IRELAND.
There were few events connected with Ireland which possessed any peculiar general interest. The alacrity with which recruits entered service for the war, and the terrible proceedings of the disloyal Ribbon Societies, were remarkable. Thus Ireland at once exhibited a generous loyalty and a sanguinary sedition. The newspapers were literally filled, during the closing winter months, with recitals of murders or attempts at murder. The character of the assassinations was even more than usually brutal and vindictive; and although some of the criminals were arrested and punished, government was even more than usually remiss in applying remedies to a condition of society so deplorable. Among the events in Ireland which excited most horror and astonishment in Great Britain, were those connected with burning the Bible. There was much excitement among the Roman Catholic religious orders, and efforts were made by them to create a species of revival in various parts of the country. On some of these occasions the Bible was burned during the fervour of fanaticism excited.