SIR JOHN GRAY, M.P., ON THE IRISH MEMBERS,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 169, 4 May 1871, Page 7

SIR JOHN GRAY, M.P., ON THE IRISH MEMBERS,

At an inaugural banquet, given on the 7th February by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the Irish capital, the following speech was delivered by Sir John Gray, M.P., brother of his Honour Mr. Justice Gray, our well known and respected District Judge. We quote from the " Cork Examiner":

My Lord Mayor, your Excellency, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I am not accustomed to feel much embarrassment in rising to address a public assemblage ; but I do confess I feel considerably embarrassed on this occasion, when, in the presence of so mairy distinguished members of the house of which I have the honour to be an humble member, I am asked by your lordship to return thanks in their name, for their services to this country. I think there are many of my colleagues who feel that a wonderful change has come aver the House of Commons, and will agree with me when I venture on their behalf to say that the recentlyelected House of Commons, and the House elected befoi'e it, have displayed an earnest anxiety, which was unknown to their- predecessors, to do justice to the people of this country — to remove their grievances, and give them that satisfaction which good legislation is sure ever to produce amongst a generous and -well-meaning people. — (Hear, hear, and applause.) I think, my lord, if there was any doubt upon the minds of men as to the advance that had been ma<!e in this direction within a very short time, the legislation referred to by his Excellency— the legislatior of 1869, in which your lordship was good enough, to say I took some humble part — and the legislation of 1870 show that. there has come over the people of England not a change in sentiment, but a great -change in the

! mode of dealing with this country, i • believe in my own conscience tha' ... givat deal of the past was not due In the people of England, but was due in the misrepresentation of the people vi" England by those who sat in tho former House of Commons. — (Applause.) I would also venture to say, and I think my brother members who represent ably and efficiency — and many of whom have much longer represented — constituencies in Ireland than I have, will say that, if the Irish [ members had been as united upon all questions affecting Ireland as they were on the great question which came forward for legislation in 1869, they would have found amongst the honest middle classes of England, amongst the working people of England, a hearty response to their united demands ', and questions which have been left unsettled during nearly 70 years of the United Parliament, would have been settled within a very few years after the union I refer to had taken place among the Irish members. — (Hear, heai\) Knowing that so many have yet to speak whose eloquence this audience is anxious to enjo}', I feel it to be unpardonable in me to detain you much longer. — (No, no.) But I venture to say — and I hope I have the approbation of my friends around me for the statement — that we are approaching a most critical session. — Hear, hear.) lam sorry to hear that it will not be a session which will affect Ireland, as Ireland, very much. — (Bear, hear.) But I believe there can be no doubt that it will be a session which will try the metal of England, and the metal of the Empire likewise. — (Hear, hear.) I think I may say of the Irish members that, if the time should come during that session when the question of the safety of the Empire and the honour and welfare of the Throne would be set against mere taxation, they will one and all declare, " Let the throne live — let the Constitution live. Whatever taxes are wanted shall be borne to protect the honour and safety of the Empire/ 1 — (Applause.) It is our pride to look at the present House of Commons as not only a representation of the wealth, but also of the intellect and the honesty of the mass of the people ; and the only thing I regret is, that so many here who have so warmly received the toast just pi'oposed have to come so great a distance to that house. — (Cries of hear, hear, and loud applause.) Looking round on this assembly recalls to my memory an old picture which I have gazed upon with fond delight when a hoj — the representation of a gallery, graced as this gallery is, by Irish beauty, listening to the eloquence of Irish patriots in our own "Old house at home." — (Great applause.) And I have often longed that the day might come when the patriotism of Ireland, once again stimulated as it then was, by a gallery graced with native beauty, would effectually legislate our own affairs at home. — (Enthusiastic applause.)

Marriage with a Sister-in-Law. — The " Dunfei inline Press," of Jan. 11th, says: — "On Sunday forenoon, when lecturing on the 22nd chapter of Matthew, the Rev. Dr. Cunningham referred to the frequent proposals for legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister. He considered that Scripture did not forbid it ; in fact, the Mosaic law not only permitted the marriage of a brother with a brother's wido-w, but as far as can be seen, made it -imperative, and if a sister-in-law could marry a brother-in-law, he could not see how a brother-in-law could not marry a sister-in law. A difference in the sex could not make a difference in the principle. In all discussions on the subject, he considered that the social bearings of the matter should alone be taken into account, as Scripture did not deal decisively with the much-debated question.

■HOLLOWAY'S OnfTMBIfT AXD PILLS. — Low Spirits, Despondency. — Sickness soon weighs down the most buoyant spirits unless they bo maintained by the hope of speedy recovery. This salutory hope may safely be based on Holloway's world-esteemed remedies, which aro the safest and most efficient curatives ofall diseases affecting the oxterior or interior of the human body. They raise every organ to its natural standard by purifying the blood, stimulating tbe nerves, and dislodging any obstructions in the vessels or glands. In skin diseases and children's, complaints, Ilolloway's medicaments are invaluable. In all the maladies to which females are- liable these remedies- are particularly useful in rectifying and strengthening those organs, upon tho due performance of" whose functions the health depends.

The sale of the hunting stud of the late Lord Henry Bentinek took place lately at Tattersals, and attracted a very large attendance of masters of foxhounds, lovers of cross-country work, and sporting men generally. The prices realised were generally very high,, and the total sum for the 45 lots was worth £10,235.

A manufacturer near Dublin has perfected a plau, which he has patented,, for making paper from timber, which appears to be as good as that from rag?'. Deal boards are chopped up into fibrei aud then, placed in a boiler at 200 pounda pressure. It then assumes the fo.-m of a rich cream-coloured pulp. The inventor, it is said, is about to manufacture tais paper on a large scale.