The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-12 00:00:00

IRELAND.

PREr,,URSORSHIP.—The Pilot states that the Secretary
to tXie Precursor Society " has even already sent in distil-,
iition through the country nearly 40,000 Precursor cards.'
The game Journal says " The work of Ireland proceeds
gloriously—the work of peaceful, bloodless regeneration—
wherever;
O'Connell appears he is received with enthusiasm.
THE O'CONNELL TRIBUTE.—From the same source we
learn that the national collection in aid of the O'Connell
Compensation Fund last Sunday was crowned with " splen-
did success." The accounts from the provinces appear to
bear out the Pilot in its triumphant assertion. In one
parish alone (Clondalkin, County Dublin) 1,603/. were
collected for 111 r. O'Connell.
TITHES.--RENT CHARGE.--A correspondent of the
Waterford Chronicle states that H. Winston Barron, Esq.,
M.P., has paid the rent-charge in lieu of tithes on the
entire of his Waterford estates, although the tenantry gene-
rally hold beneficial interests under him. And the Down-
patrick Recorder informs us that William Johnston, Esq.,
a landed proprietor in that district, has adoptca a like gene-
rous course, which, if generally pursued (as our Contem-
porary observes), would be attended wail the happiest re-
sults, greatly promoting the pacification of Ireland. In
what has been done then, and it% what is still likely to be
accomplished, do we not see some fruits of good in the
much-abused Tithe Bit;

- - - -
SUPPLY Crf GAS IN THE CITY.--On Saturday
a prelimio-,ry meeting of gas consumers took place for the
perPosr..: of deliberating upon the best means to be adopted
to ".:ecure to the citizens the advantages of competition int the
article of gas. It appeared that about five weeks since a
petition was presented to the Court of Common Council
by Mr. Charles Pearson, pointing out the grievances of
which the gas consumers complained, and praying that
competition might be permitted. The petition was referred
to the Committee of Sewers, with instructions to report
forthwith. The meeting complained that the Committee
of Sewers had held their sittings with closed doors, refused
admission to the citizens and the public press, and decided
in opposition to the signatures of 4,012 citizens (gas con-
sumers) who desired competition, that there was not suffi-
cient evidence to warrant a compliance with the request.
It was observed that the petitioners had complairJed that
they were not only compelled to purchase their give at what-
ever price the City monopoly companies plealand to charge
them, but that they were obliged to pay those companies
for the very meter by which the gas was supplied to the
consumers. It was charged against the City companies
that they had divided the City between them, and that, al-
though there were two companies, yet, in fact, their prac-
tice rendered them one, they having, as it was alleged,
come to an understanding that the one should not supply
the other's district. The City companies were further
charged with supplying their gas thirty per cent. cheaper
out of the City than they supply it in the City, and that
while they act courteously in those districts where there is
competition, yet that in the City they compel the incriming
tenant, before he is allowed to have gas, to pay the arrears
of the outgoing tenant. The report of the committee was
declared .to be a denial of justice to the citizens,, and it was
observed that it was too bad for that body to 'hold their
meetings in secret, and declare that the complaints of
4,012 citizens, forming, as it was stated, the majority of
gas consumers in the City, were without foundation.
After some very strong observations agT,inst City monopo-
lies, it was determined to convene simultaneous meetings
of the wards for the purpose of ohtaining competition
in gas.

COLBURN'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE AND
HUMORIST FOR DECEMBER.—The Number before us is
illustrated with a portrait of Mr. Howard, the talented
author of " Rattlin the Reefer," &c. The likeness is a
good one, and the engraving is excellent. " l';iy Last
Tour," from the pen of the Editor, will be read with great
pleasure. " The Manager's Note Book," dewated entirely
to Thomas Knight (certainly one of the cleverest and 'most
original actors of his day) is, as usual, most amusing..
" R',nal Festivities," however, is our favorite paper th:/s
month. It is enjoying, and chatty, much too short, And
scattered over it are delightful little bits of extract from, the
rural poets, which serve it instead of pictorial illustrrAtions.
It tastes very much like William Howitt's writing, or
d r
and
graphic
" Shakspeare's Historical,,
Nob otdis
d
charming wife's. " A Day at the Falls" is a v
graphic piece of description.
Plays" is one of an important series of articY4ts which in-
crease in interest. " My Grandfather's Paperr,,"
i
in Town," " Major Gahagan's Reininiscenr,Ts," and the
~ Lesson of Life," by Douglas Jerrold, are. all worthy the
high reputation of the Magazine.—Court Jriurnal.
NEWPORT.—The anniversary dir:ner to celebr ate
the first open election of members for this borough• will
take place on Thursday. The Nlembers for the bo. °ugh
Messrs. Hawkins and Blake (should no unforeseen t
or- - '
acci-
dent occur), intend visiting their constituents on r . a acc_
sion.—Hants Independent, n