The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-29 00:00:00

Among the numerous schemes which have been
propounded for the diminution of distress in Ireland
and the more extended employment of its peasantry,
none is of greater importance, or more calculated to
effect the benefits desired, than the encouragement of
railways. 'While we are endeavouring to foster the
agricultural spirit of the sister island, and to elicit
from its soil the greatest amount of nutrition which
its natural fertility, aided by the application of
scientific treatment, can possibly produce, the
facilitation of the transit of that increased
quantity of provisions must by no means
be forgotten. It would be absurd, indeed,
to stimulate works of a reproductive character with-
out likewise extending the means of rapid and con-
venient communication, whereby that reproduction
may be made available. The necessity of aiding the
formation of new railroads throughout Ireland is
therefore obvious. Unless some movement of this
kind be made, a moiety of the advantages arising
from all our preceding efforts for the alleviation of
the sufferings of its population will be entirely lost.
That the patronage of this species of enterprise should,
to be effectual, spring from Government itself is equally
obvious, seeing that a national undertaking of such ex-
traordinary magnitude necessitates a legislative super-
vision and assistance. The justice of these considera-
tions has been long acknowledged by every one who
has regarded the condition of the Irish labourers and
the comparative stagnation of Irish commerce.
Hitherto, however, an accumulation of evils
and a succession of emergencies have diverted
the attention of the Legislature in a dif-
ferent direction, and left the matter altogether
in abeyance. It was, consequently, with peculiar
satisfaction that we observed, on the evening of Lord
Jous; RussELL's memorable statement, that the Noble
Lord the Member for Lynn announced his intention
to bring the question immediately under the con-
sideration of Parliament ; and it was with still more
peculiar satisfaction we observed the Premier con-
gratulating himself upon that promise from the lips
of Lord G. BENTINCK. On the evening of the 3d inst.
the Noble Lord the representative of Lynn will intro-
duce a "Bill to stimulate the prompt and profitable
employment of the people by the encouragement of
railways in Ireland."
The advantages resulting from some such arrange-
ment for the construction of railroads in Ireland are
wholly incalculable. By multiplying the means of
transit in the manner proposed, the moral condition
of the people would ultimately be improved pro-
portionately with the improvement of their physical
condition—the interests of civilization would be pro-
moted equally with the interests of commerce—the
intellectual capacities of the community would he
developed simultaneously with their bodily capacities.
It is estimated by Mr. W. R. COLLETT that,
providing the Government acceded to the wishes ex-
pressed by Lord GEORGE BENTINCK, 150,000 persons
would be actively and profitably employed within 48
hours from the announcement. But this instanta-
neous benefit, vast as it is in importance, is scarcely
worthy of a moment's thought, when its ulterior con-
sequences are considered. As far back as 1838 a
report was laid before the House of Lords in refer-
ence to the prosecution of railway enterprise in Ire-
land. That report, voluminous in its nature, and re-
markable in its inferences, has received the sanction
of the Legislature in a very peculiar manner by its
having been the perpetual authority in relation to
the statistics of Ireland ever since the period of its
publication. It was the production, as will be re-
membered, of the Commissioners appointed in October
1836, in consequence of a motion of the Marquis of
L ANSDOWNE, representing the advisability of exa-
mining the opportunities afforded for the
establishment of steam-transit in Ireland, and
the nature and extent of the advantages
resulting therefrom. It was then the
subject of comment by the present Lord Presi-
dent of the Council, that those advantages would
necessarily include the incitement of agricultural
enterprise, the increase of employment, and the
enlargement of the mercantile industry of the popu•
lation by opening the western ports of the island
directly to the trade of America. Had the Noble Mar-
quis extended his survey to the future, instead of re-
stricting it to the present, the line of sober Parlia-
mentary deduction would still have remained un-
crossed. He might have enlarged, not merely upon
the advancement of husbandry, the fruitfulness of the
crops, and the prolific multiplication of the live stock,
which would be the inevitable effect of such a legis-
lative interference, but he might also,with full reason,
have speculated upon the moral and social im-
provements which would by necessity accrue from
that determination. In 1845, no less than 3,251,901
quarters of grain and meal were imported to this
island from the Irish harbours, the importation
having risen to that amount, since 1817,
from 699,809 quarters. Upon a proportionate
ratio of increase, calculating the greater facilities
of communication, and the establishment of a direct
intercourse with the United States, what might not
he the extension of agricultural exportation beyond
what would be necessary for home consumption

