The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-20 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUIII./N, OCT. 17.—The following gratifying state-
ment is embodied in the Cork Examiner's weekly re-
view of the corn trade, a document which appears to be
drawn up by a person conversant with the subjcct upon
which he treats :

" The injury done to the potato crtp is an evil of the
first magnitude, but an evil which, we new believe, has
been somewhat overrated. That the plant has not
been totally destroyed, as many have imagined, is, from
recent investigation, becoming manifest. A portion of
it, there is no doubt, will be found fit for consumption.
The quantity remaining sound will be about one-third
of a crop, or may even exceed that amount. Still the
loss is very great, and, as this loss must be supplied by
grain of some description, it follows that a large amount
of corn will be required to make up the deficiency. As
respects this country, we believe, and our opinion is
founded on an inspection of the export returns, that a
sufficient quantity of grain to supply the wants of our
people is grown in the island—that is, provided ncne
were sent out of it. This admitted, we shall have the
necessities of the sister country only to provide for.
Those necessities will be large, but not so large as that
they cannot be met.
"It is true consumption is going on, or perhaps, more
properly speaking, has been going on at a most rapid
rate. Employment has been general, wages have been
good, and while this is the case the English artisan will
never pinch his stomach. But with a continuance of
high prices it is more than probable we shall have by
and bye a depression in trade; employment will not be
so general; lower wages will perhaps have to be sub-
mitted to; the labouring population, unable to purchase
so largely, will begin to economise, and prices, as a
necessary consequence, must decline. All this of course
on the assumption that we are not likely to experience
actual want. If we add to these disposing causes a
tightness in the money market (and we see every reason
to apprehend it) we shall have abundant arguments
against the advance of prices to a famine figure.
" But, it will be said, whence are we to receive the
necessary supplies, seeing that we have France and
Belgium competing with us in those markets to:which
we generally look for aid? We answer, English gold and
the enterprise of English merchants will ever command
the markets referred to, and will therefore ensure
supplies to the extent of their producing ability.
As regards one market especially, America, while we
place little faith in the exaggerated statistics, which
they supply us with, we are disposed to think the re.
sources of that vast country are somewhat under-rated,
and that we shall have far more extensive importations
than most persons look for.
" Our own late advices represent the grain crops as
having been most abundant, and lead us to expect large
arrivals. A few months will suffice to test the exporting
capabilities of the States, and prove or disprove the
allegations which are made.
"In the meantime, we rest satisfied we shall have
larger supplies than may be altogether pleasing to our
speculators.

" Reviewing again the position of matters, taking into
account the saving of at least a portion of the potato
crop in this country, regarding the excellence of quality
of the wheat crop, and the little consequent waste, re-
membering the many sources from which we are likely
to receive supplies—small, perhaps individually, but ex-
tensive in the aggregate—remembering above all Ame-
rica, the cupidity of her people, and the high prices to
tempt them to ship even to their own inconvenience,
looking to the prospect of a pressure in the money
market, and the economisation of food—ever the result
of scarcity—we cannot bring ourselves to believe that
prices will reach a famine figure. That they will con-
tinue high we have little doubt. There may be, and
there will be, changes and fluctuations in the market,
but we shall be much disappointed if there be any con-
siderable advance on present prices. As for " famine"
it is a bugbear, which a few months, we trust, will re-
move, fir be it remembered the scarcity and distress, at
present existing in this country, arise, not from want of
food, but from want of means to purchase that food."
The subjoined announcement also appears in the
Examiner. The report to which it alludes has been
current in Dublin for several days past :
"tire have heard it stated, by authority, that Govern.
ment have sent down orders to have the stock of whisky,
malt, &c., taken at the various distilleries of this city.
We presume this is with a view to the stoppage of dis-
tillation from grain in this country, as a measure-of pre-
caution against impending famine. It may be in conse-
quen"e of this step taken by Government, that whisky
has advanced to 7s. a gallon."
LANDLORD AND TENANT.

Mr. Evelyn John Shirley, M.P., one- of the largest
proprietors in the county of Monaghan, has favoured his
tenants in that quarter with a " letter of advice," con-
taining some extremely prudent and discreet suggestions.
The following is a copy of the circular:—
"TO THE TENANTRY OF THE SHIRLEY ESTATE.
"Sept. 15.
" My Friends and Tenants,—Application having been
made to me by some of you en the subject of the exist-
ing distress and alarm caused by the failure of the pota-
toes, I take this method of stating my opinion and advice
on the occasion.

