founded upon, that most interesting Letter, may suffice to induce our readers to acquaint themselves with the history and operations of THE IRISH SOCIETY, in order that they may be enabled to judge for themselves of its claims upon British Christians.

We will only add, that the funds of this " Society, so blessed of God," fall considerably short of the sum actually required to pay its Teachers, Inspectors, Readers, &c. &c. up to the present time, and that subscriptions and donations in its behalf are received by B. T. Fergusson, Esq., Assistant Secretary, Office of the Society, 17, Upper Sackville Street, Dublin; by the Treasurers, Messrs. D. C. La Touche and Co., Castle Street, Dublin; by the Rev. J. G. White, Secretary of the Irish Society of London, 32, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London; by Messrs. Paget and Bainbridge, and Messrs. Drummond and Co., Bankers; by Mr. Hatchard, 190, Piccadilly; by Mr. Newman, 21, Cockspur Street, London; and by the Secretaries and Treasurers of the Auxiliary Associations.

LAUNCESTON CASTLE, CORNWALL,

LIKE many other fortresses distinguished by the strength or the commanding character of the positions which they occupy, LAUNCESTON CASTLE is a place of much historical interest. The town of Launceston, from which the castle takes its name, stands on the confines of Cornwall and Devonshire, being about eighty-four miles distant from the Land's End; and about an equal distance from the Lizard Point. It is an exceedingly ancient town; in fact, the date of its foundation is unknown. In the old Saxon chronicles, it bears the name of Dunheved; its manor, from time immemorial, having belonged to the native Earls of Cornwall; from them, however, it was taken by William the Conqueror; who bestowed it, together with the earldom of Cornwall, on his half brother, Robert de Morton. The manor of Launceston remained attached to the earldom until Cornwall was erected into a duchy; at which time an act of parliament annexed it to the duchy, to which it has since appertained.

The Castle of Launceston would appear to have been in a ruinous state even as early as the reign of Edward III. An official survey

made in the year 1337, describes it as consisting of a hall with several chambers; a larger and a smaller chapel; two prisons; and some rooms in the tower, or keep, "much out of repair." In 1602, the ruins of this ancient stronghold consisted of a "decayed chapel; a large hall for holding the shire assizes; a constable's dwelling-house; and the common gaol." A time, however, was now approaching, when, by reason of its commanding situation, Launceston Castle, although partly in ruins, was to become an important post. Early in the great civil war, this Cornish castle was in the hands of the parliament; but on the approach of the loyal Sir Ralph Horton with Charles's forces, the rebel commander quitted his post, and fled. Subsequently, Launceston Castle was frequently taken and re-taken by the conflicting parties; until, at length, in March, 1646, the fortress was surrendered by Colonel Basset, to the parliamentarian general, Sir Thomas Fairfax. During the rule of Cromwell, Launceston Castle, with its park, was sold by public auction; but soon after the Restoration, Sir Hugh Piper, by a grant of Charles II., became constable of the fortress, and keeper of the gaol; and in his family the Castle of Launceston remained, till the year 1754. The Duke of Northumberland is now the lessee of that part of the domain on which the ruins stand.

Ruined, indeed, is now this ancient castle. Constructed in a style of architecture so plain and massive, that in comparison with it, even the structures of our Saxon ancestors seem light and unsubstantial, it proclaims itself, even in its ruins, to be the work of the aboriginal Britons. Proudly, for centuries, did it look down in its strength, on Saxon, Dane, and Norman; long was the town, from which it takes its name, distinguished, during the dark ages, as one of the eight towns which were sanctuaries for criminals; and longer still was the castle used as a prison; "the strongest," says Leland, "though not the biggest," in England. Now, its keep alone remains; looking down, as of old, upon passing generations, and, if rightly considered, serving, in its crumbling ruins, as a memento of the transitory nature of even the least perishable of the works of men.

MONTHLY NOTICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS,

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

TWELVE months have not elapsed since the sovereign regarded as the most sagacious prince in Europe, was suddenly hurled from the throne, to which eighteen years before he had been elected by "the will of the people," and on which, even up to the hour of his fall, he had been believed to be firmly seated.

Since the dethronement of "the Citizen King," what M. Guizot designates as "the slavish idolatry of democracy," has been rampant in continental Europe. In the name of Liberty, the horrors of anarchy have been inflicted on Prussia, Austria, the Papal and other States. The troubles of Prussia, the abdication of the Emperor of Austria, and the flight of the Pope from Rome, have been among the fruits of the "slavish idolatry" which M. Guizot deprecates. In some, indeed, of the States in which revolutionary principles have recently appeared to triumph, or to be on the eve of triumphing, better prospects are now apparent. In the midst of judgment, He who doeth according to his own will among the inhabitants of the earth, has marvellously remembered mercy; and in Vienna and elsewhere, the restoration of civil government, though achieved by military force, demands the thankful acknowledgments of all who know how to estimate social order, andto adopt once more the words of the ex-minister of the exiled king of the French-"legal and energetic liberty."

If, however, the present aspect of affairs on the continent of Europe must be felt to afford just ground of thankfulness to Him who alone "can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men," how forcibly must we acknowledge ourselves to be called upon to offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, when we contemplate the extraordinary exemption which has been vouchsafed to this country from the storms which have shaken almost every throne in Europe! The quiet and bloodless suppression of the alarming symptoms of insubordination manifested in London on the memorable 10th of April, 1848; the utter discomfiture of the rebellious projects set on foot during the same year in Ireland; together with the many national blessings which we enjoy,— and all this at a period during which, in other and not distant lands,

society was disorganized, governments overthrown, and thrones tottering to their fall,—should surely suggest to us, that the Great Ruler of Heaven and earth has been pleased to defend this country as with a shield, and should call forth in return our deepest gratitude and praise.

One scourge would indeed seem to be suspended over us. The Cholera in some instances has been fearfully fatal; and as it respects this visitation, the hand of the Almighty is manifestly stretched out still. Surely, as we are bound to offer our humble and hearty thanks for the manifold and great mercies which have been and are still vouchsafed to us, we are, as Christians, equally bound to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, as it respects the calamity with which he has thus visited us. The appointment of days of public and national thanksgiving or humiliation, rests with the rulers who are set over us; the discharge of his or her own private duty in both these particulars, rests with each individual Christian. Each one may, at least, individually acknowledge that there is a God who judgeth the earth; and it may be, that "in all time of our tribulation;" as "in all time of our wealth,” this practical acknowledgment would be found to be among the best safeguards of this hitherto highly-favoured country.

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

By

THE PIPE OF REPOSE; or Recollections of Eastern Travel. Robert Ferguson. London: John Ollivier, 59, Pall Mall. 1849. THOSE readers who are conversant with the collection of Sonnets which, some months ago, Mr. Robert Ferguson published under the somewhat quaint title of "The Shadow of the Pyramid," will be prepared to find in the present work the evidence of no ordinary talent.

Our author observes, that his little volume is "composed of such impressions, reflections, and recollections, as the Pipe of Repose after a journey would suggest, rather than of the descriptive detail of Eastern Travel; so that its title is, in some measure, an index to its style."