Besides this, the fisheries as well as the corn-fields,
the manufactories as well as the farm-yards, would be
afforded a wonderful stimulus by the opening up of
fresh markets for the produce of each. Above all
the diffusion of railway enterprise would ensure the
happiness and enlightenment, as well as the wealth
and prosperity of Ireland ; it would place Ireland in
the midst of that flux and reflux of civilization which
flows continually between the two hemispheres.

At a time when so much of public attention has
been dray.vn to the expediency of fostering the old
established, and creating fresh nurseries for British
seamen, one is naturally led to consider any one of
the causes which have led to the limitation of our
resources, so desirable to have at command, in the
event of aey national and hostile emergency.
Owing to the introduction of steam, which has
stimulated other countries to increase their
naval power, and necessarily induced corre-
sponding exertions on our part for the aug-
mentation of our maritime force, a natural and
considerable demand has arisen for the services of
British seamen ; and more than once of late years, and
when we have been critically circumstanced with
foreign powers, great difficulty has been experienced
in obtaining the requisite number of hands for effi-
ciently manning our ships. Formerly, we had an able
body of seamen in reserve, who were engaged in
the once flourishing and profitable trade of
whaling. They formed an admirable source
for recruiting our squadrons, in case of need. During
the last war we drew a force of nearly 10,000 com-
petent seamen from the Greenland fleet of whaling
ships, and were thus enabled to keep the enemy in
check, who threatened our coasts, during the unavoid-
able absence of Lord NELSON. From a variety of
causes, which might have been easily counteracted by
due reflection upon their nature, this invaluable
British trade—particularly the Southern Whale
Fishery—has been reduced to the narrowest limit.4.l
Both as regards the ends of national profit and the
purposes of national defence, this result is much to
he deplored. In 1790 Mr. PITT pronounced the
Southern Whale Fishery to be a "source of immense
treasure." The loss we have suffered in the above
respectour is
trade thhe as mr
aopried
ltyo
dbeec
lingerde,t red,ttehe seeingA m e r
ctahna thwa wihilst
creased in a surprising ratio,
g
present
ratio, so much so
that, reviewing
commencement to tthhee fl *thi ry, from r
shiiptss
scarcely average one-tenth of those which have been
actually employed by our enterprising rivals in this
branch of commerce. Through gross neglect and
mismanagement, the natural incentives to foreign and

