Births

CARLETON--August 30, at 144, Falls Road, Belfast, the wife of Mr. John Aikin Carleton, of a son.

COATES--August 31, at Belfast, the wife of Mr. W. M. Cortes, of a daughter.

DAVIS--August 29, at 37, Rosewood Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. Robert H. Davis, of a daughter.

M'CULLOUGH--August 30, at 7, Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast, the wife of Alex. P. M'Cullough, of a son.

SMYTH--August 29, at 38, Virginia Street, Donegall Pass, Belfast, the wife of Mr. Wilson Smyth, of a son.

SIMPSON--August 29, at Erin Street, Belfast, the wife of Wm. John Simpson, of a son.

TAYLOR--August 30, at 106, Greenmount Road, Belfast, the wife of Mr. William Taylor, of a son.

VALLENTINE--August 31, at 23 Bruce Street, Belfast, the wife of George Valentine, of a daughter.

Marriages

CHICHESTER--VILLIERS-STUART--August 25, at Whitechurch, Castletown, Arthur G. Chichester, Esq., to Geraldine, eldest daughter of the the Col. Villiers-Stuart, and brother of the late Lord Stewart de Decies.

CALWELL--KIRKPATRICK--August 27, at Crumlin Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. A. C. Canning, Mr. John Calwell, Belfast, to Anna, youngest daughter of Mr. John Kirkpatrick, Ballydonaghy, Glenavy.

DOGGART--PATTERSON--August 24, at the First Presbyterian Church, Newtownards, by the Rev. George Hughes William M'Clure Doggart, Belfast, to Mary, second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Patterson, Newtownards.

HOGG--DONNELLY--Sept. 1, at St. Anne's Chur'ch, Dungannon, by the Rev. J. H. King, Rector, Mr. H. Hogg, Belfast, to Lizzie, third daughter of Mr. Thomas Donnelly, Roan, Co. Tyrone.

M'CONKEY--MADILL--August 26, at First Drum Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Thos. Madill, Garvagh, brother to the bride, assisted by the Rev. James Steen, Mr. Thomas M'Conkey, Glen, to Maggie, daughter of Mr. David Madill, Curkish, Newbliss.

LEDGERWOOD--JOHNSTON---August 31, at the Albert Bridge Independent Church, Belfast, Wm. James, eldest son of Mr. John. Ledgerwood, Kenilworth Street, Newtownards Road, to Sarah Emily, eldest daughter of Mr. Edward Johnston, Tillysburn, Belfast.

M'lLVEEN--BROWN--Sept. 2, in the Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. David Edgar, the Rev. John M'llveen, Ballynahinch, to Bessie, only daughter of the late W. H. Brown, Downpatrick.

Deaths

ALLEN--June 10, at Arrarat, Australia, James, eldest son of the late John Allen, Upper Malone, Belfast, aged 42 years.

BROWN--August 29, at the residence of his father, 17, Ormeau Road, Belfast, Wm. H. Brown, Ballynafeigh, aged 3l years.

BURNS--August 29, at 48, Hanna Steeet, Belfast, Sarah, relict of the late William Burns, in the 83rd year of her age.

COOKE--August 29, at her father's residence, 33, Downing Street, Belfast, Arminella, youngest daughter of Hugh Cooke, aged 4 years.

DAVISON--August 30, at his residence, 1, Moffett Street, Belfast, James Davison, seaman.

FLEMING--August 30, at his residence, Mossbourne Hill, William Fleming.

M'CULLOUGH--August 30, at Bangor, Co. Down, Mr. John M'Cullough, 51, Albert Bridge Road, Ballymacarret, Belfast, aged 57 years.

ORR--August 30, at Train View Cottage, Ballygowan, Jane, wife of Mr. Samuel Orr.

PORTER--August 31, at Linenhill, Katesbridge, Co. Down, Joseph, second son of Mr. Robert Porter, aged 22 years.

SHAW--August 29, at 1, Welsh Street, Belfast, Sarah Shaw, aged 63 years.

Clippings

SLIGO
[WRITTEN FOR "THE WITNESS."]

