The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-31 00:00:00

THE SUN., LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 31, 1846.

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.)

COVENT-GARDEN.

Pine Apple=, 4s to 75 per lb ; Hothouse Grapes, 2s to 3s 6d ;
and Foreign ditto, 10d to is 3d per lb; Apples, 3s to Ss per
bushel ; Pears, 4s to 12s per half sieve ; Melons, 2s to 5s each ;
Filberts, 95s to 100 s ' • and Cob Nuts, 100 s to 110 s per 100 lb. ;
Walnuts, 14s to 2ls per bushel ; Cabbages, 6d to is 3d ;
Brocoli, 4s to 6s per dozen ; French Beans, 2s to 2s 6d
per halt sieve ; Potatoes, 5s to 8s 9d per cwt ; Turnips,
2s 6d to 4s per dozen butiches ; Horseradish, 2s to 5s per
bundle; and Celery, is to 2s per bundle; Carrots, 3d to 8d
per bunch; Onions, 5s to 7s per bushel; Mushrooms, is to
2s per pottie.

IRELAND.

LETTER FROM LORD JOHN RUSSELL TO THE

DUKE OF LEINSTER.

DuntaN, OCT. 29.—The following important letter
appears in the Evening Post just published:—
" Downing-street, Oct. 17, 1846.
" My dear Duke,—The Royal Agricultural Society,
of which you are the head, sent a deputation not long
ago to the Lord-Lieutenant, representing that instead of
public works of an unprofitable nature, the baronies
should have power to undertak works of a useful and
profitable nature. It had been our hope and expecta-
tion that landed proprietors would have commenced
works of drainage and other improvements on their own
account; thus employing the people on their own es-
tates, and rendering the land more productive for the fu-
ture. In- that case it would have been only the surplus
labour which would have been employed on roads and
other works not immediately profitable.
" The Act, however, was put in operation in the ba-
ronies in a spirit the reverse of that which I have de-
scribed. It was taken for granted that the public works
were the chief objects to be regarded, and proprietors

began to calculate,' that as so large a sum was to be re,

paid from their estates, they should not be able to com-
mence, or even to continue, private enterprises for the
improvement of their own lands.

:‘ When the case was brought before the Government
by the Lord-Lieutenant, we lamented the wrong direc-
tion in which the Act had been turned ; but, admitting
the necessity of the case, and anxious to obtain the
willing co-operation of the landlords, we authorised the
Lord-Lieutenant to deviate from the letter of the law,
and gave our sanction for advances for useful and profit-
able works of a private nature. But, after having in-
curred this responsibility, I am sorry to see that, in
several parts of Ireland, calls are made upon the Go-
vernment to undertake and perform tasks which are
beyond the power and apart from the duties of Govern-
ment.

" For instance, it seems to be expected that we should
not only pay at an unusual rate of wages, but that we
should maintain, in this time of scarcity, the usual price of
food. A moment's thought will show that this is impos-
sible. A smaller quantity of food is to be divided among
the same number of human beings. It must be scarcer
—it must be dearer. Any attempt to feed one class of
the people of the United Kingdom by the Government
would, if successful, starve another part—would feed the
producers of potatoes, which had failed, by starving the
producers of wheat, barley, and oats, which had not

tailed. All that we have undertaken with regard to
food, therefore, is to endeavour to create a provision
trade, at fair mercantile prices, where no provision trade
has hitherto existed, and where, without assistance, none
might be willing to undertake a new and unpopular oc-
cupation.

