The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-25 00:00:00

/ per barrel of 14 etone. The average price of Oats in
I ordinary years was from 75. 6d. to 9s. But even at the
starvation price of 20s. the scramble to obtain it was
frightful.
TRALEE, SATURDAY.—During the week wheat has
been steadily advancing on a limited supply and a good
many bidders, until it may be quoted this day at from
ss. to ss. 3d. per peck of stone. Oats, however, has
receded. There was a tolerable supply in market this
day, and may be bought at 151 d. to 154 x. per stone—a
decline of three farthings per stone on the general prices
of the week. There was very little barley offered—it is
a scarce article in the market—but what was presented
brought 16d. per stone. There has been an advance of
4s. a bag on flour, and in the retail prices sd. per stone,
on first quality flour.
Com—Several vessels, laden with grain, have arrived
from the Continent since our last. They are all, how-
ever, with the exception of one destined for Sligo, of
small tonnage. The supply, notwithstanding, is very
- seasonable. A large American has also come in. Amongst
other cereal produce, she brings 3,000 barrels of flour.
We believe she discharges here —Cork Examiner.
*IRISH BANKS OF ISSUE,
It appears by the return of the Irish Banks of Issue,
which appeared in the Morning Chronicle of Monday,
that the total average circulation of the Bank of Ireland
for the period embraced in the return has been lessened
by 55,975/. as compared with that for the previous four
weeks; and the average amount of gold and silver held
by the. Bank shows a decrease of 13,1111. from the last
return.

The Provincial Banl.'s circulation has been lessened
by 21,2211 ; and the bullion has been increased by
21,289..

Belfast Banking Company—Average circulation, in-
creased by 23,882/. ; bullion increased by 35,030/.
Northern Bank—Average circulation, increased by
4;625/. ; bullion increased by 3,4831.
Ulster Bank—Average circulation, increased by
29,771/. ; bullion increased 30,801 Z
National Bank—Average circulation, increased by
15,9521. ; bullion increased by 9,428/.
Carrick•on-Suir National Bank—Average circulation,
lessened by 1,3101. ; bullion increased by 843/.
Clonmel National Bank—Average circulation, in-
creased by 7,048/. ; bullion lessened by 3,234/.
VICE REGAL COURT.—His Excellency the Lord-
Lieutenant entertained the following party at dinner
yesterday evening, at the Vice Regal Lodge :—The
Ladies Ponsonby, Mr. and Lady Maria Ponsonby, Hon.
General Ponsonby, Mr. A. Ponsonby ; Mr., Mrs., and
Miss Fortescue ; Sir William Somervill, Col. Browne,
Mr. Hervie, Mr. Hayden. Lord Dunkellin, aid-de-camp
in Waiting.
REDUCTION OF Tilt TEA DUTIES.—The 'Belfast
Chamber of Commerce has resolved, by an unanimous
vote, upon memoralising her Majesty's Government for a
reduction of duties upon tea.
DESTRUCTION OF SHANNONVALE MILLS.—A report
is current in town that these mills, the property of the
Messrs. Allen, were destroyed by fire last night. If true,
this unfortunate event is at the present crisis, and in the
present melancholy position of the poor of that district,
a national calamity. The benevolent owners of these
concerns were actively engaged in doing everything to
alleviate the distress of those around them, and were,
when the fire took place, about to bring round a cargo
of barley for the supply of the wants of the poor in that
district. We have no particulars of the occurrence, but
we give the statement as we have had it. It is said
8,000 barrels of wheat were consumed.—Cork Ezaminer.
DISTILLATION FROM GRAIN.—At a general meeting
of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, held on Saturday,
arttr a lengthened conversation regarding the means of
. supply and amount of demand for food in these king-
doms, it was considered that our present state and pros-
pects imperatively call for the precaution of every
economy in its use ; and it was unanimously resolved
that a memorial be forwarded without delay to the Trea-
sury, tram the Chamber of Con.rnerce of Belfast, pray-
loss, under existing circumstances, for a temporary pro-
hibition of the use of grain in distilleries and breweries.
An address to the Mayor, asking him to call a town
meeting for an early day, to consider the subject, has ob-
tained numerous and influential names, and been most
generally signed.

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
The following are the most prominent paasages of a
letter addressed to Lord John Russell by Dr. M'Hale:—
" St. Jarlath's, Tuam, Dec. 15, 18-16.
" Dignus imperio . . si non imperasset.'—Tecrrus.
"'Had he not the misfortune to rule, he would have
been decreed deserving of empire.'
"My Lord,—This sententious contrast between the
hopes of the aspiring Caesar, and the disappointment in-
flicted by the reigning emperor, is but too apflicable to
those statesmen whose talents, so hopeful in opposition,
seem to be blighted on their attainment of political
power. Wiihin the brief interval of twelve months,
two remarkable letters have appeared, bearing your
Lordship's signature. The one boldly promulgated
the sow d doctrine of free trade, and exprt ssed a
generous sympathy with the destitution of the Irish people,
which was but light compared to the famine with which
they are now afflicted. The other was so chilling as
to have filled those with despair whom it would have
been wisdom to console—among whom hunger now rages
with such terrible activity, that it is consigning to the
grave its daily victims. The one was the studied essay
of a popular candidate for the distinctions of office, the
other was the cold and conventional language which was
borrowed from the political ritual of preceding prime
ministers. It was on budyant hopes inspired by the lan-
guage of the first your lordship was borne to your
sent responsible position-; and should you persevere in a
line of policy towards a suMring nation accordant with
the. cold-hearted sentiments contained in your second
letter, it requires no extraordinary prescience to pred:c
that it will assuredly prove the precursor ofyour politica

