The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-21 00:00:00

COVE, PASSAGE,

Your readers who have not seen the Cove of Cork, and,
indeed, the scenery all round in going up to the harbour, can
form but an imperfect idea of its beauty from the short and
inadequate account whiCl I can here furnish. On either
side of this land-locked estuary there are romantic islands
and head-lands, and hills topped by forts, and other places of
strength. Two of the outer islands are called the Cow and
Calf, on the starboard side ; and here we fired a salute at
about Bh. sm. p.m., having then steamed from Liverpool,
275 to 280 miles. We had thus accomplished the voyage in
about thirty-three hours, or about 81 miles an hour through-
out, which, considering that the engines are as yet stiff, and
that the wind was strong and unfavourable, may be said to be
excellent going. It is probable too, that from two to three
hours were lost by steering so fai to the southward in the
night, a precaution, however, which, as before stated, was
ssary under the circumstances.

The forts on each side of the estuary, at its entrance, are
called respectively Cambden and Carlisle forts. The scenery
that opens out upon the spectator sailing up is peculiarly va-
ried and striking. It combines the united charms of lake
and land, yllrages, towns, country seats, 'ernbosorned
amongst woods, and nested on the hills ; old castles, &c.,
thickly gemming a beautifully undulated country, rich with
fertile fields and lofty woods. In about half an hour from
entering from the open sea we reached Cove, a beautiful
town, built on the face of a hill, with churches and pub-
lic buildings of white stone, and cottages to the water's edge.
On the right, in running up, we saw a charming village or
bathing place, in a romantic bay, and the houses, as white as
snow, reflected on the waters. On the left, rising out of the
sea, arc the government store-houses, large fine buildings,
on an island. We dashed up close to the town of Cove, and
let go our anchor. The inhabitants were seen running to
the lower streets and esplanades, to look at our big ship ; and
an American brig, close to the shore, and a cutter, fired a
salute. We speedily returned the compliment, and the
sound reverberated amongst the hills. Having immediately
afterwards learned that some gentlemen at Passage, a place
further up the river, had prepared to give the directors a
welcome reception, we again weighed anchor in smart style,
and setting the engines a-going, proceeded onward, in a tor-
tuous direction, through a narrower channel, with forts,
islands, and a beautiful wooded shore on each side.
It was now becoming dusk, but after the view of the wide
sea we had had through the day, nothing could be more de-
lightful or refreshing to the senses than was the panorama
formed by the *beautiful hills, seats, and marine villas that
everywhere met the eye from this spot. We made a sharp
turn to the right in-going up, and rapidly neared Passage.
Here the width of the channel, from shore to shore, does
not, I should think, exceed a quarter of a mile ; and it must
have been a magnificent sight for those on the shore to see
so large a ship rushing up at full speed, like a floating island,
so 'close to"the land. Passage lies on the west side, and is a
small but bustling place, with a custom-house, inns, &c.
There are smart river steam-boats constantly plying on the
river, and calling here on their way backwards and forwards
between Cove and, Cork. The villas, cottages, and other
dwellings on the wooded heights on each side are beautiful
and picturesque.
Passage is about five miles from Cork. We reached it at
five minutes before ten o'clock. Before we got to it, the
gentlemen who had resolved to welcome us began a sort of
feu de joie by sending uprockets and firing pieces of artillery.
The commander of one of the neighbouring forts being
known to some of the company to which the President be-
longs, had sent down four pieces of artillery and a sufficient
number of men: They blazed away in fine style, and we re-
plied in a similar way. Our guns roused a hundred echoes
in the hills and valleys around us. We also sent up rocket
for rocket, and two lads were stationed aloft, one on each
topsail yard-arm with blue lights. The shore meantime re-
verberated with shouts of welcome and surprise; the even-
ing was beautifully placid, and all seemed to give a joyous
welcome to the " big ship." Numerous boats came along
side loaded with the curious ; and many of the gentlemen
went on shore, where a splendid supper was provided for
them. Some few also found their way to Cork, by cars over
land.
During the whole time the ship remained at Passage, she
was literally besieged by visiters, including all the nobility
and gentry of the country side. Better dressed or more re-
spectable individuals as a mass, no part of the kingdom could
produce, and the greatest good humour and harmony pre-
vailed throughout. Mr..Stubbs's band, dressed in uniform,
began to,play choice selections at an early hour on the morn-
ing after our arrival. and continued to give occasional enliven-
ment to the gala during the stay of the ship. A temperance
