The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-09 00:00:00

TIIE CONDITION OP lIIELAND.

We extract the following from the London cor-
respondence of the Manchester Guardian :

The Cabinet is understood to have been sum-
moned yesterday specially with reference to the
present condition of things iu Ireland. The story
is in every one's mouth that Lord Spencer, feeling
conscious that his position was becoming un-
tenable, wished for further powers to control
the exuberance of sedition, and to redeem the
Government from the reproach of inability to de-
tect and punish agrarian crime, but that Mr.
Fortescue and the Chancellor, Mr. O'llagan, un-
dertook the responsibility of advising a more for-
bearing course, or at least to defer the introduction
of repressive measures until the remedial land bill
should be forthcoming. The notion seems to be
that the latter policy is the more likely to be
adopted for the few weeks that have now to elapse
until the opening of the session. Parliament is
expected to be summoned to meet the third week
in January. The land bill is in a forward state of
preparation ; and Mr. Sullivan retains the Attorney-
Generalship and his seat in the House of Com-
mons in order to assist iu its production. Had the
Feniaus persisted in their first intention to con-
test all vacancies in Ireland with inmates of Port-
land and Chatham, the difficulty of choosing Irish
law officers would have been practically solved ;
and even Mr. Barry, who is the favourite
aversion of the backers of O'Donovan Rossa,
might have secured re-admission into Parliament
on petition. But Fenianism has furled sail, and is
for the moment lying to. To appease the wrath
of the offended priesthood it is agreed to allow
Mr. Dease, a Catholic Whig, to have a walk over
in the Queen's County ; and instead of starting
Capt. Mackay for Mallow it is reported to be medi-
tating the loan of its support to the Tory candi-
date, Colonel Knox. It is even doubtful whether
Mr. Martin will contest Longford on repeal prin-
ciples against the son of Lord Greville. lie is at
present in America, and as yet has made no sign
of preparation for a costly and arduous contest.

As the timbers of the Bulwark, 81, began in
Chatham Dockyard ten years ago, and left in
frame, have more tha❑ once suffered from the at-
tacks of dry rot, it is very probable that the First
Lord's inspection of this vessel last Saturday will
result in an order for the removal of the frame of
this ship of a superseded class ; it would be but true
economy.

Major John Buckley, who has for the long period
of thirty years held the appointment of barrack-
master for the Ist Division of the Chatham district,
comprising Chatham, Brompton, Upnor, and Fort
Pitt, yesterday relinquished the duties, the office
having been abolished in consequence of the recent
changes in military organisation. For the future
the duties which have hitherto been performed by
the barrack-master will be carried out by the Con-
trol Department. During his long incumbency of
the abolished office in Chatham, Major Buckley has
won the reapect of all classes, civil and military, by
his ready as.sistance. in all good works ; to his ex -r-
-tious and greatly due the erection and good work-
ing of the Soldiers' Institute at Chatham, of which
most of the soldiers stationed there are ►nrmbcre,
and in which they fi'd varied facilities fur amuze-
meut, instruction, and refreshment, without incen-
tives to dissipation.

Major-General Sir Alfred Horsford, K.C.8.,
commanding the 3d Infantry Brigade at Alder•
shott, has been granted leave of absence from the
Ist to the 31st of December. 1869; and Colonel
Glyn, 2d Battalion Ride Brigade, has assumed
temporary command of the Brigade.