Halpins of Wicklow, etc. - Part 4

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The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, February 17, 1866.

Editorial

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It is not consolatory to learn after the length of time since the rinderpest made its appearance in England, and the endeavours of our best veterinary surgeons to overcome it, that there is no certain cure, and that wherever it appears it must be stamped out - that is, all cattle attacked with it must be killed, and all communication prevented with infected places.  The Government are urging a Bill through Parliament, giving power to local authorities to do these things in England, and a Bill, we are told, is in preparation for Ireland, probably to the same effect.  It is well that the best regulations should be made, even to stamp it out since nothing better can be done; but there remains to be considered the question of remuneration.  In the English Bill it is proposed to give compensation to the extent of two-thirds the value of a diseased beast, compulsorily killed, but in no case to exceed £12; and, for a sound one, three-fourths the value, but not to exceed, in any case, £25.  Two-thirds of the sum granted as compensation is to be drawn from the county or borough rates, and the remaining third from a rate charged on all cattle above a year old, but not to exceed five shillings per head.  As far as regards the last third it is fair enough, but we do not see why county county or borough rates should be saddled with any part of such a fund.  Consumers who suffer a degree now and will suffer far more when the supply of beef begins to fall off, and the price consequently to rise, would be taxed in this way to provide an insurance fund for the owners of cattle.  If the Plague be regarded as a national calamity, compensation should be drawn from the Consolidated Fund, but if not we cannot see any reason why the owners of cattle should not be their own insurers.  Of late years large profits have been made by rearing and fattening cattle; while in Ireland farms have been consolidated for the purpose; and it would be more or less unjust to ask any other class to bear part of any loss that may arise, should the Plague unhappily extend its ravages here.  Nothing could be more UNJUST than to pay such compensation out of the Poor-rate, while nothing could be more equitable than to levy a rate for the purpose upon all cattle.  It would be quite as easy to do this - indeed easier - than to levy the dog-tax and the same amount per head, two shillings and sixpence, would provide a fund probably large enough.  Numbers of pigs have died, of late years, of a disease quite as mysterious as the cattle plague, but nobody ever thought of compensating the owners, because, perhaps, they were in most cases poor and could not make a loud enough outcry.  It will require, however, the force of an Act of Parliament to compel owners of cattle to make this plain provision against the loss that now threatens them; and which, without it, would bring certain ruin to many of their class.  Meantime, might it not be well to pay less attention to cattle and more to crops?

The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, February 24th 1866.

Cattle Plague - County Meeting.

To The Editor Of The Wicklow Newsletter.

Sir - I read with great satisfaction your very able remarks in your last publication, on the question of compensation to owners of cattle that may be compulsorily killed in the event of the Cattle Plague breaking out in Ireland, and I hope the meeting, to be held on Saturday, will adopt your view.  It is exactly the same principle as that of Insurance Companies.  The owners of numbers of houses pay premiums against fire, which enable the Insurance Company to pay their losses in individual instances.  In like manner, the owners of cattle should provide a fund, out of which individual losses could be made good.  But they will not do this of themselves, and the action of the Government is necessary to make a general levy.  This might be done by installments, say of one shilling per head at a time.  The first to be made on the appearance of the plague.  Although I would fain hope there may be no necessity for it, it is right to be prepared on all points, especially on this.

I am, Sir, your Obedient Servant, A Constant Reader, February 21st, 1866.

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The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, February 24th 1866.

The Cattle Plague.

At a meeting of the Board of Guardians of the North Dublin Union held on the 14th inst., the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

"Resolved - That a committee be formed to aid her Majesty's Government in carrying into effect the order of Council mentioned in the letter of the Poor Law Commission of the  30th January, 1866, or any other order the Executive may deem it prudent to enact for the prevention of the spread of the rinderpest.''

In reply to the communications from some Boards of Guardians in Ireland, relative to compensation to be paid to parties who may lose their cattle should the rinderpest unfortunately come into the country:

''Resolved - That, whatever means may be devised for remunerating persons who may lose by the cattle plague, we feel constrained to express our decided conviction that the amount required for payment of such losses should not be placed upon the poor rates, which were originally established simply and exclusively for the relief of the destitute poor; and we believe that the true principle of action should be a compulsory registration or insurance for compensating the owners of cattle slaughtered to prevent the spread of the rinderpest, and that the Government should at once advance the sum necessary for such compensation as a loan, to be secured by such fund; and that the chairman, with such members of the board as can attend, do wait upon the Royal Agricultural Society to lay their views before that body; also that copies of this resolution be forwarded to our representatives for the county and city of Dublin, and to the Chief Secretary for Ireland.''