band from Cork was also *on board of a vessel moored close
to the quay as a landin,g_stage. A fine ship, the Osceola, lay
3noe aorru4so. y
ds hs ooufl dtl'lset a
shore,by at hper
ouo•afy,
at lsuisth
eo udr s r
awhsi p layup w
upwards
ar
di tsh
oinf
15 feet of water, of the excellence of this harbour, though
considerably in land.
While all this was going on, the gentlemen who remained
on board enjoyed their meals and intermediate refreshments,
which were served with scrupulous regularity. It would be
impossible to estimate the number of individuals who visited
the ship in the two days, while she lay at Passage, and amongst
whom a great proportion were elegantly dressed ladies. 1
should be wanting in gallantry, and in justice, however, did I
not here add that a lovelier bevy of beautieS never met the
eye of the enthusiast, or visited the dream of the poet. There
is something peculiarly attractive in Irish beauty, and without
flattery it might be said *of-many of the ladies *her -trod the
deck of the President, that " grace was in all their steps,
heaven in their eyes; in every gesture dignity and love."
The number who visited the vessel on the two days do not
probably amount to fewer than six to seven thousand. Cork
indeed and its neighbourhood on this occasion poured out
her " loveliest and her best." I need scarcely add that
Captain Fayrer and his officers had some work on their bands
to welcome such a company and show them the ship, her
cabins and equipments. They were all unremtting in their
attentions, and the greatest good humour and urbanity pre-
vailed. Not the slightest accident occurred notwithstanding
the number of boats that swarmed alongside, all of them
anxious for precedence,—if I except a ludicrous upset of three
lads, who were rescued immediately.
On the morning after our arrival an excellent breakfast was
again partaken of by the gentlemen on board, amongst whom
was that veteran Sir J. Tobin, a deserved favourite on all
nautical occasions, and who always sticks to his ship. A.
great number of our passenger guests now dispersed them-
selves in different directions, some visiting Cove and the
neighbouring country, but a greater number finding their
way to Cork, either by steam-boats or by cars. I preferred
the former mode, in order the better to view the scenery on
each side of the river, and I do not remember to have seen,
even in a southern or tropical climate, anything more beau-
tiful. The entrance, indeed, to Cork harbour is replete with
all that can enrich the landscape, in wood and water. The
estuary above Passage widens out like a lake, and then again
contracts towards the town. 1 embarked in a pretty green
painted steamer, " The Maid of Erin,"—for the Irish will
have everything green. The succession of views on either
side was beautiful. Some of the gentlemen's seats are built
in the Elizabethan style. There is great undulation and va-
riety in the land, which presents an agreeable and rich ad-
mixture of hills, woods, gardens, and lawns, with many large
mansions, fanciful villas, cottages, bathing retreats, and rustic
pleasure-houses. There are also some ruinated places of
strength and antiquity, includin4 Monktown Castle, once a
fine structure, now suffered to fall into decay. Many seats
and cottages were pointed out to me ; but I have not time
to particularise. The lake part of the river is called Loch
Monghan. The channel thence narrows, and runs to the
westward,' and the land becomes higher, covered with trees
to the top, and studded with beautiful mansions, terraces,
and cottages. On entering the narrow part towards Cork, a
handsome embattled fort, with towers, called Black Rock
Castle, stands on the south point, founded on a rock. Here
there is a telegraph, but the place is not garrisoned. Through-
out the whole distance numerous pretty sailing and row boats
are met with, many of them crowded with parties of plea-
sure. On the right, and on the face of a wooded hill, is
the seat of D. O'Callan, M.P. for the city of Cork.
_We here met another steam-boat, the " Queen," com-
ing down, and crowded to excess, with passengers going
to pay a visit to another potentate, " The President." The
diversity of scenery is such, in approaching Cork, that any
attempt to describe it would only " bother" me and your
readers to boot. Let them only go there and see and they
will pardon the admiration I have expressed. We passed a
convent on the left, also a ruined castle, covered with ivy,
amidst fine groves of trees. Here is also the seat of Mr.
Morgan, the verdure round which is rich and variegated.
On the right, nearer to Cork, are shipbuilding yards and
slips, and here some fine vessels are built. On approaching
nearer to the city, the Custom-house faces the voyager,—on
a neck or point, which divides the channel into two, the north
and south. We soon ran up past a quantity of shipping on
each side the walls that inclose the river, and here saw "the
Ocean," (steamer,) which had come from Liverpool on the
previous morning in 3G hours—having missed the stormy
night we had encountered. Here also was a large Bristol
steamer , " The Queen," and another that runs to Dublin
and Glasgow

