The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDO J, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 1868.

growl ng feeling among men of all ranks and parties
that E. ngland is called upon to come boldly forward
to assi 3t and relieve the sister country. Fenianism,
like of her evils, has been in some ways "un mal
pour u n bien." Notwithstanding the indignation
it calk, I forth, and the suffering it inflicted in this
country, it served to direct public attention more
vigorously to the state of Ireland, and to awaken
the Englifil people to a sense of the disaffection
and unhappiness which prevailed in many parts of
the islan d. The energy with which the loyal and
reasonable Irish disclaimed any sympathy with
Fenianism and its abettors drew the nations closer
together, and something of the suspicion and mis-
trust which has hitherto embittered their relations
has died .out. There is now a general anxiety not
only to do justice to Ireland, but to show that Eng-
land is too magnanimous to condemn a whole
people for the oCences of a few reckless and despe-
rate criminals. The Irish debate the other evening
showed plainly the desire of all the principal
speakers to put aside party feeling and personal
advantage in dealing with so anxious and mo-
mentous a question. The Government has shown
their desire to treat Irishmen with cordiality and
confidence, while the approaching visit of the Heir
Apparent to the Emerald Isle gives evidence that
in the highest quarters there is a strong desire to
show goodwill and kindly interest to a
long depressed and neglected country. No
doubt the pleasure with which the an-
nouncement of this visit has been received
by Irishmen at home and abroad enhanced the
enthusiasm with which the Prince of jr ALES was
received by the guests of St. Patrick yesterday.
His presence on that occasion was accepted as a
welcome evidence of the prevailing desire to en-
courage the hopes of Irishmen, and no pains were
spared to do him honour. The London Irish formed
a guard in front of Willis's Rooms, and the brilliant
company within received their Royal President with
every mark of respect. The PRINCE discharged
his duties as chairman with ease and dignity, and
spoke of his visit to the sister country with interest
and pleasure. The PRINCESS, ho was happy to
say, had almost entirely recovered from her long
and painful illness, and would, he hoped, be able
hereafter to visit the Irish people, from whom he
was convinced she would receive as warm a wel-
come as she did on her first arrival in this country.
This part of the Prince's speech was received with
enthusiastic cheers in token of the pleasure which
his opinion gave the audience. For himself, the
Prince said he should be glad to visit a portion of
the United Kingdom in which he had experienced
such kindness from all parties. "If this visit,"
" adds his Royal Highness," should tend to
give pleasure to the people of Ireland, I
hope there may be a longer visit hereafter •
During the course of the last two years there has
been been much that has been disagreeable to loyal
Irishmen ; but I am convinced that the people of
Ireland generally are thoroughly true and loyal,
and that the disaffection which has existed will be
only of short duration. It has not been engrafted
in the minds of any portion of the Irish people by
the Irish people themselves." Such words coming
from the lips of the Heir Apparent will do more to
rekindle the flame of loyalty in the warm hearts of
the enthusiastic and impressionable people of the
sister country than many legislative enact-
ments. They will feel, as they hear them
and read them, that they are not re-
garded as mischievous and designing advisers
would have them believe as outcasts and pariahs,
but as people of the same kingdom, speaking the
same language, showing the same sympathies, de-
sires, and affections. The manner in which the
Prince of WALES spoke of their .favourite charity
was of itself a compliment to Irishmen. lie ex-
pressed his approval of many of its distinctive fea-
tures, especially of the practice of giving in winter
weather and in bad seasons a daily meal to children
who are in want of it. By this means not only are
little ones fed and comforted, but a substantial help
is given to the parents without the possibility of a
misuse of the benefit. A pleasant incident varied the
performance of the evening, by which it was shown
that the guests were inclined to agree iu the Prince's
ipproval of feasting the little ones. The children of
the schools were brought in, and walked in proces-
sion round the tables to the tune of " St. Patrick's
Day." The company as they passed loaded them
with fruit and cakes with such a liberal hand that
by the time the delighted boys and girls had
finished their circuit the well-filled tables were bare,
while President and guests seemed equally pleased
at witnessing their pleasure. Altogether the oc-
casion was a most auspicious one, and we hope that
St. Patrick's Day, 1869, may fulfil the promise of
St. Patrick's Day, 1868.