A meeting of the members of the county Wexford Stock Improvement Society, and of others interested in preventing the introduction of the Cattle Plague into Ireland, was held on Wednesday, in the Market House, Enniscorthy.  The following resolution was moved by Major Alcock, seconded by Captain White, and agreed to:- "That our county and borough members be requested to press upon the Government the urgent necessity of preventing drovers or other persons accompanying cattle to the English markets, in the event of such restriction not being already included in the bill for the prevention of Cattle Plague of the Attorney General of Ireland.''

[In June 1916, along with dozens of other Easter rebels, William Robert Halpin, grandson of Robert Wellington Halpin, Wicklow's Town Secretary, was crammed into the hold of a cattle boat and transported from Dublin's North Wall to Knutsford Prison in England, from where he was transferred again by rail to internment in Frongoch, Wales.  He remained in internment for around seven months.  The cattle boats were open to the elements and crossed the channel at night.  By the time they docked in England the men, with only enough room to stand upright, were covered in each other's vomit.]

[Shanachai]

The Wicklow Newsletter, February 17 1866.

Meeting of the Carlow Town Commissioners.

Protest against levying a Rate to compensate Cattle Owners.

Mr. Bolger, in proposing the first resolution, said he considered it would be monstrous to tax the people in the manner proposed by several Poor Law boards to levy the poor rate to raise a fund to compensate stockowners for the loss of their cattle, should the rinderpest break out in this country.  He looked upon graziers as ordinary traders who were in a position themselves to guard against the injuries by which they were threatened.  Merchants and manufacturers, after investing their money, usually insured their property, and if they failed to do so they should themselves suffer the loss, in the event of its being destroyed by fire.  They were already too heavily taxed - the poor rate being the severest tax of all, owing to the numbers of poor persons sent in from the rural districts to the towns, where they usually became permanent burdens upon the rates.  He thought they should strongly protest against the proposed rating, and he would therefore propose the following resolution:-

''Resolved - That we have read with considerable surprise the resolutions of the guardians of the poor of the Oldcastle Union, and the resolutions of other Poor Law guardians and agricultural committees, recommending a rate in aid, to be levied on the general valuation to compensate the graziers and owners of cattle for loss by the rinderpest, should such a calamity visit this country; and we take this opportunity of expressing our determination to oppose, with every means within our power, any scheme in connexion therewith calculated to raise the taxation on any property situate within the municipal boundary of any township or borough, and more particularly the borough of Carlow.

Mr Graham seconded the resolution, which was carried by a majority of ten to one. 

In the course of a further discussion, the several speakers appeared to think that they were in no way interested in the matter, and consequently should not be called upon to contribute to any fund for the purpose for compensating stock owners for any losses they might sustain by the cattle plague, which some members of the board regarded as a visitation from God for converting so much of the land into pasture.  The following other resolutions were passed:-

Proposed by Mr. Tracey, and seconded by Mr. McDonnell - "Resolved - That we consider it due to the ratepayers of the borough to use every means within our reach to protect them from taxation, and that a suitable memorial upon this subject be numerously signed and forwarded to the Home Secretary, praying him not to sanction any mode of compensation to the owners of stock, whereby the struggling householders and shopkeepers, already overburdened by taxation, should suffer to the amount of one farthing; and that our borough member be requested to present same.''

A third resolution protested against the present mode of Poor Law rating as ''unsatisfactory and unjust, by which facilities have been given for the extermination of the poor from country districts'' into towns and villages, and praying for a general union rating, as more calculated to ''give satisfaction to the majority of all classes in this country.''

A fourth resolution directed that copies of the resolutions passed should be printed and forwarded to the several boroughs and townships in Ireland, seeking the co-operation of the various boards in bringing these matters before Parliament.

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The Irish Poor Law (1838) created a nationwide system of poor relief financed by poor rates paid, in large part, by Irish landowners.  There was not, as in England, a legal right to relief.  Instead relief, provided within the workhouse, was granted at the discretion of local poor law guardians, with preference being given to the aged, the sick and disabled, and children.  The guardians operated under the direction and control of the Poor Law Commission.  The country was divided into 130 unions, with a workhouse in each, and 2,049 electoral divisions.  Boards of guardians were composed of elected guardians chosen by those paying poor rates, and local magistrates sitting ex officio.  In the post famine period the scope of the system was substantially extended.  From 1851 the poor rate supported not only the workhouse system but also a network of dispensary stations staffed by qualified medical officers.  Poor law boards also became responsible for administering and enforcing the growing body of sanitary and other public health-related legislation, and their role in local government now rivalled that of grand juries.