IRISH by birth and education, I have tried to learn as much as I possibly could of the history of my native country, to visit places of interest, and, by observation and conversation with residents, try to form a correct judgment of the past and the present of this wonderful island. I have grown familiar with almost all that is attractive in the North and South, but hitherto the West has been to me a terra incognita.

On the 15th of this mouth I saw Connaught for the first time. The day was a holiday, and in Ulster processions were being formed, and crowds gathering to agitate for Home Rule. From the railway station at Lisnaskea I saw a man on horseback, decorated with a green sash, evidently believing himself a born leader of the people. Later in the day I heard that some Home Rulers driving out from Enniskillen had been attacked, by an opposing party. In Sligo, or that part of Leitrim through which I passed, I saw or heard nothing of this agitation. There were no processions, and since coming to Connaught I have heard nothing of "Home Rule." Either the people are indifferent about it or their friends are so made up that no agitation is considered necessary. From Enniskillen to Sligo, a distance of thirty-one statute miles, I traversed by Walsh's long car drawn by four good horses. Our driver, "Mick" sustains the character of his class. For wit, humour, and good temper he is quite equal to his predecessors in the old coaching times. In the district of country through which I passed, I saw only two people at work, so strictly was the holiday kept. I was struck with the good National Schoolhouses to be seen all through this district of country, and, as none of them appeared to be "vested schools" all honour is due to the local exertions by which these buildings have been erected. We had also evidence of the good effected by these schools, for in almost every case where well dressed, young girls and boys rushed to the door to have a peep at our conveyance as we passed, we could not but remark that they had books in their hands. Our National Schools have trained a generation to read. Some great, comprehensive, national scheme must be carried out to supply them with wholesome literature.

There is much beautiful scenery on this line of road. On the one side the Belmore mountains rising, in some instances 1,300 feet; and, on the other, Cuileagh 2,100, on the declivities of which is situated the large and beautiful demesne of Florence Court. Further on, we pass the upper and lower loughs of Macnean, separated from each other by a neck of land about half a mile in breadth. Manorhamilton, the only town passed through on the way to Sligo, is situated in a very beautiful part of the County Leitrim watered by the mountain stream -- the Owenmore -- and surrounded by lofty hills. In this part of County Leitrim there is very little village. The land is almost in a state of nature. Pasture, with a little hay, and here and there a patch of oats and potatoes, everywhere meets the eye. The country improves greatly in beauty and fertility as we enter the County Sligo.

"IRISH NAMES OF PLACES."

I advise all travellers in Ireland to supply themselves with a copy of Dr. Joyce's "Irish Names of Places." one of the most interesting and valuable books published in Ireland during the present century. Dr. Joyce's position in connection with the education of the country, his knowledge of the Irish language, and his enthusiasm in the subject, qualify him pre-eminently for a task which he has so ably accomplished. Standing amid the glories of this magnificent district; gazing with awe on these stupendous hills, so fantastically pitched hither and thither; wondering what these queer crowns on the summit of each can mean; sailing down this magnificent bay, or up this far more magnificent inland-lake, deafened by the roar of these cataracts; transported to older times amid the ruins of old round towers and ivied castles, and abbeys grand in their desolation and decay; one tries in vain to know where you are, or what these places are called, or you listen to catch the unpronounceable names, so rapidly uttered by the natives. Half-an-hour with Joyce makes you and these hills and glens familiar friends. Sligo itself, written in early times Ballina Sligeach, is the town of the shelly river. Oyster Island, at the mouth of the bay, refers to the same characteristic, and the oyster shell forms a part of the arms of the town.

Knocknarea, a singularly formed hill to the south-west of the town, rising to a height of 11,000 feet, standing in solitary grandeur, with its green slopes and flattop terminating in a bold escarpment to the sea, is the Hill of the Executions, referring to one of those dark and bloody deeds of which so many occurred among rival clans and chiefs in the early history of Connaught.