"But that which is not possible by a government is
possible by individual and social exertions. Every one
who travels through Ireland observes the large stacks of
corn, which are the produce of the late harvest. There
is nothing to prevent the purchase of grain by proprie-
tors or by committees, and the disposal of these supplies
in shops furni-hed on purpose with flour at a fair price,
with a moderate profit. This has been done, lam as-
sured, in parts of the Highlands of Scotland, where the
failure of the potatoes has been as great and as severe a
calamity as it has been in Ireland.
" rhere is, no doubt, some inconveniences attending
ven these modes of interference with the market price
of food. But the good overbalances the evil. Local
committees, or agents of landowners, can ascertain the
pressure of distress, measure the wants of a district,
and prevent waste or misapplication. Besides, the
general effect is to bring men together and induce them
to exert their energy iu a social effort directed to one
spot ; whereas the interference of the State deadens
private energy, prevents forethought—and, after super-
seding all other exertion, finds itself at last unequal to
the gigantic task it has undertaken.
" There are other questions, however, extending
beyond the exigency of the day, which, it seems to me'
demand the attention of the landed proprietors of Ireland
much more than that of the Government.
" It has been calculated that one-fifth of the cultivated
land in Ireland has hitherto produced potatoes. After
the present lamentable failure, what course is to be
taken? Some men of science deem that the potato can
no longer be relied upon as an article of food; others say
that time may remove the disease. The editor of the
Gardener's Chronicle states, that the explanation of the
potato disease, founded on the hypothesis of some un-
known miasma, cannot be accepted as satisfactory; but
neither can it be rejected, seeing how signally all other
explanations have failed. Seeing, then, that science fur-
nishes us with no means of estimating the effects of the
prevalent disease upon the potato plant in future years,
it would be impossible for the Government, with any
propriety, to give any advice to the owners or occupiers
of land in Ireland. They must form their own conclu-
sions from the facts that are known, and the experience
of the present and past years.
" It is clear, however, that potatoes cannot be relied
upon as they have been hitherto. A cottier cannot
hope to be able to pay a large rent for con-acre, and
the farmer cannot hope to obtain the cottier's labour
by allowing him land for potatoes, which may,
probably, fail. It is, therefore, a most important ques-
tion for the people of Ireland in what manner the de-
ficiency of food is in future to be supplied. The nature
of the grain or root which is best adapted for this pur-
pose—the course of husbandry which ought to be fol-
lowed—the means of procuring seed—all these are im-
portant problems, to which the attention of the Agri-
cultural Society of Ireland cannot too soon be directed.
" One thing is certain—in order to enable Ireland to
maintain her population her agriculture must be
greatly improved. Cattle, corn, poultry, pigs, eggs,
butter, and salt provisions, have been, and will, probably,
continue to be her chief articles of export. But beyond
the food exchanged for clothing and colonial products,
she will require in future a large supply of food of her
own growth or produce, which the labourer should be
able to buy with his wages. In effecting this great
change, much good may ultimately be done. But, un-
less all classes co-operate, and meet the infliction of
Providence with fortitude and energy, the loss of the
potato will only aggravate the woes and sufferings of
Ireland.

" Such, then, is the great lesson which, by the influ-
ence of the higher classes, and of such good landlords as
yourself; may be taught to the Irish people. They
should be taught to take advantage of the favourable
condition of their soil and surrounding sea ; to work
patiently for themselves in their own country as they
work in London and Liverpool for their employers ;
to study economy, cleanliness, and the value of time ;
to aim at improving the condition of themselves and
their children.

" I would here conclude this letter, which is already
too long, but I cannot do so without expressing my con-
viction that there is every disposition in persons of pro-
perty in Ireland to meet their difficulties fairly, and sub-
mit to any sacrifices which the public good may require.
"I remain, my dear Duke, yours very faithfully,
(Signed) " J.- RUSSELL."
" His Grace the Duke of Leinster, &c."
SCARCITY IN CORK,

The gentlerwm appointed at the Fermoy meeting on
Friday last to wait upon the Lord-Lieutenant, with re-
solutions adopted on that occasion, met to-day at the
Imperial Hotel. Mr. O'Connell presided. Your re-
porter attended, but was informed the meeting was
private, and that it was not the intention of the deputa-
tion to proceed to the Viceregal Lodge until to-morrow.

