Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 29th January 1848, Edition 2 of 3, Page 6, which 'falseprophets' have led us? Outra...

Page 6
Page 6
6 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (4)
    • Mtttonolitm ftitteiitgtiur*
    • mmt $eto& ti .auli n i ¦ m* ilf * i«> ma jra-tar'
    • iBugiano-
    • Siwnfc
  • Text (9)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Which 'Falseprophets' Have Led Us? Outra...

      THE NORTHERH STiB . __ January 39 , 18 * 3 , O ' ¦ !¦ ¦¦ ¦ .: ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' ' - ^ : ^ - ! ' "" ' "' ' ' '" Mi . ! - ¦

      Mtttonolitm Ftitteiitgtiur*

      Mtttonolitm ftitteiitgtiur *

      * Irm< N If J. 6eeit Destrccrion Of Frof...

      * IRM < n If J . 6 eeit DesTRCcriON of Frofehty —On Monday BrghtkEt , a fire broke eut upon the extensive premises belonging to Messrs Beec h and Berrel , lacemen and haberdasher . » carrying on business at No . 64 , Edgwareroad . Is was caused from some light , articles hanging in the front window blowine against the ga « , which set the whole io flames . Owing to the timelv aid afforded the fhmes were speedily extinguished , but not , before the stock of laces and fancy ribbons in tho shop windows'was severely damaged and tho splendH plate-. triass-windows demolished . The loss it . is believed will exceed £ 200— Another fire happened- in ^ Grove-mews , Great James street , Ltsion-arove ,, in the tenure of Mr Oliver ; a writer cad grainer .. It began in the buildings immediately ant the stables , and was occasioned from the heat sf a stave . The premises were severely damaged by

      fire ; and a valuable horse in the stable below nearly burnt te death . —A third fire , on the name night , broke out on the premise * belonging to Mr T . Mann , eating-house keeper , No . 7 , Bucklersbnry , Cheapside . It was caused by the . over heating of" the steamboiler , which set tha ; floorings antf'fnistings iV the kitchen in a bady of flame .- ^ A . fourth fi re , and which wa * nearly accompanied with a lamentable low of life , broke nut on the premises belonging to Mr T . Simpeon , china and glafs merchant , carrying on businpss stNas . 2 and 3 , Queen's Head-row , Newington . The discovery was made by Mr Simpson , about two hours after he and his family had retired to rest . He immediately aroused the inmate ? , and , upon his goinz felow and opening the drawing-room door , ho was nearly knocked down by a volume of smoke issuing forth . The inmates were saved , but not until they were ne-rly suffocated . The outbreak arose from a defect in the drawine-room stove .

      Fire is thb Borlisgtos Akcads . —An alarming fire broke out on Saturday moraine last , at a few minutes before five o ' clock , in this arcade , and in a very brief space of time , hid in ruins four or five "house * , and severely damaged others- Whilst the Bight beadle ^ vasgoini ; bis ronn « is in the arcade , perceived smoke issuing from the basement of the premises belonging to Mr Russell , whipmaker . No . 1 L He forthwith rang the fire-brll , and after considerable trouble he succeeded in making Mr Rasfell and his family sensible of tbe danger to which ( bey were exposed . The fire having extended to the ship , the inma tes were compelled to escape orerthe rosf of the arcade , to an adjoining house . Within a few minutes tbe flames burst through the front of

      the shop , and set fire to the house opposite , kao * vn at the * 'Civet Cat toy warehouse , and nearly at the t & me time the roof of the arcade was wrapt in fiiraea . Shortly afterwards tha engines arrived in rapid succession , and having an abundant suoply of water , thev . after the lapse of two hours , succeeded in preventing the further progress of the flames , but rot until four or five houses were destroyed , an I several others much damaged . About fifteen minutes after the first discovery was made , the roof of Mr Russell ' s premises fell in . and then the flames shot up higher than they had previously done . The firemen , nothing daunted , continued at their posts , and mounting thereof of thearcsd-, they were enabled

      to prevent the fhmes from extending farther from the outside . Whilst that was goine on outside , the firemen kent pouring torrents of water into the lower p arts of thebnrning property . This had the desired effect , for althoujh the flames were not extinguished , it became manifest that no further destruction of Duildincs would ensue . The engines having been wokedwit ' i full vigour until eight o ' clock , the fire vrasst length , whollyextineuithed . It is asingnlar fact , that on Saturday , the 26 th of March , 1835 , T ? h = n the Western Exchange and the arcade were partial ly de-treyed bj fire , the first house tbat became ignited in the arcade was the same in which the fire broke out on this occasion , and nearly the same premises were then burned as at present .

      INQUESTS . Ail-oed Matricide . —Before Mr W . Biker , at the iCoooer ' s Arms , Golden-lane , respecting the death of Mary Leary , aged fifty-nine year ? , whose 3 c & th was alleged to have been caused by injuries she had received from her daughter , Julia Leary , ajtd thirty years . The deieased was principally supported by her daughter , ar d lived in a miserable apartment in Little Cheapside , St Luke ' s . They tewe both very dissipated characters , were frequently intox ' cated . and repeatedly quarrelled . On Friday KAriiinp ; Julhi went hnme very drunk , and struck Ber mother with a poker . About two o ' clock the fhl'owins moraine- she was found in bed quite dead . —Inspector Gravestock said the daughter was a most desperate woman , and had freq-ientlv been

      in custody for disorderly conduct . Some weeks since eha was chared with throtrins a female downstairs , who received a fracture of both legs . She wa-t remanded several times , and after the female had left the hospital she refuspd to press the charge , and "Leary was liberated . Since the death of her mother the hsd disappeared . The police had charge of the room , and had locked the door . —Mr Wright , a surgeon , said he had made a post mortem examination , and attribu ed death to a deceased brain , resulting from natural causes . —The coroner said if that was the ease there was no necessity to make any further Inquiry , and if the woman had received twenty blows it would not affect the danehter . —The jury then returned an open verdict of ' Found dead , apparently from natural causes . '

      Ctlpablu Negu . ct of Wardens . —Before Mr Bedford , in the Tothill-fields prison , on tbe body of Mm Ha-mah Thomas , aced forty-five , a lady respec tably connected , who was committed from Bow-Etreet . on F iday last , for givinz a servant a false character . Ann Stone , a sub-warden , said , in answer to oupstions by the jury , that the cells were not heated with pipes , but prisoner hid two blankets snd a ru ? . On Sunday she made no complaint . At balf pist seven the next ( Monday ) morning , witness found her lying nn the floor with ber bed and bedclothes . She spake to her . bnfc she could cot or would nit get nrj . She called Mrs A . nder ? on , another warden , aud she wss raised up , but was apparently nnable to stand ; they , however , put her

      day clothes on . The coroner : What was that for ?—"Witness said she did not kn ^ w , but they did it . — The coroner : Was no medical nsMSta & cft cal ' ed for ? —Witness replied in tha negative , and that she went t » breakfast , and on her return at a quarter-past ekht the deceased was sitting in the corner where they hx-J left her , talking to herself . —Tbe coroner : Ji ' A it not occur to you to send for the sureeon ?—"Witness replied that she did not , for she thousht the was ' shammintr . ' At twenty minutes past eight , on eoin ? to deceased , she appeared dead , bat by erder of the matron she was put in a warm bath ; and the doctor , having been apprised of her illness , almost immediately attended , but when taken out of ths frith she was quite dead . Mr John Lavies , the sorseon of tho prison , stated that he saw the