LATEST INTELL MENCE.

(RECTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

-

AMERICA.

(Arrival of the City of Antwerp via Queenstown.)

NEW YORK, March 7 (Noon).

The Senate was organised as a Court of Impeach-
ment on the sth instant, and Chief Justice Chase,
who presides, and all the Senators, took an oath to
do President Johnson impartial justice. Senator
Hendrick, a Democrat, objected to Mr. Wade hav-
ing a voice in the trial, on the ground that he was
directly interested in the result. After a debate,
the objection was withdrawn, and Mr. Wade was

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, TUESDAY, March 17.

The Emperor's pamphlet is expected to be issued to-
night or to-morrow morning. Its Imperial origin is not
concealed, for the work is published by M. Plon, the
Emperor's printer. The Eterulard of this evening says
that " `The Claims of the Imperial Dynasty' (the title of
the pamphlet) are reviewed in this substantial publica-
tion, which comprises the most important documents of
our history since the year VIII. (1799). This work confirms
all that we have said touching the absurdity of the rumours
of a probable modification in the fundamental bases of the
Constitution of 1552."

I am indebted to the same semi-official journal for a
denial of the report that M. Schneider is about to resign
the Presidency of the Corps Ltgislatif. Ins annual
powers expire on April 1, but it is expected that the next
number of the Illonitcur will contain the decree reappoint-
ing him President for another year.

Marshal MacMahon has just been making a tour of in-
spection in Algeria, and landed at Marseilles yesterday.
He is expected here this evening, and will be able to lay
before the Emperor an authentic account of the terrible
famine which has visited our African colony.
Jules Simon has succeeded in obtaining leave to bring
forward his interpelation respecting the election of
prud'homnzes, the arbitrators between masters and work-
men. It is believed that M. Simon will propose
that the expense of their courts shall he borne partly by
the State, partly by the Departments, and partly by
the Communes. The Government is fully alive to the
importance of these courts, and it did not oppose M.
Simon's demand to bring the matter forward in the Corps
L6gislatif.
_ _

The demand made by the slandered journalists for autho-
rity to prosecute M. de Kerv6guen is causing a good deal
of discussion. There is no doubt about the malignity of
the slander or the character of the slanderer, but there is
a great deal of doubt as to whether it would be wise to
allow the privileges of the Chamber to be violated by
sanctioning the prosecution of a deputy for words spoken
in the Chamber. Strong as is the wish to punish the
accuser of his brethren, it is felt that by yielding to it an
injurious precedent might be established, which the Govern-
ment might afterwards use to justify a prosecution for
political speeches.
The Phare de la Loire, a Nantes paper, has just been
undergoing a trial for publishing articles "tending to
hatred and contempt," &c, The newspapers are not
allowed to publish any report of a press trial ; but the
journal in question bears witness to the eloquence of its
counsel, M. Emmanuel Arago, and says it produced a
profound and sympathetic impression upon the audience.
When the orator left the court he was saluted by the
crowd in the streets.

The son of one of our chief admirals holding a high com-
mand has just died of the wow-ids which he received in a►
duel.

I see that there is some talk in England of handing over
the telegraphs to the Government ; it may therefore
interest your readers to know that our Government has
just ordered the telegraph functionaries to wear sabres
with steel scabbards. Are these intended to act as lightning
conductors in case of the batteries becoming unruly?

Prince Napoleon has had an interview with Prince
Czartoryski at Berlin, and this incident has confirmed the
belief entertained by some persons that one of the objects
of the Prince's mission was to re-establish the kingdom of
Poland.

The great poisoning trial becomes more and more com-
plicated. There is no doubt tlat M. Texier was poisoned
with arsenic, but the difficult question is by whom. Sus-
picion rests most strongly upon his sister-in-law, but she
accuses the doctor who attended him. The trial has
already lasted more than a week, and there seems no
chance of its speedy termination. Madame Texier is a
clever woman, and she manages to elude the questions put
to her by the judge very skilfully. It would rather shock
the notions of Englishmen, however, to see judge and pri-
soner engaged in a kind of duel—the one striving to transfix
his antagonist by a sharp question, the other warding off
the weapon by a smart parry.