of the populace and extensive plunder of flour carts in
the neighbourhood of Birr :--
"We stop the press to state that an attack was made
on upwards of 50 loads of flour which left this town in
the morning on its way to Shannon Harbour, for ship-
ment to Dublin. Owing to the state of the country, an
escort of soldiers and police was granted the millers for
its protection ; but this force was found totally insuffi-
cient, as the people collected in great multitudes and
seemed determined to have the flour at all hazards.
News having reached the Earl of Reese to that effect, he
immediately ordered reinforcements ;
and, as we now
write, the military are marching past. We hear that
the people have broken down the bridge at the Rape-
mills in order to render the road impassable ; but
whether the cars were enabled to proceed or not we
' cannot say. It is stated that the women cut open
several of the bags, and succeeded in carrying off a
considerable quantity. Two entire bags were taken off
one of Mr. Lyster's cars, quite convenient to the town.
Time will not permit our giving further particulars, but
at this moment all is excitement and alarm.
" I'Ve have just heard that some cars were stopped on
the road near Cloneen, and three loads of meal taken,
which Mr. Darby, of Leap Castle, had imported for the
use of the poor on his estate."
A letter from Banagher, in the same paper, says—
" I am sorry to be obliged to state that matters are
assuming a very alarming appearance about this neigh-
bourhood; scarcely a day since my last communication
that some outrage or another on property has not been
committed. The plunder of Messrs. Robinson's flour,
at the Rape-mills, between here and Parsonstown, was
followed up by a similar attack on a number of persons
belonging to this town, mostly small dealers and others,
who were returning from Parsonstown with their pur-
chases of flour and oatmeal on Thursday evening last;
the cars were stopped at the Split Hill by a large crowd
of nearly 300 persons, composed of men, women, and
children, who in a very short time rifled every car of its
contents, stating that they were famishing for the want
of food, and could not stand it any longer. Although
there was a considerable quantity of flour and meal,
yet, when divided amongst so many, it afforded only
a small portion to each person. On Friday
night, the 23d instant, two sheep, the property
of Mr. B. Seymour, of Clonfert, within three miles of
this town, were killed on his land, and the carcases
taken away. Mr. Seymour has been always exceedingly
kind and obliging to the poor of this neighbourhood, and
did not deserve this treatment. One or two other per-
sons have also lost sheep in the same way. Nearly a
fortnight has elapsed since the presentment sessions
were held for this barony, and yet, strange to say, there
is not the slightest appearance of any work being com-
menced about here yet. lam told the engineer has not
had time even to report on the works in this locality ;
surely such delay, under the circumstances, is highly
reprehensible, and the Board of Works should at once
issue the necessary directions to their proper officers for
this district to have the works proceeded with as soon as
possible ; the officers cannot do anything without orders
from the board. A spirit of demoralization is spreading
rapidly amongst the lower orders, which, if not checked,
must soon obliterate every trace of honest or honourable
principle they have remaining."
The 2 zpperary Constitution draws a very alarming
sketch of affairs in the south riding of that county, as
thus :
" The peasantry of Tipperary are armed to the teeth ;
every man with his gun, blunderbuss, or pistol. It is
fearful to contemplate what may be the result, but
such is the fact. The people do not disguise their
possession of fire-arms ; they walk about with them in
the noonday ; and it is a common expression amongst
the lower classes to say 4 Here are the fowlers,' when
they see those desperadoes traversing the country.
The Government, as we said in our last number, must
step forward—they must disarm the revolutionists of
Ireland before it is too late. Ireland requires, nay de-
mands, a stringent Arms Act. If strong measures are
not taken forthwith this country will present a scene of
bloodshed and rapine unparalleled in the annals of crime.
We use strong language, but the times require it. We
have information from many sources, and all combine in
stating that we are near a dreadful crisis. Then, in
God's name, let us endeavour to meet it as we ought to
do. Let the Government leave no stone unturned to
avert it; let them take measures commensurate with the
state of the country, and stay the stream of crime ere it
swells into a crimsoned flood. Poverty, to be sure, has
its excuses, but the Divine and human laws are not to
be violated to dissipate it. It is not by bloodshed and
robbery the condition of the people is to be ameliorated.
The people must be taught this. The gentry of Ireland
are doing everything for them, even to the confiscation
of their properties; but it is of no avail, and will be of
no avail, unless the Government come to the rescue of
the country at once."

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

The decision of the Cabinet on the present crisis is
such as was most generally and, we think, most reason-
ably expected. Parliament is nut to meet until late in
January. The ports are not to be opened. A more
popular policy than this might be imagined by those who
wake popularity the reward of concessions to a prema-
ture clamour and submission to an over-estimated neces-
sity. But those who judge of a Government's actions
by its adherence to solemn obligations, and its apprecia-
tion of circumstances, will hesitate before they accuse
the Cabinet of delay, obstinacy, or injustice. To the
first proposal, which the present state of things has
elicited, viz., that of convoking Parliament, there are
many and obvious objections. For, to put aside the
most important one, which is founded on the pro-
spect of a certain supply of food for the empire, it is
evident that Parliament could not be summoned
without causing the greatest embarrassment to
those for whose especial behoof it was proposed that
it should assemble. The unhappy state of Ireland
urgently requires the presence of its representatives.
Their sphere of action is in their counties and boroughs,
not in London. It is their immediate business to act,
not to talk. They have most momentous duties to per-
form ; but these are provincial, not metropolitan ; local,
not Parliamentary. To console the desponding, and
stimulate the indolent among their own neighbours—to
as,ist in the collection, and superintend the disposal of
funds—to encourage the prosecution of useful, and dis-
courage the jobbery in unprofitable, works—to regulate
the payment of just, and repress the exaction of immo-
derate wages—to facilitate the purchase, and prevent the
plunder of provisions—to subdue violence, combinations,
and menace—to mitigate an undoubted calamity, and
diminish its probable consequences;—these are now
the first duties of the Irish gentlemen. To neglect
mach duties for the opportunity of talking in St.
Stephen's would, under any circumstances, be an
Act of questionable policy ;—but now that Lord
Besborough has by the exercise of a rational vigour
solved the problem of statutory difficulties, it would be
one of gross folly and unpardonable rashness. Ireland
cannot at this moment afford to lose one citizen of pro-
perty, station, or character. She claims the services of
each of her sons who has a heart for sympathy or a head
for counsel. The evils under which she labours are such
as demand legislative interference far less than personal
and distributive activity ; and the crisis is one where a
man who might be worse than useless in Parliament

