Although England and Ireland are called the
"United Kingdom" as regards laws, yet the
statutes of the two countries run very often in
opposite streams. In the Irish statute-books
are some acts, kept, as it were, hung up in the
dark armouries of the Castle like old muskets
a little rusty, perhaps, but still serviceable.
In virtue of some of these, policemen can with
perfect legality make a "domiciliary visit" at
night, burst in upon a newspaper office, seize
editor, writers, printers, type, presses, and paper,
and "cart" them all away: the men to prison,
the presses and matériel to the dungeons or
cellars of the mysterious Castle.

Having secured a copy of the "seized"
journal, which has acquired a kind of spurious
value, like everything supposed not to be
procured for "love or money," I turn it over to see
if there are any marks and tokens of special
sedition about it. But it is, on the whole,
harmless enough, though amusing. First, for
the advertisements.

A Mr. Archdeacon is at present in a cell,
overtaken by justice, and it is a commentary on
the proverbial uncertainty of human affairs to
read his hopeful announcement of starting in
business only a few days before his misfortune
overtook him. He had experience, he said,
both in this country and the United States, of
which he was a citizen. "Archdeacon has
already in stock," he goes on, "the National
Works published by James Corrigan, consisting
of Mitchell's Jail Journal Recollections of John
Mitchell; Spirit of the Nation; Memoirs of
Tone; Women of Ireland; Anecdotes of O'Connell
and Shamus O'Brien; together with a few
copies of the Priest Hunter."

There seems to have been some ungenerous
behaviour as to "O'DONNELL-ABOO," which is
a song considered important enough to infringe
the laws of copyright in its behalf. For our IRISH
PEOPLE does not disdain to invoke the Saxon's
vile laws when they can be found useful. It
remonstrates: " The song known as O'DONNELL-
ABOO has never yet been published free from
error." Was there ever so unlucky a song?
"But it is now in course of preparation under
the author's superintendence, and will be ready
immediately, with a portrait of the author, and
his autograph authorisation. It will be brought
out in the best style, with the music and correct
words, and a beautiful title-page. CAUTION.—
The version of O'DONNELL-ABOO published by
Messrs. Murray is incorrect, and has been
published not only without my permission, but in
defiance of my remonstrances. All authorised
and correct copies are signed by the author,
Mr. J. McCann, author of O'DONNELL-ABOO."

I find another advertisement, the programme
of "a grand national miscellaneous concert, for
a distressed mechanic" — in which the splendid
brass band of St. James was to perform "The
War Galop," "The Brian Boroihme March," and
the irrepressible "O'DONNELL-ABOO March;"
besides the following attractions; a prologue,
"written expressly for this occasion," by
Mr. J. D. O'Loghlon; an "opening chorus," by
the Maryland minstrels; the great barytone,
Mr. M. Walsh; a comic song, called "The Late
Elections;" and Mr. John Hamon,the "favourite
tenor," in some "choice selections from Moore."
In the second part, MR. JAMES DE RAYMOND
COYNE was to sing, "in character,"
The Pilgrims; Mr. J. D. O'Loghlen "was to give" a
recitation composed by himself, entitled "The
American Child to his Irish Father;" and Mr.
Nicholson was to recite "Robert Emmett's last
speech." "An efficient spring (sic) band" was
to be in attendance.

In the "body" of the paper, there is a fair
sprinkling of general news or interest; but the
journal seems to have adopted a rather novel idea
in the shape of its opinions — for these were
conveyed through a large correspondence from all
parts of the country, supposed to be addressed
to the journal, but really manufactured in
the office. Every one is pouring in his or
her suggestions, complaints, and advice, and
this gives the idea of vast circulation and
great public interest. But what seems to
cut the editor to the quick, and naturally so,
are dismal accounts from genuine
correspondents and agents of the sale of the paper
being interfered with by the commands and
influence of the Catholic clergy. Howbeit, he
protests — and, like Desdemona, almost too much
—that this has the effect of doubling his
circulation, and that he devoutly hopes the clergy
will redouble their efforts. Herein, it is easily
seen that he is not speaking from his heart.

There is a long article on Infantry and
Cavalry, showing how the Scots beat the English
at Bannockburn with lances, "which, as our
readers are aware, is only a modification of the
pike." The same was the effect at Trichinopoli,
where the British were terribly cut up.
There was the same result when the French
engaged the Mamelukes — those matchless horsemen
not being able to break the squares. The
moral inculcated by OLLAM FODTHLA, the writer
of this military essay, is, that pikes would still
be useful. But he has, unhappily and unfairly,
left out all reference to the Enfield-rifle element.
The inadequate pay of the police is then dwelt
upon; but "still there are brave Irishmen in
the police who would die for their country, and
meet its foes, as we trust they shall, upon the
glorious battle-fields of freedom." At a social
meeting in Quarryville, Ulster, New York, Mr.
Clark, "a centre," arrived to organise a "circle,"
when the "ladies, both young and old — God
bless them! — did nobly encore the greeting of the
men of Quarryville, so that those ou the side
walk, taking up the applause, in unison with
those on the inside, made the welkin ring at Mr.
Hugh Bradley's Hotel." Again, with straight-
forwardness and candour, the IRISH PEOPLE
copies a whole article, which very vigorously
refutes all its doctrines, and which winds up
with the remark: "We look at the Fenians in
the same way that a naturalist examines a
colony of fleas; very interesting, no doubt; but,
then, we need not go too near them." The
editor dismisses it with this comment: "We