The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-28 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
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TJ-Moßßow.-Monaing, 2h. 35m.—Afternoon, 2h. 52m.

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tipt, CAY: 11310114 ONAUti

LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1867.

Thinquets seem to be the fashion now-a-days in
all directions, and a most successful one has just been
given in Belfast to celebrate the Congress which had
assembled there. The entertainment was given in
the Ulster Hall by Lord DuFstatN, its President,
and a brilliant company assembled on the occasion.
Referring to the manner in which the Lord Lieu-
tenant has cofiducted affairs, the noble lord paid
him a high tribute, and declared that he had gained
the esteem and confidence of all by his strict
attention and courteous conduct. There is no doubt
whatever that the time which has elapsed since Lord
A B ERCORN's arrival in Ireland to perform the duties of
Lord-Lieutenant has been a most critical one, and
that he has been placed in a far more awkward
position, and one more fraught with grave respon-
sibility, than any of his predecessors for long years
past. The success which has attended his career
fully justifies the encomiums passed upon him by
Lord DuFFEISIN, when he said that his administra-
tion had been signalised by " great firmness, great
humanity, perfect impartiality, and by great suc-
cess." The noble lord also alluded to the custom
which prevails of abnegating " party spirit," in
order that the welfare of Ireland may be the
first object, and not the furtherance of the
peculiar views to which the political associates of
any Lord Lieutenant may belong. This habit has
not been departed from by the distinguished indivi-
dual who now presides over affairs, and it is most
fortunate that it should be so, for there never was an
occasion which called for more firmness, skill, and
judgment than the present state of Ireland. Mr.
D UDLEY FIELD made a characteristic speech in pro-
posing the " Mayor and Corporation of Belfast."
He said that those who were residents, and natives
of the old school, could little tell what were the
feelings of those who came to it from the west.
Referring to the geographical position of Ireland, he
remarked that of all the eastern continent Ireland
was pressed the furthest towards the west-, and that
it seemed thus as if Providence had brought these
northern regions together on both sides in order that
they might be inhabited by "kindred races," who
should hold each other by the band. He added, i❑
pursuance of this theme, " Coming to your coasts,
and seeing the rocks out in the sea lashed by the
waves, I fancied almost that they were portions of
the mountains that had slipped into the water on
their way to America." Mr. DUDLEY FIELD con-
cluded his impressive remarks by the eloquent
description of the beauties of the Emerald Isle, and
gave as an illustration the expression with which the
American Indian signified a place of great beauty—
he called it a " smile of the Great Spirit ;" and he
went on to say that since he had been there he had
thought if one could have been lifted into the upper
air, " far above the noise and dissonance of earth,
and could have seen the whole of this bright island
beneath him, with its multitudinous lakes, their faces
of silver, and rivers of emerald, their large ranges of
mountains, and girdling all the deep green sea, I
would have been tempted to say--' This is a smile
of the Great Spirit.' "
Considerable amusement was caused by the re-
marks of the Bishop of Tuam in discoursing on the
National Association for the Promotion of Social
Science. He said he was glad that the members of
the Congress had not neglected a great power which
exercised much influence, besides those subjects
which came under their immediate province. An
illustrious statesman was once asked by a friend
what argument he had better employ to convince a
colleague with whom he had a difference, and the
reply was, "Don't think of argument, but just ask
him to dinner." The Secretary of the Association
was happy in being able to comment upon the
general success which had attended their efforts, and
the meeting which has just been held in Belfast he
declares to have been one of the best they ever had.
Judge O'HAGAN'S observations are worthy of notice,
as they refer to opinions that may have been shared
by many respecting the merits of these meetings.
He confessed that at one time he had thought that
the Social Science Association was more or less a
matter of talk ; that it was, in fact, a platform,
on which people came to perform, with perhaps few
results to show for that performance. He saw,
however, that it was not so, for it brought together
men of various classes and various opinions, and
then it conferred a great good on society, and
benefited the country in many ways. Sir
JAMES SIMPSON'S speech was very entertaining,
for he began by expressing his doubts as to whether
such a meeting as that which called them together
really promoted social health. After advising the
people of Belfast to look to their sanitary state,
which was anything but satisfactory, he cautioned
them against quarrelling, which he found was pre-
valent, on the authority of an Irish coachbuilder,
who assured him that the cause of the jaunting-
cars being made back to back was that an "Irish
family could not be put face to face for a single day
without their fighting." Altogether this assembly
was a very successful one, and formed an appro-
priate finale to the visit of the Asssociation, which
will long recall pleasant thoughts.

The arrival of the Persia, from New York on the
18th inst., reports that the deadly enemy of the
Southern States is playing havoc in several districts.
In New Orleans the ravages of yellow fever con-
tinue unabated, as in parts of Texas, while among
the most prominent victims at Galveston is General
GRIFFIN, who was commanding the fifth military
district until the arrival of General HANcocK. The
temporary command of the district has been assumed
by General MOWER, while General HANCOCK is
expected to proceed to New Orleans. General
GRIFFIN'S order, removing several judges from the
Supreme Court of Texas, has been revoked by
orders from Washington. Meantime there are
symptoms of change in the balance of political
parties. There can no longer be any question that
the Democrats are gaining ground and the Radicals
losing their hold on public favour. Many things
have contributed to this result, which men of all
parties are beginning to recognise. In some parts
the extravagant legislation respecting the sale of
intoxicating drinks, which is recommended by pro-
minent Radicals, has alienated their followers. In
others the lavish expenditure which they have sanc-
tioned
has incensed the commercial circle:. No
one can pretend that they have brought the national
affairs to a prosperous condition after an almost
uninterrupted lease of power. Whatever the pre-
vailing origin of the growing popular discontent
with Radicalism, the figures at the recent state
elections leave no doubt that such is the case.
Meantime another prominent question of the day is
the influence of the Irish vote, not only on the
coming elections, but on the national policy.
Feniauisin has been holding high council,
and it is understood that the Fenian Con-
gress resolved that the Fenian vote should be
given for which ever Side would do most for
Ireland. As we may fairly include tli. majority of