Notwithstanding the increasing influence of Catholic and nationalist representatives in its administration, especially after the Local Government Act of 1898, the poor law remained an unpopular form of welfare.  The first Dail declared its intention of abolishing 'the present odious, degrading and foreign poor-law system' and replacing it with a 'sympathetic native scheme.'  Boards of Guardians were formally abolished in 1925, and replaced by county boards of health and public assistance, empowered to grant outdoor relief to all needy persons.  However, the anxiety of the new local authorities to limit expenditure prevented the needy from deriving any significant benefit from the changeover.

- extract from ''Poor Law'', by Virginia Crossman, Oxford Companion To Irish History, Ed. by S. J. Connolly, OUP (2007).

[Shanachai]

The Wicklow Newsletter, February 10th 1866.

Fenianism

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The Special Commission was brought to a close on Friday, 2nd inst., after a sitting prolonged over a period of two months, which must have seriously taxed the energies of the learned judges who presided, and of the counsel who were engaged in the prosecution of the Fenian prisoners.  The Attorney General informed the Court that he had decided on not bringing forward any more cases at that Commission, feeling that it would not be right to prolong any further the arduous duties which had been imposed upon their lordships, the jurors, and every one engaged at the Commission.  The Court had been sitting, without intermission, from the 27th of November until the present time.  During that period 41 cases were tried, 36 persons had been convicted, five acquitted, and there had been one disagreement.  With the results of these trials the Attorney General expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and he stated, for the information of the public, that all the persons connected with the Irish People newspaper, and every person who appeared to be a leader had, with the exception of one or two who had fled the country, been made amenable to justice.  With respect to the mere rank and file the Court had no desire to pursue them if they were disposed to return to their allegiance.  The learned gentleman having expressed his thanks to the High Sheriff and Sub Sheriff, and to the juries for the manner in which they had discharged their duties, announced that the Commission had closed.  Mr. Justice Keogh congratulated the Grand Jury on the close of their arduous labours, and complimented them highly on the judgement and ability which they had displayed.  His lordship said it was due to the petty juries to say that in the two instances in which they disagreed, the facts were such as to justify men in arriving at opposite conclusions, and the verdicts of acquittal which were pronounced met the entire approval of the Court.  His lordship eulogized in the highest terms the manner in which the cases were conducted by the law officers and counsel for the Crown; he also bestowed high praise on the counsel for the prisoners, especially the distinguished advocate who led for the defence, and having expressed his concurrence, in the observations made by the Attorney General respecting the courtesy and attention to their duty of the High Sheriff and his Deputy, Judge Keogh proceeded in eloquent and impressive language to speak of the dark side of the picture.  He could not think without the deepest pain even upon those criminal and wicked men which were now reaping the conduct of their misdeeds.  They had brought upon themselves and their families the most terrible punishment and ruin.  They had frustrated the best hopes and paralyzed the energies of the country.  He warned those in every part of the country who had more or less connected themselves with this conspiracy, that the authorities were, to a greater extent than they imagined, in possession of their most secret acts, and he admonished them, while there was yet time, to disconnect themselves from this foul conspiracy, and to seek in the pursuit of peaceful industry the clemency and protection of the Executive.  In conclusion, the learned Judge prayed that it might be within the inscrutable designs of Providence to restore the good old nature of our fellow countrymen, to mould their minds to the ways of moderation and of justice, so that peace with its abundant harvest of industry and plenty, might preside over the land.  The conclusion of the learned Judge's address elicited a loud burst of applause.  Mr. Justice Fitzgerald said a few words in recognition of the admirable manner in which the juries had acted, and observed that their decisions were of inestimable value, as amounting collectively to the verdict of the intelligence of the country against this wicked, disastrous, and insane conspiracy.  The High Sheriff, Mr. Boyce, and the foreman of the Grand Jury, Mr. Casson, briefly acknowledged the flattering manner in which their services had been recognized, and the proceedings terminated.  We have only to add our tribute of admiration for the efficient and impartial discharge of their responsible duties by the distinguished judges who preside over the Commission with such signal ability and propriety.  The unwearied patience, the unruffled temper, and the judicial dignity which they displayed throughout the whole course of these protracted trials could not possibly have been excelled.  - Saunder's News-Letter.

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The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, February 10th 1866.

