The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-21 00:00:00

STATE OP IRELAND.

(recut TUC ountetet EVILNING POST OF SATI/11D1T.)
Almost all the handon papers received since Thurs-
day contain formal, but sufficiently alarming, %rides on
the state of Ireland. The Best nitrate of etery raper is
that. whatever may be the cause. I relaml is test v-rging
to a Rebellion. When we consider the extent and ilure•
tion of the disturbances in the Month, sal the 'trance
contrast which they form with the ordinary course of
things in Ragland, we are not by any means surpriseet
at the mistake into which our British Contemporaries
have fallen ; yet, if they looked to the hirory of 'fee-
-1 land since the commencement of the let.. reign, they
would hesitate before they arrived at this coeclusiote
For full sixty years, these has not been a !estrum an-
distinguished by some of the features which at prefect
give to the South of Ireland so formidable an aspect.
And yet. in the year 1797, the year previone to the Ile-
hellion, this very part of Ireland was distinguished for
its loyalty, at the period of General Heechr's E:xreeition.
It is not at present necessary to inquire into ti e can-es
which produced this deplurable catastrophe; but, not-
withstanding the refrneenry and turhnlent spirit of our
Peasantry, we are satisfied, that, if they were not alive
lately goaded into the field; they would have continegl
loyal to the King and attached to the connexion. The
truth is—a truth which seems to be forgotten in most
of the discussions on Irish alTairs.—that it Is of lure(
grievance'', of peculiar hardship', the peasantry have to
complain, and that it is these, and not any general prin.
eiple, which have produced the present ilisterbanres. Let
Itheir wretchedness be nftigated—let their grievane es
be removed.
.aud we would hear no more of disturb.
antes. It is not denied, even by the 1114lignern of their
Country, by those who seem to glory in her sheltie aunt Lee
disgrace, that the peasaetry have grievance s— that they
are the most wretched race of brines en the fare of the
earth. Mr. Buxton, the other night iii the Meuse of
Commons. said that he looked upon the qutstion of Ne-
gro Slavery as mote important than the hish Qiiestiiin,
and the declaration eel cheered by the flononrable
House. Now, Mr. Buxton, we believe, is conaected by
some property with Ireland. We have heard that he w.s
educated in our University, and, of c ourse, he may be
supposed to know something more of the sire of this
country than the pnglish Members generally. This, ae
least, he knows,—that the Irish peasantry are notch more
miserable, more harassed, more de-patting and more
desperate than the African Negro. Melte them as com-
fortable as the latter—give them as much wholesome
food to eat—allow them to wont in peace—and take not
from them a moiety of the scanty pittance for purposes
which they think hostile to their well-being, and you
will hear nothing of the Irish peasant, but that he is
industrious, docile, and gra.eful. Mr. Buxton is a very
pious and charitable man—charitable in the philanthropic
sense cf the word ; but, except when he would perpe-
tuate the moeopely of the Brewers in public-houses, his
charity does not beein at home. it may be prejudice in
us—it may be sellishness, perhaps—but we really ima-
gine, that the Irish Question is much more important
than the Question of the Slave Trade. We own se have
a greater regard for Ireland than the Sugar Islands; and
we do think Irishmen as interesting to humanity as
Black-a-moors from the Gold Coast. Again, Mr. John
Smith, a most worthy Gentleman, who honorably distin-
guished himself in the Irish Subscription last Summer,
has observed, that all the miseries of !retail I are owing
to the want of moral cultivation. Ile say., that thr
People are cot educated. We are rather iticlined to be-
lieve that a very great mistake prevails in England on
, this point—ce believe, generally speaking, there is as
much educatioa, that is to say, as much reading an 1
writing, amou the Poor of Irelan I, as among the sem ,
class in Eneland.—But suppose there is co:, eve would
beg leave to ask Mr. Smith, in what way would kno;c-
ledge act as a sedative upon the habits of the Irish pea-
santry, their physical and political condition remaining
' unaltered? lVe are among those who think it would be
productive of more danger to the State than srfety.—
Again we say. give them enough to eat, plenty of cork.
and a snug cabin, not liable to be rifled by the Tithe
Proctor, or by the Agents of the Grand Jury Jobbers,
or by the Divers of the Gentlemen, and they will ho
tranquil.—!'ntil something radical of this kind be done,
it is quite useless to talk of the effects of education in
aireltureting their habits.
But this, certain individuals among the Irish gentry
are very far from contemplating. Sir Nicholas Col-
thurst says, that the Insurrection Act is cot auffirient—
that in Cork and Limerick this Act has not hitherto
produced soy amelioration—that, in a word, nothing
will do but Martial Law. 'Fhe happy idea is seized wit'.
enthusiasm by Lord Ennismore, who was pl.eised to
pronounce a glowing invective open the chat-slier of
his countrymen. Knowing that these sentiment+ pre-
vail to .t very great extent among the upper ranks of
society—seeing as we do every day, that they regard this
peasantry as a distinct and separate class, are we to he
i surprise I that the peasantry, in return, reeled the
Lords of the soil with any feeling, save those of attach-
' 'tient and veneration? The con feet of these, and of
' other Irish gentlemen, show pretty clearly to the Bri-
tish Parliemeot how Ireland has been treated ; an 1 the
philoropliic spit it of the British people ail e eily per-
ceive one cause, at least, of the disturbances of Ireland:.
Sir Nicholas Colthurst and Lord Ennismore, howeeer,
will not obtain Martial Law at present. They will n it
obtain an instrument, the use of which must be very ex-
pensive, an I what, rerleaps, is of minor roesideratton,
the abase of which might be very trementleue In
short, teere will l e no rebellion. Government will pre -
vent this by width. Idiag the read—fur Government
linens cell, that though it would be easy to imp-
press the insurgents; if they should be so in:a-
nte:eel as to take the field, yet even this wind I ho
amen led with no Utile expense ; an expense which it
tvollel be very foolish to incur at present, whets
there is a prohelity of England being engaged in .s
War. Itssiitee, we would ask those Gentlemen, suppeae
a Rebellion raged to-morrow in the Province of Munster
—and suppose what would eve:a:lily be the case, that a
series .T brilliant victories should be of tained ov-r a mad
and desperate population, what ultimate good would this
do them ? They would not he 1 bit nearer to Treece after
the rebellion was pen do en. and they could nut cc rtei nle
receive compemution to the am stint of their :oases. Ti e
Comities could not alert it, .es in 1793, nor woeld the
; Government grant it. I trelim t t lid ir rents troll, I he as
knell,' sad thaw as tin oy er: act? —a::.i. the beat ilibaliima

