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vening of a public meeting in this city, in order to devise measures for endeavouring to avert the

it, on account of the very becoming and praiseworthy manner in which you have asked it.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your most obedient servant,

"The Rev. F. J. Nicholson,

"GEORGE R. DAWSON."

39, Gloucester-street, Queen-square, London.

We feel great pleasure in adding an extract from a letter addressed to the Rev. Mr. Nicholson, by His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, enclosing a subscription of ten pounds; as also a letter to the same purport from a celebrated dissenting minister :

"Kensington Palace, August 6, 1828. "I have perused with considerable interest, the letter which you addressed me on the 16th of July.

"It affords me great satisfaction to learn, that the district of Ireland immediately under your care, has continued in a comparatively tranquil state. One of the most important duties of the teachers of religion, after providing for the happiness of their flocks in a future state, is the regulation of their conduct in this world, by circulating the principles of obedience and subordination to the laws of the country under which they live, thereby becoming the firmest support to the throne and the constitution.

"As I am convinced that education, combined with religion, must materially contribute to so desirable an object,

consequences that must result from its continuance, &c. &c., I hope that your presence and in

I feel great pleasure in contributing my mite towards the support of your schools. Were I a richer man, I would do more; and therefore, my good will must make amends for what my poverty prevents me from doing. I am satisfied in my own mind, that a good Roman Catholic will always be as firm a supporter of our constitution, as any other of His Majesty's subjects, under whatever denomination he may come. With regard to the compliment you have so kindly paid me, believe me, when I assure you, that my happiness as well as my remuneration, consists in the conviction that I am, and can be, of use to my fellow-subjects. "I am,

"With consideration and esteem for your

66 personal character,

"Your very sincere well-wisher,

"AUGUSTUS FREDERICK."

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Hackney, August 16, 1828.

"On my return from a tour in Wales, I find your interesting, but too flattering letter; and I am anxious in my reply to suggest, as I have done, the reason of my long silence.

"Most cordially do I welcome, and most gladly do I return, all your expressions of christian brotherly love. Had this been from the beginning the language of the Ministers of the Gospel of peace and salvation, how dif ferent at this day would have been the state of the church and the state of the world?

"My name cannot avail you in your labour of love, but I cheerfully give my mite towards the scheme of educa

fluence will not be wanting on this occasion to aid in devising and promoting such measures as shall be deemed most effectual towards rescuing the country from its present alarming condition, and for rendering its resources available towards the improvement of the great body of the people, and the prosperity of the empire at large."-Such was the alarming condition of Ireland on the 17th of January, yet on the 29th it was wholly unknown to his Majesty's ministers. For it is not to be supposed that such a state of things should be known to exist, and yet no notice be taken of it in the speech from the throne. As if foreboding inefficacy to their prayers, instead of applying to parliament for assistance in their distress, and appealing to the wisdom and good feeling of the legislature, they seem to throw themselves in despair upon the charity of individuals! Parlia

tion patronised by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, in a manner so worthy of his station and character. May God Almighty prosper this and every plan, whether amongst Catholics or Protestants, for the promotion of true knowledge and genuine piety.

"I hope we shall some day be known to each other personally, and in the mean time, I pray you to believe, that “I am, my dear Sir,

"Your Christian friend and brother,

"The Rev. F. J. Nicholson,

"ROBERT APSLAND."

39, Gloucester-street, Queen-square, London."

e

ment has devised one scheme of emigration after another has expended thousands in charter-school grants, and thousands in the draining of bogs; but misery still reigns predominant, and threatens, as it would appear, the very existence of the country. But parliament is to do no more: the efforts of individuals are to supply those of the great council of the nation. The administration of public affairs is to be a sinecure in regard to Ireland. She is to be abandoned in her greatest need to the frantic reign of Bible Societies, of reformation crusaders, and perjured conspirators. She is to be given over to a malevolent faction, which "like a raging lion, goeth about seeking whom it may devour;" which not only preys, but gorges upon its victims; a faction against which innocence is no protection, and a verdict of not guilty is no acquittal: and to brighten her prospects for the future, her avowed and determined enemies are placed at the head of the Government in England! Good God! when will the folly of our rulers cease? They drive the people into wretchedness by a long continued system of mal-administration, and then insult and mock them in their afflictions by the most obstinate and contemptuous silence. It is both sending them the sword, and giving them the arm to wield it ! Till the Catho

(9) When Scanderberg sent his sword to Mahomet II.

lic peasant be taught to regard the law as his protector, by finding himself on an equality with his Protestant neighbour-till all cause of irritation be removed, and the spirit of bigotry be laid, by rescinding all penal distinctions—no permanent tranquillity can be expected; and till tranquillity be established on a solid basis, to invite the investment of capital for the employment of the people, Ireland will be poor, and wretched, and miserable. It is a well known fact that, during the discussions upon the Catholic claims, in 1825, very large sums of money were only waiting for the security which the final settlement of that great question would afford, to be immediately embarked for Ireland. It has probably been lent to Mexico, and been lost; for in the present situation of things, our surplus capital finds a readier channel for investment in the remotest corners of the world, and upon the most shallow security, than in calling into action the fertile but latent resources of our own immediate provinces. Those yearly droves of ragged and hungry peasants-a faint portrait of the still greater misery they leave behind who traverse the country in search of a precarious subsistence, ought to speak more feelingly to the

at the request of that monarch, Mahomet returned it, saying, that though he had sent him his scymetar, he had not sent him the arm that wielded it.

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