FENIANISM IN IRELAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 821, 26 January 1867, Page 3

FENIANISM IN IRELAND.

Fenianism, which it was hoped was dead and buvied, has latterly shown signs of revival, which have given rise to some alarm and apprehension, especially in the more southern districts of Ireland. The Dublin Nation of November 24th says: — "If our last advices from America be correct, James Stephens is now at sea, speeding his way towards the shores of Ireland, And with him come a number of men skilled in the trade of war, men who have looked death in the face . ere now, and in a cause which had less of their hearts' devotion than this cause of Ireland. Mr. Stephens has promised and pledged himself to do this thing. He has proclaimed to the world his resolve to be on Irish soil, directing an armed struggle for Irish independence, within this year ; and if he really endeavour to fulfil his words, even partially — if he of his own free will shall set foot on the shore's of. Ireland within the specified time — he certainly will prove himself possessed of no ordinary degree of courage. Possibly he is so bold and daring a man. There is nothing in his character as it stands before the public, and nothing in his record, to forbid the supposition. His lack of certain good qualities does not prove that he cannot engage in desperate adventures, and face the risks coolly and collectedly, with a subtle intellect and undaunted heart. It is also possible, we think, that he may succeed in landing on some point of the Irish coast, and making his way to Dublin or such other place as he may select for his ' head quarters.' The. task of getting out of the country, which he accomplished, was, we fancy, a more difficult one. And thus wo are brought face to face with the important question whether in a few weeks from this date the blood of Irishmen will flow in another struggle against the power of England.

In a previous column a brief allusion is made to the seizure of arms at, Cork. It now appears that on the morning of Nov. 22 two cases, brought by the Liverpool steamer the previous day to that city, were opened by the police. One was found to contain 50 Enfield rifles peifectly new, with bayonets attached ; the other 30 rifles and a number of bullet moulds. A person named Tracey, in the employment of Daly and Co., of Cork, has been arrested. The cases were consigned to the address of this firm. On the following morning 10 persons were arrested in Limerick city on a charge of Fenianism. t A large number of pikes and a hogshead of bullets have been discovered. The prisoners are of the labouring class. Great excitement prevailed in the city. At noon the same day a man who had been transacting business in the Hibernian Bank, Dublin, was arrested on leaving the bank by the detectives. In the possession of the prisoner, who gave the name of John MTherron M'Gilvray, was found a small pistol, a cheque on the Commercial Bank of Glasgow for £900, and about £30 in cash. There were no documents to criminate him, but it would appear that having landed ia Dublin on Nov. 6 from America, his movements excited the suspicion of the police, and he was watched. He declined to give any account of himself. It is supposed that he had been an officer in the American army, and that he had come over to this country in furtherance of Fenian interests.

A telegram from Dublin this morning states that the suburbs of the city were patrolled by cavalry last night, and during yesterday the police had worn their side arms. No farther arrests had been madeTwelve hundred and fifty breech-loading rifles for the use of the constabulary arrived in Dublin on Saturday, Nov. 24.

THE POPE AND MR. GLADSTONE. An Italian journal gives the following very interesting account of an interview between these celebrated persons : —

" Mr. Gladstone found the Pope as calm as possible. Politics were not mentioned until the end of the conversation, and it was Mr. Gladstone who took the initiative. The Pope complained of the Austrian Government, while fully admitting that events in Germany had put it out of the power of of that Government to defend the Holy See, and almost justified its conduct. Mr. Gladstone congratulated the Pope on the arrival at Rome of the Autibes Legion. On this the Pope said, "Terrestrial legions have the defect of often failing of the end they desire to attain. Moreover, what matters it to me what shall happen ? Rest assured that when the French are gone I shall not be less protected, seeing that the legion that defend the Church never fail," In saying that, the Pope raised his eyes to Heaven. Mr. Gladstone wished to speak of Italy, and he asked what truth there might be in the preliminaries of negotiations with the Government of Florence mentioned in the journals. This is the Pope's reply, "I do not read the journals ; I know nothing in that respect ; I am ignorant of everything ; all I know is, that, in dying, I shall not leave entire to my successor the sacred and inviolable inheritance of St. Peter." The conversation on Italy having ceased, the Church in Ireland was spoken of, and the Pope warmly commended to Mr. Gladstone his well-beloved flock. Then, smiling, he added, "If one of these days I should have to leave Rome, although Ireland is far from the centre of Christianity, I should not object, perhaps, to choose it for my domicile. - Malta, a place almost

entirely mercantile, now that the revolutionaries accuse my poor priests- of simony, would not have nay sympathies." He said, in conclusion, that he would go where Providence — mighty and never failing to judge men who are not eternal — should wish. In saying these words the Pope seemed much moved."