Summary of News.

Tyrone - For some time past serious symptoms of the advancement of the Fenian organization in isolated portions of the county of Tyrone have been unmistakably manifested, and the more prudent of the Protestant population have taken precautionary measures to meet any sudden outbreak.  However, none were prepared for individual assassination, such as was attempted on Sunday evening, the 4th.  Just near the small village of Carnteel, about two miles distant from the town of Aughnacloy, a young man named Harvey was proceeding, about six o'clock in the evening, to a house some miles distant, when he came up with two young men on the road, one of whom asked Harvey if he were a Fenian.  On his replying in the negative, his questioner said, ''I suppose you are a Protestant?''   On this being admitted, one of the two declared Ireland must be their own before long, and discharged a pistol right at Harvey's head, and in almost a moment after struck him on the face with it, knocking him down, when both ran away.  The contents of the pistol appear to have been both bullet and shot, which tore away a large portion of the scalp, injuring the bone, and placing the poor fellow's life in the most imminent danger.  He is now an inmate of the Aughnacloy hospital, and almost in a hopeless condition.  Informations have been sworn before Edward Waller and William Scott, Esqrs.  Warrants have been issued, and the sub-inspector, Mr. Harrell, is actively searching after the miscreants.

Fenians in Cork - On Sunday, about one o'clock in the afternoon, a man, on whose veracity implicit reliance might be placed, was coming into town from beyond the Commons.  When passing through the passage, or borheen [a narrow, unpaved rural road] leading from the Commons to the Fair Field, he came suddenly upon between three and four hundred men drawn up along the lane four deep.  Most of them had sticks in their hands, with which they seemed to be practicing military exercise under the instruction of an elderly man having the appearance and bearing of a pensioner.  They were, almost without exception, a low, ragged, dirty set, evidently the scum and scouring of the back lanes of the city.  There were, however, amongst them a few that appeared to be agricultural labourers, and several old men were also amongst the ranks.  The man came right upon them before either party became aware of the presence of the other.  The moment they saw him they adopted the old tactics, fell into confusion, a ball was thrown up, and in an instant they were all engaged in goaling.  The man had not proceeded much further when he met two policemen, one of whom stated he passed about three hundred people goaling at the place where the man had first seen them drilling, and a little farther on he was accosted by a number of men coming from the city, who asked him if he knew where ''the meeting'' was to be held, but, suspecting the question to be a ''feeler,'' he replied he knew nothing about what they referred to.  - Cork Constitution.

Limerick, Tuesday - There is no concealing the fact thaat the alarm which is felt in all quarters in respect to the Fenian movement has driven terror into every respectable homestead, the youngest member thereof, from the age of six years, talking, or rather lisping, nothing but apprehension, for in every circle it is the principal topic of conversation.  This morning the ''table-talk'' at many a fireside turned upon the rumour of an arrest by a superior non-commissioned officer of the City of Limerick Militia Artilery of a sergeant and another of that corps, upon a charge of Fenianism.  The name of the sergeant spoken of is Stenson, who keeps a public house in Thomodgate.  As I have been informed, and upon the most reliable authority, the fact is, Stenson is not a member of the brotherhood, but that the now notoriously notable Colonel Byron, late of the Irish-American Volunteers, and who has funds ad libitum, resorted his house, with a lot of lads whose social position is questionable, and there held a levee under sanction of the proprietor, and that other members of the city militia staff were present, and countenanced what was going forward.  The constable in Thomondgate Station is stated to be the one who formerly arrested this alleged colonel, and, of course, since his discharge by the authorities, owing to sufficient information not being at the time available - nor has anything since turned up to warrant his arrest - the police have been vigilantly watching his local movements.  At the police court this morning the matter was the topic of conversation amongst the magistrates presiding; but the case did not come judicially before the bench, as the course adopted by the militia officer in command had been to reprimand the parties under his command for their imprudent conduct; and a statement of the whole facts in connection therewith will be forwarded to the proper authorities for instructions as to the course which will be pursued under the circumstances.  On Sunday last Colonel Byron visited Bruff, and made many friends in a village where he was hitherto unknown. 

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The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, February 10th 1866.

Important Seizure of Ammunition Made Yesterday in Dublin - 1,700 rounds of Enfield rifle cartridges, powder and bullets complete; 1,200 rifle bullets; bores of cartridge-paper cut by machinery; numerous tundishes [in metal casting a tundish is a broad open container with holes in the bottom, used to feed molten lead into a mould to avoid splashing] and measures for powder; a powder flask, and three casks which had been emptied of the powder which they contained to make cartridges.