The Bohemians, who have hitherto refused to take any
part in the elections, or to do any act recognising the right
of the Austrian Reichsrath to represent them, are now
beginning to reconsider their position. There is a division
among them, and the young Czechs are for exercising
their political rights.

Prince Henry, brother of the King of Spain, has
joined the Freemasons. By this act he would have
exiled himself (Freemasonry being forbidden in Spain),
even if he had not been exiled before for political
reasons.

In consequence of the failure of the harvest in France,
the Government has not only suspended the import duty
upon corn brought into French ports, but has induced
the railway companies to carry corn at a cheaper rate
than before. The companies wish it to be understood that
this is only a temporary meNsure.
The Florence correspondent of the Times gives but a
poor account of the Italian Parliament. With the finan-
cial fate of their country trembling in the balance, with
the full knowledge that bankruptcy is inevitable unless
strong measures are taken within the next three months to
restore an equilibrium, the deputies persist in spending
week after week upon unprofitable discussion, moved, it
would seem, by an irresistible cacoethes loquendi. One
deputy spoke more than 140 times in thirty-
five consecutive sittings. Every expedient has
been resorted to for postponing the Macinato Bill—the
measure for levying a tax on grinding corn. But the
measure is inevitable if Italy means to pay her way.
Altogether, save for the fact that the Ministry generally
obtains a majority in divisions, affairs look very unpro-
mising in Italy.

The Daily News expresses its conviction that the debate
on the condition of Ireland has in part revealed, in part
made, a more hopeful future for Liberal principles am d the
Liberal party than has of late years existed. The era of
great questions, closed since the repeal of the Corn Laws,
has begun anew. Tasks are now marked out for accom-
plishment which only a united and organised force can
compass ; and the consent of the followers responds to the
invitation of the chiefs. The rabble will speedily be-
come a disciplined army, eager to be led to the assault
on wrongs and abuses which have been tolerated too
long.

It is not unlikely that the seat at Wycombe, vacant
through the accession of the Hon. C. R. Carington to the
peerage, will be filled by his younger brother, the Hon. W.
P. Carington, who is about 23 years of age. The borough
loses one of its members under the Reform Act, so that the
seat is not worth a hard fight. The other representative
is Mr. Remington Mills.

Several candidates have offered themselves to the electors
of Belfast, in expectation of Mr. Getty's retirement.
These are a Mr. Mulholland, the Irish Solicitor-General
( !qr. Harrison, Q.C.), Mr. G. May, Q.C., Sir James
Emerson Tennent, and last, though by no means least, in
his own estimation, the martyred William Johnston. All
these are good and true Protestants, but Mr. Johnston tells
the constituency that he ought to be the man of their choice,
because he is undergoing punishment for having broken
the law. In an address to the electors he expresses his
confident reliance in their "utmost exertions " to "defeat
the machinations of a cabal," and secure his return. He
" cannot be among them to prosecute his canvass. Doubt-
less the Government so planned it." " Will you (adds
Mr. Johnston) allow this to injure the candidature of one
who, because he was desirous of vindicating the principles
of liberty, and believes he was not wrong in so doing, is
kept a prisoner ? "

The report of the royal commission appointed to in-
quire into the metropolitan water supply is already decided
upon, and will shortly be published. It decisively rejects
the various ambitious and expensive schemes that have
been proposed—such, for instance, as bringing water from
the lakes of Cumberland or from the mountains of Wales
—and recommends that the water supply should continue
to be drawn from its present sources. The evidence
adduced has satisfied the commission of the sufficiency of
the existing supply, as well as of the relative purity of the
water. The report will probably recommend a constant
service at high pressure, and all the companies are, it is
believed, ready to adopt the recommendation.
The " Metropolitan " Railway at present existing, which
has been so successful from a monetary point of view, is
about to receive a competitor in the " District" Railway,
The new line connects Kensington and West Suburban
London with Westminster, and then continues along the
Thames Embankment to the City proper. This carries
out the scheme suggested by Lord Granville's commission
in 1864, which also laid down the principles that there
should be no interference with ordinary traffic, no perma-
nent disfigurement of existing thoroughfares, or injury to
existing buildings. There has been some difficulty con-
cerning the latter requirement, the railway passing within
a few feet of Westminster Abbey. The line from Ken-
sington to Westminster is expected to be opened in June
next.