Binbulbin, to the north of the town, is exactly similar in its appearance and formation to Knocknarea, but rising much higher. Its summit is 1,700 feet above the level of the sea, and commands from its bold cliffs a most extensive of the whole line of coast and surrounding country.

Conall Gulbans, head of one of the great branches of the Henry Neill family of which your learned men were discoursing in Belfast the other day, lived here, and give to this grand mountain its name "Gulbans peak."

Glencar, "the glen of the pillarstone," recalls to our recollection the old customs so often referred to in Holy Scripture of erecting these pillars as boundary marks on memorials of treaties or sepulchral monuments. This beautiful glen, with its lonely lake and numerous waterfalls, presents a romantically beautiful combination of mountains, hills, and valley, which has been greatly improved by the admirably arranged planting of the mountain sides.

Drumcliff, "the ridge of the baskets," has the remains of an old tower, a cross of the twelfth century, and a pillar stone. Lissadell, "the fort of the blind man," the residence of Sir Robert Gore Booth, one of the members of the county, is situated on the bay of the same name. and every effort of taste and judgment has been put forth to take advantage of the natural beauties of the place.

Ballisadare, "the town of Dara's cataract" take's its name from a fall on the Owenmore river, where the waters, falling over a long series of shelving rocks, form one of the finest rapids in the kingdom. At this place are the ruins of an abbey founded by St. Fexxxxx in the seventh century, and close by it the poxx where Lord Gort unsuccessfully attacked the French who landed at Killala Bay in 1798.

Lough Gill, an inland lake about five miles long and from one to two miles broad, is close by Sligo, and from it the River Garavogue runs rapidly through the town, turning on its course many mills, and forming a reservoir of such magnitude and importance as might make Sligo one of the most important towns in the kingdom. Alas, but little use is made of this valuable lake. For beauty of scenery this lake with its dozen of islands all covered with wood, its rugged mountains rising so abruptly from its shores, its beautifully planted demesnes of Hazlewood, Hollywell, and Cleveragh, and its ruins of ancient days, is not surpassed even by Killarney itself. The people of Sligo and visitors owe a deep debt of gratitude to the proprietors of the lovely residences in its neighbourhood, all whose demesnes are like public parks, open to every one.

On Innismore, "the big island," now called Church Island, there are the ruins of an old abbey, said to been founded by St. Loman in the year 590. This building was destroyed by fire in the beginning of the fifteenth century, when many valuable manuscripts were burned. In the town there are the ruins of the very fine abbey built in the twelfth century. The late Lord Palmerston has done much to prevent this fine old building going in to decay.

THE TOWN.

In 1851 the population of Sligo was 14,318; in 1861, 13,361; and in 1871, 9,340, a decrease in twenty years of 4,978. I am told this is the history of most Western towns, and if so it is very sad. A stranger would not suppose that Sligo was so rapidly decreasing in population, for in the principal streets every shop is open, and a very brisk business being done. Very miserable houses have in many cases given place to buildings of a superior kind; indeed, Sligo has excellent public buildings the New Town Hall, the Model School, the Ulster Bank, the Asylum, Infirmary and Workhouse, being excellent buildings, in most desirable situations.

The ecclesiastical buildings of Sligo are excellent. The new Roman Catholic Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen, the two Episcopal Churches are worthy of the chief town of the county, the Independent Church and manse are quite an ornament in one of the leading streets of the town, the Presbyterian Church is in thorough repair, and as comfortable as any worshipper could desire, whilst its manse occupies one of the finest sites in the neighbourhood. The streets are filled on the market day with a well dressed, sober, intelligent looking people. In one article alone -- butter -- a quarter of a million of pounds is paid in the market annually. I passed through one district, around the foot of one of these grand mountains, where one who knows well the condition of the people told me that of 400 small farmers, whose cottages were before me, not one was in debt, many had money in the bank, all were comfortable. The population was largely Protestant. There are three papers published in Sligo -- The Independent, The Chronicle, The Champion. They are highly respectable public journals; the paper on which they are printed excellent, the type good, the workmanship quite equal to that of our metropolitan papers, the writing giving evidence that men of ability and scholarship conduct them. But why will these excellent, gentlemen keep their paper at the high price of 3d? In a pecuniary point of view it is folly if they issue their papers next week at 1d they will sell five, perhaps ten, for one and do much good. In one of these journals on Saturday I see good advice to the Gas Company to lower their prices for their own interests as well as for the interests of gas consumers. I am quite certain lowering the price of the papers would be for the advantage of the proprietors as well as for their readers. The West has always been proverbial for its hospitality, but in this, as in everything else, I must say "it was a true report I heard in my own land. Howbeit, I believed not the words until I came and mine eyes had seen it, and behold, the half was not told me." In a future number I shall give a brief sketch of Presbyterianism in Sligo.

