The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-29 00:00:00

IRELAND,

DUBLIN, Wednesday Night.
The banquet of the Agricultural Society was given
at 8 o'clock in the Exhibition Palace, Lord Talbt
do Malahide in the chair. The Lord-Lieutenant was
received with the warmest demonstrations of respect.
In responding to the toast of "The Lord-Lieutenant
and prosperity to Ireland," his Excellency quoted
statistical returns to show that the prospects of the
country are encouraging, and its wealth is increas-
ing,and that crime is decreasing. Some distress had
been occasioned by the exceptional severe wintci,
and in February last the number receiving Poor
Law relief was 78,000, the average for the preced-
ing four years having been 72,000. The number
is now reduced to 63,000. The stock in the Bank
of Ireland at the end of June last was £18,900,000,
being upwards of £170,000 more than the return of
the whole year 1866. In the Post-office Savings-
bank deposits there had been an increase in the last
half-year of £40,000, a larger amount than the whole
eaThis showed the increase
o f wealth,
a returnland for
an n 18 d
sposition to apply it, owing
pear'si6n6. i
partly to political disturbances. It showed that
the insane and unmeaning Fenian outbreak did not
diminish the country's wealth, though it stopped the
issues of it. There is a decrease of 60,000 acres
under crops, and an increase of 500,000 cattle and
1,500,000 sheep. The increase in cattle and the
decrease in the means of feeding them was a ques-
tion for practical men to consider. The export of
cattle in 1863 amounted to 345,000 ; last year, to
519,000, giving an increase of £3,000,000 iu value.
In the flax crop there had been a total decrease of
10,000 acres, chiefly in Ulster,
showing a return to
a healthy state of trade. The emigration in the
first six months of this year compared with that of
last year showed a diminution of 18,000, or, in
other words, was nearly one-third less. The number
of indictable offences in 1861 was 10,800 ; in 1865,
9,800 ; in 1866, 9,000. His Excellency expressed
his satisfaction that no such cold-blooded atrocities
had been committed in Ireland as the Sheffield out-
rages. His speech way cordially applauded. Lord
Strathnairn returned thanks for the Army, and the
Hon. Baillic Hamilton for the Navy. His Excel-
lency proposed the health of the President, Lord
Talbot de Malahide, who, in responding, stated
that no such ill-feeling :13 is represented exits in
Ireland between landlords and tenants. He owns
estates in both England and Ireland, and said the
condition of the Irish tenant is as good as, and in
some respects better than, that of the English
tenant. Other toasts followed.

THE LATE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND.--The
mortal remains of the late venerable duke were brought to
Northumberland House, from Alnwick Castle, last even-
ing, shortly after nine o'clock, preparatory to interment in
the family vault in Westminster Abbey to-morrow after-
noon. Tha body was conveyed to the metropolis by the
Great Northern Railway, and, on the train arriving at
King's-cross, was placed in a hoarse, which, followed by
two mourning coaches, with the chief members of the
domestic household, proceeded direct to Northumberland
House. There will bo no lying in state at Northumber-
land House, and the funeral will be conducted in tho most
private manner at the Abbey. The full choral service is
to be dispensed with. It is in strict accordance with the
wishes of the family that all unnecessary pomp should ho
avoid,d. The boll of St. Martin's Church-tolled from sun-
set till the remains of the late ditk.e were placed in
Northumberland House.