The health returns are again satisfactory. The Registrar-
General's report for last week slims that in the metro-
polis there were 22 fewer deaths than in the previous week,
and 312 fewer than the estimated number, that estimate
being based upon the deaths in the corresponding week of
former years corrected for difference of population. The
annual rates of mortality in London and twelve other
large towns, per 1,000 of the population, were as follows, the
metropolis and Salford, it will be seen, being the lowest :
London and Salford, 22; Birmingham arid Sheffield, 23;
Dublin and Newcaatle-oh-Tyne, 24; Hull, 20; Bristol and
t.eeda 27; IsianChestcr ;28 • dinburgh 29 • lAysiTool
49

FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK.

For very many years a number of Irish noble-
men and gentlemen have celebrated the festival of
the national saint of Ireland by a dinner in London,
given for the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick, in
whose schools some hundreds of the children of poor
Irish parents resident in the metropolis receive edu-
cation and other advantages. But on no former
anniversary of this institution was there so nume-
rous and brilliant a gathering as took place yester-
day at Willis's Rooms, St. James's, when the Prince
of Wales presided at the dinner. As will be seen
from the report of the proceedings, his Royal High-
ness did something still more than honour the so-
ciety by accepting the post of president of the day.
He evinced a sincere interest in the welfare of Ire-
.and, land spoke of the pleasure with which he
looked forward to his approaching visit to Dublin,
where he is to be installed as a Knight of St.
Patrick. Among the company at the festival were
he Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Clanricarde, Lord
Cork, Lord Darnley, Lord Devon, Lord Mayo, Lord
Kimberley, the Bishop of Derry, Lord Erne,
Lord Longford, Lord Dufferin, Gen. Dunne, Lord
Clanwilliam, Lord Arran, Viscount Hamilton, Lord
Claud Hamilton, Lord C. J. Hamilton, Captain
Xrchdall, M.P., Mr. lon Trant Hamilton, M.P.,
Captain Ellis, Equerry to the Prince of Wales,
Lord Lifford, Mr. Corry, First Lord of the Admi-
ralty, Mr. C. Fortescue, M.P., the Attorney-Gene-
ral for Ireland, Mr. W. H. Russell, LL.D., Mr.
Lawson, M.P., Dr. Maunsell, Mr. F. L. O'Beirne,
Professor Slattery, &c.

The London Irish formed a guard of honour in
front of Willis's Rooms, and upon his arrival the
Royal president was received with every demon-
stration of respect by the company assembled in
the great dining room. When the cloth was re-
moved,

