Anglo-Celt
Published in Cavan, county Cavan
March 6,
1851.
CARRICK-ON-SHANNON, February 25, 1851.- The following gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jury of Leitrim for the discharge of fiscal business, before the High Sheriff, Josias ROWLEY, Esq., D.L., R.N., Mount Campbell, Drumsna: - Lord Viscount CLEMENTS, Foreman, Lough Rynn; Nicholas Loftus TOTTENHAM, Glenfarn Hall; William JOHNSTON, Kinlough House; Francis LA TOUCHE, Drumhearney; Edward K. TENNISON, M.P., Kilronan Castle; Hon. Charles CLEMENTS, M.P., Grosvenor-square, London; Nesbill CULLEN, Corry Lodge; John REYNOLDS, Dickson, Dungaraberry Lodge; John Hamilton PEYTON, Port; Arthur J. F. Lindsay BIRCHALL, Blackrock; Joshua KELL, Dromahair; Henry Manly PALMER, Shriff (sic), Esqrs.; General James ARMSTRONG, Hollymount; Charles COX, Carrick-on-Shaanon; John KANE, Castle, Mohill; John LAWDER, Mough; Archibarld GODLEY, Killygar; William LAWDER, Riverdale; George H. C. PEYTON, Driney House; Francis Montgomery OLPHERTS, Shannon, Sligo; Lewis ALGEO, Glenboy; Robert Johnston GORE, Woodford, Esqrs. The commission was opened on Friday last, at 11 o'clock.
The following are the number of persons in custody for trial at the Leitrim Assizes, and the crimes of which they stand charged: Murder, 6; perjury, 1; concealing birth, 2; attempt to poison, 1; waylay and robbery, 2; larceny, 6; violent assault, 1; rescue, 1; passing bad coin, 1; vagracy (sic), 1.
WESTMEATH ASSIZES.
The spring assizes for this county commenced on Thursday. Shortly after three o'clock the Hon. Judge Torrens arrived at Mullingar from Trim, and immediately proceeded to the Court-house, when the Commission was opened with all due formality in the Crown Court.
The grand jury panel was then read over, when the following gentlemen answered to their names:-
Jugh Morgan TUITE, foreman; James W. M. BERRY; William P. URQUHART, George Augustus BOYD, Adolphus W. B. SMYTH, John MALONE, John LONGWORTH, Lieutenant-Colonel CAULFIELD, John D. MEARES, John Charles LYONS, Richards W. REYNELL, William H. DANIELL, Henry MURRAY, Godfrey LEVINGE, Robert H. KELLY, Samuel A. RAYNELL, Francis Pratt SMYTH, George Nugent PURDOM, Nicholas EVANS, Henry PILKINGTON, George N. D'ARCY, and John RYND, Esqrs.
His lordship briefly addressed the grand jury after which they retired. He was occupied the remainder of the evening in ____(?) the presentments. At six o'clock the court rose.
FRIDAY.
At 10 o'clock this morning, the Lord Chief Justice BLACKBOURNE, took his seat on theBench in the Record Court; Hon. Justice TORRENS in the Crown Court.
Hugh Seery was placed at the bar charged with the murder of Thomas BUTLER, by inflicting wounds with a bottle, which after 16 days caused his death.
Rose WALACE deposed to bringing home the deceased, who was her uncle, on the 11th of December, on a car; he lingered till the 27th when he died.
James REESHAN, sworn - Remembers the 11th Dec. last, was at chapel in Kilbeggan on that day; saw the prisoner kneeling on the road with a large glass bottle in his hand, which he was turning about, saw him after the space of a quarter of an hour get up and trip up Thomas Butler, and commenced kicking him on the road; Butler got up; and struck him in the face; then the prisoner beat the deceased about the head with the bottle; deceased ran towards the house of a man named SULLIVAN, the prisoner still followed him; threw him into the ditch and kicked him in the face; a man named BEHAN interposed and took the prisoner away who still held the neck of the bottle; deceased's face was covered with blood; saw the prisoner about three months previous in the same position on his knees with a bottle he appeared to be praying.
Mr. James TYRRELL, governor of the gaol, deposed that he had held the prisoner in custody previous to this occasion, charged with assaulting his mother and being insane; he recovered and was liberated at Petty Sessions.