Further Seizure of Arms - Last Saturday a further seizure of arms was made in Dublin.  Inspector Conyngham, Acting Inspector-Entwistle, and Constables Thomas Doyle and Laying, of the G Division, proceeded to the house, No. 15 Stafford Street, Dublin, occupied by Richard McKeown, cabinet-maker, to search for arms.  In a large cellar under the shop, to which they got access by a ladder leading from a trapdoor, they found twelve basket-hilted swords, five rifles and bayonets, six pike-heads, some bullet moulds and lead for making bullets.  The cellar seemed to have been used for the purpose of drilling.  McKeown and his two apprentices, James Byrne and Arthur Rutledge, were arrested on the premises, and taken to Sackville Lane Station House.  On Monday they were brought before the sitting magistrate charged with having in their possession four guns, three bayonets, six pike-heads, a dagger, a cane-sword, a bullet mould, a quantity of bullets, a tunic and shake belonging to the Tennessee Volunteers, and a large number of treasonable documents.  Among the latter was a copy of the Fenian Times, a small printed sheet containing a passage to the effect that Fenianism is not crushed, and calling upon the people to ''prepare for the day of liberation.''  Immediately under the heading were the words ''100,000 copies gratis.''  His worship remanded the prisoners McKeown and Byrne.  Arthur Rutledge was held to bail for his future good conduct.  The prisoners were then removed in custody.

Seizure of Arms at Warrenpoint - On Tuesday, Mr. Nealon, port surveyor, seized two cases of arms on the arrival of the steam-packet from Liverpool.  They were consigned to Banbridge, and included twenty rifles and bayonets, twenty-eight six-chamber revolvers, a number of bullet moulds, and a great quantity of ball cartridge.

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Wicklow's Town Clerk, Robert Wellington Halpin (1814 - 1883), was a Protestant and a nationalist.  His grandson, William Robert Halpin (1885 - 1951), was a Captain in the Irish Citizen Army in August 1914, and a plater on Dublin's Quays.  A few months ago a box containing his personal effects was found in an attic, and among his papers were letters from Patrick Pearse, the De Valeras and Dorothy Macardle, and a sheaf of notepaper containing a few pages of 'memoirs' that were evidently never revised.  I have taken some details from the memoirs and, in a language close to his own, recreated an incident from William's days as a member of the ICA Army Council.  The following passage is fairly self-explanatory, and - at a guess - describes activities that took place in August or September 1914, before Larkin left for America and Connolly assumed control of the Army.  These details have never been made public before:

"My duties now began to increase as the demand for arms became more pressing.  The Countess managed somehow to secure six Lee Enfield rifles and four Lee Mitford rifles along with a considerable amount of ammunition. ... I decided to increase our supply of Shot Guns without having to pay for them, and sent for my Squad - Paddy Daly, Des Carberry and  Patrick Egan.  I put the matter before them and told them to get busy at the Quays.  They were to report any arrivals of weapons and shot.  I also approached Kearns down at the LMS and explained what I was looking for.  He assured me all would be well and I'd have something in a day or so.

The following Sunday, at about seven o'clock in the morning, Kearns called to my house.  He told me he had removed a box of .45 semi-automatic pistols to a safe place the night before.  They were easy enough to get to and the theft could be discovered if I didn't move fast.  I promised him I would deal with the matter immediately.  Putting his hand into his overcoat pocket he produced one of the pistols and said "They are all like this one.''  I nearly fell off my chair with excitement.  I told him to meet me again at twelve o'clock at Liberty Hall, and assured him that by that time the firearms would be safe. 

Taking the pistol I made my way to Croydon Park to see Jim Larkin, as he was living there at the time.  He saw me at once and I told him the news.  Because I had very little money on me at the time, Jim gave me £2 and said if any more was required I was to see him at Liberty Hall at twelve o'clock.  I can tell you now that Larkin was the very first member of the Army to receive a gun of this make, and he afterwards took it with him to America.

Leaving Larkin, I returned home, changed my clothes, and set about retrieving the guns.  I arrived at the goods yard and under a heap of straw and refuse found the box, exactly where I was told it would be.  Taking care not to be seen, I began emptying it as quickly as I could.  Judge my surprise when I found hidden beneath the guns packages of steel-nosed bullets, each containing fifty rounds.  I had not expected this, and took a moment to gather my thoughts.  With the guns alone I would struggle to make it out of the yard without being noticed, but I could not leave the ammunition behind.  It might not be there when I got back.  Collecting unknown reserves of strength, I gathered up what I could and staggered out of the yard back to the house.  Luckily no one paid any attention to me, and before long I was burying the ordnance beneath ridges of loose clay in the workmen's cottage gardens.  It took me six journeys in all to finish the job, as I could only take four guns and a little ammunition at a time.  It was heavy stuff to carry.

