eighteen steamers which they had turned out, besides sailing-vessels. The tonnage of vessels entering the port last year was 1,350,810, being an increase of 10 per cent. over the previous year, and these ships were so increasing that the extended dock accommodation was quite inadequate, and they would have to build new graving and floating docks. He noticed with satisfaction that the cotton trade is reviving in Belfast. Referring to the general prosperity of the country, he pointed out the remarkable increase of the note circulation of the Irish banks within the past year. The circulation of all the Irish banks on the 28th of January, 1872, was 7,810,6367., and at the corresponding period of 1871, 7,392,6257., showing an increase of 418,011. The circulation of the three Belfast jointstock banks on the 28th of January, 1872, was 1,868,3197., and at the same time, in 1871, 1,784,7807., showing an increase of 83,5397. The return recently made by Dr. Hancock with respect to Irish savings' and other banks was another noticeable fact. "From this it appears that the aggregate investments of the Irish people in Government joint-stock banks and savings' banks on the 31st of December, 1870, were 63,553,2517., and on the 31st of December, 1871, 67,331,778/., showing an increase of 3,778,5277., or 6 per cent. a very striking fact. This does not include investments in foreign securities or in railways; and if these could be traced, Dr. Hancock is of opinion it would present a still more favourable result."

Such facts as these certainly tend to show that all the country must want is to be allowed to pursue this career of prosperity without the distraction and disturbance of political chimeras. But these chimeras had certainly not been dispelled by recent legislation. The "Home-Rule" agitation was extending mcre and more, and two parliamentary vacancies in Galway and Kerry gave the agitators chances not to be neglected; the Home-Rule candidates, Captain Nolan and Mr. Blennerhassett, standing high in the popular favour. Captain Trench and Mr. Dease stood forward as their opponents. Into the advocacy of the popular cause in Galway other motives entered besides Home Rule. There it was in great measure a struggle between the power of the landed gentry and the Roman Catholic clergy. The attitude of the prelates and the priesthood in the West was widely different from that which they had assumed in the South. In Galway all were arrayed, from the Archbishop of Tuam down to the youngest curate, on the side of Captain Nolan, the favourite of the populace and out-and-out Home-Ruler, while the principal landed proprietors, Conservative and Whig, united in support of Captain Trench. In Kerry the Bishop and some of the most influential parish priests were enlisted on the side of Mr. Dease, along with many of the owners of property. The majority of the younger clergy were heart and soul with his antagonist, the champion of Home Rule, while some of the landed gentry kept aloof from the contest, and refrained from using, or attempting to use, any influence with their tenantry to induce them to support

the Anti-Repeal candidate. The greater number, however, were in his favour. Dr. Moriarty, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kerry, addressed a solemn warning to the people on the subject of the election and "Home Rule.' While allowing to the priests their liberty of judging for themselves, he feared that his silence might be interpreted as concurrence in their opinions, and he therefore stated his deliberate conviction that the agitation for "Home Rule" is, in the present circumstances of the country, most mischievous. He believed that they have been deluded by a section of the so-called National Press, which, in exchange for their patronage, gives them evil counsel and endeavours to sap the foundations of their faith and social order. They are deluded by men whom they should not trust. Among both leaders and followers of the policy there are many of the purest public and private virtue, but those who form the motive-power of this agitation, those who are at the bottom of it, are their enemies. He concluded his address with the following observations:

"You do not always know your friends. Stand by a Legislature which has given to your property a security and prosperity which your fathers never hoped for, and which, in the disturbed districts of Ireland, has given effectual protection to the farmer's life by depriving assassins of their liberty. Again, we say, farmers of Kerry, beware! It is not the place of Parliament which these agitators so much desire to change. It is the representation of the country that does not please them. If you give them their way, you will have household suffrage, and then manhood suffrage; and then your labourers and servant boys, and the journeymen of your towns, will choose your representatives and become your masters, and then-. We see it stated by the ablest and honestest advocate of the measure, that the Irish House of Lords is to be restored. Do you complain that the votes of the Irish Representative Peers have been outnumbered by the votes of the Liberal Peers of England? The time may come when the old feud between Catholic and Protestant shall have been forgotten in religious equality; when a common interest, well understood, shall have obliterated the antagonism between landlord and tenant; when Ireland shall have a united people, north and south; but in her present state of disunion self-government could only be a war of faction and of class." Another recruit on the side of order in Kerry was found in the once popular champion, the O'Donoghue, who ranged himself openly and strongly against the friends of Home Rule, and quoted in his support the following letter from a greater tribune of the people, Mr. Bright:

