The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-08 00:00:00

CATTLE PLAGUE.

Mr. HUNT gave notice that on Monday next he should
move for leave to bring in a bill for the prevention of the
spread of the cattle plague. He however wished to state
that in the event of the bill to be introduced by the Go-
vernment on that evening being satisfactory, he should
not proceed with his bill.

HONG KONG.
Col. SYKES moved for a copy of extracts of all corres-

pondence in the Colonial-office respecting the rendition by
the acting governor of Hong Kong, Mr. Mercer, to the
Chinese authorities at Canton of a person described in the
public journals as the Mo-Wong, and his barbarous execu-
tion.—Ordered.
SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE.

Mr. V. EWART gave notice that on an early day he
should move that the sittings of the house on Tuesdays
should be the same as those on Wednesdays, viz., that the
chair should be taken at twelve and vacated at six.
THE WEST AFRICAN COMMITTEE.

Mr. ADDERLEY asked the Secretary of State for the
Colonies what steps had been taken towards carrying out
the recommendations of the West African Committee ?

Mr. CARDWELL said amongst the steps to be taken
by the Government was the establishment of steam com-
municatioa with theso island; the plan for which had
been considered by the Treasury, and which would be
submitted to Parliament for its approval, and the abolition
of domestic slavery as far as it was possible to do.
MORTALITY OF TROOPS IN CHINA.

Col. NORTH moved for a copy of all correspondence
which had taken place relative to the sickness and mor-
tality in the 2d battalion of the 9th Regiment and the 2d
battalion of the 11th Regiment in China and Japan.
THE ADDRESS—ADJOURNED DEBATE.

The order for the resumption of the adjourned debate on
the address to be presented by the house in answer to her
Majesty's most gracious speech on the occasion of the
opening of Parliament having been read,
The O'DONOGHI7E rose and said he was about to refer
to a paragraph in the Address to which he could not agree.
It was that portion of it which referred to the conspiracy

that had been found to exist in Ireland. He had the
greatest objection to the words as they at present stood;
and, therefore, he should move an amendment be made
to the effect that the house express its deop re-
gret at the state of things in Ireland, but that it
is of opinion that the disaffection is the result of a
grievance, the cause of which it is the duty of her
Majesty's Ministers to inquire into and remove. The hon.
member then proceeded to refer to the disaffection that
existed in Ireland, and said that it had in a great measure
been produced by the coldness and inattention by which
representations from that country had been treated. Ho
was of opinion that the whole of the wide-spread disaffec-
tion was misgovernment. He could not tell the house

that the Irish people were loyal and contented, because
contrary was the fact ; and he could not tell Irishmen that
they ought to be loyal, because this country refused
them justice. There were certain matters they ought to
concede to Irish people, and amongst them was a tax on
absenteeism ; to do a way with the ascendancy of one
Church over another—(hear, hear)—to assimilate the
poor-law with that of England ; and pass an Act with
reference to tenant right, which would
give the
tenant a firm hold on the soil irrespective of the caprice
of landlords. If these concessions were made it would
indeed be difficult again to create disaffection in Ireland,
but if, on the contrary, it was refused, then the present
lamentable state of things would exist and enlarge.
He hoped some steps would be taken to restore
peace and tranquillity in Ireland before blood had been
shed; before passion had taken the place of reason, before
the demon of hate had risen up amongst them. The people
of Ireland hoped for justice from the new and united
Parliament, and he hoped their expectations would not be
disappointed. Ho should press his amendment to a divi-
sion.

Mr. BLAKE seconded the amendment. He had done
his best to point out to the people in Ireland the utter folly
and uselessness of persevering in their present course, and
ho felt that the only
way in which peace could be restored
was that the state of the country should be taken into
consideration by Parliament with a view to its
ameliorhtion. To take steps to secure a fair
compensation for any improvement of the land and protect
the tenant against being entirely at the mercy of
his landlord for all the outlay he might have incurred
in improving his property. If these matters were earnestly
taken into consideration, and redressed, Ireland would be-
come the right hand of England, and peace and content-
ment would reign in place of disappointment and distrust.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND thought
the house ought not to acceed to the proposal of the mem-
ber for Tralee. It had been said that some of the political
prisoners had been subjected to corporal punishment, but
that was entirely destitute of foundation.
[LEFT SPEAKING.]

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

_. -+--

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
(Before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn and a Special Jury.)

