, he has prescribed abundant acid
gargles, which seem to have produced beneficial effects,
According to an account published by the post.
office at Vienna there are 103 political journals in the Aus-
trian possessions, of which 56 are in German, 27 Italian,
Sclavonic, 3 Polish, 3 Hungarian, 2 Ruthenian, 1 each
Slovenian, Croatian, Illyrian, Roumain, and Armenian.
There are also 145 non-political ones-74 German, 50
Italian, 7 Sclavonic, 5 Polish, 5 Hungarian, 2 Slovenian,
and 1 each Croatian and Illyrian,
A letter from Vienna contains the following
rather singular robbery :—" A rich widow lady, residing
with an old servant at Balassa-Gyarmath, lately visited
Professor Skoda to consult him for an affliction of the chest
from which she was suffering, and after getting his advice
again left Vienna. In the evening a well-dressed man called
at her house and said he had bean sent by M. Skoda to add
a few words to the prescription given her in the morning,
and he was admitted without hesitation. The moment
he was alone with the lady he drew from his pocket
a handkerchief strongly impregnated with chloroform, and
dexterously placing it to her nose produced instant insensi-
bility, He then opened a secretary from which he took
some bank-notes and jewellery, and immediately left with-
out exciting any suspicion. About a quarter of an hour
after the lady recovered animation, and the robbery was
discovered."
The third annual festival of the Church Mission-
ary Society was celebrated on Thursday last at Trieste by
a sale of fancy work and a huge Christmas tree at the house
of the British chaplain. The work was contributed prin-
cipally by the juvenile members of the English Church.
The entrance of her Majesty's cJnsul, who arrived at the
lighting of the tree, was greeted by the singing of the Na-
tional Anthem. The sale realised about 180 florins.
The Berlin journals relate the following incident
which has just taken pace in Prussia :—A points.
man was at the junction of two lines of railway, his lever in
hand, for a train was signalled. The engine was within a
few seconds of reaching the embankment, when the man,
on turning his head, perceived his little boy playing on the
rails of the line the train was to pass over. With an heroic
devotedness to his duty the unfortunate man adopted a stlb•
limo resolution. " Lie down !" he shouted to the child, bul
as to himself he remained at his post. The train passed on its
way, and the lives of 100 passengers were perhaps saved.
But the poor child 1 The father rushed forward expect-
ing:
to take up only a corpse, but what was his joy on
finding that the boy had at once obeyed his order—he had
lain down, and the whole train had passed over him with-
out injury. The next day the King sent for the man and at-
tached to hie breast the medal for civil courage."i