      deceased on Saturday , nnt on account of any illness she cimolained of sufferins , b-ifc that she wished bim to intercede with the magistrate to revoke her sentence . She spoke of the disarace of bains there , and cried very much . He saw her the next day , but she made no complaint . Mr Lavies stated that he bad opened the body , and fnnnd about a pint of ¦ venoas b ' ood in the cavity of the chest , which had come from the lung" , and fully aceeunted for the death . After a lengthened investigation , in which the pronnety of visiting the \ -el ! s in the niuht was suggested by the coroner and , tin- governor of the prison having stated that the wardens had no right to cive an opin i on nat » whether the prisonm shammed ill or not , the jury returned a verdict , * That the deceased died from natural causes . '

      The Recekt Fatal Accident at the Ecstox-EQTJARB TeRUIXUS . —A TniRD SCFFERER . —Before 2 fr G . J- Mills , at tfee University Collc » e Hospital , on the body of James Ilickie , laborer , being the third party who died in consequence of injuries received on the Cth inst ., by the fallin ? of a wall , < fcc ., in progress of erection near the above terminus . It will be recollected that Mr Mills held an inquest on ihe first sufferer , John Shea , on the 10 th inst .., when the jury declining , though the deputy coroner consulted them on the point , to examine professional persons unconnected with the building , returned a verdict to the effect . ' That Shea had died from

      infuries caused by the fall of a certain wall , but how that fill was produced there was no evidence to show . ' The verdict did not jive satisfaction , and a sec ond sufferer dying , an icq'icst was commenced on the bodv on Thursday , the 20 th , which Mr Wakley and the jury ordered to be adjourned to Monday next , that they might have the evidence ef an architect , appointed by gevernmenr , to examine the locality of the accident . Mr Mills adjourned the inquiry of yesterday to the same day , after the proximate causa of the death , but not the remote cause , which is now the great object of inquiry , had besn proved .

      MISCELLAKEOUS . Births akd Deaths Dosing the Week . — "Deaths , 1 £ 01 ; births , 1 , 303 . The averase number of deaths during the corresponding week of five previous winter was 1 , 107 , or nearly three hundred less than last week . The excessive mortality in the present esse is still found to arise from those diseases which , by ; heir extreme prevalence , hive rendered the present winter remarkable . _ Influetizi , bronchitis , and pneumonia ' still maintain tbeir fatal pre-eminence . Tjpbn « , measles , and scarlatina have likewise des troyed during the past weok many more than tha av / rage number of lives . Two women are registered

      amonest those dying of old age , one of whom attained 100 ye-. rs , and tbe other' 102 . The former lived ir < South Chelsea , and the latter in Peckham . A * tlu . M 3 for the Houseless—In consequence of tbe severity of the weather , and the appearance of a ciniinaation of it , the committee of the 'Asylums for tbi UouseleV had nn especial meeting on Saturday , when it was resolved to o ; ieu the asylums in PUvh ^ is-3-vard , St Luke ' s , and GIa ? jhouse-yard . E-. stSmithfield , in which establishments about 400 anplicints were receivtd on Sunday night . The Western Asylum in Ogle-street . Marylebone , is also tnbvoper . e . 1 We regret that the funds of this moat g * J « hut unobtrusive charity are seriously re-

      Mmt $Eto& Ti .Auli N I ¦ M* Ilf * I«&Gt; Ma Jra-Tar'

      mmt $ eto & ti . auli n i ¦ m * ilf * i «> ma jra-tar '

      Ibugiano-

      iBugiano-

      Derbyshire, Natiokal Tjefskcsb.—On Monda...

      DERBYSHIRE , Natiokal TJefskcsb . —On Monday last , a public meeting waa held in the Guildhall , Derby , ' for the purpose of petitioning parliament against any addi 4 tion to the existing naval and military forces , the enrolment of the militia , or the establishment of ad r ditional fortresses . '—The Rey . Noah Jones , at the conclusion of a speech deprecatory of war and the war cry just raised , moved the following resolution : —* Tbat this meeting , believing the . ' system and practice of war to be at variance with Christianity , and with the be * t interests of mankind , deeply regrets the attempt now being made to excite in the public mind an op inion that war is imminent , as it would increase the taxation by increasing . the

      military and naval establishments of this country . ~" T e Rev . L . Gawthorne seconded the resolution . , He did not go the length of the peace party , that war was not justifiable under any circumstances ; at the seme time he ridiculed the absurd cry that war was inevitable . The resolution was carried without op . poxition . —The Rev . W . Poile spoke strongl y again-t the government . He concluded by moving the following ;— ' That it is the deliberate conviction of this meeting that the apprehension of war is unfounded ; that an increase of expenditure in atrengtbening the naval and military forces in any form is uncalled for ; that it would tend to excite a spirit of war rather than a love of peace ; that it would obstruct the tone of morality and increase the taxation of the people . '—The res olution was seconded by Mr Stokes , and carried unanimously—Other resolutions were agreed to , and a petition adopted .

      TORKSHIRK . ' HoDnBRSFiELo . —Alarmiko FiRB . —Lasfc week , a fire was discovered in the mill belonging to Benjamin Robinson , at Lane , ( the Leeds endof Huddersfield . ) immediately adjoining the Lane dyehouse . The mill was occupied by several parties , both for manufacturing and dressing purposes . The mill itself was totally destroyed , the loss of property amounting to many thousand pounds .

      BERKSHIRE . Melakcholy . Suicide at Wisdsor—On Monday morning , Mr Thomas Hyde , a highly respectable inhabitant , about sixty years of age , who earned on an extensive business for several years past , as a bacenfactor , in Thames-street , Windsor , committed outride , by first cutting his throat , on the banks of tho Thames , and afterwards throwing himself into the river . A . n inquest was held on Tuesday , at the Town Hall . Charles Hicks , a watermjiH , who was standing on Windsor Bridge , shortly after seven o ' clock pn Tuesday morning , saw the body floating down with the stream , and he , with another man , got into a punt and brought it ashore . On taking it to the King ' s Arms public-house close by , and unbuttoning the shirt collar , be found the throat eut , and the wound still bleeding . There were not the least signs of life . He went to the house of deceased to acquaint the shopman , when he was told his

      master had only left the'bouse at seven o'clock that morning . The deceased had no shoes nor hat on . ' Edwin S . Collins , assistant to Mr Alderman Soley , surgeon ; deposed that he saw deceased shortly after he _ was taken out of the water , and after some time animation waa restored by the usual means . Deceased wtsthen csnveyed to his house in Thames-streeti Mr Edward Andrews , surgeon , who bad attended Mr Hyde ' s family for the paat seven years , stated that for the last three weeks the deceased had been suffering under a general derangement of health , occasioned by lowness of spirits . From his knowledge of the deceased he bad no doubt he bad been liable to attacks of insanity during the preceding fortnight . His death was the consequence of the effects of immersion in the water . Verdict—' Temporary insanity . ' It was stated that the deceased made his will only the night before he committed the set which led to his death . Deceased has left 3 widow and five children .