J.E. 25th. August, 1874.

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FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT IN BELFAST LOUGH.

TWO MEN DROWNED.

An accident of a very melancholy character occurred on Sunday in Belfast Lough, near Bangor, by which two men, both in the prime of life, were drowned. The accident occurred about half-past one o'clock, about 200 yards from Wilson's Point, and convenient to Bangor. It appears that four men from Belfast, all of the operative class, left in a small boat about mid-day from the Spencer Dock. The craft, which was a square-stern boat, and carrying 16 cwt. of ballast, belonged to Wm. Simpson, a workman on the Queen's Island, and one of the unfortunate men who was drowned. When at Wilson's Point a squall struck the boat, and from carrying too much sail it filled and went down bow foremost, leaving the occupants in the water. A gentleman named Hull was the first to discover the accident, and, with praiseworthy promptness at once reported it to the coastguard station. The officer in charge informed two boatmen, named Frances M'Mahon, jun., and Andrew M'Blain, who made for the scene of the accident, and it is but justice to say that they made almost superhuman efforts to get to the scene. They haply succeeded in saving two of the men, who were in the last stage of exhaustion; but, unfortunately, the other two had disappeared some few minutes before their arrival. The names of the occupants of the boat were Robt. Fox, mill-mechanic, Belfast; John Graham, William Simpson, Matthew Thompson, platers, Queen's Island, Belfast. The first two are saved; the last two were drowned. Both of the men were married and leave large families to mourn their loss. The men were perfectly sober when the accident occurred; but the two saved, from their being so long in the water, were greatly exhausted and nervous, and unable to give much information about the accident. They were removed to Mr. Potter's Hotel, Bangor, where they still remain. The accident has thrown a gloom over the locality.

 

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Births

HOLMES--September 5, at 44, Cromac Street, Belfast, the wife of John R. Holmes of a daughter.

DOWNS--Sept. 2, at Gorran, the wife of Mr. Edward Downs, and eldest daughter of Mr. Francis M'Cafferty, Grove View, Garvagh, of a daughter.

MOORE--Sept. 6, at Garron, Garvagh, the wife of Mr. David Moore, or a son.

M'KiBBiN--Sept. 9, at 17, North Ann Street, Belfast, the wife of Archibald M'Kibbin of a daughter.

OLLIVER--Sept. 5, at Ballinacally, Garvagh, the wife of Mr. Thomas Olliver, of a daughter.

WALLACE--Sept. 9, at Portadown, the wife of Mr. Hugh Wallace, of a daughter.

Marriages

JORDAN--M'CLEAN--Sept. 4, at Clifton Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Adam Montgomery, Mr. William Jordan, Belfast, to Florence, fourth daughter of Mr. George M'Clean, Killilea, County Armagh.

ROSS--M'CANN--At Argyle Place Church, by the Rev. Lament Hutchinson, Mr. Alex. Ross, youngest son of Hugh Ross, Esq., Castlereagh, to Miss Annie Shaw M'Cann, youngest daughter of Mr. Wm. M'Cann, 16, Hopeton Street, Belfast.

SHAW--CREGAN--Sept. 9, at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. G. H. Johnston, Jas. H. Shaw, Belfast, to Sarah, only daughter of the late George Cregan, Corcreeny House, Hillsborough.