•
" But whether they meet and aid you by their coun-
sel, or whether they remain aloof in their isolated help-
lessness, the Prime Minister cannot be absolved from the
high responsibility of providing for the public weal. The
period that is assigned for the meeting of Pat liarnent
may appear near to the children of opuknce, and amid3t
all the charms awl solace of society it will soon pass over.
But it will be a dreary and a long period to the perishing
inhabitants of lrelartl. Deep snow is at this moment
covering the earth, and even the miserable day's hire,
which could not afford half a meal in the twenty-four
hours to all the members of a wretched family, is, in
many instances, withdrawn. I shudder at the conse-
quences. It is too painful t) contemplate. Unless you
adopt more enlarged measures than throwing the relief
of the people on the andlords, who, whatever be their
sins, should be corrected and reformed rather than anni
hilated, your Ministry will be memorable in Ireland; and
if you are ambitious of a monument, the people's bones,
slain with the sword of the famine,' and piled into
cairns more numerous than the ancient pyramids, shall
tell posterity the ghastly triumphs of your brief but dis-
astrous administration.

" JOHN, ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM."

INDIAN RAILWAYS.
The following, it is understoood, are the conditions
upon which the Board of Control and the Directors of
the East India Company have at length decided upon
giving their sanction to the introduction of railway
communication into British India.--
1. The Direct Trunk, or East India line, is adopted.
2. This line (which vonneets Calcutta with the North-
west Provinces) is to be coEstructed in sections.
3. The Government guarantee "4 per cent. to the
shareholders.
4. The amount guaranteed is fixed at 3,000,00 a to
commence with:
6. The section out of Calcutta to he first executed.
G. The guarantee to extend over fifteen years.
7. The rates of payment to be made by the Govern-
ment for transport of mails, troops, stores; &c., to be
agreed upon hereafter.
8. The interest to he received either in India or in
London, at the option of the shareholders, as soon as
'500,0001. is paid into the India House.
9. The laud to be obtained by the Government for the
railway company.
10. Government to have the privilege of purchasing
the railway after thirty years from the date of its com-
pletion, at the then fair market value of the property.
11. No limitation is to be fixed to the profits of the
company, but the rates of charges are to be reduced
when the returns admit of it.
12. It is also understood that no rates or tolls will be
assessed upon the railway company, and that the import
duties on the stock and materials fur the railway will be
remitted.
13. The company to be incorporated by an act of tl. e ,
Legislative Council as well as by charter.

PAROCHIAL MEDICAL NEGLECT.—OrI Wednesday
Mr. Mils held an inquest at the Clerkenwell Work-
house, Coppice-row, on the body of Ann Wright, aged
16, a servant. It appeared that on Wednesday last,
about one o'clock, deceased returned ill from her situ
don to her mother, who resiles near the workhouse.
Deceased complained of, severe pain in the chest, and
in an hour after her return her mother obtained an
order for medical relief at the workhouse. The order
was on Mr. Gil!, one of the parish medical officers, and
the mother took it without delay to his house, at which
she knocked and rang for a quarter of an hour, without
receiving an answer. The house appeared to her as if
shut up. She returned to the workhouse and reported
her ill success. She was told to go back to Mr. Gill's, and
knock until she was answered. She did so about four
o'clock, and saw Mrs. Gill, to whom she delivered the
order. That lady told her that her husband was seri-
ously ill, and could not attend, but that her son should
as soon as he came home, which would be at five o'clock.
The mother returned to her daughter, who was still
snaring severe pain, and seven o'clock arriving, with.
out the attendance of Mr. Gill, jun., she returned
to his house, and he prescribed for her daugh-
ter on having her symptoms mentioned to him,
telling her that if any change for the worse took place,
to come to him again at ten o'clock, but if not, ho would
call and see her at twelve o'clock. the following day.
She administered the remedies prescribed by Mr. Gill,
jun., and no change taking place in her daugliV-r she
d'd not go and see him again that night. Next morning
her daughter was able to get up, but afterwards went to
bed again, and twelve o'clock having .struck, and Mr.
Gill, jun., not coming, deceased expressed anxiely and
disappointment, and died at a quarter to one o'clock,
that gentleman nct having seen her at all. Dr. Quain,
who had made a post martcm examination of the body,
stated that the cause of death was inflammation of the
lining membrane of the heart, of recent standing. Mr.
Gill, jun.' said that he did not understand from the
mother that her daughter's case was an urgent one. She
gave him a history of it, and from the symptoms he con-
sidered that the girl was suffering from influenza. Ver-
dict—" Natural death from the
effects of pericarditis;"
the jury adding, "we do not consider that the deceased
bad received that efficient and prompt medical aid which
her ease r. quired."