      KENT . Thb Death bt Fire at Gravesend . —The adjourned inquiry into this lamentable accident has been concluded . Sergeant Denyer , of the Gravesend police , proved that he was on duty at the Borough station , house , between twelve and one o ' clock en Sunday morning , when the deceased was brought in by two constables , Daniel Lewis and John White , and charged with being' drunk and disorderly in the streets . Witness desired the officers to take deceased to the' Refuge' in the market place , after having entered the charge . There were cells in the station house vacant at the time , but as the deceased was very noisy as well as dirty in his habits " , when in custody on former occasions , witness undertook to order him to be placed

      in the ' Refuge , ' that place having been devoted to the reception of persons of the deceased ' s character for the last five or six years . The witness here described the ' Refuge . ' The building , he said , was about sixteen feet square , and consisted of the ground floor and one above it . Tbe lower portion waa occupied as a receptacle for trussels and other things let out by the market collector , under whose control it was , being entered from a narrow court outside the mirket . The upper floor was used as a lock up . or refuge for destitute persons , by the police , who kept the key and entered by a distinct doorway leading out of the market . There was no fire-place , and light was admitted into the upper portion by two gratings . There were four wooden steps within the

      door leading from the market to the upper floor , and the floor itself was generally well littered with straw ; about four trusses had been placed in it about ten days since . At a quarter past five he heard deceased calling , as he had through the night , of which , ot course , he took no notice ; but abeut six o ' clock , a man named Walker , who was employed in the market , came to the station house and told him that the * Refuse' was on fire . On looking out , witness saw flames issuing from under the roof . He immediately turned round , and , taking the key off the wall , ran and unlocked the door . The place was then in one body of flame , the steps leading to the floor on which Budge was confined had fallen in . and witness could see nothine of the deceased . Witness subsequently as-1 ?

      . . » J - . m f * _ . _ L sisted in getting out the fire-engine and quenching the fire , which was not accomplished until the building was entirely destroyed . Joseph Singleton , barge masteratthe Town Pier , said deceased was his cousin . He was aware of his dissipated habits , and had requested the superintendent of police when he was round drunk about the streets to place him in the ' Refuge' for the night , and discharge him in the morning , without troubling the magistrates . Witness had nothing to complain of in reference to the deceased , and believed the occurrence to have been purely accidental . The coronersummed up , remarking that it appeared to him the question for the consideration of the jury lay in a very small compass . Of the cause of death there could be no doubt , after the

      sad and distressing spectacle they had witnessed ; and the only qnestions for the jury were , had the deceased been properly charged in the first instance , and subsequently legally detained in a proper p lace of confinement . Of the first question he thought there could be no doubt , and , as to the second , it appeared that lor some years past persons similarly charged had been confined in the same building . He confessed it did seem to him advisable that persons similarly charged with deceased should , when placed in confinement , be occasionally visited , not only as a preventative to any similar accident , but also in case s , prisoner should be attacked with sudden apoplexy or sudden illness of any kind . In was a course invariably followed in the metropolitan districts , and he hoped for tha future the authorities would take care to adopt it . With these observations he let the case in the hands of the jury . The jury retired for about a

      quarter of an hour , and on their return , the coroner anmunced that they had agreed to a verdict of' acciden tal death . ' Mr Carttar added , that he had been requested to state that tbe jury fully concurred in the observations he had made with reference to prisoners in charge being occasionally visited , and they had also desired him to express their decided opinion that no portion of any building used by the police aa a . place of confinement should be under the control of other parties than themselves . He hoped the suggestion would be received by tbe corporation in the spirit in which it was tendered , and not be understood as an jict of dictation to the authorities . The Mayor immediately rose , and said he -fully concurred in the suggestions which had lieen made , and would take care they were fully carried out . Mr Oakes having expressed himself in similar terms , the proceedings terminated , having extended over nearly four hours .

      SOMERSETSHIRE . Murder near Bristol . —Last week an inquest was held at Dundry , about four miles from Bristol , touching the murder of arcspeetab ' e yeoman , named Walsiogham Hall . —The deceased . an old man , sixtyfour years of age , was a largo farmer living near Dundry . A maiden sister lived with him , as did also two nephews , young men , named James aud Benjamin Hazell On Monday afternoon last , between three and four o ' clock , he was seen by several of his labourers , who were at work ina barn ( > talking with his nephews . After that hour nothing was seen of bim , and as he did not reach home in the evening , the greatest alarm was occasioned by his sister , as he was a man of remarkably steady habits . A search was instituted , but without effect ; and amon ^ other places searabed was s stable , the key of

      which Jalnes Hazill at first refused to give up . I saying that he could not be there ; and in this he was joined by his brother Benjamin , who aho said the stable should not be opened . A short time ' afterwards , however , the stabl ; was opened , but the seaich there proved of no avail . Things remained in this state until Thursday , when Thomai Capell and another man , at work , thrashing in a barn , were informed by one Joseph Stokes that two men , named Henry Grover and Benjamin Payton , had iold ' -hidi that they had dreamt that the body of Mr "Hazell was in a certain old well . The men sneered at the information , but were induced at length to go to tbe well , which was dry , and had not been used for some time , and was then to all appearance in its usual state , a largfl stone being on the lid , which was fastened o :: one side by a hinge . The

      Derbyshire, Natiokal Tjefskcsb.—On Monda...

      cover was lifted up and the men looked in , but could , not jee anything . They then got a candle , and , were startled to perceive marks of blood upon the sides of the well . A rope and a hook were procured , and at length they brought up the dead body of a man ; which proved to be that of their missing master . There were marks over the eye of a . tremendous blow , and also upon the back of the head were several marks of henvy blows . In the pockets of the de ceased were 10 s . in . silver and a few articles of trifling value . Tho body was then removed to . tha house , The well , we may state here , was near the stable . A man named John Hall assisted to remove the | body into the house , and he then went to & dung heap near the stable , turned it over . with a fork , and

      found an ash stick two and a half inches thick , and about two . feet long ; on this stick were marks ef blood , and there were also some gray hairs attached to it . Hall also found an umbrella , which the deceased had with him at the time he was missed , on a wall adjoining the stable . The two nephews were in custody upon suspicion of committing the murder , and were attended by Mr Harmar , solicitor , Bristol . Hall was severely cross-examined by Mr Harmsr , nnd he gave most evasive answers . At first he said he was at a public-house from twelve to eight o ' clock on Monday , and afterwards admitted that he was absent fromthe house for some timo . He was , after the inquiry , taken into custody upon a charge of being an accessory . The inquest was adjourned .