The magnificent statement of Lord Jons RUSSELL
on Monday evening, setting forth the Ministerial
views with respect to Ireland, and the projects by
which it is hoped that the social state and condition
of that unhappy land may be permanently ame-
liorated, and her destitute inhabitants provided with
their daily bread during the continuance of the
famine that has reduced the strength and prostrated
the physical energies of the sufferers, presents so
wide a field, so great a variety and abundance Of
topics, all worthy of the fullest discussion, that the
mind is bewildered, and feels a difficulty in selecting
from the ample store of materials the points to which
it will first direct its attention—each appears to be
most pressing—until it is displaced by some other of
more paramount importance. It is valuable, not
merely from the enactments which it shows to be in
contemplation, but also from what it expressly
negatives the intention of bringing forward ; from the
principles it enunciates and those it repudiates. It
deals with the temporary provision for present
exigencies and the means for the future regeneration
of the people, for affording them a lasting prosperity,
and averting, as far as human foresight is capable of
doing, the possibility of the recurrence of such
harrowing scenes of misery and wretchedness as have
been exhibited in the sister kingdom within the last
few months. The House felt the necessity of some
breathing time before they could enter into the calm
and deliberate consideration of the several matters,
and the discussion was by common consent adjourned
until Monday next, in order that the Members may
have full time to reflect on it in all its bearings. We
alluded briefly yesterday to some of its propositions—
to some only, for it was manifestly impossible within
the space that could be devoted to any subject in a
daily journal to advert, however slightly or passingly,
to all its comprehensive details.
- His Lordship brought before the House the general
state of Ireland, its present condition,,the motives by
which the Government was influenced in bringing
forward what is generally termed the Labour-rate
Act, and what had taken place under that statute and
the other enactments in force—how far these several
measures had succeeded, and where they bad failed,
and the causes of that failure. There was no desire
to cast blame on any parties, or to reproach them,
either for omissions or commissions, but there was a
perfect justification of the Executive, and the clearest
evidence afforded of the gigantic nature of their
exertions, without which the destitution and suffering
would have been fearfully augmented. The numbers
of persons employed on the public works, amounting
to half a million of labourers, the staff engaged in
superintending the labour of that vast number show-
ing no less than 11,587 persons so occupied; two and
a half millions, or nearly one-third of the entire
population of Ireland, supported by advances from
the national exchequer of from 7,000,000/. to
8,000,000/, sterling per month ; presentments amount-
ing in the whole to 2,410,2161., a moiety of which is
to be defrayed by the public, and the remaining half
only to be repaid by the landowners in the several
districts by easy instalments—all attest the anxiety
of the Government to mitigate the evil, to make the
burden fall as lightly, as possible on the proprietors of
the soil. His Lordship at the same time explicitly
warns the landlords of the necessity of great exertion
their own parts, and the danger of hoping or expect-
ing too much from any Government; they must fully
discharge their duties incidental to their own posi-
tion, and assist the Government and Legislature by
their cordial co-operation in carrying into execution
the measures that may be adopted.

As to the temporary expedients, we can only say,
hat no new public works are to be sanctioned; while

;hose in progress are to be concluded. An extended

sphere of duties is to be given to Belief Committees
for electoral divisions, who are to receive subscrip-

tions, levy rates, and obtain donations from the Go-
vernment, and therewith to distribute rations of soup

and other food to the destitute poor, allowing the
labouring men to work on their own plots of ground

or for the neighbouring farmers; the whole to be
under the control and superintendence of Sir Jour;
BURGOYNE. A sum of 50,000/. is also to be lent to

landlords for the purpose of procuring seed, to be re-

paid before the 31st December next. The perma-
nent measures will require greater consideration than
we can afford them at present—which their vast im-