"My dear O'Donoghue,-It is said, some persons engaged in the canvass of the county of Kerry have spoken of me as an advocate of what is termed Home Rule in Ireland. I hope no one will venture to say anything so absurd and untrue. If it has been said by any one of any authority in the county, I will feel obliged if you contradict it. To have two representative Legislative Assemblies or Parliaments

in the United Kingdom would, in my opinion, be an intolerable mischief, and I think no sensible man can wish for two within the limits of the present United Kingdom who does not wish the United Kingdom to become two or more nations entirely separate from each other.

"Excuse my troubling you with this. It is no duty of mine to interfere with your contest, but I do not wish to be misrepresented. "I am very truly yours,

"JOHN BRIGHT."

Small effect did such words of wisdom and moderation create in the localities to which they were addressed-whatever the unguided instincts of the people might have directed them to do, priestly intimidation left them no chance of taking any course but one. The popular pen took the same tone with the greatest vehemence. The Irishman ridiculed Mr. Bright as "our fat friend," denouncing him as "politically narrow and politically selfish-a social revolutionist, and not a statesman," and the most violent threats were held out towards such as might adopt the cause of order. Under such circumstances the elections were practically a foregone conclusion. The first to be decided was that in Galway, where Captain Nolan was returned by an overwhelming majority. The polling was carried on amid great excitement. A large force of police and military was drawn up in front of the booths, and Captain Trench's voters were brought to the poll under a strong escort. The protection was not unnecessary, as the mob showed a determination to prevent their voting or punish them with violence, which was with difficulty repressed. In some instances personal injuries were inflicted in spite of the most vigilant and active exertions of the authorities. Mr. Sloper, a gentleman who had taken a prominent part in support of Captain Trench, was savagely attacked while proceeding to his own residence under an escort of mounted constabulary. With the exception of the tenantry of the Headford, St. George, and Clanmorris estates, the electors who came to the poll voted for Captain Nolan. Many of them did so in presence of their landlords, and observers state that it was painful to witness the reluctance which they manifested. The priests came from the country districts at the head of their parishioners, and led them with a triumphant air to the polling booths, where the rev. gentlemen remained until the last vote was recorded. In the Clare booth the Rev. P. Conway, of Headford, excited the mob by denouncing one of the landlords. Captain Trench's agent remonstrated, and the Sheriff's deputy requested the priest to withdraw. At Tuam, Loughrea, and other places the mob were more disorderly and violent than in Galway, and many of Captain Trench's voters who attempted to reach the booths were obliged to return without polling. The Archbishop of Tuam recorded his vote at an early hour for Captain Nolan, and was loudly cheered by the populace. He afterwards inspected the booths. The voters for Captain Trench

were hissed and hooted wherever they presented themselves. Captain Nolan had a majority of 2165, but of a constituency of 5267 only 3480 recorded their votes.

Exaggerated reports reached the metropolis of some rioting in Tuam and other places, but the mob appears to have been kept in effectual check, though there were isolated cases of violence. Some of the military were hurt severely by stones, and the houses of obnoxious voters had their windows smashed.