      DEVONSHIRE . Exeter , — Mysterious Case of Drowning . — A case of drowning has occupied the attention of a coroner and jury during three days . A Mrs Martin left her house between half-past six and seven o ' clock on Monday evening , and said she called at Mr Lake ' s , in South-street . All the witnesses speak of her being in excellent spirits and temper except a Mr Mallett , who says he met her near tbe Lower Market , and that she was then very excited and incoherent , not directly answering to the points ef a short conversation . If he is correct as to time , she afterwards called on Mrs Davidge , in Milk street , and remained with her until 8 o ' clock . The next morning she was seen floating upright at the mouth of the canal , with

      her gown oter her head , which was only abont a foot and a half under the surface . When taken out she had not the appearance of being long dead , the limbs were by no means stiff , and the flannel next het skin not wet . At the first adjourned inquiry it came oufc'that a man named J . Perry had , since the death of her husband , lived with the deceased , conducting the business of a cheese and bacon factor . It was endeavoured tohe elicited , if possible , how PeBry was occupied during the night of Mrs Martin ' s disappearance ; and it appeared that at nine o'clock , when John Partridge , the errand-boy , retired to res ^ , he left him in the house ; at half-past nine he was at the Black Horse public-house , Mr Peter Band's in South-street , just opposite his own residence , where he remained until half past twelve . He then went with Mr Bond to Mr Woosley ' s in George ' s-

      squara , Stepcote-hill , where Mrs Bond was at a Cnristmis party , and where it was thought probable the deceased might also be . But she was not there . Here Perry remained until one o ' clock , when they left with Mr John Davis , a pork butcher , residing near the Black Horse , and his wife , and at whose house Perry remained until nearly four o ' clock , when he went to his own on the opposite side of the street . His stay there , however , could have been but short , as at four o ' clock he knocked up Mr Gay , Glover , in the High-street , to inquire if Mr s Martin were there , or if he had seen the deceased . He ap . peared also to have expressed surprise that she had not returned home . —The coroner recommended the jury , after the investigation they had made , and the great paucity of the evidence , to record tbe simple fact— ' Found dead in the river , but by what means , there is no evidence before the jury . '

      Siwnfc

      Siwnfc

      Uvl O'Cosmor And H19 Coukttyubh—Intellec...

      uvl o ' cosmor and h 19 coukttyubh—intellectual condition and pomtioai . views of thb peasanrbt-r-» state of irish parties-much aoo about nothing —father kenton ' s wall—the special commission—the FAMINK—BULLETS , NOT BREAD , FOR THE BTARVIKO !

      ( "Fromauretwi Correspondent . ) Dublin , Jan . 24 th , 1848 . Mr O'Connor ' s address 'to the Irish people , ' published in the Northerh Star of tbe 15 th insUnt , has elicited unbounded applause in all quarters where it has found its way ; and it is much to be deplored that those excellent letters cannot reach the fire-side of every peasant who has still afire side to sit by . I stated in my communication of the 10 th instant , that the greatest impediment in our march to freedom , was the ignorance tinder which our population laboured—perhaps I would be nearer to the mark if I was to say—the political delusions into which they have been led during the last quarterof a century . The Irish peasantry are not ignorant in the literal

      sense of the word . On the contrary , they are shrewd , intelligent , and tolerably ' well up' to everything passing in the changing world of politics . Every Irish peasant can tell you of such and such statutes , theirebjects , and tendencies—by whom introduced , and by whom resisted . H « can inform you of every ' speech * made in the ' House ' for and against his country . He knows who ' stood fast , ' and who ' sould poor Ireland ;' and he can'insense ' you—as himself would say—into tbe causes why such and such persons became favourites with the Sassanagh government ; and why others , with equal or superior abilities , but possessing more integrity and fidelity , were spurned , repudiated , and driven , in so-row and disgust , from the conflict . All theoe things are quite

      familiar to the poorest peasant ; Yet , I must say , on most points of useful , practical , beneficial knowledge , he is wofully in the dark . I need not now delay my readers with any inquiries into the designs of those parties who have so long practised on the credulity and simplicity of my countrymen ; but I state the fact once more , that with all his shrewdness and acumen , the Irish peasant does not possess that seund political knowledge essential to any combined or effective struggle for the ' rights of man . ' _ He believes that Irishmen , of themselves , are invincible ; that they have only to roak * the effort , ' when the time comes , ' and success will follow 1 He confides too much in empty vapour and braggadocio , and becomes too easily the dupe , and the tool , and the slave

      of every impostor , and quack , and political mountebank , who scrambles up the stage of mischief-making asitation in this unfortunate land . If you ask him what good did such and such proceeding , undertaken by such and such persons , do for Ireland ? he will answer you with a shake offhe head , or a twitch of bis fingers , and say , 'The time has not come yet . Wait a little longer , and if such and such prophecies be not fulfilled , there is not a cottoner in Cork . ' Paddy ' s belief is—and I blush to confess it—that until a certain period will arrive , and- until certain prognostics and tokens will make their appearance , no good can be effected for Ireland , even had she all Europe enlisted in her cause . But if those particular event * had transpired , and if once those eymptoras and ' tokens' were to manifest

      themselves' Och , by the powers , ' shnuls the Irish peasant , ' we would bate those blood-sucking Sassanaghs with cabbage-stalks . ' Columbkille and Pastorini are . unfortunately , too often poor Paddy ' s political preceptors ; and if he looks to the newspaper press of his country , or goes to listen to the spoutings of those cheats and swindlers , who fatten and riot on his cash and his credulity , he will find himself very little better enlightened than when he flings aside his well-thumbed copy of Columbkille or Vision of Tarab . ' This ia truly lamentable . Such brave , chivalrous , manly fellows as the peasantry of Ireland , to be so deluded , so cheated , and so imposed on—to be left in the hands of base , grovelling creatures , who , so long ns they find the present ' system' conducive to their

      own selfish interests , care little for the results or for the miseries thereby perpetuated on 1 heir betrayed country—it is , indeed , deplorable . And yet it' is nr . re deplorable , when we find amongst all those who set themselves up on the rostrum of national instruction , of public teaching—amongst all those who cry out , ' Lo , here Christ , and lo , there Christ . ' ' Como this road , and come that road '—when we find amongst all those quacks and pretenders , not one competent—or , if competent—not one willing to undertaka _ the proper training of tho people , or tell them plainly that they are deceived and bamboozled , and that neither ' Old Ireland ' or ' Young Ireland' are worthy of their confidence , or competent to guide them on the pathway to liberty and prosperity .

      And surely itnf i 7 the Irish people are instructed , it is folly to hope for any solid or permanent amelioration of their condition . Mr O'Connor ' s excellent letters make a good beginning so far as they go , but under present circumstances they can never reach the overwhelmin g majority of the lower classes in Ireland . Those classes certainly are fond of reading newspapers whenever chance sends one in their way , but unfortunately they never can afford to expend sixpence on the purchase of a public journal ; and even if they did , or if they could , they aro so suspicious of

      everything' English , thatthey would never dream of seeking instruction in an 'English ' newspaper . Mr O Connor ' s labours are , therefore , unfortunately in danger of being lost on the great bulk of those for whose welfare he works so strenuously ; and unless he —aided by the generous people of England—Irica some expedient by which such instruction can reach the proper quarter , he nor we can never hope for the advantages which , under favourable auspices , would mnst assuredly arise from his exertions , and his gicanticlabouw .