may do the very greatest quantity of good in his own
barony or parish. So much for the further prorogation
of Parliament. An equal amount of justification may
be urged for the conduct of the Ministry in their non-
remission of the corn duty. We are not unaware that
an apprehension has prevailed for some weeks past of a
coming dearth. We ourselves shared the alarm. But
the danger is now no longer imminent. Not only
private advices, the tenour of which had become
generally known within the last few days,
but the public accounts recently received from
America, are such as to remove very much
of the uneasiness that has been felt as to the pro-
spective supply of wheat and flour. In the granaries of
New York is stored an abundance of grain, awaiting
only the impulse of speculation to be discharged upon
our shores. Such an impulse will be given by the no-
toriety of our duties having reached their lowest point.
That any delay in transmitting the hoarded treasures
hither will be caused by a hope that our present duty
will be abrogated is shown to be highly improbable by
the declension which an abundant supply has already
caused in the prices of the American market. The
eager avidity for selling dearly has already given way to
the more prudent desire of selling at any obtainable
price. Competition has dulled the appetite for exces-
sive gains on the other side of the Atlantic at the very
time that the detected affluence of our own resources
has deadened the edge of speculation here. Instead of
advancing, our home prices have already begun to de-
cline. We do not, indeed, anticipate such a retrograde
movement as shall raise the duty above its
present point ; but there appears every reason for
concluding that the rise in the value of wheat will
not be so rapid as was ones anticipated. Indepen-
dently of the influx from America, speculators talk of
corn at Hanaburgh, and other ports, a hich, on a proper
occasion, can be doled out to the necessities of the En-
glish buyer. Whether this opportunity is likely soon to
occur or not, we leave to be decided by those who will
take the trouble to compare the prices of the last with
those of the present year. Now these, on mere money
calculations, give an average much higher than the pre-
sent. But this does not constitute the only, nor even the
essential, difference between the two years. A great
proportion of the wheat sent to market last year was of
a very inferior description. The bulk of this year's
yield, on the contrary, is of an excellent quality. Last•
year we paid for a mixture of good and bad considerably
m 7. than
This w
year
ep ai paid
ed uarrien g
payingthe samefor periodgood
wheatira 184 and
18 3esome-
thing less than we paid for bad in November of last year.
Nor does this consideration limit the difference between
the two periods. Fears were entertained in 1845 that
the obstacle of high and vacillating duties might inter-
cept the introduction of foreign corn till the winter
should prevent its transmission across the Atlantic.
More than this, the potato blight of 1845 was an unan-
ticipated visitation. No man—no Minister was prepared
for it. It came upon all unawares. No grain-merchants
—no millers—no meal-dealers were in the field to
soften the rigours of sudden scarcity. But this year the
case is widely different. The duty on corn cannot
ascend so high as to prohibit importation, under any cir-
cumstances ; and there seems every reason for believing
that it will remain where it is for several weeks to come.
Again, the potato blight has been foreseen for months ;
if due preparations have not been made to m ollify its
severity, the fault does not rest, and certainly the remedy
does not depend, upon Parliament or the Government.
Both of them have done their duty in giving free ad-
mission to the only substitute obtainable in place of the
blighted root. Nor could both of them together ease
one hundredth part of the misery which now presses
upon Ireland, by repealing the duty on an article of sub•
sistence, which not one Irishman in five hundred could
have the means of purchasing. On the whole, then, we
think that moderate and thoughtful men of aR classes
will acquit the Cabinet of an impolitic obstinacy or a
heartless indifference to the sufferings of our Celtic
brethren ; and at the same time will give them credit for
justice and consistency. In our opinion, Mini sters have
done well in declining to purchase an equivocal popu-
larity by fomenting a groundless panic ; and opposing to
the allurements of party the firmness of principle and the
obligations of a solemn contract.— Times.