Patrick BEHAN, sworn and examined, knew the prisoner for upwards of a year; had seen him a month before this occurrence kneeling in the middle of the street; up to his knees in the gutter, with his hands up as if he was praying.
Hessey SEERY examined - Is the mother of the prisoner; since he had a fit he has not been the same person; was in jail for assaulting the witness, believes him not to be in his right mind, saw him on the morning of this occurrence; he had the bottle in his hand for the purpose he said of holding "holy water."
The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty, being of unsound mind at the time of the assault.
WHITEBOY OFFENCE.
Patrick BURKE was charged with a whiteboy offence by appearing armed, and using threatening language to Wm. BRABASON, on the 23rd December last.
William Brabason sworn and examined - Lives at Mitchelstown; saw the prisoner between 8 o'clock and 9 on the morning of the 20th of December last, on the witnesses lands; the prisoner was armed with a pistol which he presented at the witness, saying at the same tine that he had come a long way to give the witness notice that if he continued to turn people off his land he would come again and enforce his orders.
Guilty - 9 months imprisonment.
ATTEMPT TO POISON
Anne CAHILL was placed at the bar, charged with having on the 11th of September last, attempted to murder Bridget FAGAN and family by administering a deadly poison named arsenic.
George ROBINSON had the prisoner lodging with him from July to the 10th of September. Bridget Fagan lodged with him for one night; had arsenic in his house prepared for killing mice; the prisoner left witnesses house on the 12th September; he had desired her to leave the house ten days previous in order to make room for Bridget Fagan; Bridget Fagan and her two children were taken ill the night after the prisoner left; missed the arsenic immediately after; it was in an uncovered jug on the dresser.
The jury retired for about half an hour, when the verdict of guilty was handed to the court with a recommendation to mercy.
MARRIAGES
Feb. 27, in Walcot Church, by the Rev. ____ GARDINER, the Rev. Thomas W. MASON, to Ellen Jane, youngest daughter of Lieutenant-General Alexander ARMSTRONG, of Green Park, Bath.Feb. 16, at Tunnyinn, county Cavan, the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. Mr. SMITH, P.P., Kill, Edward M'NULTY, Esq., Woolen Merchant, Cootehill, to Susan M'ENTEE, youngest daughter of Terence M'ENTEE, Esq.
March 13, 1851
COUNTY MONAGHAN ASSIZES
Record Court
Enquiry before E. P. MURPHY, Esq., Deputy Sheriff,
KELLY v. M'ELROY
This was an action for assault and battery. The facts of the case, as stated by Mr. Whiteside, are as follows: - Sir Thomas Leonard had, in the course of his improvements in Clones, of which he is the principal proprietor, built a farm-yard in the town. In that yard, also, was a crane, kept for the convenience of the people. It was surrounded by walls, and the mode of approach was by a gate, the key of which was for several years in the keeping of the plaintiff, who was for many years clerk of the market, and had paid attention to the management of the farm yard, Mr. M'Elroy, the defendant, had no possible right to that farm yard. The defendant, who was, some way or another, connected with a person who assumed a right to the crane, put forward some claim to the crane on his own part, supposed that possession was nine-tenths of the law; and accordingly, he entered into the premises in question, with the intention of stripping Sir Thomas Leonard of his estate, by taking possession of the farm-yard and keeping it. Mr. Kelly, being a person in authority, and in the discharge of his duty, was in the yard on the evening when this occurrence took place. Mr. M'Elroy, having entered into the yard, when he saw Mr. Kelly exclaimed, "Put that ruffian out - tear him out - kick him out;" and Mr. Kelly, not being disposed to leave, Mr. M'Elroy seized him by the throat, and his son commenced kicking him on the shins, while the father dragged him out by the throat. He was draged (sic) out, left outside, insulted, outraged, and the Jury, he was satisfied, would, in this case, pay but a small share of attention to the arguments which he anticipated, his learned friend, Mr. PERRIN, would advance, that there was no blood spilt, no teeth knocked down his throat. True; but they should estimate the amount of injury that has been done to the plaintiff; and he would remind them of the saying of a learned judge, who often presided in that Court, and was remarkable for his very apposite language, that the person of a man was a sanctuary, not to be meddled with, with impunity.