they could desire would not add a sixpence to their in-
com►_perhaps for years it would leave them without any
at all. Na; Gentlemen, there will he no rebellion—do
n•hat You ran, you will not extract Martial Law from the
(iov►rnment—for though you may wish it, they do not.
Tbongh the Insurrection Act has hitherto failed in Cork
and Limerick, it is impossible not to admit, that to a cer-
tain ex'ent it has succeeded in that I•ith-rto most refrae-
t.ory county in Ireland, Tipperary. It harisuesteedeal,
weed, in every other comity of Monster. with those two
exceptions—and thong]) we are not disposed, by any
means, to lay the stress on its operation, which its'Atlvo-
tees choose to do—though we think it will he ultimately
"sees•, as to permanrnt tranquillity, we do most r-lnct-
antly admi►, that while the present state of things conti-
nue. Government have no other alternative.

The People of Enpland,ltowever, or, at least the Press
of England imagine that this Country is on the brink of
Rebellion. In one of the leading papers. The Morniag.
Chroitide, we find the following paragraph
The private letters received ells morning from Ireland,
are filled with the most gloomy apprehensions for the
future security of that most interesting part of the Empire.
A general rising of the people was anticipated, and it was
fewred that it would prove more formidable than any of the
former Efforts, for wretchedness and discontent were at a
tearful height amongst them. The success of the French
i t Spain increased the religious bigotry of the lower orders
of the people, with a part of whom it was even Humoured
that the Court of Rome was conducting a private corre-
sionlence. The affttctions and respect of the Irish must he
rainPri. and that quickly, for one thousand bayonets cannot
retain the Country in tranquillity, unless something be done
to amend the grievances, and to alleviate the miseries under
which its inhabitants at present suffer. French bigotry has
produced the greatest calamities to the Peninsula, and the
tame 1 tolerant principles may find their way into Ireland,
end create a furious ant Religious contest forsuperiority.—
Surely private interests should give way before the due Ad-
ministration of justice in this part of the British Empire,
and exertions should he made to render the labour of the
people produrtive. and to secure to them the enjoyment of
the fruits of their industry."
The greeter part of this paragraph is trash. it sapposea
Volt the upper ranks of the People, or rather of the Catho-
lics,
are delighted with the Bourbons and the invasion of
Spain. Nothing can be more contrary to the truth. They
I•iolt upon the conduct of the French with disgust, and pray
most cordially far their utter nnnihi:ation. With respect to
the Court of Rome, who would imagine that a liberal Jour-
otitis would era tuitously broach such a mischlevoes false-
hood ? The Court of Rome, or rather the Nee of Rome, is
only in correspondence with the Catholic Hierarchy, and, if
ttere be any other class of men so spotless in character, so
anxious to promote the well-being of their Country, and
who have acted so religiously in preaching obedience to the
itstituted Authot hies, we should be glad The Chronicle
would have the goodness to point them out for our edifica-
tion. We would only rsfer The Chronicle to Doctor Doyle,
the Catho,ic Bishop of Leigh' in's Pas'oral. Rut, indeed, the
whole paragraph is a tissue of folly. The disturbances un-
happily continue, but they are chit fly confined to two Coun-
ties. But, as to Rebellion, there is no more idea of It here
then there is iu the United States of America.