could exceed the indissoluble closeness, nay, the affec-
tion of the Union. But when adversity comes upon us,
in consequence of this legislative identity—when fidnine
walks, like the destroying angel, through the land, and
the instances of death are now too many and too fami-
liar to select one for peculiar commiseration—then we
are to be told, ' You have no claim on us—we have
no connexion with you—sink or swim, look to your-
selves, and rely on your own resources.' Would such
be the language to Yorkshire in the days of a vengeful
visitation? Is it thus the Minister would repulse the
cries of the starving people of Northumberland? Oh,
no; he would not have the heart to give utterance to
such a sentiment, or, if he should, Yorkshire and Nor-
thumberland would not tamely forego their constitutional
right to a share of • the common imperial exchequer, to
the funds of which they had contributed. It is only
Ireland that can be flattered with the name of a Union,
when-giving her heart's blood to the prosperity of the
empire; and then, in her anition, to be abandoned to
starvation.
" We value property, :but we value the Peace of the
country and the lives of the people more. Nay, the most
efficient guardians of property are those who are solici-
tous for preserving the lives of the people. They are
not ignorant of what the instincts of nature suggest,
and the axioms of jurists lay eown on the rights of pro-.
perty, when life is becoming the victim of starvation.
For the patience' theyevince, society is indebted to the
sacred influence of religion. Yes, it is to the hallowed.
teaching of the Catholic clergy the peace of the country
is due? What is their requital ? The exhibition of a
rancorous bigotry, which has been infused into the com-
pOsition of relief committees from high quarters. The
curates, forsooth, are not persons of sufficient considera-
tion to be put on reliefeommittees I Yet more than once,
wLen all the influence of armed men ar.d stipendiary ma-
gistrates had failed, have these very curates been se-
lected and sent forth to calm the stormy masses of the
people rushing for food with all the rage of hunger chef-
irg with any opdosition to their terrible instincts—in=
stincts which it would have failed any other influence
on earth to appease. I say nothing of the marked
exclusion from the benefits of the public works of
those sacred edifices from which such humanising in-
fluences go forth. It is better that they should rise and
be sustained by the poor people themselves, and, like the
priesthood who officiate in them, stand aloof as sacred
monuments, free from the desecration with which an
official anti-Catholic patronage would be sure to soil
them. It is fortunate for the country that its priests
and temples are in a state of holy independence. For
should your infidel colleges ever flourish, or the pro-
nniseuous education which you patronise bring forth its
natural fruits, you would find that lectures on the rights
of property in extremis would scarcely be listened to with
the grave and qualifying commentaries of the bench or
the pulpit.
"Your Lordship has now a great destiny to fulfil—the
rescuing an entire people from the jaws of famine; for
nothing less than millions from the Imperial Exchequer
can avert the doom that hangs over the Irish nation.
Be prepared, then, to advocate such an enlarged mea-
sure; or, since your humanity would shrink, from the
spectacle of a nation perishing by famine—you
will, doubtless, retire from the helm which you
may find yourself unable to guide. Such a
measure of Belief from the Imperial Exchequer
must be indispensable, notwithstanding all the aid and
apsthy which may be lent by the Irish landlords. Their
apathy and listlessness, their want of council and concert,
at a moment which require-a- their united energies are
not among the least melancholy of the forebodings n hich
our awful condition forces on every reflecting mind. It
would seem as if there were no aristocracy in the
country, or as if the confusion of ' the great ones of
Tanis' were come upon them. They seem altogether
etranannt d, and shorn of those national attributes with
'A Lich home of their ancestors were endued. Their pro •
petty shifting away from under their feet, and they
seem se'aci with an utter inability to arrest the ruin.
They are clamorous for reproductive works, in order to
be relieved of the labour-rate. They talk much of re-
munerative labour, but little of remunerative tenure,
utterly forgetting that it was the tenant's want of per-
manent security to enjoy in substantial food the
fruit of their improvements, that consigned our popula-
tion, as if they sere wandering tribes, to such a preca-
rious root as the potato, and that without
tenure shish sill make the labour reproductive to
both tenants and landlords, no agricultural improvements
such as the crisis demands, will ever be achieved. Let
the security of tenure, then, and a fair remuneration for
improvement, form an essential part of any amendment
of the Latour Act, and it will be seen what a magical
effect it will have in drawing away the people to the
seasonable cultivation of their own little farms. The
landlords are continuing too long with their arms folded.
They seem unwilling to meet in Dublin, and take counsel
of each other. Perhaps they are apprehensive lest some
mighty conjuror in the assembly should scare them away
by evoking the unwelcome apparition of a repeal of the
union. Such fears afford sufficient evidence that they
who entertain them, whilst they listlessly look on the
ruin of their property, are. not the persons who would
bring much of the wisdom to the deliberations of a
national legislature.