The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-04
IRELAND AS IT WAS AND As1r Is

The Rev, Thomas Edgar, one of the Irish deputa-
ton, gave lecture last evening in the large hall
OF the Cooper Institute, Ireland it was and as
IT'S. The hall was nearly half filled. He com
menced by repetition of the Oft-repeated fact that
the population of Ireland has considerably decreas
ed. He described the cruelties pracced bv the au.
thortleS upon the poor peasantry when their houses
were pulled down over their heads and they were
sent forth relentessy into the street. The retribu-
tion came in the shooting of magistrates which was
done by wholesale. This became so much of a habit
that several murders were committed by men in or
der 10 swear the murder upon another and get the
thousand pounds reward, which was offered for the
conviction OF those who attempted to murder mao
lstrates The famine had its uses 1t sent forth p
multitude of strong hands to this country who in
seven years sent back S3 500 600 to bring over their
relatives. Ireland relieved by the famine rose to
remarkable prosperity. In lS46 and IS49 one.third
OF all the population in Ireland were in the work
houses. Now there were but sc 900. In 1889, l45
men were hanged in Ireland; in 1854 there were but
four men hanged.
There were three times as many Englishmen
hanged to the million now as Irishmeu. Agricul-
ture has received an enormous impetus Millions
of acres have been reclaimed In 1857 the cattle of
Ireland were valued at $50 900 900 more than thew
were three years before. In 1857, Irish capital had
increased SIS, 900 over what it was in 1854 In
1857, there l,020 miles of railway In 1899
there were nine and one-fourh millions of letters
two years ago there fOrty-One millions In
1900 Ireland had % newspapers; in lS49, 40. In
IS49, there vera in "A towns not single bookseller.
ing of the Encountered Estates Act Under this
act one-tweltth of the surface of Ireland was sold
in three years. The men who formerly burned the
barns of Others now had barns of their own. One
man was paying S500000 a year in wages to per
sons"empOyed on his estate. But while there had
been great average increase of consumption of
luxuries in Ireland, the consumption of spirits had
considerably decreased. The moral condition of
the country was also vastly improved
The Rev. Mr. Edgar concluded by an appeal to
the benevolence of the people of New York. He
has a peculiarly Irish figure and expression, and
very thick and rich brogue tells great MANY rood
old Irish stories such that of the pig, who was in
reality going to Cork. but who thought he was
going to Ballnasloe, and said, with much gesture,
that Old King Cole was Jolly old soul He stated
also that a woman could make an attorney, and not
only could she make an attorney, but she could
make man, and she could make a man of a man
who at all. 1t was with difficulty that
our reporter could understand the reverend gen
tleman, so peculiar and ndistinct was his pronun-
citation. Most of the audience appeared to be much
pleased " T. Tribune.
MATTERS ABOUT THE CAp1roL..-We notice sever
al prominent branches of the wor, on this
grand and beautiful edifce, or rather collection of
ediices, to be within hail of being finished. OF
both the north and south wings the fronts are so
nearly done as to give good idea of the richness
and majesty of the style, which, whilst impressing
the mind by its massiveness, peases also bv its
elegance and beauty. The cornice, with its elabo-
rate capitals, will engage the admiration of the
behoder.
With the dome, noble work that it will prove to
be, quite observable advance has been made since
our last notice of it. The heavy work of the first
story seems to be mainly done, and the foundations
for the next tier of columns are preparing. In the
Senate or north wing of the Capitol we find the
great marble stairway in such a state Of forward
ness as to make it evident that it will be ready for
use by the beginning of the next Congress. There
is no extravaganza in saying that it is a wonder of
sumptuOusness and grandeur that must be seen to
be at all appreciated. Quite a handsome piece of
work has Just been finished in the new Senate post
office, consisting of framing for and around the
letter boxes 1t is built Of birdseve maple all the
produce Of Pennsylvania, and finished in the first
style. 1t is perhaps the bestspecimen of birdseye
maple carpentry in the world. Every visitor to
the Capitol should take a look at it.
The corridor, through which you enter the Sen
ate the east 'front.' requires but little to finish it;
the columns and pilasers appear to be all up, and
but little more than setting in few scagliOla pan
els is requisite there. The Senate Chamber is yet
in dishabille but it cannot be long before it will be
carpeted and duly furnished for its dignfed Occu-
pancy. In the Representatives Hall, in the south
wing, the concentric circles around which the
desks and chairs of the members were disposed,
have been recently contracted so as e. bring the
house more within earshot of the Speaker. The
desks and chairs used hitherto in the new hall are
to be dispensed with, and only sitting accommoda-
tons to be allowed the MEMBERS differing little
from the pew-seats of a church. This is similar to
the British House of Commons. Desks for writing
are to be placed along the walls OF the hail. which
will, think, have the effect OF keeping the
benches in front of the Speaker less generally filed
than heretofore. Judging from the instincts of
members, as developed in the past, we inclined
to doubt the long continuance of the plan
about to be tried; the enforcement of a member
from his pen, ink and papers will be found, if we
mistake not too severe Il bereavement to be put
up with. Nevertheless we think the experiment
should be fairly made, for experience only de
eide upon its advantages or their opPosite.-Not.
IHfetigencer.