The Prince of WALES rose, amid loud and en-
thusiastic cheering, waving of handkerchiefs, &c.
He said,—My Lords and Gentlemen, the first toast
I have the honour of giving in my capacity as chair-
man is one that requires but very little preface. It
is always the first at meetings of this kind, and
therefore it is one with which you are familiar. I
ask you to drink the health of her Majesty the
Queen. I give you " The Queen."
The toast was received with hearty and respectful
loyalty.
The Archbishop of ARMAGH then gave " The
Health of the Princess of \Vales and the rest of the
Royal Family," and in doing so expressed a hope
that the day was not far distant when her Royal
Highness would be able to honour Ireland with a
visit. That the reception given to her would be
in every way a gratifying one no one who knew
Ireland could doubt. (Much cheering.)
The Prince of WALES—My Lords and Gentlemen,
after the very kind terms in which his Grace the
.archbishop of Armagh has proposed this toast,
Ind the exceedingly warm manner in which you
have received it, I feel bound to say a few words. I
heartily thank his Grace and the entire company. 1
am certain that if the Princess of Wales were sitting
here she would witness this scene with very sincere
pleasure. Both myself and the Princess have reason
to be much gratified, not only at the feeling evinced
towards her when she first came into this country,
but still more by the sympathy shown in her regard
during the long and painful illness from which I am
happy to say she is now almost entirely recovered.
(Loud and prolonged cheering.) I assure you I join
in the wish expressed by the Archbishop. I should
be glad that she was able to pay a visit to Ireland,
and lam sure she is most anxious to do so. (Re-
newed cheering.) Having been there so often my-
self, and having spent so pleasant a time there, I
can judge of the feelings of the Irish people on this
point. lam certain that in the Emerald Isle the
Princess of Wales would receive as cordial a greet-
ing as she did from the people of England when she
arrived in this country. (Enthusiastic cheering.)
A harmonized Irish melody, arranged by Mr. J.
Hullah, having been performed by the band,
The Prince of WALES said,—My Lords and
Gentlemen, the next toast is one which is never
omitted on festive occasions like the present, and I
hope it never will be. It is the toast of " The Army
and Navy, the Militia, and the Volunteers." I think
that we in this country have reason to congratulate
ourselves on the state and efficiency of our army.
It is true that in respect of military matters we have
been undergoing changes, and it is probable that
we shall have to undergo still further changes. But
these are a consequence of the improvements which
the progress of science and the results of experience
are bringing about, and they afford no ground for
dissatisfaction with the administration of our army.
I think we may rest satisfied with that adtninistra-
Lion, and that we may be proud of our army as it is
now. (Cheers.) At the present moment we are
engaged in operations in a distant country, where
our troops may meet with many difficulties which it
will be necessary for them to surmount. But I have
no misgivings on the subject. (Cheers.) I feel certain
that the British soldier will do his duty in Abyssinia,
and that, whether the campaign be a long or a short
one, its result will be as glorious to the arms of this
country as that of any previous operations in which
our forces have been engaged. (Much cheering.) As
regards the navy,J believe we have reason also to be
satisfied with the manner in which that branch of
the service is conducted. Happily, we have no oc-
casion at present for our ships to b 3 employed i❑
aggressive proceedings ; but, at the same tine, it is
necessary that we should keep pace with other
nations in their naval improvements. (Hear, hear.)
Last year, or the year before, we might have sup-
posed that our ships were as perfect as they needed
to be ; but now we find that very much more is
wanting. (Cheers.) My lords and gentlemen, 1
must not omit to mention the Militia—a very valu-
able auxiliary to the army—and it would be a no
less signal mistake not to recognise the merits and
the usefulness of the Volunteers. (Hear, hear.) It
is extremely gratifying to find that the zeal dis-
played when the Volunteer movement first com-
menced has in no respect deteriorated. (Cheers.)
What once was called a national movement may
now be called a national institution. (Great cheer-
ing.) My lords and gentlemen, I give you the
toast of " The Army and Navy, the Militia, and the
Volunteers," coupling with the Army the name of
the Earl of Longford, Under-Secretary for War,
with the Navy Mr. Corry, First Lord of the Ad-
miralty, and with the Volunteers Captain Morgan
Johh O'Connell.
The toast was drunk with all the honours.
The Earl of LONGFORD briefly replied for the
Army.

Mr. CORRY, in responding for the Navy, said he
believed St. Patrick had never been so far south as
that fine harbour which was " statio bene fida
carinis." Complaints being made from time to
time that the Government had not availed them-
selves of the facilities which Cork harbour afforded
for dockyard accommodation, but after the works
at Haulbowline were completed he hoped that the
people of Cork would see that the Admiralty had no
desire to do any injustice to Ireland in respect of
the navy. He was glad to announce to the com-
pany that on the occasion of the forthcoming visit
of the Prince of Wales to Dublin a division of the
armour-clad vessels of the Channel fleet, under the
command of Admiral Warden, would be sent to the