      I will make no further suggestions—I will not presume to point out the wag in which this ercat , this glorious object might be effected , but I would fain appeal to the brave people of England to consider what could be done for the instruction of their Irish brethren . I would implore of them to co-oper . it" « -ith onr illustrious countryman , and their chivalrous ioftiin—O'Connor—in devising eomo plan by union sound political knowledge might be brought within tbe reach of every Irish peasant , and by the agency of which our present mistrust of Englishmen will'be . removed , our jealousies allayed , and the mists and

      Uvl O'Cosmor And H19 Coukttyubh—Intellec...

      prejudices into which 'false . prophets' have led us ? will be forever eradicated from our naturally generous and honestly dispofled-minds . . It is an unfortunate fact that tbe labouring classes in Ireland , regard the people of England in a very SifltrustfuVifnothQStils ligbv ; The incendiary has oiied his trade successfully , and has raised wp an anti-Saxon feeling , in the minds of the uninformed peasantry , which must be removed before any permanent good can be effected for the country , When describing the misdeeds of England towards Ireland ; he has made it appear , that all classes of Englishmen ,, » niiinahle . and . that tho Irish have no . mercy—no . _/' :.: , - . „ „ , „ nh « t « ' have led n » c

      sym pathy-to hope for . from anybody , havine a drop of Saxon blood in . thcir . veins . Hence , Paddy ooks on every Englishman aa an implacable foe—and looKs disdainfully and disapprovingly oh . every overture towards mutual co-operation , or ainendly underderstanding .- with . his British fellow subjects . Hence too , it was , that , he . was , bo easily prejudiced ^ . o lnRf Oharttsav-Und , w & s ' made to . believe that no ShouldI £ JUd ' te * Chartist , . but a ' riW . or a Sber or a villain ., ? addy , with all his vaunted cun-I ^ nT w as not properly , instructed , and thus , became a S y dupe to everyArtful , self-interested « dodger , ' Sever Buspec tingr-ppor m * " - ** ; *™* on " . om he so long and sofondly , confided , hadanything in view but the welfare of Old Ireland , and the release of her rhildren from poverty and bondage . But , now , even at am ' eLventh hour , ' it is not too late . It is worth the While Of Eng lishmen to mak «? theexnenment and mm how far they can come to a friendly and rtutual

      co-operation with their Celtic neignDours , wmut oneportionof the empire remains engulphed inmisery and burning with discontent , the other portions must more or less participate in the eyilo which ever arise from such an unnatural Btate . pf Booiety ; and the English labourer or artisan may be assured that he and his family will , and must ever , share in a greater or lesser degree in the embarrassments and poverty of the Irish peasantry . Then , in the name of Heaven , let the trial be made , and let these who have . the greater strength , and power , * nd appliances , set about the work . Letthosemen who so bravely and successfully struggle for . the good . of the labouring , classeaof Englishmen , lookssmpathismgly on the pros- ' trate condition of their Irish brethren , and see whnf can be done towards dispelling their . prejudices , and enlightening their ignorance ; and finally , leading ' them from crime , and folly , and misery , into the pathway which conducts to peace , and plenty , and

      con'f here is no chance of a cessation of hostilities between the rival , sections of' Young Ireland , ' in this country . The Nation schism grows . stronger every day . and it is difficult to say which ,, section is the more ridiculous . It is quite plain , however , that the days of 'Young Irelandiara' are , numbered . Even when a united . and compact body they had enough to do to preserve theniselvea from , being ruined by their own waywardness , and arrogance , and ' eonceit ; but now that they have , divided , and split into contending factions , , 0 $ , ' Irish Confedef ration' will quickly bo . numbared with , 'the things that were . ' Mr Mitchel , no doubt , appears to be actiW n finnsintent and . manly part ., that ie . ifhe be in

      earnest ^ or . eonscientiously believes himself doing the best for bia country ; If ho be so in earnest , and determined to ' sink or awim' by the assertion of his peculiar ' views , all that can be said is , that hew & ' nano ' and a ' fool , '; But as I said in my last letter , he has no w no chance of creating . ' a party 'in Ireland . The spirit of' 93 and' 43 is subdued at present , and though a Bfcatying peasantry may shoot a landlord , or fire the house of a 'land-jobber , ' they can hardly be persuaded to ' embark in a protracted warfare with a numerous and well-disciplined army . Besides , the spirit of the age is against war . There are other means of accomplishing the rights efa people besides massacre and bloodshed , and though I am not one who denies the justice of physical resistance

      to tyranny , still I am glad to say . that unless 'the worst goes to the worst' the Catholic clergy of Ireland will never , sanction an appeal to arms . Mr Mitchel , then , should be advised in time , and reflect on the madness of making any attempt at fanning the fire of rebellion in this country ' . He . is about to establish a newspaper in Dublin , to be called by the very ominous name of' The United Irishman ; ' but I am certain that this paper will , have bat a very briefexistenco . It is whispered that Mr Mitchel had resolved on this course . | ong before his secession from the Nation , and that it was the knowledge of this fact which induced Mr Duffy to bring . the affair so prematurely , to . a crisis . Mr Duffy ' s credit as a patriot and a politician is indeed ruined by tbe transaction . Personally he never , was very popular , nor was he ever regarded as a man to be relied on .

      The late Mr O'Connell always had his doubts of Mr Duffy ' s consistency , and ' time and the hour' now prove that his suspicions were not groundless . Mr O'Connor has given ^ fleecing , in hist letter in last Saturday ' s Stab , to Mr Duffy , which must bring many ' bitter remembrances' to that gentleman , and which cannot but upset him for ever with the people of England . In Ireland , whatever may be the fate of Mr Mitchel , it is quite certain that the Nation ' division' of' Young Ireland' will go down in & few months . Indeed , neither , sections will live very long ; and it is also equally certain that tho' Moral Force ' party will never again possess the cenfidence of Irishmen . A new organisation , —an agitation in another direction , —must succeed the 'humbug' of the present day , and a more meet epportunity for the creation of a new ' soul in Ireland' will never present itself than that opportunity open at the present

      moment . I . mentioned in my last communication the extraordinary omission of 'The memory " fit O'Connell , ' in the list of toasts prepared by our new Lord Mayor for the occasion of his grand civic feast . This omission , from whatever cause it arose , has given much annoyance to his lordship , and it will certainly embitter , not onl ) hia year of office , but probably all the days of bis future existence . Even the most bitter opponents of O'Connell have been hOwling at the unfortunate Mr Dunne ; whilst the newspaper press of every party has rung the changes over his ingratitude , and sycophancy , ' and perfidy , nnfcil 'tbe very dogs . ( as we say ) would not lap his blood . ' At the meeting , at Conciliation Hall , on Monday last , the

      subject was discussed very freely , and his lordship s conduct denounced by different members of that body in terms of unmitigated reproach . At the meeting of tho Corporati on in the assembly-house , Williamstreet , oh Tuesday , his lordship introduced the subject , and said that' so act of bis private or public life ever gave him so much pain aa that fatal blunder . ' But he assured the public that it was altogether an unintentional omission , and that he was willing to make the most abject apology to that house , and to the public at large , for his unfortunate conduct on that occasion . At the same ^ time , he would take the entire blame on himself , as no other member of the Corporation had any thing to do with the preparation ot the list of toasts or other arrangeof

