The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-28 00:00:00

Uci

Sum

LO2VDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1868.

The " Maiden City" has been the scene of inte-
rest during the last few days, and many circum-
stances have combined to render the Agricultural
Show of this year most attractive. It is a few years
since the Society chose this city for the scene o
their Show ; and, of course, those best acquainted
with the place have been curious to watch the pro-
gress which has been made since then. Many signs
are visible to prove that Londonderry has not been
behind in the race, if she has not the foremost place,
iu the momentous struggle now going on in all
directions. The Lord-Lieutenant and his family
appeared to do honour to the occasion,
and the members of his Excellency's household
received a perfect ovation, so great was the de-
light testified at their recent escape from the sad
affair at Abergele. The Mayor read an address
of congratulation on their visit to the city, and
the escape they had had from an imminent peril.
In this due notice was taken of the chief events
connected with the occasion, and first expression
was given to the feeling of loyalty and attach-
ment which prevailed in this arcient city towards
their SOVEREIGN. The Lord-Lieutenant was con-
gratulated upon the honourable distinction just
conferred upon him, and the general approval
which his conduct has met with during the
time - of his viceregal duties. Indeed, the
elevation bestowed upon him has been
a compliment to the Irish nation, as well as a testi-

mony to the services rendered by the recipient
himself. The Duke of ABERCORN has bad other
and more onerous duties to perform than to wel-
come Royalty and preside over friendly hospitalities.
Ile has been under the painful necessity of meeting
and checking the spirit of insubordination which
broke out and tended greatly to disturb the confi-
dence of the public, and even to inspire fear for the
future welfare of the country and the prosperity of
the Empire in general. It is well known how
fortunate were his Excellency's well-timed efforts
in this serious and eventful undertaking, and bow
fully his labours have been crowned with success.
With firmness and yet with moderation disaffection
was put down, and gradually a better spirit has
prevailed, and in some respects things are better
tha❑ they were before. It would, indeed, be a most
happy conjunction of affairs if the prognostications
of the Mayor were realised, and if "Ireland's sons"
would unite with one common object, the welfare
of their country, unmindful of the machinations of
evil-disposed persons, who are always anxious to
tamper with the loyalty and good-will of others.
Great advantages are offered to the community at
large by the instrumentality of a society like
the Royal Agricultural, and the development of
national resources is a matter of too much moment
to be disregarded and treated with indifference.
The conviction that industry may attain important
ends pile irrespective of rank, position, or riches,
must tend to stimulate the energy and revive the
confidence of many, and another advantage is that
these projects may be pursued quite irrespective of
party bitterness of feeling.
In reply, his Excellency made a suitable acknow-
ledgment to the felicitations addressed to him, and
declared that he fully appreciated the spirit of
loyalty which prevailed. The commercial enter-
prise of the city of Londonderry offered a theme
for counter congratulations, which was well taken
advantage of, and the Lord-Lieutenant, in eloquent
words, expressed his thankfulness that Providence
had preserved his family in the late fearful cala-
mity. In the evening a banquet was given,
which was well attendei, and the Lord-Lieute-
nant's speech was a great success throughout.
The state and condition of Ireland at all times
are subjects of importance, but just now addi-

tional interest is imparted to them by recent
events, and the efforts of some politicians to de-
preciate all that relates to the prosperity of that
country. It is then, without doubt, a source of
satisfaction that one so well versed in the details
as his Excellency should speak confidently on
the improvement which has taken place, and bear
witness to the decadence of those efforts which
have too long triumphed at the expense of social
and national welfare. The province in which

they found themselves was, he maintainel, an en-
couraging one in which to meet, since it afforded
them an example or lesson in studying the problem
of Irish difficulties, Irish prosperity, and Irish in-
dustry. At the same time there are no peculiari-
ties in existence that prevent the happy condition
of affairs from prevailing in other parts of the coun-
try. It might well have been supposed that the
unfortunate influences that have prevailed for some
time past in Ireland would have interfered with
the agricultural interests as they had with
the commercial ones, but no deficiency in this
respect is to be observed, and there exists, on the
contrary, ample evidence of a " sound and con-
firmed condition of prosperity." The Irish manu-
facturers have likewise competed not discreditably
with those of Scotland and England.
The returns which have been made show an
increase of cereal crops over last year, and an in-
crease of acres of potatoes and meadow land. The
more scientific culture of flax would be a source of
much profit, notwithstanding that the population in
scme provinces are already great adepts in it. The
increase in the number of those receiving poor-law
relief is to be attributed in a great measure t) the
local distress caused in some districts by the depres-
sion of the linen trade from the high rate to which it
had risen in the late American war. Connected with
the Emigration question, his Excellency very
truly mentioned the dwellings of the labourers, and
the necessity for their improvement. It is satis-
factory to know that the returns show a decrease

in the number of emigrants. In the year ending
June, 1868, there are eleven thousand less than the
previous year, and, strictly, three thousand leas
than the year before. Increased wages is also a
desideratum, and will be found advantageous in the
long run, despite any temporary pressure they may
entail. The LORD-LIEUTENANT declared that he
was ashamed of the dwellings of many of those on
his own estate, and yet difficulties were in the way of
a general improvement. After the summary he had
given he was enabled to dwell with satisfaction
upon future prospects, for the country is quieter
than it has been for some years respecting seditious
feelings. "We have no cause for desponding, but

every just and reasonable hope that the day may

come when the storms and clouds which hover round
the destinies of Ireland may be dispelled, and the

generous and cordial nature of her people may show
itself in increased sympathy and union between
all classes, and when all those benefits may attend
her that a prosperous and contented people, an in-
creased capital, and, above all, internal peace can
confer upon a great and united people.

The interesting meeting at Norwich was on Wed-
nesday last brought to an appropriate conclusion
by a grand banquet given by the Mayor of Norwich
to the President, officers, and members of the Asso-
ciation. The members have had no reason to com-
plain of the hospitality of the good citizens of Nor-
wich, and have repeatedly expressed their sense of
the cordiality of their welcome, and the banquet of
Wednesday, numbering 700 guests, gave addi-
tional evidence of the eagerness of their hosts to do
them honour. An interesting feature in the assem-
bly was the presence of the ministers
of several forms of religion, a happy proof
that the antagonism which formerly existed,
or was supposed to exist, between the students of
Nature and the worshippers of Nature's GOD is
dying out with the advance and increase of know-
ledge. The Bishop of Norwich, in returning
thanks for a toast, observed that he welcomed
men of science as fellow workmen and fellow stu-
dents in different volumes of the works of the same
Divine Author ; and the great gathering which
had just closed had tended to show that men of
faith should inquire more, and men of science
believe more. The Reverend Canon DALTON,
speaking on behalf of his Roman Catholic
brethren, read a letter from Father SECCIII,
acknowledging in warm terms the hospitality
shown him at Norwich, and the Rev. G.
GoULD, Nonconformist minister, responded in the
same catholic and enlightened spirit. happily this
was one of the rare occasions on which politics
could be allowed to slumber, all the guests being
more interested in less agitating and irritating
questions, and nothing occurred to mar the pro-
ceedings of the evening.
_ .

Yesterday the excursions began, and though
many members necessarily left the town a large
proportion have prolonged their stay in order to
examine the curiosities of the neighbourhood.
Four excursions were arranged to come to Lynn