W. GEDDAZ sworn, stated that on the evening in question, he saw Mr. M'Elroy in the farm-yard, in the town of Clones, and heard him say, "Out, out, out; put out the robber; put out the ruffian." He then caught Kelly by the collar, ran him back towards the gate, holding him all the time by the collar. Mr. M'Elroy's sens (sic) were crowding round him at the time, and there were more than a dozen people around him. Three or four, all at once, might have had a hold of him; afterwards saw that his face was blackened and that he had no cravat on. Kelly had not done anything to excite all this, and was doing no harm to anybody. Some persons shouted police, and they came up, when he was rescued, and went away with Mr. IRWIN.
Mr. Perrin cross-examined at length, but the only additional facts elicited in evidence were, that it was dusk, when the occurrence took place. Did not see anything in Mr. Kelly's hand, on that occasion.
Mr. Nicholas ELLIS, gave evidence of the fact, that Mr. Kelly had, for a series of years, acted as clerk of the market in Clones.
James BUCHANAN was then examined, and concurred in the statement of the first witness, Geddaz.
Mr. R. Irwin was then examined. His evidence was corroborative of the preceding.
Mr. Perrin replied, on the part of the defendant, admitting that the act of his client was very wrong, but stating that it should be made the subject of a trial before the Magistrates in Clones, and that the object in view, in bringing it before them, was to heap costs on his client. He trusted they would consider the heavy costs that his client would have to pay a sufficient penalty in the case.
The Sheriff charged the Jury, who retired, and after an absence of an hour, returned a verdict for the plaintiff of £5 damages and 6d. costs.
Counsel for the plaintiff - Messrs. WHITESIDE, Q.C., O'HAGAN,Q.C., and Mr. HALL. Agent - Mr. WRIGHT.
For the defendant - Mr. PERRIN and Mr. M'MAHON. Agent - Mr. MOORE.
This concluded the business in the records, and the Court was adjourned at half-past six o'clock.
CROWN COURT
Mary LARNEY pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing two rennet bags, the property of John Garvey, on the 13th February, and was sentenced to be imprisoned three months and kept at hard labour.
Mary O'NEAL was found guilty of stealing a web of worsted plaid, the property of Miss Eliza LEWERS, of Castleblaney, on the 22nd of January last.
Mary HANLON was found guilty of burglary and robbery from the house of a poor widow, named M'CABE, on the 15th of February.
Mary BYRNE and Julia HAMILTON were then indicted for passing base coin. The prisoners are sisters, and the offence was committed in Carrickmacross. They entered the house of Mr. GARTLAN, a publican, in Carrickmacross, and tendered a counterfeit half-crown in payment for two half-glasses of whiskey. It was refused, and the prisoner then tendered a shilling and two sixpences, the former of which also turned out to be base. The prisoners got an excellent character from several persons from the locality, and a verdict of not guilty having been returned, they were discharged.
Bryan CAROLIN, a labouring man, from Carrickmacross, was indicted for tendering a base sovereign to Mr. Henry KIERNAN, of Carrickmacross,. He got an excellent character, was acquitted and discharged.
ENNIS ASSIZES
Case of Murder.
John QUINLIVAN was arraigned, charged with the willful murder of Bridget FURY, at Shevedooly, on the 17th August last. The prisoner is a small, miserable looking man, apparently over 70 years of age, and with an extremely sinister expression.
Mr. T. L. FITZGERALD stated the case on the part of the Crown. It appeared that on the day named in the indictment, the husband of the murdered woman had left that part of the country in which they resided, in search of employment, and that previous to his departure he had a conversation with the prisoner, stating his intention to leave, and also, that he had left with his wife a small sum of money. Shortly afterwards the house was entered, and the woman struck on the head, with some blunt weapon, so severely as to produce the death. There were strong circumstantial facts clearly bringing guilt home to the prisoner, added to which was the dying declaration and identification of the prisoner by the deceased.
Mr. Blood's Case
The trials of William B. Smith, Esq., J.P., of Castlefergus, James HARE, and James M'NAMARA, charged with conspiracy to murder one Julina Blood SMITH, the mother of the first-named prisoner, were postponed on motion by the Crown to next assizes. Mr. Smith was allowed to stand out on his former recognizances, which he entered into by order of the Court of Queen's Bench - viz., himself in £2,000 and two sureties in £1,000.
March 20, 1851
SKETCHES OF A TOURIST IN THE CO. MEATH.