      ments for the banquet . ' This exp lanation , course must disarm hostility , but nevertheless , Mr Dunne s ' unintentional omission , ' will not be forgotten by Irishmen . It were oetter for his honour and his peace of mind that he never eat in the civic chair of this metropolis . The celebrated Father Kenyon , of Templederry , is again before the public ! His famous wall is likely to become more an object of interest and celebrity than the walla of Troy , or the walls ot Darry , or even the walls of ' the house that Jack built ! ' My readers will bear in mind the history of Mr Kenyon ' s ' wall ' affair , which I gave them in a former letter . They will recollect that I left it demolished as effectually as crow-bars and sledges could perform the job ; but

      the reverend gentleman , it seems , was not so well disposed to leave his favourite wall in ruins as I was . He accordingly rebuilt it shortly after its first demolition , and fancied that the authorities would take no further notice of the matter . In this , however , he was disappointed . Proceedings againsttheluckless wall and its reverend proprietor were again instituted , and accordingly , on Wednesday last , a strong force of horse , foot , and constabulary , under theepmmand of the resident magistrate , marched against the wall , and once more ' laid it in the dust . ' But the indefatigable Mr Kenyon , noihing daunted , is again rebuilding it , and before this letter reaches the readers of the Star , the ' third \ edition' of Father Kenyan's wall , will be out before the public . ' This is no joke—the wall ia already re-erected .

      ThelGommission still goes 'bravely on' in the south , and additional victims have received the fatal fiat of the law . In the mean time , crime and outrage stalk unchecked over the land , and the peasantry seem as heedless of consequences as if they never heard of law , or coercion , or special commissions . Blood still flows , and blood will flow , and must continue to flow , until a better security for life andproperty is provided , than starvation , martial laws , and ' hempen cravats , ' for the maddened refractory peasantry .

      In the meantime , famine is doing its own work of destruction . The southern pavers record several inquests held during tbe past week , on persons who died of' actual starvation ! ' These cases are becoming of every day occurrence ; pestilence , fever , and dysentery are atriking | dewn thousands , and the scenes of I 8 i 1 are setting in with renewed horrors—1848 will , indeed , bo a terrific year in unfortunate Ireland . Alas ! alas ! is there no hope—no salvation for wretched Ireland ? A most lamentable and determined suicide has been perpetrated in the uaol of Enniskillen on last Saturday , the 22 nd inst . The unhappy victim was a Protestant clergyman named Moore , who was confined for debt in that prison . On tho day named he cut his throat from ear to ear with a razor .

      Dunn ? the past week largo parties of soldiers and police have been drafted into the proclaimed districts of Munster , where they aro engage' ! from morning till night scouring the country for fire-arms . However up to this they have been signally unsuccessful , as they have captured only a few worthless things , which are ot no value for any purpose . I said nn more than one occasion , that the Tipperary Rockitts wero not such fools as to leave their fire-arms within reach of the ' informer , ' or peeler , ' and I was right . They will keep their arras and use them too , and laugh to derision the law and the gallows ,

      Uvl O'Cosmor And H19 Coukttyubh—Intellec...

      Outrage is on the increase in the Queen ' * CoUnty . On this week a gentleman naraedCassan of this city , who has some property in that county , ^ received through the post a Rwkite notice , atatingthat 'Captain , Starlightf and his men , aro on the' look out for a shot at him ,. and that they will seek ' their victim even in the crowded city ! It Udatedironl Fireball Lodge . ' The only . « charge' against . Mr Caasan is , his having threatened to . dispossess some . of his tenantry who owe him three years rent . Tt ^ e Roman Catholic archbish ops and bishops are to assemble again in this city previous to the meeting of parliament on the 3 rd or February . The Reman Catholic Clergy of Ireland are dreadfully alarmed at the melanoholyeituation of the country , and the object of their again meeting , is to press upon governmentthe absolute necessity of adopting some effective plan , for the preservation of human life and the tranquilisation of society . . Ontrarrn ia on tha increase in the Queen ' s Cottnty .

      The Special Commission. The . Trial With...

      THE SPECIAL COMMISSION . The . trial with which the court was occupied at Ennis on tha 17 th was regarded as one of the most impor tant of those that hare beon tried under the Commission .. It was tbat of a man named Crowe , belonging to the belts ? class of farmers , for procuring the murder of Mr Watson by hired assassins . ' ' The boy James Crowe , a nephew ' of the prisoner , detailed tho particulars of the horrible deed , and further stated , that Mr Watson had distrained tbe cows of hia uncle , and that he afterwards saw Ryan ( Puck ) and his uncle together , and on the latter saying it should bo a dear job to Mr Watson , Fuck looked at him and laughed . The witness again underwent " ¦ a very severe cross-examination by Mr O'Hen , but , although his admissions proved the

      profligacy of this precocious youth , his testimony was not shaken . He stated he had a pistol in bis hand on the morning of the murder . He admitted that he had stolen it the night before , and that having procured some powder and shot from another boy , who works in an adjacent quarry , he loaded it on the morning of the murder . For what purpose he was so prepareddid not appear , but it may be surmised that the intended assassination was not unknovrn to him , and tbat bo actually went to the spot to witness , If hot to aid it . He also admitted that for the last two years he had been addicted to card playing , a 'deck' ( pack ) of cards being held by himself and throe other boys in common , ahd carried by ¦

      each in' turn ; and that to carry on his profligate practices be had frequently robbid his grandfather of money . ' His brother , a little , boy about twelve ye & ra of age , who , if possible , surpassed him in the sagacity which his evidence indicated , stated that he lived at his uncle ' s , and the night before the murder Ryan ( Puck ] and Ryan ( Small ) eame there with a strange man , and the two former slept there that night . On the following morning he saw Ryan ( Puck ) take some bullets that were lying on & dresser in the kitchen and go toa cow-house , and on his return , in the prisoner ' s presence , ha said , ' Oh , we have put in good charges . '' '

      A man named Quinlinan slated tbat a short time before the murder he had lent Ryan ( Small ) Is . 6 d ., and that soon after it occurred he saw him with five £ 1 . notes in his possession . In answer to aqaestion from the court , however , he admitted that he was unable to read , and only believed them to be £ 1 . notes ; . But the most powerful evidence against the prisoner , 80 far as any reliance could be placed upon it , was his own admissions to a man named Shaughriessy , who had been confined in the same gaol . Shaugbnessy , who was in prison for petty larceny , stated that be was in gaol when the prisoner was ta ¥ en there , and that a few days subsequently te

      his arrival , the prisoner entered into conversation with him , and after saying that he was taken on suspicion of having had something to do with Mr Watson ' s murder , told him some of the facts connected with the transaction . He told Shaugbnessy that Mr Watson had ' canted' his cattle for rent , and that he ( the prisoner ) had gone to him and offered him a note for the money , but that Mr Watson refused to take it or back it with his name , and , continued he , ' 1 thought that neither God or man could blame me for killing such a ruffian . ' The prisoner also told him that Hayes had desired him to be out of the way at the time , and to go to some place where he might have witnesses to speak to Ms

      presence . Mr O'Hba made a very powerful address to the jury , ' grounding the prisoner ' s defence on the suspicious character of tho evidence , and its indirectness against him , even if it could be relied upon . A boy named Kruse , a servant of the prisoner , swere that no one but the family slept at the house the night before the murder , and that he had never seen there Ryan ( Puck ) or Ryan ( Small ) . He was cross examined by the Attorney-General , and hesitated much in some of his answers . The little boy Crewe was called up and confronted with him . The boy was again asked if any one slept at his uncle ' s the night before the murder , and again swore that Ry an ( Puck ) and Ryan ( Small ) were there . 'It ' s false , ' exclaimed Kruse . ' It ' s true , ' immediately rejoined the boy .