"It becomes the duty of all classes, under this afflic-
tion of Divine Providence, to exert themselves to alle-
viate the distress occasioned by the awful dispensation;
the poor, to exert their patience and to calm their fears;
the rich, to aid in devising the best plan to secure food
for those whose means will soon be exhausted. The
Government is ready and willing to assist in the good
work; and grants of money are making, under certain
regulations, to enable proprietors and landlords to. em•
ploy those in want of work; and thus all such will have
means to provide for their families. The larger tenants
must take care of their cottiers, and supply them with
money, or meal in lieu of their potatoes: thus, the burden
will be divided, and all will bear a share of the general
calamity.
" Meanwhile, let the tenantry take advantage of the
blessed weather, by increased exertion in securing,
threshing, and selling their corn while the market is
high, and paying their rent, aiding the landlord to help
the distressed. Thanks to a merciful God, the corn is in
a good condition, well saved, no wind to shake it out,no
wet to injure it; the hot sun we are blessed with must
be beneficial to the potatoes.

" Let us by cheerfulness and firmness soothe the timid
and encourage the active and industrious; remembering
that this affliction is intended as a trial for our good, and
must be borne with resignation to the Divine will. But
above all things avoid the counsel of these bad men,
who, with their rents in their pockets, delay in paying
it, while they endeavour, for their own selfish purposes,
to increase the alarm in the minds of the poor and weak.
If such should b found in Farney, let them beware;
for, if detected, neither their wealth nor their station
shall secure them from the utmost punishment an injured
landlord can inflict.—l remain, your faithful landlord,

" E. J. SHIRLEY."
AR MY MOVEMENTS.
The 3d (the Buffs) regiment of infantry, under Sir
James Dednis, 1C.C.8., arrived in two divisions—the
first yesterday, the second this morning--from England,
and took up their quarters in Ship-street and Ald-
borough- barracks.
The Carabineers will arrive here on the 30th inst., and
the 3d of November. They are to be stationed at New-
bridge and out-quarters.

lIIPROVED CONDITION OF THE POTATO CROP.—
A few weeks ago it was the general impression, in Co-
vent-garden-market, and the other vegetable markets
in the metropolis, that before the middle of November
a single potato could not be anywhere obtainable.
Within the last eight or ten days a change has taken
place in the opinions of the potato-dealers in London,
and they now admit that though the price of that es-
culent may not be much lower than it is at present, yei
that the metropolitan markets will be liberally supplied
with potatoes until the end of next spring. They have
received intelligence from various parts of England.
Scotland, and even Ireland, especially from the southern
parts of the latter country, to the effect that large fields
in which the potatoes were looked on as totally de-
stroyed, have unexpectedly and agreeably turned out, on
proceeding to dig them up, to be in a sound and healthy
condition, in the proportion of from fifty to seventy per
cent. Not only, therefore, have all apprehensions in
reference to seed vanished, but, as just remarlerd, this
part of the food of the lower clasccs will continue to be
liberally supplied for months to come without any in-
crease on the present prices.
A TRICIE.—The following ingenious trick was last
week endeavoured to be played off on Taylor and
Bowley, Charing-cross. A stout man, about 40 years
of age, entered the shop, and expressed a wish to pur
chase a large quantity of boots and shoes, at a reduced
price, for the purpose of shipment; at the same time to
prove that he was in the habit of doing business of this
nature, he produced invoices of goods had in a similar
way, from Gundry's, Soho-square, and other respectable
West-end houses. A parcel having been selected, a price
was agree.d upon, upon condition a tertian other quantity
was added to it at a much lower rate, to make up for
what was considered toe high a price for the first lot.
An invoice being asked for and given, the money for the
seeozd lot was offered, with the promise of sending for
the others in half an hour, but upon being told that o'ne
parcel could not be taken without the other, or a suffi-
cient deposit left upon the second, he walked off much
disconcerted, stating that he would send for them all.
Upon inquiry, it has been found in many cases he has
succeeded in this way in obtaining parcels of goods for
one-third their value, which it is feared the posse3sion o
the invoic.s unguardedly given to him will much fa-
cilitate.