CORK

We are now, Mr. Editor, in Cork, and as your readers
must generally have read of it, I shall be brief in noticing it.
Cork is the southern metropolis of Ireland, scarcely inferior
in wealth and population to Dublin, and withal a splendid
and thriving city. Many of the streets are wide and beau-
tiful, in the court part of the town, south of the river Lee,
on the banks of which it stands. The population is said to
be upwards of 80,000, and with the environs probably more.
There are good shops and " stores," several large public
buildings, and three or four good small stone bridges across
the Lee—the town being on both sides. The site of the
south side is nearly level ; that of the north 'or poorer part,
is on the face of an acclivity.

Several of our passenger-guests betook themselves to the
" Imperial," an excellent hotel near the Postoffice. I and
several others, after, cursorily seeing the principal streets,
strolled up the hill, amongst the poorer inhabitants ; where,
however, is the great butter-market, a general market, and,
I must add, a rag-market. The peculiarity of Irish charac-
ter, and the diversity of their circumstances in life, is vividly
shown in Cork., Here are well-dressed ladies and gentlemen,
rolling in wealth; there, the extremes of misery and destitu-
tion. Like everything Irish, there is even an inversion of
locality in the grades of society. The lower, or humbler
classes, inhabit the higher parts of the town, and the higher
the lower parts. Notwithstanding the elevation of the north
part, such is the want of proper sewerage, and the accmula-
tion of manure, &c., that the savour is anything but odorous.
Yet even here there are good dwelling-houses, and not a few
efiontebuildings
iwithin the outskirts, tasty mansions and
tascarcely possible to conceive a stranger ad
mixture. Many of the women go barefooted—a fashion pe-
culiar also to Scotland. I walked a considerable length of
ground (in company with an intelligent friend from the ship)
on that side, but mistaking our way we did not obtain so good
a view or the main part of the city, which lies in a valley, as
we anticipated. In the evening I found a new road, whence
the view was most magnificent, but as darkness set in, I re-
turned to the city,
BaLARNEY nd " took
CASTLE
mine ease at my inn."
.
Having heard of Blarney Castle, I rose at five o'clock next
morning, and walked out to that celebrated ruin. I was told
that the journey was but four miles, but I found it at least
six English miles.
The first part of the road was through a long straggling
succession of cottages on the north-west of the city, known
by the, cognomen of " Blarney-lane." But I must be brief.
I turned at a little public-house
.to the right, called Blarney
Cross, with a vacant space in front, but no cross that I could
discover. From this road the valley of the Lee is open to
the view, with an extensive country to the south and west,
all cultivated in cord fields and pastures, &c., enclosed with
but few trees,—in the Scottish style. A smart walk brought
me to Blarney village, before reaching which, the traveller
will see Blarney Castle—all that is thence visible of it through

