Glasgow Courier. — 1846-10-24 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

STATE OF THE PROVINCES.  The intelligence from the south is decidedly unfavourable. Disturbances of a serious nature have taken place in Clare and Limerick; in the former county a desperate attempt was made on Thursday last to murder a magistrate (Mr. Hickman), a gentleman whose constant exertions to ameliorate the condition of the poorer classes ought o have proved a safeguard against such brutalities as are detailed in the subjoined account of the outrage : _  "On Thursday evening, immediately after dinner, a numerous 1 band of armed ruffians, with blackened faces, burglariously entered Fenloe-house, Newmarket-on-Fergus, the residence of Mr. Hugh Palliser Hickman, deputy-lieutenant, late high-sheriff of Clare, and son-in-law of the Lord Bishop of Meath. Having first placed sentinels on the domestics of the house, they entered the dining-room, and calling for fire-arms, commenced a most furious attack on Mr. Hickman, who stoutly refused to deliver up his arms, until completely overpowered by several blows on the head, when Mrs. Hickman, fearful of the result, pointed out where the firearms were, with which the ruffians decamped, but not before they renewed their brutal attack on Mr. Hickman, inflicting two very deep wounds on his head, and breaking one of his fingers. Mr. Hickman has been ever foremost in his district, as a magistrate and ' country gentleman, by his personal example, to promote the comfort of the labouring classes, and to relieve their sufferings. Our columns for the last two years testify to the anxiety and liberality ! of this gentleman to provide for every crisis of distress, at public meetings, and as an active member of the local relief committees. It is to be feared that this outrage upon the person of a country , gentleman, in the midst of his own family circle, is but the first of a series in the coming winter, and which the general avidity to possess fire-anus will embolden those parties to follow up. This ! outrage is the more to he lamented, seeing that the object of it is I always resident in the country, and not less conspicuous for his ! humane attention to the wants of the poor, than for the extensive I employment he gives. We are happy to fearn this morning that Dr. Evans, of Newmarket, reports that nothing very serious is to be apprehended from the effects of Mr. Hickman's injuries." . .  The Limerick Chronicle, from which the above is taken, also contains the following : _ . .  "A troop of the Bth Hussars from this garrison, and headquarters of the 73d depot, under Major Eyre (en route to Clare Castle), proceeded hence on Thursday morning to attend a large meeting of the peasantry, which was held at Latoon, ashort distance from the residence of Sir L. O'Brien, Droinoland. A strong police force, under Capt. Leyne, S.M.,from Ennis, also attended. About 6000 persons assembled at three o'clock, when Mr. Hugh Palliser Hickman, DI., Captain Leyne, and other magistrates, addressed the multitude, exhorting them to peace and forbearance, and assuring them that in a very few days they would be all employed under the Board of Works. Everything passed off quietly, but the murmurs of the destitute labourers, as they reluctantly dispersed, evinced much dissatisfaction at the delay of relief measures. The Bth Hussars returned to this garrison yesterday morning. A horse was shot at Blackwater this morning. Last night to sheep, the property of Mr. Standish O'Grady, of Landscape, were killed in the field, and the carcases taken away. The horse of a corn buyer, named Hogan, was shot at Ballyvally, near Killaloe, for having brought corn to market. Saturday, a horse belonging to Mr. Robert Frost was fired at and wounded on the lands of Cahertigue. On Monday night a stack of wheat belonging to John Sullivan, at Crossagalla, near this city, was shelled, and a considerable share of grain taken away by unknown per-8011:,."