As arranged, I met my friend Kearns again at Liberty Hall, and gave him £3, which I had great difficulty in making him take.  He said to me "I'm doing this for Ireland.  Not for personal gain.'' 
"Well'', I said, ''I'm a teetotaler, but I know you like a drink, and if you feel like I feel after what we've just done, you'll want one.''  "

[Shanachai]

Part 1.

Re reply #109 in this thread, I said I'd locate the material referred to by Rev. Brownrigg in his objection to the building of an Alkali Works on the Murrough, and post it this week.  That material, dated 30th September 1865, can be found below, along with a little more of the contemporary debate about the pros and cons of building the works.

The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, March 19th, 1864.

Wicklow Fishery Protection Society.

There has been great destruction of Salmon in the Vartry by Poachers, in Winter, killing them on the spawning beds, taking the fry when coming down the river in Spring, with bag and foot nets, and in Summer by spear and gaff, when the water is low.  For this reason it is proposed to form a ''Fishery Protection Society.''  Subscribers of £1 or more, to be members.  Smaller donations thankfully received.  A Water-Bailiff to be appointed.  Rewards given for killing Otters, Herons, &c., and for the conviction of Poachers.  The Police also to be called on for their assistance.  Those parties who approve of this proposition, will please address Hugh Eccles, Esq., Rossana Cottages, Ashford; or James Nolan, Esq., Lietrim House, Wicklow.

Wicklow, 11th March, 1864.



The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, August 26th 1865.

Correspondence

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To The Editor Of The Wicklow Newsletter.

Sir - As a visitor, would you kindly inform me why those vast piles of timber are allowed to remain lying on the Quay of Wicklow, some of them apparently for years, and completely monopolizing the frontage of the River, rendering some of the best portions of the Quay useless.  The only construction I can put  upon it is that the ''Wood'' must be of great value (perhaps used for medicinal purposes) and that, consequently, the owner can afford to pay a very large rent for the ground, which, I suppose, satisfies the authorities for the inconvenience.  I would not trespass upon you, but, having an object in view, I would be glad if you could inform me, in your next publication, what the rent of the Quay, with the exclusive use of the frontage, is, per foot, per diem, after the timber, ore, or other matters, lie there a reasonable time, and oblige yours truly,

Alkali.


The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, September 23 1865.

To The Editor of the Wicklow Newsletter

:

Sir - As the manufacture of Alkali, &c., which is about to be carried on near this town, naturally excites some apprehension on the part of many, as to its effects upon health and vegetation, I beg of you to kindly insert the enclosed letter (bearing on the subject) which appeared in the London Times of 13th inst., and I have no doubt that the fears of many of your readers will be allayed in perusing it. 

I am your obedient servant, J. Kennedy, Wicklow, September 19th 1865.

Copper Smoke.

To the Editor of the Times.

Sir - I hope you will allow me a small space in your powerful journal, first to thank Lord Derby for his exertions by which the vapours from the alkali works are, I may say, wholly destroyed; secondly, to thank Mr. H. Hussey Vivian, MP, for his exertions in abating the nuisance of the copper smoke, and also, I hope, the vapours from the smelter smoke.  I hope all the other smelters will heartily join him to attain this desirable object; and should they not, I hope his Lordship will move in this matter as he did in the alkali case.

I am informed there is a gentleman in this neighbourhood who has obtained a patent whereby the copper can be returned from the ore without any smoke, at the same time rendering the refuse fit for the iron furnaces, and worth about 12s per ton for iron.

I hope this will meet the eyes of capitalists who will embark in the trade; a sufficient margin can be shown for profit, and they will confer a great boon on the inhabitants of this place, who I may say, live almost their whole life in a cloud of smoke, mud, or dust.  I have no doubt that if an iron furnace were erected in connexion with the copper works, it would answer the most sanguine expectations.  I am also informed that in addition to the sulphuric acid which would be obtained in the process, small works where detecting chambers are provided can return 10 or 12 tons per week of arsenic, which otherwise would be carried with the wind and dropped on adjoining land.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant - An Old Copper Smelter, Swansea, Sept., 9.