high trees being a large square lofty stone tower embattled at
the top, but grey with moss, and partly delapidated. It is
situated on the margin of a pleasing valley, and is surrounded
by rich lands, with clumps of trees. I had to walk across a
lawn, on the south of it, to find .the female who keeps the
keys, and she accompanied me back, and took me to the
" kissing stone," a chip or two of which I contrived to bring
with me. The old lady seeing me a little shy insisted upon
my kissing the stone, (or rather stones—for it has got broken
in two), which I did with all due respect, so that you need
not be surprized should I tip you a little of the blarney.
The castle has doubtless been once a splendid place. The
ascent to the top is by spiral stone stairs, of 218 steps, and
the " kissing stone') is on the top of the north-east
corner of the town. The walls- are thick, and have
enclosed some large apartments, but the roof and floors have
been suffered to go to decay. Adjoining, on the lower part,
on the east, are the remains of a portion of the castle, of a
more modern date, with towers and numerous windows ; but
this, too, has, comparatively of late years been abandoned to
the weather. A brook, or small river,, winds under the castle,
on the north side, and below are a dungeon and a cave on the
rocky foundation. The view from the top of the lamlet and
church of Clarney, and the adjacent country, is very delight-
ful. On the demesne of the castle 600 head of cattle are fed.

I found my way back to Cork by a route rather less tor-
tuous, and soon afterwards proceeded down to passage to join
the ship. My Blarney journey, and a short delay in Cork,
had nearly lost me my passage ; I was, indeed, all but left
behind.

FROM COVE TO DUBLIN.
We sailed from Passage at a quarter -past five o'clock on
the evening, of Saturday, and steered down in fine style past
Cove and out again to sea, bound for Dublin. The weather

was fine at the time, but ratherl;Ty:Several ofour passengers
had left us at Cork and gone over land by coach to Dublin,
where a few of them afterwards joined us. We had an
accession of others, hewever, belonging to Cork and its
neighbourhood, Amongst those were some gentlemen who

came down to CoVeTi;aTeaal'ini c-u'itei7yaclit, the Vampire,
including Mr. James Roberts, brother of the commander of
the steam-ship British Queen, a gentleman who is one of
the most extensive farmers in the South of Ireland.
The distance by sea to Dublin is estimated at about
about 190 to 200 miles. We made probably the larger
course, keeping outside the banks and shoals that extend
along this part of the coast until we got pretty well to the
northward. The night was rather stormy, with a heavy sea
running, and we were considerably detained by the necessity
of " heaving to," or rather " stopping the ship," to heave
the lead,—our course being determinable in the night, in a
great degree, by the depth of water. The haze was also
thick during the night. In the morning the weather became

moderate, and we were off the coast of Wicklow. The en-
gines worked well throughout, giving at times 15 strokes a
minute—the vessel going about eleven knots an hour.
As we ran on we neared the sugar loaf hills, and afterwards
kept closer to the shore. The views of the coast were inte-
resting, this county being one of the best wooded in Ire-
land. We saw the two white' lighthouses, and the fort
on the point south of Wicklow bay, about nine o'clock, and

soon afterwards the town itself, With several vessels sailing
along near it. •In the back ground there are, besides 'noun-

tains nearly covered with treis, others rocky and craggy, with

scanty veraure in the interstices—doubtless the favourite

haunts of grouse and other game. Soon afterwards we saw
the bill of Houth, at the mouth of Dublin bay, and