      . The Lord Chief Justice asked the boy where Ryan ( Puck ) slept , and how he knew it . His answer was , he was sleeping with Wilkinson and Kruse , and that he felt Ryan ( Puck ) coming into ; bed in the night . Mary Kelly , a servant of the prisoner , and sister to James Kelly , who is charged as an accessory te the murder , also swore that no strangers slept at Crowe ' s house the night before the murder . On her cross-examination by the Solicitor-General , she persisted in saying that she ' never saw Ryan ( Puck ) in her life until he was taken prisoner , and that she had never seen either hiai or Ryan ( Small ) at her master ' s . The younger Crowe waa confronted with ber , and he still adhered to his former statement . He added that the girl had made breakfast for the men on the morning the murder was committed . "What did the breakfast consist of , asked Mr O'Hea ?¦—Of bread and butter and tea , was the boy ' s

      answer . 4 , ' said the girl , ' on my oath I never made a cup of tea in the Inuse in my life . His statement ' s false , my Lord . ' _ ' It is not , ' said he . Mr O'Hba asked him how the tea was made , and whether there was even a kettle in the house , but the boy could not tell . Several questions were put to him by » the jury . There waa an evident doubt on their part of the truth ef his evidence . Mr O'HEAmide some observation as the boy left the table , and he , turniug sharply round , looked at him with a most significant expression , and said ; * Oh , you'll catch no cranny in me , ' meaning that he would not be found tripping in his evidence .

      Mary Crowe , the daughter of the unhappy man , a very neatly dressed and good-looking girl , gave similar testimony to the witnesses Kruse and Mary Kelly . She had never seen either of the Ryans at her father ' s . The broken stock of the gun with which the unfortunate victim was struck was produced in court , and upon it there appeared to be still remaining some traces of his blood . The stock was identified by the elder boy Crowe , as part of a gun belonging to Kelly , the prisoner ' s servant . Crowe said , he found it on

      the ground where Mr Watson was lying , and that he immediately picked it up and hid it . He told Kelly he had got it , and it was , then concealed in some other place . He believed that Kelly did not know that he ( Crowe ) was aware of its bainghis gun , for Kelly said when he told him he had hid the stock that he must take care of it , for an owner would most likely be found for it . It afterwards was delivered tO the police by the priest of the parish , but it did not appear from whom he had received it . After a brief but very able reply from the Solicitor-General ,

      The Lord Cmsi ? Baron most elaborately and carefully summed up the evidence , and explained the law relating to the charge against the prisoner . The jury then retired , and after a few minutes ' absence returned with a verdict of Guilty . > The prisoner , who throughout the trial had shown the ^ most nervous anxiety , wan overcome by the fatal announcement . The first case tried under the adjourned commis eion at Limerick , on Thursday , was that of James-Skehan , a very young man , for the murder of Mr Ralph Hill , at Ratherd , near Limerick , on the 18 th of November last .

      The prisoner was a farm servant , in the employ of a farmer named ( Juan , who was tenant to Mr David Fitzgerald . Q , uan became in arrear of rent , and a distress was made by the landlord upon his lands Mr Hill went out . with bailiffs to secure and carry away the goods , and upon this occasion was fired at together with tbe bailiff * . He was himself shot desd . and two of the bailiffs were seriously wounded . Evidence was produced which established most clear ) y that tho prisoner was a principal in this transaction , if not the individual who fired the fata ) shot . The ; jury , after a few moments' csnsideration , found the prisoner guilty of ' aiding and assisting ' in the murder . On Saturday , James Quaine was placed in the doek charged with having been accessory to the perpetration of tho murder .

      The only additional particle of evidence to that Given on the trial of Skehan , was the fact that the prisoner bad borrowed on the night bofore the murder a pingle-barrelled gun from a person named M'Namara , and that on tho day after the murder was committed , he told him that unfortunately Mr Hill was shot—that what was done could not be undone , and that ho hud concealed tho gun in a pigstye near the haggard , whence tho shots were fired . It was also proved that the gun was found by the police in the very spot where the prisoner said he had concealed it .

      Tho jury , without retiring , found the prisoner guilty . The wretched man , who had betrayed throughout his trial symptoms of the greatest fear , and had been

      The Special Commission. The . Trial With...

      moat restlessly attentive to the whole of the proceedines ,: waa . thea reminded to the gaol for the purpose i of being-brought up again after & short interval to > < have sentence passed upon hiin . The two men , ' John and ' Thomas Frewia , wh «> . pleaded . ' guilty ' . to the charge of harbourinff , witk theif brother , William Frewin , the notorious Ryia ( Puck ) , were then placed in the dock ; The Attorney GEHBRiLsaid , he had read theiuffi * davits made by the prisoners in extenuation of their ¦ guilt , , in which they stated they . were , ignorant of the law relating to the crime ' of which they had been convicted . The Lord-Lieutenant had done all ia hia power to make known ; the law upon the subject , but under the circumstances to which he had referred onthe preceding evening , he would ask their lord * ships to inflict such a measure of punishment , short of transportation , as their lordships should ; think moat reslleaBlv attentive to the wholaof Ihanwww

      fit-The Lord Chief Justicb then sentenced Thomas Frewin to imprisonment for six months from the date of his committal ; John to imprisonment for twelvemonths ; the former being a shorter period from the circumstance of his- returnin g , home only , a fev hours before Ryan was . captured in the house . Jamea Skeehan , James Quaine , and Michael Howard , were then placed in the dock , and the learned judges having put on their black caps , The Lord Chief Baron proceeded topassupoa them the sentence of the law . '

      The two former affirmed their innocence in so many words . Howard on : being asked whether he had anything to say , said , ' I am innocent of thifl charge , and many in my country know that . I am ; I am as innocent as the child unborn , many of my clsrey know it . However , I have nothins to gain or loose by what I say . I forgive those who persecuted me . I did net know them .. I could net identify any ef them on Friday ; and if I got my liberation at this moment , I could not identify Hourigan ' a house , unless it was pointed out to me- The boy that stood there ( pointing to the table ) on Friday sworeagainst me ; he . had my description learnt before I was arrested , fhaye reason to believe it waa combined asainatme . -Hie knew there waa a reward .