THE PRICE OF GRAIN.—We feel more regret
than surprise at finding that the price of wheat continues
to advance in all the principal markets. The weekly
average for the kingdom, which was made up on Thurs-
day last, is 565. 10d. per quarter ; and we find that the
Wakefield average for this week, which will enter the
general average of next Thursday, and is usually about
the same in amount as that for the whole kingdom, is no
less than 595. 34d. per quarter. Since the sales were
made on which that return is founded, prices have been
further advanced about 2s. per quarter ; so that the ave-
rage price of the whole kingdom is now certainly above
60s. per quarter.—Manchester Guardian.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TOWER WARD.—On Saturday
a copy of a letter from the Duke of Wellington to the
Alderman, Common Council, and inhabitants of the ward,
respecting the proposed new street through it, in answer
to their memorial, was exhibited triumphantly in several
of the tradesmen's windows, the Duke having expressed
himself favourable to the widening of Great Tower-street
in preference to a new street.
FOREIGN CATTLE.--A, sailing-vessel is arrived in
the Lond m Docks from Hamburg, with, in addition to
a cargo of speller, 40 head of horned cattle. This ar-
rival pres?nts two distinct features of novelty, it being
the first importation into% the port of London of live
cattle in a sailing-packet from this distant Hanseatic
port, and the first time also, we believe, that a vessel has
entered av of the dock establishments having a con-
signment of Iwo horned stook ou board.

DREADFUL MURDER.
The following melancholy narrative of the murder of
John Baptist Epaille, Bishop of Sion, Vicar Apostolic
of Milanesie and Muronisie, at the Lle of Ysable, is
taken from the Sidney journals, communicated by Cap-
tain Richards of the schooner Maria Watson, fi (me
Astrolabe harbour, December. 1345:—" On the morning
that the melancholy circumstance oocurred, his Lord-
ship, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Fremont, the Rev.
Mr. Chauraine and two lay brothers, put off from the
vessel in the boat, with the second mate and four
seamen, in order to find a place to form a settlement;
they had been five days making excursions for the same
purpose. When the boat left the vessel, the second
mate inquired of his Lordship, to which place they
should go, and was directed to proceed to the " Un-
friendly Tribe," a name which the inhabitants of that
part of Ysable had got on board the vessel from all the
natives who had previously visited them. A missionary
had told them that if they went there they would be
killed; brit, in consequence of the different tribes being
at war with each other, little attention was paid to his
statement. As the party approached the beach they ob-
served a number of objects on the island, apparently
motionless, and scarcely distinguishable from the ground;
they at length observed a convenient and proper place
for landing, and as they approached the shore same of
the party said the objects they saw were posts, and others
said they were not men, but gray stones. As the boat
came nearer to the shore they observed a body of about
100 natives, some of whom left the beach and went into
the bush, apparently afraid. Signs were made to them
not to be afraid, and an old man with long white hair, in
a state of trepidation, went alongside, and examined the
boat very minutely, no doubt to ascertain whether there
were any arms in it. He had two mangroves in his hand
which he gave to the second mate, who presented him in
return with a piece of iron. The party then left the boat,
two seamen remaining with it, and the natives attempted to
pull it to the beach. Contrary to their usual custom, the
seamen were unarmed, saying they were ashamed to go
armed while the Bishop and the priests were unarmed. Ilia
Lordship, with the Rev. Mr. Chauraine, one lay brother,
and a seaman, walked on one side ; the R. Mr. Fre-
mont, the other lay brother, the second mate, and the
other seaman, on the other side. Mr. Fremont, by
signs, asked the natives where their houses were, but
received no answer ; he then asked who was their
chief, when a great number of them, proudly lifting up
their heads, intimated that they were chief's. One of
the lay brothers, by signs, intimated to one of them
that the club he held in his hand was a very fine
one, to which he in the same manner haughtily an-
swered,. that it was. A boy, apparently about thirteen
years old, observed the ring on the bishop's finger, and
offered him two mangroves for it ; his Lordship
merely smiled, and the seamen observed that they )et
a great value upon those mangroves. One of the lay
brothers saw an axe in the hands of one of the natives,
which he pointed out to Mr. Chauraine, who said that he
had also seen one. These axes were not on the short
handles they usually are, but had handles four or fire
feet long, and the axes themselves were very bright.
Mr. Chauraine directed his Lordship's attention to the
circumstance, and said the natives appeared ready to
attack them. He said that was true, and asked if the
sailors were armed. He then began to return towards
the boat, but it was too late, as he had scarcely taken
two steps when the native came behind him with an axe,
which he raised with both hands, and struck the Bishop
a violent blow on the head. His Lordship raised
both his hands to his head and cried out. All the
natives then yelled, and attacked each of the party
individually. The whites were separated, and could
not help each other ; the only thing they could do
was to try to reach the boat ; on their flight thither,
Mr. Fremont received two cuts on the head, and the
second mate one; Mr. Chauraine received a blow on the
head, and another on the leg, but not severe. A pistol
was fired from the boat, and all the natives, except three,
ran off to the bush. These three were trying to strip
the Bishop of his clothes, when Mr. Chauraine seized a
cutlass and ran to protect his Lordship; as he laid his
hand upon him a musket was fired, and the natives ran
off yelling. Mr. Chauraine carried the body some dis-
tance; but, being unable to carry it far, he called for
assistance, but to no purpose; he called
,again, when
Mr. Fremont, and one of the lay brothers, went to his
assistance and carried the Bishop to the boat, the
natives shouting fiercely, and screaming all the time. His
Lordship was insensible and bleeding profusely from
wounds ; when he was washed and his head shaved, four
large wounds, each three inches in length were disco-
yered. His Lordship lived for three days aad a half,
during the whole of which time he remained insensible,
and departed this life at about a quarter to one o'clock
on the fourth day." On the 20th of December the re-
mains of the Bishop were interred close to the place
marked on the French charts " Debarcadere," the outer
point of Astrolabe harbour, and the highest peak near
Cape Prieto, on the same island. On one of the small
stones along the grave is a mark of a cross to indicate
the spot.—Maeritian, July 24.