The traveller leaving Dublin by the northern road will find himself after a few hours drive in the heart of the rich, agricultural county Meath. Surrounded by all the traces of bygone power and feudal greatness, he will find scattered lavishly around the materials of much historial (sic) and general interest, striking by the memories of ancient days, venerable from the associations connected with its now ruined abbeys and ivy wreathed castles, the county Meath stands forth prominently upon the broad surface of our Irish topographical literature, and invites the investigation of the scholar; the antiquarian, the lover of varied and striking natural scenery. It is in connection, more especially with the political history of Ireland, that Meath will be found ever more eminently and closely identified; that county bears upon its broad bosom, in the midst of its verdant meadow lands, and secluded forest glades, the now crumbling, but yet stately and imposing remnants of fortresses, castles, abbeys, and round towers; thus by the very traces of ruin, boldly and tangibly indicating the successive conquerors, occupants, and religions that have lived, flourished and sunk into ruin, beneath the annihilating influence of natural and moral agencies, within a few hours distance of the Metropolis of Ireland, the tourist will thus find himself surrounded by the most abundant and deeply interesting memorials of past greatness. Entwined with the grandest features of our national history, he will meet ruins of imposing important, raising their stately forms above the rich green award, and fringing (as it were) the classic streams of the Boyne and Blackwater, that kiss with their sparkling currents the grey stones of each mouldering basement and crumbling tower. To the left of the tall and solemn-looking towers of Skrine, he will behold in the grey distance, the renowned heights of Tara of the Kings, crowning the gently undulating hills that rises with an easy and not ungraceful elevation from the midst of rich and wide-spreading pasture lands, dotted at intervals with clumps of ancient trees, that spread their ample crown of leaves on all sides, and compose an agreeable variety to break the somewhat monotonous aspect of an extended and even surface. Here in ancient times were celebrated some of the most solemn and imposing rites in connection with the installation and crowning of the Irish monarchs. Not unknown to fame are the spendours of the olden time of Ireland, and, however, (relatively speaking) unimproving these solemnities may appear, yet, viewed in connection with the then existing state of European civilization, those memorials of ancestral customs will not prove either mean or unprofitable. At some distance from the Hill of Tara, and commanding an expansive prospect of the surrounding country, the tourist will perceive the grand an stately front of Killeen Castle, the seat of Lord Fingal, rising with an aspect of true baronial spendour above the venerable forest trees, and present to the beholder a bold and living specimen of the fine, old feudal castles of the Pale, rising upon a gentle elevation. This princely castle is most admirable situated, so as to appear to the most striking advantage from almost every point of inspection. The style of architecture is alike unencumbered and imposing Immediately over the central door may be seen the armorial bearings of the noble and ancient family of PLUNKETT subscribed with the motto "fastina lenteí" and arranged with the utmost task, whilst the ceaseless plashing (sic) of a fountain at once creates a delightful sensation of freshness, and produces a not unmusical sound amongst the deep silence of the neighbouring shrubberies and graceful plantations.
W.H.B.
(To be continued in our next week.)
COOTEHILL UNION. - We are informed by a correspondent, that a landlord, who is a J.P. and D.L. of this county, has interfered with the tenantry, and is coercing them to vote for his favourite candidate for the electoral division of Tulllyvin East, situate in the parish of Kill, also of an agent, a J.P. for the counties of Cavan and Monaghan, who is doing so likewise, in the parish of Aughnamullen, in the county Monaghan portion of the union, at the present election of poor law guardians. If this be so, we consider it very reprehensive, as the ratepayers should -as intended by the legislature when enacting the poor-laws - be left to their free will in electing the persons whom they may consider the most fit and proper to represent them at the boards of guardians, the landlords having the ex-officio guardians to represent them at it. We question much but that the Lord Chancellor, were he apprised of the matter, would deem it his duty to remove the parties so illegally acting from the commission of the peace.