      He learnt I bad moles on my face . Tnatj was the reason he was able to identify me . It was so plain to the world the minutef he turned round and said , 'ho had jnnlos on his cheek . ' Lot anyone give mo & description oi a man that he had moles on his cheek , and I would identify hina . I hope , ray lords , by your mercy , and the mercy of Almighty God , yon will take my ease into your serious . considerationfont dewrvesit . I arainnscent , but I am satisfied to die . I am not afraid to appear before my God , for I never killed any man . 1 lived ten miles from Hourigan ' a . I am as well pleased to die asanything else if it i « the will of Almighty God to inspire your hearts with-it .- .: I shall have a better master than any master in this world , and I am not afraid to appear re ore Him . '

      On Friday , the first case tried was that of Michael Howard , a young man . about thirty years ofage , snd rather well looking , charged with the wilful murder of Johanna Houriran , atBallycuIlnn , en the 6 th of April , 1847 . by it flicting a gun-shot wound on the side ; it was also : charged that the , fatal shot was nred by gome person , unknown , tbe prisoner and others hav ing been present , aiding and assisting in the murder ; another count averred that Michael Howard , of Honey park , had shot at and mortally wounded Cornelius HoUrigan . and that the prisoner and others were rresent ,: aiding and assisting .. The second Michael Howard mentioned in thfr indictment was tried at tho last summer assizes , convicted , and executed for the murder . A third man , said to have been one of the party at the murder , has escaped to America .

      The ATTonsET-OBSERAi , detailed tho facta of th & case . He sa'd it had been his duty , during the progress of the special commission , to detail the circumstances of several barbarous murders ; but they were all exceeded in ; barbarity by the murder for which the prisoner was srr 'igned . A mother and her son were barbarously assassinated in their house * in the open day , and evidence would be produced to shew tbat the prisoner ., at the bar . was one of tbe three persona who committed that horrible outrage . Hourigan , the husband of the murdered weman , and the father of the boy pat to doatb . had prosecuted some persons who had attacked him , and beat Wm so severely as to : ¦ put his life in danger ; and that circumstance was the only motive that could be attributed for the commission of the murder . After

      the prosecution , police were placed in Henrigan ' a house for protection , but , unfortunately , they only remained there at night , Ieavins the house in the morning and returning again in the evening . This fact being known to the perpetrators of the murder ,, they watched the house until they saw the polios leave it on the morning of the 6 th of April last , when they entered , and shot the mother , and son . For this offence , one man another Michael Howard ,, had been convicted at the last assizes and executed ; the prisoner was now arraigned for it , and the jury would have to say whether he waa not one of those euiltyof this dreadful crime . The third of the party , a man named Roarke , and who was one of the persons prosecuted by Hourigan , had not yet been made amenable to the law .

      Hourigan , who had heen thus deprived at one fell blow of his wife and son . proved that part of the horrible transaction of which he was a witness . ' The married daughter , a neatly dressed woman , said , that she was in the kitchen when the prisoner and three men entered . They asked for her father , and when they found he was nat there one of thera presented a gun at my mother and fired . The poor woman fell across the fender , and the men then struck her a blow on the head . They then found tbeir way into the bedroom . She heard her poorbrother call out , and then a shot was fired . She ran out of the house , but . the men leaving directly afterwards , she returned , and found her mother lying actually on the fire with her cl » thes burning . She immediately draceed her off the fire , and at that time she was alive , but she died within a few minutes . The daughter identified the Howards as two of the men who entered the house .

      A little girl , about 13 , another daughter of Houri-San , said she was in the cowhouse when the men came up . She saw them enter the house and immediately heard a shot . She ran thither , and the first thinsr she saw was her mother lying apparentl y dead . She described the dress of the party , but was unable to identify them . Her description , however , corresponded with that which was given by the other witness . The poor girl cried bitterly as she gave her evidence . A boy , about 15 years of age , named Daniel Kelfehan , staled , that on the morning of the murder he saw three men coming from the direction of his

      master ' s house which was near Hourigan ' s . They had cro-sed over into the road from a field ; and as they were sjoing in the same , direction as himself , when they came up to him they asked whether he knew them ? Fortunately , ho doubt , for himself , he did not , and he told them so , and they then passed on . The men had their faces blackened , but as they sweated a goed deal they had wiped some of tho blacking off . He was able to identity the prisoner by two moles or warts on his face . The trousers of the men ware wet at tbe time ; and it was proved by other witnesses that in making a short cut from flourigau ' s they would have to pass through a little stream .

      Hourigan ' a brother said he was on the spot soon after the murder , and the daughter then pointed out three men who were goingr . in the direction of the stream , as . the men who had committed it . There was a difficulty in the evidence in this respect . Kellehan stated , that he heard of the murder before the three men came up to him ; and he was told of it by a boy at the forge which he passed on h , s r ? l d ; and > tuat stiu further on , another boy had told him more of the particulars , but the forgo was so located that to reach it from Hourigan ' s a person travelling by the usual road must describe two sides of a triangle , whilst tbe three men were stated to have made a short cut over the stream and across the fields to the same point , The onlv way in which the difficulty could be explained was by referring it to the rapidity with which rumours are conveyed

      . # But there was another remarkable circumstance in the evidence . The murder was committed at 8 o clock m the morning , and yet the boy Kellehan swore that it must have been 10 when he saw the men , although the cut they took from Hourigan ' s was not more than from three-quarters to a milct these circumstances were forcibly dwelt upon by Mr O'Hea in his defence of the prisoner . The Solicitor-General replied in a very able speech , directing the attention of the jury to the fact that Houri gan himself had spoken positively as to

      the prisoner ' s being one of the three men by whom the murder was committed , and that he had given tha same testimony on the trial of the other Howard . The Lord Chirp Baron , in summing up , said tho only question which the jury had to determine was , whether the prisoner was sufficiently identified as one of the murderous assailants , for of the circumstances connected with the murder itself there could not be a moment ' s doubt . His Lordship then went through the evidence , commenting upon it at great leneth .

      The jury retired for a short time , and returned a verdict of Guilty . The prison ? r is the fifth who , under the commission for this county , has been found guilty of murder . Result of tub Special Commission in Clare — Besides the capital convictions at Ennis , amounting lo lour , the following convicts , sentenced to transportation for various periods , arrived in Limericft in the course of the month from Clare , and on Friday were safely lodged in the convict der < 3 t here .-Robof

      bery arms : Pat . Kenny . Michael Hickev , Michael K l ? v — H ,, y ' John Slatt « y . U years ; and Michael Miirpny , 7 j ears . Highway robbery : Dai , UHahan , 7 yeara ; Owen Liddy , Timothy O'Brien , io year ? . Sheep stealing : Thomas Neville , 10 yeare ; ratric * Geoihogan , Jamrs Kin- ' , Matthew Houripin , John Butler . William Dvnan , Thonm Bourke , 7 years ; Denis Reek , 10 years . Cow-stealing : Denis boland , 10 years . Heifer-stealing : Michael Mulqueen , 10 years ; Michael Quiliinate 7 years , Malicious assault : Thomas M'Euiruv , 7 years .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 29, 1848, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_29011848/page/6/