beyond it Lamby island, and " Ireland's Eye." The coast,
as we dashed along, presented new and interesting features ;
but as it is generally known, I shall not trouble your readers
with particulars. After passing the fishing village of Bray,
between this and Kingstown, the shore is rocky, and on an
island, forming a point, stands a martello town and other
buildings. Behind, on a rocky hill, there is a church, the
spire of which, rising over the eminence, forms a conspicuous
object. When off Kingstown, the " Royal William" steam-
ship, of your port, came out and hailed us. She afterwards
went up to Dublin, and doubtless announced our arrival.
We also passed the " Mountaineer" steamer, outward bound.
The harbour of Kingstown is so well known that little
need be here said respecting it. It is a large sheet of clear
deep water, enclosed, as it were, from the sea by a wall or
breakwater, with quays, &c. going round it nearly in a circle,
a narrow entrance being left on th east only. The anchorage
is good. The town in which there are several large public
buildings, lies on the west •, and there is a railway to Dublin,
along the west side of the bay of that city. We reached the
anchorage at. twelve o'clock, after a passage from Cork of
eighteen .hours. We had no sooner cast anchor than boats

innumerable came alongside, filled with passengers to view
the ship. They were admitted during the whole day, to the
number of many thousands, of ladies and gentlemen and
tradespeople, nearly all of whom came down from Dublin,
with the steam-boats or by the railway. The ship was like a
fair the whole day. Anchored at a short distance from us
lay H.M.S. Inconstant, one of the first and fastest frigates in
the navy—a truly beautiful vessel. The public were admit-
ted to see her ; and her officers, with a party of ladies, came
on board of the President, at the invitation of Capt. Fayrer,
and were highly gratified. The noise of the boatmen along-
side, and their battles to obtain and land passengers, formed
an amusing scene. There were also here, a beautiful gun-
brig, of 16 guns, belonging to the navy, and several fine
revenue cutters. At the quays were several large government
steam-ships, and the harbour was covered with handsome
yachts and pleasure boats, sailing about. About four hours
after our arrival, the yacht Vampire, before noticed, and
which had sailed along with us from Cork, came into the
harbour in gallant style, having made an excellent run.
Many' of our passengers landed and proceeded to Dublin
or its vicinity for the day. Several of these dined at King-
stown, and nearly all returned by seven or eight in the even-
ing, and after refreshments, returned to their respective '
sleeping places.
It was determined to proceed towards Liverpool by about
three o'clock in the morning, and the announcement induced
many of the passengers to withdraw from the festive board
earlier than they otherwise would have done.
About eleven o'clock however, an alarm was heard which
induced those who heard it to rush to the deck. The cry
Was—" there is a man overboard ! " Mr. Dunean, the third
officer in command, and whose gallant conduct you had occa-
sion to notice when he belonged to the Liverpool steam-ship,
was at the time retiring to his berth, after a previously sleep-
less night passed with his brother officers on coming up
from Cork, and heard a plunge in the water near the bow of
the ship. He had his boots and part of his dress off, and
ran up to the spar deck to ascertain what accident had oc-
curred. By the faint light he perceived two individuals
struggling in the water, and in imminent danger. lie imme-
diately leaped overboard from a height that presented fearful
t odds against an ordinary swimmer., and after great exertions,
"and'a narrow escape, succeeded in saving the lives of Both—