The example of Galway was immediately followed by Kerry, where, though the issue was considered doubtful till the last, Mr. Blennerhassett, the Home-Rule candidate, was returned by a large majority. At the last moment great pressure was put on, and the popular excitement increased as the non-electors saw the preparations which were made for bringing Mr. Dease's friends to the poll under military escort. It is probable that the success in Galway had some effect upon the wavering and timid voters. Some were emboldened to oppose the wishes of their landlords, and others feared to encounter the resentment of the people, who were lashed into a state of frenzy by the incessant appeals of the Home-Rule orators. The polling, however, was carried on without any of the rioting which brought disgrace upon many former elections in the South. The presence of a numerous military and police force restrained the violent disposition of the mob, but it was evident from the indignant expressions with which some of Mr. Dease's voters were received, and the stone-throwing, in some instances, that they incurred a certain risk in coming to record their votes in the face of an excited populace. The following returns will show how the electoral battle proceeded. After the opening of the booths at eight o'clock a rush was made at Tralee and Killarney, the strongholds of the Kenmare interest, to place Mr. Dease ahead, and his friends, who came in by special train, were brought up in such strength that a large majority was recorded for him in the first returns. The counterpart of this policy was adopted by Mr. Blennerhassett's agents in Listowel, Kenmare, and Cahirciveen, where his friends were most numerous, and the advantage gained by his opponent in other places was more than counterbalanced. Before the close of the poll it became evident that Mr. Dease was beaten along the whole line except in Killarney.

Banners with "Home Rule" inscribed upon them were borne by Mr. Blennerhassett's supporters. They also displayed green ribands with the same inscription. Mr. Dease's voters came up under very discouraging circumstances to encounter the taunts and menaces and execrations of " the people ;" and it is not to be wondered at if many of them shrank from the ordeal. The example of the Rev. Mr. O'Donoghue, J. P. of Ardfert, in disregarding the prohibition of Bishop Moriarty, appears to have stimulated other priests to take an active part in the election. Two or three of them, at least, came in at the head of their parishioners to vote for Mr. Blennerhassett. Some of the votes tendered for that gentleman were

refused because the name was given "Hassett," so little were his superior claims really known to the patriotic electors who were ready to vote for him because they were exhorted to do so. At Kenmare, Mr. Starkie, resident magistrate, was struck by a stone which was aimed at one of Mr. Dease's voters. Very few instances of assault, however, seem to have occurred, and the election, on the whole, appears to have been as orderly and quiet as could be expected upon an occasion when popular enthusiasm is aroused. It is difficult to reconcile the fact of so large a majority with the statements made by Mr. Dease's friends before the polling as to the number of pledged supporters of his cause, unless upon the supposition that at the last many of his friends were induced to remain away, if not to break their promises, rather than face the indignation of the multitude. Some of Mr. Dease's influential friends worked with great ardour and courage on his behalf, and the mob showed their resentment when the day was over. The influence of the landlords was not all thrown into the scale, for several owners of property, including some Conservatives, were favourable to Mr. Blennerhassett, or remained neutral, a position which in a contest of this kind is favourable to the popular candidate.

Mr. Dease's friends spared no personal efforts to carry the election; but the popular influences were too strong for them. Some instances which are related will show how they were disappointed and deceived. Mr. Denny had appointed seven o'clock in the morning to meet eighty tenants at a certain cross-road and come into Tralee with them to vote for Mr. Dease. He was there at the time named with a strong escort, but there were no tenants, and he had to return alone; for the Rev. Eugene O'Sullivan, P.P. of Spa, had made an appointment with them for the same hour to meet him at another place and vote for Mr. Blennerhassett. A contingent, numbering 200 electors from Castleisland, Brosna, and other adjoining parishes, came in about twelve o'clock, accompanied by a band, and voted in a body for Mr. Blennerhassett. They had been canvassed by their landlord, the Hon. Mr. Wynne, for Mr. Dease, and dinner had been provided for them; but at a signal they rose almost to a man and left him, after handing a written refusal to vote as he desired. Only eighteen of the party voted for Mr. Dease. It is reported that the mob wrecked his house at night, and that he was obliged to secrete himself to escape personal violence. The women were very active and troublesome allies of the popular candidate. It is stated that they were everywhere converting the unfaithful and encouraging the waverers. They did not let the refractory supporters of Mr. Dease escape without some marks of their displeasure. The mildest form which it assumed was the sprinkling of their clothes with flour, which made them objects of attraction for others. Mr. Hussey was more roughly treated. At Killarney the O'Donoghue and other friends of Mr. Dease were very zealous in his cause, and it was the only place where he had a