portance and probable effect on the future prospects

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were nearly
10,000 bales, including 4,000 American on speculation.
There was more animation, though without alteration ,in
prices. The sales included 8,000 bales American, at 6d. to
ad. ' • and 1,000 Surat, at 4id. to Sid. per lb. Shares were
dull, but at about previous rates.
The advices received from New York by the Patrick
Henry, to the Bth inst., seem to confirm the impression pre-
viously entertained that President Polk and his Mexican
war will decline in popular favour, unless some plan can be
hit upon for raising money without coming directly upon
the pockets of the electors, which, however, it is hard to
conceive there can be. The produce markets were without
any material alteration.
The Consul Market is very steady this morning at 91%
for the Account, and at 91% % for immediate transfer. Ex-
chequer-bills have ranged from 4s. to Bs. premium. Bank
Stock at from 204 to 205 ; the New Three-and-a• Quarter per
Cents. from 93% to 93%; and India Bonds, from 10s. to
15s. premium. In the other English Securities the altera-
tions have been about equal to those in Consols. Money is
not more in demand than it was last week. The discount
houses will not allow more than 3% per cent. on money
placed at " call."
The market for the Foreign Funds has been rather brisk
today. Spanish Stock has ranged from 241, to 24% for
the Actives, and at 34k % for the Three per Cents. In the
Dutch Two-and-a-Halt per Cents. their is a fair demand at
58% .1%, and the Four per Cents. at 91i to 92. Mexican
Bonds have been sold at 22% 1 ; the Three per Cent. Por-
tuguese at 34 to 35, and the old Brazilians at 84.
In the Railway Share Market the transactions have not been
important this morning.
SRITISIL FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock •• •• •• .. .. .. 204 205
Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities • . 91% % %
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities • • • . 91% %
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Anns. 93% %%
Long A.DRIIIIIeS, Expire Jan. 5, 1860 ..
Ditto, 30 years, Oct. 10, 1859 .. 9%
Ditto, 30 years, Jan. 5, 1860 .. 9%
India Bonds, 1,0001. • • .. • • • • .. 15 p
Ditto, under 1,0001. . ..
..
. ..
..
.. 10 15 p
Consols for Account • • .. _
..
..
.. 90
Consols
Exchequer Bills, 13(d. I%d.
1,0001. • • • • *- ...• 4 8— pm.
500/. • • • • • • •• • • 4 9 pm.
South
IS)eiattAS,,toccakd
Annuities.. .. ..
..
..
n,,,,
Ditto, Small " .. •• 5 8— pm.
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent • . 84
Ditto, New, 1843 .._
..
..
..
8234
Mexican, 1846, 5 per Cent .. • • 22%
Ditto, for the Account •• •• 22% %
Peruvian Bonds, 6 per Cent
~_ 38
Portuguese Four per Cent .. .. 3414 34 35
spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent. _ . 24% %
Do., 5 per Ct., '3B, 9, 40, div. 1840
Ditto, 1841 . • ..
..
..
..
23
Ditto, Three per Cent .. .. • • 34%
Ditto, for the Account • • . • 34%
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 58% %
Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 9134 %92
BUSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK,
14%% . to
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER SHARE.
Aberdeen • • • • • •"• '• 25 ••• • 23 •••• to
21,4 .... to
.. • • • • 20 .... 221 A .. to --
Birmingham, Wolver., and Dudley • • 425. ....
19% .... to
5,4 % p to
Buckinghamshire • • • • • • " • • %% pto
Caledonian • • • • • • • • ' • •
11=1
,rihnapiititigi,4l3.3fiti7,
Junction 5
: 8144 g:
...,...,
...,...,
. 30 .... 26% %.. to
Ditto, Half Shares .• •• •• •• 2% .... 2
% • • .. to
Direct Northern Scrip • • • • • • • • 2% .... 2% %
.. to _
EasDtiettrno,
Ditto, York Extension .• • • • • 4 •• • • 4%.... to 1
....
--
East Lancashire •• • • '• • • • • 164 —••to --
Ditto, New . • • • • • • • • • • ' •• • • 7% .• • • to 7
Counties t I.e. s
.• ..
.•
.• . . . . . .
Ditto, ditto, New Scrip •• • • •• .!U •• •• 2iii%.. to
. .... 202%..... 301%..•• to 29%
Edinburgh and Glasgow • • •• '" ••• • ••.. to
Ditto,.. •• 10 ...• 20 ...• to
%• • • • to
ork Regd) 2% .... 2%1._ to
Great Northern (London &Y
