The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-25 00:00:00

THE IRISH BANK RETURNS.

The last returns show an increase in the circula-
tion, as compared with the preceding mouth, of
27,9491. Last month there was au increase of
39,2781., and in the preceding month one of
23,5121.; so that in the quarter, while the move-
ment has been all in one direct;on, the utmost
variation does not reach 100,0001. In the coin
held there is a decrease on the month, but an in-
crease on the quarter.
The folloAng figures will show the position of
of the Irish banks in the aggregate now and at the
same period of the two preceding years :
Four weeks ending Average Circulation. Average Coin held.
May 10, 1856 £6,511,913 ... £2,070,357
9 1857 7,155,181 2,497,140
SP •"

8, I,tsg 6,262,747 2,289,261.
From the foregoing returns it follows that the
circulation of the Irish banks is now 131,767/.
below the sum authorised by certificate, and, tak-
ing into account the coin held, the amount is
2,421,0281. below that allowed by law. The Bank
of Ireland is below its limit by 400,0001. All the
other banks, with the exception of the Provincial,
have exceeded theirs.
THE IRISFI SOCIAL REVOLUTION.
A Roman Catholic journal (the Cork Reporter)
thus moralises upon the singular result of the
lec,int election for the city of Limerick. What
would Daniel O'Connell have thought of his old
allies the priests spurning the advice of their bishop
by successfully exerting their spiritual influence to
drive an able and accomplished co-religionist from
the field, and setting up as their political idol a
Protestant gentleman, more than half-suspected of
entertaining views the reverse of that much-abused
term, Liberal :

" The old warwhoops by which faction and fanaticism
were lashed into madness have died away. It is not a
novel spectacle to see Roman Catholic priests arrayed in
opposing camps and fighting under adverse banners, but
it is decidedly a new feature in the astonishing series of
dissolving vie srs that Irish pelitics have presented to see
a large section of a Catholic constituency, headed by
their pastors, sustaining with all their energy a Protestant
—an avowed Conservative—for his social claims as a
fellow citizen and commercial position, in opposition to
a Liberal, a Catholic, and the son of a distinguished Ca-
tholic judge, and a gentleman of acknowledged ability
and experience. We are aware, indeed, that indepen-
dent of local or of personal considerations many
other influences have been silently at work, inducing
Irish constituencies to renounce old sectarian and party
quarrels. The operation of the Encumbered Estates
Court has made a more equal distribution of the soil
among the professors of different creeds; but still more
effectually the disruption of the great parties in Eugland,
between whom, on foreign and domestic policy, the de-
marcation is so slight as to be almost imperceptible, has
contributed to produce this result. Henceforward the
brawling demagogue patriotism and mock religion, will
find their occupation gone. A great deal bas been said
of the 'coming man.' The 'coming man ' who wishes
to grace his same with an M.P. must be a man of cha-
racter and position, one who sball be able to point to
solid, substantial benefits conferred upon his fellow-
citizeL 8."