PROROGATION OF PAIiLIAMENT.
(From the Supplement to the London Gazette of last
Evening.)

At the Court at Windsor, the 30th day of Octo-
ber, 1846, present the Queen's Most Excellent Ma
jesty in Council:

It is this day ordered by her Majesty in Council,
that the Parliament, which stands prorogued to Wed-
nesday, the 4th day of November next, be further
prorogued to Tuesday, the 12th day of January next.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
EAST COWES CASTLE.—This splendid building, the
smaalestbe;:ppuiebcle of
icautchteiolna,teonJoshvnen Nash, Esq e
sa
)l as. wasa
tt
hler ed fo
r
sale Medinaor
Hotel, East Cowes, and was bought in at 15,8001. We
expected there would have been a good deal of compe-
tition, and that many of our nobility would have been
anxious to obtain so beautiful a place in such a desirable
situation; but, alas! not one purchaser could be found;
even curiosity had drawn but a very few persons to-
gether.
THE NEW PLANET.—The Isle of Wight astronomers
have had a meeting at Coulbourn-bottom, at the cele-
brated almanac manufactory, and after due deliberation
have decided that the new planet does not belong to our
system, that instead of its being the last of our system
it is the first of another.

PROMENADE CONCERT'S.
COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

M. Jullien opened the campaign here last evening.
We are sorry to perceive, from his programme, that it
will be a very short one, extending to one month only,
but it will be a very glorious one. M. Jullien bas com-
pressed into a month attractions sufficient to draw
crowded houses every night for a year. The tb eatre is
beautifully fitted up with statues, evergreens, &c. The
orchestra is fitted up on the same plan as during former
years, and at the back rises another orchestra, fitted up
like the orchestra of a concert-room. This additional
orchestra is intended for the use of the fbur bands
—viz., those of the Second Life Guards, Royal
Horse Guards Blue, Grenadier Guards, and Cold-
stream Guards, who are, in addition to M.. Jullien's
band, to take part in the performance of the " Grand new
Military Quadrille," which is to be produced on Monday
next. Prospere, Keanig, Richardson, and an the old
favourites are re-engaged ; and, encouraged by the
success which attended his experiment of last season of
introducing vocal in addition to instrumental music, M.
Jullien has engaged Miss Birch, who, last nigh t, sang a
beautiful duet, "The Return," by Roch Albert, for the
voice and the cornet-I piston (M. Koenig accompanying
her on the cornet), and in a grand scena from Verdi's
opera of Ernani. The theatre was crowded to suffoca-
tion, and we have no doubt but that it will be so every
night during the season.

WAGHORN'S EXPRESS.—" Mr. Waghorn's courier's
arrival at Dover is just telegraphed. Bombay dates,
Ist Oct."—Overland Office, 34, Cornhill, 1.25, A.m., 31st
October, 1846.
THE SEWERS COMMISSION FOR lIOLBORN AND FlNS-
BURY.—Yesterday, at two o'clock, a full Court of the
Commissioners of Sewers for the Holborn and Finsbury
division, which comprises the parishes of Clerkenwell,
St. Pancras, Islington, &c., was held at the offices of the
Commissioners, Hatton-garden, to consider the report of
the Commissioners for general purposes on works re-
quiring immediate execution; to receive the report of
the same, of moneys paid and contracts entered into;
also to receive their report on works and matters recom-
mended to them to be executed up to the 29th of Sep-
tember last, and to make a rate in both divisions. The
report being agreed to, the items of expenditure for the
last quarter were laid before the Court, which amounted
to 5,4111. The Chairman then communicated that the
board of directors of St. Pancras had applied for per-
mi3sion to build a sewer along the King's-road. in front
of the workhouse, and to have a communiwtion with it
from the workhouse. This would cost about 2901., to-
wards which the directors would advance 200/. The
application was unanimously agreed to, as was u* propo-
sition to cover the Fleet river with an arch to the extent
of 645 feet. After the termination of other rot:tine
business, a rate of 6d. in the pound on the poor-rate
rental was agreed to.