a man and a boy. The man's name we afterwards learned,
was Charles IN aldener. lie is the second cook of the ship,
had gone on shore, and come off to the ship in a small boat
or punt, guided by a lad named Atkinson. In approaching
the vessel, the boat by some means, not precisely ascer-
tained, was upset, and the parties precipitated into the
water. A considerable, and to those who witnessed it, an
anxious time elapsed before Mr. Duncan, after a necessarily
deep submersion could effect his object. The boy, grasping
at the first object in his sense of danger, seized him by the
throat, and lie had some difficulty to disentangle himself.
He, however, finally succeeded in rescuing both the men in
a great state of exhaustion. I need scarcely add that Mr.
Duncan was welcomed on board by every one with the most
heartfelt feelings of respect, and congratulations on his own
escape ; which, however, with that modesty which belongs
to true and courageous men, he endeavoured to avert by dis-
claiming all merit, and merely expressing a hope that if he
were in similar danger some one might be at hand to aidhim.
He changed his dress and appeared as if nothing had happened.
HOME VOYAGE FROM DUBLIN TO LIVERPOOL.
We are now dashing along homewards—with Holyhead
not far distant. We started from Kingstown at three
o'clock, but as we had to wait outside to secure the anchor,
the proper hour to be stated is a quarter past three, The
engines worked speedier than before, making 16 revolutions
a minute, so that the ship could not be making less than 11
or 12 knots an hour. We had also set our sails forward—
namely, foresail, top-gallant sail, and jibs, but they did not
do her much good, the speed from the steam being so great
that they frequently lifted. In four hours three quarters we
reached clear of Holyhead, the vessel having accomplished 57
miles in that short period; We passed several vessels, each
under a heavy press of sail. The bold rocky shore of
Anglesea, with its small islands, bays, and scanty up-
land verdure, afforded sonic romantic views, varying from
what they appeared when we passed them outward bound.
We sailed between the main land and the Skerries. At nine
o'clock we were off An-dwell, and immediately afterwards
passed close to the Middle Mawn. Having run down the
east of Anglesea, we came in view of Penguin Island, and the
shores on each side the Menai Straits. At a quarter past
ten o'clock we were off the Ormshead. The speed of the
engine was now frequently upwards of sixteen revolutions
per minute, and the ship was found to run frequently four-
teen knots, by the long line. We met the Merlin govern-
ment mail-boat, Captain Townley, bound to Dublin. The
swiftness with which the vessels passed each other was sur-
prising. Captain Fayrer, and other gentlemen, exchanged
civilities with Captain Townley, and the band played
" Hearts of Oak,' but the roar of our paddle-wheels, which
dashed the sea into a sheet of foam on each side, probably
prevented the band from being heard on board the mail-
' boat, We now overhauled two large ships running up chan-
nel, with studding sails set below and aloft.
While running along by the Victoria Channel, a meeting
of the gentlemen on board was held in the saloon, for the
purpote of presenting to Mr. Duncan a testimonial of their
respect for his gallant conduct on the previous night, in
Kingstown harbour; or rather to prepare for the purchase of a
piece of plate to be presented to him, the immediate object
being that lie might learn how his devotion to the cause of
humanity—the brightest characteristic of the genuine British
sailor —was appreciated by all on board, many of whom
might not have another opportunity of meeting him. A
handsome subscription was immediately entered into for the
purchase of a snuff-box, which is to bear the following