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. - On Tuesday last, at half past nine o'clock a.m. the family of Mr. KING, lodging-house keeper in this town, were alarmed by the screams of their servant, and on proceeding up stairs to discover the case, Mr. King observed a soldier named Thomas MORGAN, a private of the 35th Regiment, who had put up at his house the night before, standing in the bed-room, with a large wound inflicted on his throat, and an open razor in his hand. Mr. King rushed upon him and deprived him of the razor; he then placed his head so as to prevent the wound extending, he afterwards had him conveyed to the county infirmary, where he is an inmate, under the treatment of Dr. ROWE. The only cause as yet ascertained for his committing this rash attempt was, that he had been on furlough and exceeded his leave nine days. We understand he is likely to recover; he was on his way to Liverpool to Belturbet where his company is now quartered.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS COURT. - On Monday last, the 17th inst., William H. CURRAN, Esq., Q.C., one of the Commissioners for the relief of Insolvent Debtors, held a Court in Cavan for the discharge of Insolvent Debtors.
The Court sat at Eleven o'clock.
There were only twelve cases of persons who had petitioned the Court fixed to come on for hearing, and none of them were for large amounts or of much public interest. We select the following:
William VEITCH was opposed by Mr. KNIPE, on behalf of William ELLIOTT, and by Mr. ARMSTRONG, on behalf of Francis O'BRIEN, both of Arva.
Mr. Knipe said that this petition had been adjourned from the last Commission, in order to give the insolvent who had £50 per annum half-pay, an opportunity of making some arrangements with his creditors. It did not appear that anything for this purpose had since then been either done or proposed by the insolvent.
Mr. SWANZY said the insolvent was quite willing to consent to a portion of his pay being allocated - say, £3 per quarter.
The Court said something ought to have been done since last Commission. The debts of the opposing creditors did not exceed £20. The half-pay was also small - the creditors and insolvent ought to come to some arrangement. It was not a case where any injury could arise from a further adjournment, and he would adjourn it till next Commission.
Hugh FARRELLY was opposed by Mr. Armstrong, on behalf of William M'DONALD, who was landlord of the insolvent; he had some land from M'Donald, and though only the last half-year's rent was from due the insolvent, yet the opposing creditor was a poor man, and was liable for head-rent to Lord GOSFORD - he offered to forgive the rent due if he got possession.
The Court said this could not be permitted against the wishes of his creditors.
The opposing creditor was then examined, but his testimony did not much vary from the above statement, whereupon the Court ordered his discharge, further ordering that he should give up the land in a week, and the house in one month to his landlord, otherwise that an attachment should be issued against him.
James M'KEEGANS discharge was opposed by Mr. Armstrong, on behalf of Lord Lanesboro', whose agent stated he only wished to get possession of the land held by the insolvent from his lordship.
Mr. MAGRATH, for the insolvent, stated that he wished to have the petitions dismissed, and that this was the only debt in his schedule.
The Court said if the insolvent petition was dismissed, he should be left in custody. The case could not be adjourned - he was finally discharged on undertaking to give up the land.
The Courts disposed of all the other cases ordered for hearing by discharging the insolvents, and rose at half-past one o'clock.
MARRIED.
On the 18th March, 1851, in Cavan Church, by the Rev. Thomas CARSON, D.D., Mr. John MONTGOMERY, Baggot-street, Dublin, to Eliza, youngest surviving daughter of the late Mr. MOORE, Lisdarn, near Cavan.
DEATHS.
March 15th, at Killscreeny, near Cootehill, of consumption, in the twenty-second year of her age, Jane, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph M'FADDIN. Her illness was protracted, but borne with Christian fortitude. Her last moments have taught her afflicted friends not to sorrow as they who have no hope.
At Cootehill, on Wednesday, the 12th inst., Harriet, youngest daughter of Mr. John FOY, of Cootehill, merchant. Living for heaven she was endeared to all who knew her on earth.
March 10, at her residence, Main-street, Cavan, Mrs. Mary REILLY, relict of the late Thomas Reilly, aged 71 years.
IMPROVEMENT OF CAVAN
We last week called attention to the necessity of improving the town - and the first step to introduce gas-light. We are happy to say that since then the Town Commissioenrs have taken up the matter with vigour, and forwarded a memorial, such as we suggested, to the Lord Lieutenant, asking him to extend the Act 9th Geo. IV., chap. 82, to Cavan. If we are correctly informed, we have no doubt a favourable reply will be returned by his Excellency.