RYAN V. WOOD-LIBEL.
Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., Sergeant Robinson, and Mr. J. 0.
Griffiths appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Coleridge,
Q.C., and Mr. W. Williams for the defendant.
Mr. Hawkins stated the case. This was an action
brought by the plaintiff for a libel, to which the defendant
pleaded not guilty ; and secondly, that the words written
and published were true. The plaintiff was the son of
medical gentleman in Ireland, but had for upwards of 30
years been resident in this couatry. He was engaged as a
musical critic on the Morning Herald and Morning Stan
dard, and the defendant was the proprietor of the Orchestra,
a weekly musical newspaper. On the Bth of July last the
alleged libel was published, and under the head of "Black

Mail in Journalism," contained an insinuation that the
plaintiff had obtained the services of certain eminent musi-
cal artists to perform at concerts, which he gave annually,
by using his influence as a musical critic in preference t
paying thom for their services. Nothing was more calcu-
lated to damage the reputation of the plaintiff, and he was
bound to bring the present action to vindicate his
character.

Mr. Desmond Ryan was examined—He said that for 16
years he had been a writer, and had wrrtten several
librettos for operas. Ho had been nine months secretary
to Mr. Lumley. Ho was sub-editor of the Musical World.
All the artistes who sang at his concerts were his friends,
with the exception of Madame Harriet Whippen, who
sang for him at her own request.

In cross-examination he thought that a critic should
witness a performance before ho criticised it, but he
had adopted a different course in regard to a performance
given by Madame Bosio. He blamed and praised those
who sang at his concerts impartially. The .112mical World
was published by Messrs. Duncan, Davison, and Co., and
he was not aware that there was any editor. He certainly
did not fill that office. He knew that epigrams were pub-
lished in that paper, but they were not written by him—
ho was not clever enough.
Mr. Coleridge—Oh, that would depend on their merits.
There were squibs in the paper.
Mr. Ryan—Yes; and there was one on you, Mr. Cole-
ridge. (Laughter.)

Mr. Coleridge—Yes, and I brought it on myself. I
should like to see it.

Mr. Ryan—l shall send you a copy. The witness then
stated that he was in no way influenced in his criticisms
by the fact that some singers gave him their services gra-
tuitously at his concerts. He praised and blamed
them impartially. In re-examination, the witness ex-
plained, with reference to Madame Bosio's performance,
that he had attended the rehearsal and made arrangements
with a friend to inform him if the performance went off as
he expected, and in the event of his not seeing him, he was
to conclude that it had. His friend did not keep his ap-
pointment, and he wrote the article accordingly.
The Lord Chief Justice— That was unfortunate.
Mr. Ryan—lt was to me, for I was dismissed imme-
diately. (A laugh.)

The Lord Chief Justice—Did other gentlemen on the
press give concerts ?
Mr. Ryan—Mr. Howard Glover did when he was con•
netted with the Morning Post.
Mr. Sims Reeves said that he was a friend of the plain-
tiff's and gave him his services gratuitously. His fee for
attending a concert was 30 guineas. He was not influenced
by the plaintiff's position—he looked to the public.
Madame Sainton-Dolby gave evidence to the same effect.
Mr. Coleridge—What is your fee, 20 or 30 guineas ?
Madame Sainton-Dolby—Am I obliged to state my
terms ?
Mr. Coleridge—Then I shall not ask you.

Madame Lancia said she wrote to the plaintiff, asking
him to be allowed to sing at his concerts. On the last
occasion she was unable to give him her services, having
another engagement.
Cross-examined—She knew that the plaintiff was a
theatrical critic when she wrote to him. She gave her
services to Mr. Ryan gratuitously, but Mr. Howard Glover
paid her when she sang at his concerts.
Mr. Harrison and Mr. Benedict gave similar evidence.

Counsel having addressed the court, tie witnesses being
called for the defence,
His lordship summed up.
The jury, without leaving the box, found a verdict for
the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at £250.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

CARMARTHEN RACES-THIS DAY.
[Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
BOROUGH MEMBERS' PLATE.

Dandy 1
Chance
Four ran.
COUNTY MEMBERS' PLATE.

Arlescott 1
Daisy

Five ran.

TATTERSALLS'—This Evening

No betting.

VICTORIA CLUB BETTING-THIS DAY.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
100 to 6 agst Cortolyin (taken)
20 to 1 agst Laura (taken)
30 to 1 agst Merrimac (taken)
DERBY.
100 to 15 agst Rustic (taken)
Very little betting.

E LIVERPOOL SPRING
rp.

Age st 114
Junius 5 6 13
Helen
Charmian .. 5 6 9
Miss Harriette
Miss Williams
Mephistopheles 3 6 7
Oracle 3 6 4
Fan 4 6 3
Jezabel 3 6 0
Caithness 3 6 0
Nizam 3 6 0
Begum 3 6 0
Delight 3 5 12
Slieve Came 3 5 12

Railway and other Companies.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

Mr. S. Reay, the secretary of this company, states
that the accounts, though not yet finally audited or
approved by the board of directors, indicate a divi-
dend for the past half-year at the rate of 7i per
cent. per annum.