SUSPECTED MURDER NEAR

TAUNTON.

A well-known inhabitant of Taunton, named Thomas
Cross, thirty years of age, came by his death on the
night of Monday last in a somewhat mysterious manner.
The particulars are as fellow :—For some time past,
the deceased, who was a stone-mason, had been working
in connexion with his father and a younger brother,
who were also masons, in the erection of a bridge at
llalbertnn. On leaving work on Monday night, the
father and brother repaired to their lodgings, a short
distance from their work, after having received a pro-
mise from deceased that he would follow them imme-
diately afterwards. A considerable time having elapsed
and the deceased not appearing, the father returned in
pursuit of him, when he found him at an inn near the
bridge, and lie again reached his lodgings without him.
Shortly afterwards a man with whom deceased had been
working, named Joseph Bailey, was proceeding to the
house of deceased's father, where he also lodged, when
he was attacked by three men, who severely kicked and
beat him, so as to render him almost insensible, at the
same time uttering the most blasphemous imprecations
on the next person they should meet with. It is sup-
posed that about this time, it being then between eleven
and tweke o'clock at night, the deceased came up, as he
was seen on the road shortly before, and either that
hearing the threatenings of the villains who were but a
short distance from him, he took shelter under the
Taunton and Tiverton canal bridge, and thus fell into
the river, or else he was brutally murdered and thrown
into the river, although the latter rumour is generally
supposed to be correct. The deceased not arriving at
his lodgings for the night, early on Tuesday morning
his mate, Joseph Bailey, and James Sheppard went in
search of him, when, after an hour's search, they found
hint in the canal. On examination several severe bruises
and wounds were discovered about the head, especially
under the ears.
An inquest was heldcoornleVr ;
edn:,hn mr.
sdeayit.t
glluailebke,rton
before Leigh, Esq., on
sur-
geon, of Tiverton, attended and examined the body, but
from not having made a post mortem examination, could
not state the direct cause of death, and no evidence being
adduced to implicate any particular parties, a verdict of
" Found drowned" was recorded.
It has since been ascertained that three men have left
their employ at Halberton under rather suspicious cir
cumstances ; this, coupled with a report that a cry of
murder was heard near the bridge about the time the
deceased was passing it, together with the bruises about
the head, makes it generally believed in the neighbour-
hood where the melancholy circumstance occurred, that
the deceased came by his death by foul means.—Somerset
County Herald.