INSCRIPTION

" Presented by the Directors of the British and American
Steam Navigation Company, and tbq Captain and Officers of
the President (Captain Fayrer, R.N.), and their Friends on
board of that vessel, to Mr. Duncan, as a mark of their ap-
probation of his gallant and ineretorious condtict, in jumping
overboard, and saving two men from a watery grave, in
Kingstown Harbour, on the 19th July, 1840."
The compliment thus conveyed was communicated to Mr.
Duncan by one of the directors in handsome terms, and he
returned thanks in terms the most unassuming.
When your readers are reminded that Mr. Duncan is the
same gentleman who, during the last voyage of the Liverpool
from New York, with the carpenter of the ship, gallantly
leaped overboard, and saved the life of a man who had fallen
from the vessel during a stormy sea, and could not long hays
survived, nothing need, I think, be added to induce the pub-
lic to come forward, and add to the value of the testimonial
which is about to be presented to him. Such men are wor-
thy of the civic crown.
The:Dee now opened out, and in!the intermissions between
some slight showers, when the sun partially looked out, the
Cheshire and Lancashire shores were both distinguishable,
with the various objects which, as it were, belong to " home."
Tire smoke of the town was also visible, and the white houses
of Waterloo. After seeing for some days the high lands of
Ireland, these coasts looked somewhat diminutive, but were
nevertheless welcorhe to most of those on hoard. When all
the sails of the vessel were taken in she lost only half a knot
an hour, as she continued to make good 13} miles an hour.
We passed the N. W. Light Ship (15 miles from the town)
in 81 hours after leaving the Kish,
We came round the Victoria Channel, there not being suf-
ficient water in the other. By this, however, we had to run
a distance of four or five miles further. The vessel stood up
from' Formby at about 13 knots an hour. A sumptuous re-
past was then partaken of by about forty gentlemen, while
the band played *appropriate airs. When near the Formby
Light Ship she accomplished l 5 knots by the line.
In passing several ships, British and American, the Presi-
dent was loudly cheered, and the compliment was returned.
We were. opposite the Rock Light House at five minutes
past one, so that we had made the voyage to that point in
eight minutes under the ten hours. 'We fired several guns
as we passed up the river. Crowds of spectators stood on
every quay, from the Clarence dock to the Potteries, and
could not have failed to be gratified by the noble appearance
and performance of the ship. At half-past one precisely she
was opposite the Baths on George's pier, a little beyond the
starting point, so that she completed the voyage from Kings-
town, with new engines, and under some other disadvantages,
in precisely ten hours, or at the average rate of twelve nauti-
cal miles an hour, the distance being forty leagues.
The vessel passed rapidly up to her anchorage at the
Sloyne, and the gentlemen on board were landed by two
river steam-boats that came alongside for the purpose.
Thus concluded a trip, I will venture to say, Mr. Editor,
hitherto unparalleled in the annals of steam navigation, both
as regards the size and splendid accommodations of the ves-
sel by which it was accomplished, the excellent arrangements
for the comfort and enjoyment of every one on board, and,

above all, the triumph of science which the result has so
fully established. The President is a ship of immense length
and immense tonnage. It could not be doubted that she
would afford sufficient space for the " exercise" of those on
board ; but some doubt had arisen even in the minds of prac-
tical men whether she would not prove unwieldy, and difficult
to work at sea, or even in smooth water. These doubts must
be entirely dissipated by the first performance of this noble ves-
sel. She is steered with the comparative ease of a yacht, even
in a heavy sea-way, and may be worked through narrow and
intricate channels with equal ease. A more easy or finer
sea-boat it is impossible to conceive. There is no labouring,
no pitching and rolling to cause uneasiness. All is steady,
dry, and comfortable, and in point of space, convenience,
and ventilation, she cannot be surpassed.
Before concluding, I am bound in justice to notice the
peculiar kindness and attention shewn by the directors and
the captain and officers to every one on board. Nothing
could be better calculated to elicit a general feeling of satis-
faction, and, I may add, of friendship. It was, in fact, a
delightful amalgamation of parties, many of whom were be-
fore unknown to each other. There were on board gentle-
men of various countries, and particularly of England and
the United States, and apart from the conviviality of the
occasion, there was exhibited a degree of intelligence and
amity that can scarcely fail to conduce to new and favour-
able results for both countries;

In the " provisionary" department no expense or care
seemed to be spared. Mr. Hough, who provided the viands
and liqueurs, gave the utmost satisfaction : every thing was
excellent and abundant. Mr. Hemans and his assistants,
Mr. Myers and others, as stewards, were unremitting in
their attention to the guests, and there was not a want left
unsupplied. No hotel could be better appointed. The whole
establishment will, notwithstanding, be considerably aug
mented on the vessel's proceeding to America with her com-
plement of passengers, and there can exist no doubt but she
will prove herself in all points a " crack ship.".
rmay state, in conclusion, that the after cabin and saloon
were designed and executed by Mr. Simpson, .of London;
the fore cabin by Messrs. Humble and Milcrest in the joiner
work, and the painting of this and other parts of the vessel
by Mr. White, of our own town. The house on deck for a
dining-room for the fore-cabin passengers was built by
Messrs. T. and D. Service, and the plumber's work by Mr.
M`Nicol and Mr. M`Fee. The figure-head is the work of
Mr. Archibald Robertson. There are on board six engines,
and a large number of firemen.