The "Improvement of Towns (Ireland) Bill," now before Parliament, and to which we referred in our last, contains no less than 320 clauses. It provides that on application of any twenty-one £10 householders of any town, the Lord Lieutenant may order the authorities to convene a meeting to consider the carrying of the act into execution, at which persons rated for one year are to have votes. If there should be any division of opinion on the part of the meeting, a poll may be taken, and in case the result is in favour of putting the act in force, the Lord Lieutenant may approve of it by notice in the Gazette. Dublin is excluded from its operations, but all towns under 9th Geo. IV., c. 12; will be liable to its provisions. The £10 householders will then proceed to elect Commissioners, who will have power to assess the town for the necessary improvements. The act gives very large and general powers. It extends to obstructions and nuisances, fires, places of public resort, swindling and gaming, hackney coaches, bathing, cleaning streets, lodging houses, slaughter houses and offensive trades, unwholesome food, weighing machines, paving, sewers, house-drains, streets, and their names, taking down buildings, which are in a state of decay, public cisterns, &c., &c.;
The Borough Commissioners need not wait for the passing of this bill, the leading provision of which is to extend the right of voting and petitioning to £10 instead of £20 householders, for of the latter there are a sufficient number in Cavan to comply with the provision of the act of George IV. As the Commissioners have undertaken the conduct of this useful enterprise, we will leave it in their hands, and for the present content ourselves with urging them to be prompt and energetic.
March 27, 1851
SKETCHES OF A TOURIST IN THE COUNTY OF MEATH.
Sketch II.
In front of the grand and striking Castle of Killeen the eye of the traveler will rest upon an elevated surface, rising not abruptly from amidst the surrounding levels, and upon the summits of which, whilst standing, he will behold in the grey distance the outlines of many striking and interesting objects. The eye, stretching over the intermediate plains, will gain a remote, yet most attractive glimpse of the castles and ruins of ancient Trim, spreading themselves like solemn and stately guardians of historical tradition, and overhanging the broad waters of the Boyne, that glide smoothly and sparklingly, as of old, beneath their solid and expansive basements. And if those gently gliding waters could awake the soft ripple of their currents into the accents of history and of tradition, how many a tale of battle and of siege might they not enumerate. Here, in the days of the naughty and despotizing John, King of England, the burnished breastplate and quivering lance of many a gallant soldier flasked in the mild rays of the morning sun as it trembled and showered its golden radiance upon the sparkling stream beneath them.
The Castle of King John, with its square and ample courtyards, doubtless beheld the frequent gatherings of gallant men and spirited chargers preparing for the wild onslaught on the bold and predatory kerns and gallow-glasses of the native chieftains, and as we gazed upon their mouldering, but still stately and imposing ruins, we could not but contrast the vast moral and political changes that have overspread the surface of Ireland. Since the period those fortresses have sprung into existence.
Here they stand in all their solemn and striking prominence, tangible symbols of political systems and feudal practices, that have long since faded into a mere traditional existence beneath the all changing influences of legislative progress and social revolution; the mailed arm of the warrior is now in a manner superceded by the keen and vigorous action of intellectual power and scientific greatness. The might, the trophies, and the institutions of feudalism have faded before the meridian splendours of political freedom and enlarged constitutional systems.
Trim, the assize town of the county Meath, possesses almost more than the average respectability of Irish county towns, the gaol and poorhouse here (types of an unhealthy social system) are apparently large and flourishing. In the immediate vicinity of the barracks (at present garrisoned by a detachment of the gallant 62nd Regiment from Mullingar), may be seen a light and not ungraceful column reared to commemorate the genius and victories of the Duke of Wellington, whom the traditions and local pride of Meath make a native of the county, although the claims to that distinction have been recently disputed with much ingenuity and vraisemblance by a learned and accomplished friend of ours. The column is fluted and surmounted by a graceful capitol of Acanthus flowers, whilst above all, soars the stately figure of the great Duke, whose military cloak droops not unbecomingly from his shoulders as he leans upon his good sword, apparently in the intervals of an action and reconnoitering the position of the enemy.
We think, however, that the public spirit and grand jurors of Meath would adopt a tasteful and generous policy, by preserving (as much as possible) the now drooping and fallen dignities of Dangan Castle, were it only for tradition sake, for however able and well grounded any modern theory may be, still the mind clings instinctively to tradition, encircling the grey and rejected ruins, with the ever verdant ivies of propidice and local story.