Half Shares ..
Great Western • • • ' • • • • 8 '•• • •••• to
Ditto, Half Shares •• " 50 •• •• 75 .... to
• ier ..
Exeter, YFeinovhisl and..Do.r.cheA.. . . .
•• •• " •• 434•••• 9%.• •• to
Ditto, New • • • •
Leeds and Bradford • • ' • • • •• 35 •• • • 81% If .. to
Ipswich and BuferyrenScte.
Leeds and Thirsk • • " • • • • • • 22% .... ... to
and Newc. Junct. 2% .... 2% .... to 2
Do., do., Pre 414 .. to
Liverpool. 161. 133. 4d. —•• 834 xn to London and Blackwell ,
London, Brighton, arid South Coast . • 50 .... 56% .... to 55%
London and North-Western • • • • 100 ....193 .... to 194
.. • • • • 2 .. • . 22% .... to --
Ditto,Ditto, Quarters .• • •
M and R. .. 40 _.. .75
.... to 4O/. Shares • • • 6' 10d
London and South-Western - 411. ..• ••• • • 64% .... to _
,E6"7eunr Cdesnt ::
Ditto, Scrip • • • • ' • • • %54•• to
Ditto, ditto • • • • • • " • • • • 4 .. • . 4% .. to .
• •• 82 ••• • • ... to
Ditto,Manchester.and Leeds • • . .. 425. .. • • 1% p.. to
Extension • • • •
Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock - • 425. •• • • &
Ai 12,•• to
Manchester and Southampton • • to
. ..100 •• ••125 127.. to 126
Midland
.. 30 •• • • 36% •• • • to
Ditto, New • • • • • • • •
Ditto, New .. •. .. .. 2 •• —__%%.• to
134%
........ 12%
....
to _
6
Ditto, Birmingham and Derby • • 100 •• • • 100 _ ••• to
20 .. • • 33% .... to
Newcastle and Berwick • • • • • • 5 ...• 4%,. • to
Newmarket and Chesterford • • • '
Norfolk .. .. .. .. .. .. —lOO • • • .. •• to
Ditto, Half Shares • • • • • • • • 10 •• • • 12% •• • • to
Northern Counties Union • • • • • • 2% •• • • 1% •• • • to
North British •• •.•• • • •• 25 •• • • 34% N..to
Ditto, Half Shares • • •• . • • • 11 ..•• 14% —•• to 15
Ditto, Quarters .. .. .. .. .. 14 •• • • 3% •••• to
Ditto, Extension .. .. .. • . %" '' 1% '' to—
North Staffordshire • • • • • • ' • 5 .... 8% %%to
North Western • . .. •• .• " 214 3 .. ••to
Oxford, Worcester, & Wolverhampton 1736 •• • • 12 •• • • to
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate -• • 5 .... 3%.... to
Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A) •• 3 '• • • 4% .. .. to 4
Shropshire Union . .. ~, .. .. 423. •• • • %dis•" to %dis
South Yorkshire, Doncaster, & Goole 2 •• • • 21,4 .... to
Taw Vale Extension .. .. .. 4 •• • • 3% •• • • to
Trent Valley Mid. and Grand Junction 423. •• % P .. to
West Riding Union .. _ .. .. 423. •• • • 14i %pto
York and Newcastle .. .. .. .. 25 •• • ' 37% •• to 37
Ditto, New .. .. _ _ _ 5 .• • • 12N %%to
Ditto, Preference .. .. _ .. 2 •• • • 7% %•• to
York and North Midland ..
Ditto. Extension
.. •:
• _ 20 •• • • 36N ** • • to
Ditto, Preference .. :: ... .. 2 .• .. 12%ft %to
Ditto East and West Riding Extension 5 •• • • 18,4 to 18
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Bord., Toulouse, & Cette (Mackenzie) 2 •• • • 1% •• • • to '—
Central of France (Orleans & Vierzon) 10 . •
• %•• • • 13_
.... to
• • • • .th
East Indian .. _ , .. 5o ..
Namur and Liege :: • • • 8 .• • • 3 .• ••to
Northern of France • • :• • • ..
.. 8 .... 12%%.. to
Paris and Lyons .. .. :: .. 8 •• • • 7 .. •• to

Real del Monte. Unregistered MINES
____ ..
.. •• .. 3%.. • • to

CALLS TO THE BAR.—LINCOLN'S INN, JAN 28,—.
The under-mentioned members of the Society of Lincoln's
Inn have been called to the degree of barrister-at-law :
John George Forbes, Esq., Joseph Bateman, Esq., D.L.L.,
Eward Allfrey,
Esq., Lindsay B. Lawford, Esq., the Hon. G.
F. Elliott, M.A., John Knight Fitzherbert, Esq., M.A., and
Patrick M. Leonard, Esq., M.A.
THE RELIEF FUND FOR THE DISTRESS IN IRE-
LAND AND SCOTLAND. - The contributions received by
the committee amount to 87,3001.,
and amongst the recent
contribution, is 1,0001., raised by subscriptions in the city of
York. It is expected that by the end of this month the
amount will be augmented to 100,0001.
THE USE OF ETHER IN SURGICAL OPERATIONS.
—Medical men employing the agency- of ether to effect sur-
gical operations without paining 'the patient, should he re-
minded that the vapour constantly given forth by tiii. buLly
is highly inflammable, and if brought into contact with flame
while being inhaled, will be productive of very dangerous
to the patient.