The following tribute on the merits of the President is
written by a young lady, known to one of her gallant officers,
and one of whose productions we recently inserted, and
which was read on board on the trial trip :

ON A VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT.
What flag soars so high and so proudly in air,
What vessel so nobly doth stand ?
See the President's name in bright letters appears,
-The wonder and pride of our land.
Full many a treasure she'll bear o'er the deep,
And hearts that are valiant and true,
Oh ne'er may lov'd friend have occasion to weep
The wreck of such vessel and crew : '
So noble her structure, as if to defy
The fury of ocean or wind ;
The best that the forest and earth can supply
Are all in her service combined.
Our forefathers dream'd not, as under the shade
Of their oak they so peacefully slept,
That ere its lov'd branches and saplings should fade,
Their sire the broad ocean had swept.
Full many a valley is robbed of its pride—
The ivy laments its fond stay—
The earth has its long hidden treasures supplied,
And fair winds. shall waft her away.
And joyous and light be the hearts she shall bear,
Their voyage a flowery spring
In life's recollection, undimm'd by a tear,
And. glide on the noiseless wing.

May Friendship in bonds ever sacred and true,
With Love smiling bright at her side,
And Hope's beaming glance ever sparkle anew,
In the President ever preside.

MORE RIB BONISM IN IRELAND

We are compelled to continue our notice of the progress
of Ribbonism, by the dogged obstinacy with which its exist-
ence and dangerous tendency are denied by our Popish and
ministerial contemporaries. Let those contemporaries be at
the pains to read, and have the candour to copy, if they dare,
the following charge delivered by Judge Torrens, on Monday
week, at the Cavan Assizes, to the jury, empannelled to try
a man named James Brady, for being a:member of a Ribbon
Society, and having a copy of its pass-words in his posses-

sion.
" Judge Torrens charged the jury and drew a line between
the evidence of Gilligan and the other informers ; he did not
consider his testimony so much tainted as that of the others.
If they believed his testimony, it presented to their view a
society bound together by secret bonds and obligations, not
only through this country, but appearing in other great
towns, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, &c., and it was natural
for them to inquire what were the objects of such an associ-
ation, the designs of which were kept so secret, and the mem-
bers of which belonged to only one class of the community.
It appeared that the association were not only for the pur-
pose of redressing what they considered their wrongs, but
even for the purpose of attacking the life of a fellow-crea-
ture. whom they supposed had infringed on any of their
rules, and which hostility had, in more instances than one,
led to the death of individuals. Another witness went
further, and stated that taking arms was one of their objects ;
and they were shown to have some of the most dangerous
objects which could exist in any community not under the
government of law. His lordship next adverted to the
written evidence. The letters proved by that respectable wit-
ness; Mr. Hatton, to be the prisoner's handwriting, show the
prisoner to be superior to most men, not only in his style of
composition, but in the subject matter he selected. They
should examine the correspondence, and see whether it bore
the evidence of correspondence with the officer of a secret
association. The learned judge further animadverted on the
evidence."
Here then we have evidence conclusive enough. as ,to the
• dangerous tendency of the society ;'its extension, to Liver-
pool, Manchester, Sic.; and that it is not confined to the
very lowest grade of society, for the criminal here was a man
whose " style of composition" and " selection of his subject
matter proved him to be superior to most men." Our con-
temporary of the Journal may perhaps find fault with the
evidence alluded to by the learned judge as " tainted ;" but
we must consider that to enable a witness to give evidence
against a party accused of belonging to a secret society, he
must, in ordeer to derive his knowledge, have previously been
a member of that society, and that his evidence may on that
ground be called in some measure tainted ; and also that in
the present case that evidence was abundantly borne out by
written testimony, in the prisoner's hand-writing.