The old gaol of Trim clings closely to the deep and quiet waters of the Boyne, which glides along its basement, and flows a little above, beneath a narrow and apparently ancient bridge. It is to be hoped that after some short time the spirit of an expanding and cultivated taste may be diffused generally throughout Ireland exhibit itself with as much marked and prominent significance as may most decidly (sic) be recognised in the modern embellishments of Trim. As the tourist approaches the town on one side he cannot fail of observing the remarkably neat and commodious national schoolhouse, that presents itself prominently, and seems to court the inspection of the traveller and philanthropist.
W.H.B.
NATIONAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND. - The sixteenth report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland (for the year of 1849) has been printed. It appears that, on the 31st of December, 1848, 4,109 schools were in operation, and were attended by 507,469 children. At the close of the year 1849 the number of schools in operation was 4,321, and of pupils on the rolls, 480,623, showing an increase in the year of 212 schools, and a decrease in attendance of 26,846 children. The increase in the number of children attending the schools in 1848, as compared with the preceding year was 104,834, which compared with the preceding year, was 104, 834, which the Commissioners account for by the fact of food having been distributed to the children in many cases by the British Relief Association. To the discontinuance of this provision they attribute a portion of the diminution of the attendance of scholars in 1849. Other causes were the prevalence of children and extensive emigration, which affected the attendance in the schools of other societies in Ireland. There has been a progressive increase in the attendance of the National Schools every year except in 1847 and 1849. Besides the 4,321 schools in operation, there are 253 towards which building grants have at various times been made. The total amount of salaries paid to national teachers in 1849 was £60,396. 4s. 8d. being an increase, as compared with 1848, of £3,382. 14s. In addition to this, £l,694. 18s. 4d. was paid as gratuities, &c., making a total for 1849 of £62,091. 3s. The Commissioners consider the remuneration of the teachers inadequate to their merits, and recommend that an addition should be made to the annual grant for National Education in Ireland. The average salary paid to each of the teachers by the Board is £14, 10s. a year, exclusive of fees which the teachers receive. The National School books are now introduced into workhouse and factory schools in England. The model schools in Dublin are said to sustain their high reputation; 308 teachers had been trained in the course of the year, of which 30 were not connected with the National Schools, and of the rest 13 were of the Established Church, 52 Presbyterians, 211 Roman Catholics, and 2 Dissenters of different denominations. In 1849 the number of workhouse schools was 111. Distrct model schools had been opened in the course of the year at Newry, Ballymena, Clonmel, and Dumanway; and early in May, 1850, were opened those of Coleraine, Baillieborough, and Trim. They all promise well. Thirteen model agricultural schools are now in full operation, each of which is connected with an elementary national school. Building grants have been made towards the erection of ten more, and valuable assistance had been promised in other cases. There are thirty-four ordinary agricultural schools in operation, and several new applications have been made. The schools are in general working successfully. From the financial statement it appears that the receipts for the year amounted to £145,663. 4s. 4d., and the disbursements to £138,249. 16s. 7d., leaving a balance in favour of the public of £7,416. 7s. 9d.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND
Cootehill, March 25th, 1851
The collection for this great Catholic institution in our chapel on Sunday last was most satisfactory. I never upon any occasion witnessed so much zeal and spirit among the people. All were most anxious to contribute. The Rev. T. O'REILLY, our gifted and worthy parish priest having explained to the congregation the great advantage to the Catholic youth of this country of such an institution, and having with his usual ability denounced the "Godless Colleges," the people came forward in the most spirited manner, some with pounds, others ten shillings, five shillings, two and sixpence, shillings, and even sixpences, were freely given to assist the good work, and in less than one hour the handsome sum of forth-three pounds was collected, which, with the collection being made in the other two chapels will, I have no doubt, amount to over seventy pounds for this small poor parish. This is most cheering as well as consoling to every person in this great Catholic and national undertaking, and is proof conclusive that neither the insolent threats of little "Jack Mummery," nor the puny uncalled for letter of Dr. MURRAY will ever deter the Roman Catholics of this country from discharging their duty to their religion and their country.
A Looker On
DEATHS
On the evening of the 26th inst., at his residence, Lakeview, near this town, the Rev. Robert FLEMING, for more than 14 years minister of the Presbyterian Cavan congregation.On the 26 inst., at Glenfarm-Hall, Blacklion, Nicholas Loftus TOTTENHAM, Esq., D.L., and J.P.
County Cavan Newspaper Transcription Project
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