Bay of Dublin, where, weather permitting, the
ships of the division would anchor and remain dur-
ing the time his Royal Highness was to stay in
Ireland. (Cheers.)
Captain M. J. O'CoNNELL, in returning thanks
for the Volunteer, remarkei that in the London
Irish there never hal been any political or pole-
mical disputes.
At this stage of the proceedings there occurred a

cene thoroughly "racy of the soil" of which most
of the noblemen and gentlemen present are natives.
file children of the schools were brought into the
room, and " St. Patrick's Day" having been struck
up by the band, the boys and girls proceeded to
make the circuit of the tables. The national air of
Ireland told alike on the benefactors and the re-
cipients of the charity. The children looked with
glistening eyes on the company, and the latter, as
the young ones passed by, loaded them with fruit
and cake to such an extent that before the juvenile
procession had made its exit from the apartment the
tables had been cleared of the entire dessert, which

was a very liberal one. The boys and girls raised
a loud cheer as they left the room, and the entire
company, including the illustrious president, ap-
peared all the happier for having made the festival
the means of so unusual a treat for the little sons
and daughters of poor Irish parents struggling for
their living in London.
After the performance of a selection of Irish
airs,

The Prince of WALES again rose and said—My
Lords and Gentlemen, the next toast which I shall
have the honour of proposing to you is the toast of
the evening. We are here to-night for a very ex-
cellent and charitable purpose. The objects of the
Benevolent Society of St. Patrick have been so
often stated—so -.many able speeches have been
made at so many successive anniversaries of this
festival, that there is very little left for me to say ;
but having accepted, which I did with pleasure, the
post of chairman this evening, I feel it is due to the
institution and to this company that I should make
a few observations. (Cheers.) I may as well at
once say that I am about to call upon you to drink
prosperity to the Benevolent Society of St. Pat-
rick. (Hear, hear.) This society was instituted
in 1784, with the object of relieving the neces-
sitous children of Irish parents resident in Lon-
don. One of its first patrons was my grand-
father, the hake of Kent. (Cheers.) I have
always understood that he took a very great inte-
rest in the society, and I may further observe that
several of my grand uncles acted as presidents at
your annual dinner. (Hear, hear.) At the pre-
sent moment I believe the schools are in what may
be called a flourishing condition. They afford edu-
cation to as many as 400 children. That the boys
and girls are in good health and thriving is, 1 think,
pretty evident, from the appearance they presented
as they passed through the room just now. A spe-
cial feature in the conduct of the schools is that no
doltrinal teaching is permitted. They are entirely
national and non-sectarian schools. (Cheers.) At
the same time the children are strongly advised
to attend the instructions given by the ministers
of the religion in which their parents wish them to
be brought up, and they are afforded an opportu-
nity of doing so every week. If it is thought de-
sirable, the children are apprenticed on leaving
school. This system has been found to work re-
markably well. Inducements are held out for pro-
ficiency and good conduct by rewards given after
examination. A comparatively new feature in the
management of the institution is this—that at times
when the parents endure hardships awl perhaps
privations owing to the want of work—when they
may not have a sufficiency of daily bread for the
maintenance of their families, as, for instance,
during severe winter weather, when many poor
people find it difficult to obtain employment—a
daily meal is given to children who are in want of
it. This has been found to afford much assistance
to the parents as well as the children, and may
therefore be regarded as a satisfactory addition to
the arrangements of the managers. . (Cheers.) I
am informed that of late years the institution has
lost many valuable patrons and supporters, but I
should hope that any void in this way may speedily
be filled up. (Hear, hear.) My lords and gen-
tlemen, though this may be called an annual festi-
val in aid of a charity, and in this respect it is
exceedingly useful, it has also another advantage.
It has long been regarded as an occasion when
Irishmen living in London may meet together with-
out sectarian feelings or political allusions. (Cheers.)
Such meetings are beneficial, and they must be all
the more so when their main object is the further-
ance of a most excellent institution like the Bene-
volent Society of St. Patrick, prosperity to which I
now ask you to drink. (Great cheering.)

The illustrious PRESIDENT next gave " the Lord-
Lieutenant of Ireland," and in doing so he said he
was sure every one would agree with him in think-
ing that Lord Abercorn had filled his high office
with credit to himself and benefit to the country.
His Excellency had a very arduous task to perform.
During Lord Abercorn's administration there had
had been great troubles in Ireland, but it was to,be
hoped that these were almost at an end. (Cheers.)