THE ETON MUNTEM.

The Scholastic Jubilee, known by this title, which has
misted from time immemorial, and is celebrated every
third year, took place yesterday, with the accustomed so-
lemnities at this classic spot, and Irmr it not for the 'un-
f •rtnnate absence of Royalty, the whole would have gone
oir with a joyous magnificenre scarcely ever witnessed on
any similar occasion. This is a tribute to juvenile talent,
whirls forms a remarkable trait in our national charac-
ter: and it must excite no common share of interest,
when one considers that warriors, legislators, and states-
men, in embryo, were among the actors in this introsing
seen!. There has always been a numerous attendance of
roblesnen an I gentlemen of fortune, relatives of the Eton
scholars; and the number yesterday was greater than,
;tether, was ever witnessed before. During the whole
of Sunday and Monday, visitors from London and all
parts of the surrounding country continued to arrive at
Windsor and Eton. The crowd on Monday evening was
so great, that the inns and private lodging-houses were
all occupied ; not a decent bed could be had for less than
a guinea a night; and many persons were obliged to re.
pose upon chairs or sofas. Meanwhile every coach that
arrived from London brought a cargo of boxes, filled
with the splendid new dresses which were to be worn by
tae scholars; with whom study and discipline were ea-
t:rely snopenJed. Their amusements chiefly consisted of
:vitae excursions; and in the evening there was a grand
towing match, which excited considerable interest. A
party of young gentlemen front Oxford, who came to vi-
sit time a cue of their preparatory studio', where bold ad-
venturers disdain the limits of their little reign, entered
the lists with a party of their former comp anions ; two
sisemred fannies started about five o'clock from Eton-
bridge, one of them manned by the Oxonian., the other
b) the Etonians ; and after a sharp contest of three miles
sip the titer and back again, the race was won by the lat-
ter, in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators who
acre sexted on each bank.
At an early hour yesterday morning, every thing was
in a state of preparation for the grant procession to the
favoumitr mount. Near 300 young gentlemen, some of
neon splendidly attired in scarlet military dresses, with
s our& and Field Marshals' hats, and many others in
glittei ing silks and turbans and feathered •caps, such as
are worn by the heroes in Asiatic Melodramas, were all
drawn up in the principal square of the College. Abiut
ten o'clock they partook of a sumptuous breakfast set out
for them in one of the great rooms. .By this time two
military bands arrive 1, and continned playing several
11{1.1t 11 it airs. The square and ell'the avenues leading to
time I ()liege were cron deal by persons of all descriptions ;
by tar alme greater number, 'however, were biFhly respect-
able in appearance and elegantly dressed Ihe 'females
%rrr by far the mast numerous. All these were in cowl-
mai mothen until half-past one o'clock ' • soaretparties of
them meshing into, and some oat of theColl-ge- and it
often happened that the opposing crowds blocked up the
gate io sttelkiense bodies that for half an hour at a time
mut rest' and egsess became impracticable. A laigr party
tit the bglt blistered gentry, who had come down from
London for tha.purptne, took advantage of this confusion,
and lighted several gentlemen of their purses and watches.
This ntifortainate state 4f things was chiefly o •cosiont at
by a want of precaution on the pert of the prim tipals of
time 1:-Ilege, in not procuring some vigilant police-officers
from London, instead of whom, they employed parties of
soldiers, who might hes well hare uttesuptell to s•orm the
fortress of St...Sehastian, as to defeat the niannmeres of
Loudon thieves.
About half-past one, all the scholars, healed by the
blareschal, Mr. Thackeray, and their Captain, Mr. Bar-
nard, and preceded by the military hands, were drawn up
in the meadow in military array, and proceeded on their
march through Slough, ad Monteta. Many hours be-
tore this, young gentlemen in splendid dresses were sta-
tioned at al time entrances leading to Etun for the pur-
pose of coßectint salt. In other words, they stopped
every passenger whether on foot or horseback, or in car- ,
liege', anal made them deposit a sacs of money in their 1
large purses. Bach contributor received a small ticket
with the words, Nor pro.lege —rivet Re.r—" Custom for
lea—lung live,theArisg ; —and those tickets stuck in
the hats of the.men, or in the bosoms of the women,
served as pupils against future demands. All persons
walking tairou4h theGullege or ti.e vices were aegosted
in the same manlier by the salt b , who even kouck-
ed at every door tp demand. money. The procession to-
wards Salt-bill wasielipwed by a line of carriages more
numerals, than werstaver seen here before. They °emu
pied a line of about tap -miles and a half. One-third of
them were the betouclies‘and chariot. of Noblemen,
awoag which we observed thole pf the Duke of Devon-