The Earl of MAvo, in returning ;thanks for the
Lord-Lieutenant, expressed his opinion that the
Prince of Wales, on his forthcoming visit to Ire-
land would experience such a reception as would
induce his Royal Highness to go there again.
The Earl of KIMBERLEY, in proposing the health
of the illustrious President, said he thought the
friends of Ireland ought to feel much obliged to his
Royal highness for his presence there that evening.
(Cheers.) He was convinced that good would re-
sult from it. (Hear, hear.). Having on one occa-
sion, while lulling the office of Lord-Lieutenant,
had the honour to receive the Prince of \Vales at
Dublin, he could state from his own knowledge that
his Royal Highness took the deepest interest in all
that concerned the welfare of Ireland, and showed
the greatest anxiety to make himself acquainted
with her affairs. The Prince had made himself ac-
quainted with her affairs, and was in a position to
give an intelligent and a just opinion on the matter.
This was of great importance for Ireland. (Cheers.)
He thought he might venture to say that the Prince
of Wales felt an affection for Ireland. (Renewed
cheers.)
The toast was drunk with all the honours, and
with unusual enthusiasm.
The Prince of WALES—I am exceedingly grati-
fied by the very kind terms in which my noble
friend has proposed my health, and the more than
cordial manner in which you, my lords and gentle-
men, have received it. I hope I need not assure you
that it has been a source of great pleasure to me to
take the chair at a dinner in aid of a society which
does so much for the benefit of so many children
of the poorer Irish in London. (Cheers.) My
noble friend has alluded to my approaching visit to
Ireland. I shall only say that I am glad to visit a
portion of the United Kingdom in which I have
experienced such extensive kindness from all parties.
I agree with the noble lord the Chief Secretary for
Ireland. if this visit should tend to give pleasure
to the people of Ireland I hope there may be a longer
visit hereafter. (Loud and long continued cheering.)
During the course of the last twa years there has
been much that has been disagreeable to loyal
Irishmen ; but I am convinced that the people of
Ireland generally are thoroughly true and loyal,
and that the disaffection which has existed will only
be of short duration. (Hear, hear.) It has not been
engrafted on the minds of any portion of the Irish
people by the Irish people themselves. (Re-
newed cries of " Hear„hear.") But as we are as-
sembled here for a purely charitable object this is not
the place for political allusions. I shall therefore
conclude by once more thanking you for the kind
way in which you have drunk my health, and for
the manner in which you have supported me this
evening.
In responding for " The Vice-Presidents,"
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE expressed his belief
that the visit of the Prince of Wales would be at-
tended with good results.
After the toast of " The Ladies," to which
Viscount HAMILTON responded, the company se-
parated.
The amount contributed to the funds of the
charity was about £1,200, which included 100
guineas from the Queen, and a similar sum from
the Prince of Wales.

RETIREMENT OF LORD DERBY. —At a meeting of
the committee of the Metropolitan Working Men's Con-
s•~rvative Association, held at the offices, 11, Parliament-
street, Westminster, oa Monday evening, the following
was read from Lord Derby, in reply to the resolutions
passed at the Freemasons' Tavern expressive of sympathy
at the cauSo which necessitated his lordship's retirement
from the leadership of the constitutional party :—" House
of Commons' Library, March 13, 1868.—Sir,—I have re-
ceived Lord Derby's direction to acknowledge your letter
of the 'it It inst., enclosing resolutions passed at a meeting
of the Metropolitan Working Mon's Conservative Associa-
tion on the Gth inst. Lord Derby is very sensible of the
kindness of the terms in which the first resolution was
couched, and I am desired by him to express to you, and
through you to the association, his sincere thanks for the
honour they have done him.—l have the honour to be,sir
your obedient servant, FRED. STANLEY.—Mr. F. W.
Jarvis, &c."
THE TEA DUTY IS REDUCED. —Horn/males Pare Tea is
sold 3d. per pound Cheaper. This interesting fact will, whoa
fully known, even further increase the demand for these
Choice, long-approved Teas. They are not sold loose, but
only tin Packets, signed "iforniman," Loudon.