Deaths

BOTHWELL--Sept. 9, at 12, Windsor Street, Belfast, Hugh Porter, second son of James Bothwell, aged 5 years.

ELLIOTT--Sept 9, at the residence of her uncle, Mr. Samuel Collier, 91, Durham Street, Belfast, Jane Collier, daughter of the Rev. William Elliott, aged 24 years.

HUNTER--Sept. 4, at his late residence, Little Ballymena, David Hunter, aged 91 years.

KENNEDY--Sept. 9, at 65, Pilot Street, Belfast, James, infant son of Isaac Kennedy, aged 1 year and 4 months.

M'CONNELL--Sept. 6, at her father's residence, Gilford, Mary Towers, only daughter of Hugh M'Connell, Esq., aged 6 years and 6 months.

 

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Births

BARR--August 29, at 205, Oakley Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, the wife of Mr. W. J. Parr, of a son.

MONTGOMERY--Sept. 17, at Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast, the wife of H. Montgomery, of a daughter.

WILSON--Sept. 12, at Dobbin Street, Armagh, the wife of John Wilson, of a daughter.

Marriages

ADAIR--GRAVES--At the parish church, Derryloran, by the Rev. Thomas Porter, D.D., assisted by the Rev. Francis Crawford, LL.D., Hugh Adair, Esq., Glenavon, Cookstown, to Augusta Lee, eldest daughter of Henry Graves, Esq., M.B., Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

BLACK--HALL--Sept. 11, at Loughgall Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Edward Kimmitt, assisted by the Rev. Charles L. Morell, Mr. Lytle Black, Dungannon, to Margaret Jane, second daughter of Thomas Hall, Esq., Eden Cottage, Armagh.

CALLAGHAN--GIVEN--At the Roman Catholic Chapel, Portrush, by Rev. P. M'Kenna, P.P., J. Callaghan, Esq., Bushmills, to Matilda, youngest daughter of John Given, Esq., Cavenmore, Co. Antrim.

Deaths

ALEXANDER--Sept. 14, at his residence, Larne, Samuel Alexander, Esq., aged 84 years.

BOYLE--Sept. 15, at her residence, 5, University Terrace, Belfast, Ann Jane, widow of the late James Boyle, Esq., Ballynmoney, and eldest daughter of the late Rev. James Boyle, D.D., Dunluce, aged 70 years.

CASH--Sept. 13, at 48, Combermere Street, Belfast, Mary Ann, relict of the late Edward Cash, aged 59 years.

KELLY--Sept. 14, at the Parochial House, Carrickfergus. Rev. Malachy Kelly, formerly C.C., St. Peter's, Belfast.

IRWIN--Sept. 12, at her son's residence, Sharon Rectory, Co. Donegall, Elizabeth Winstanly Irwin, aged 84 years.

M'LEAN--Sept. 14, at 32, Springfield Village, Belfast, Mary, only daughter of the late Mr. Wm. M'Lean, aged 16 years.

Clippings

A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following advertisement hails from America :--" I have failed hitherto to discover my fate. I seek her in a wider sphere than the limits of my acquaintanceship. The woman of my dreams is tall, fair, ideal, poetical, Christian, a good horsewoman, musical, chatty. She will caress me on my departure, smile at my return. Though I am considered a poet of merit, I am prosaic enough to wish for a fortune. In return I offer myself--my reputation--my prospects. Will any lady stand out from among her sex and show enough disregard of the false principles of society to marry a poor but a proud and hopeful poet?"

Perhaps some Irish lady who has not yet "met her fate" might be disposed to avail herself of so eligible an offer. There is no question as to the poet's imaginativeness ; but we warn our lady readers that we have Shakspeare's authority for stating that a little madness often mixes with the poetic inspiration.

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DROWNED IN A FLAX DAM.

COLERAINE, SATURDAY.--This morning, the bodyof a man named M'Williams, a stonemson, residing near Portstewart, was discovered drowned in a flax dam, close to the Dromore station of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, by some passesengers proceeding to Portrush by the early train. Deceased, who was unmarried, left home yesterday morning, and was seen at the railway station in the evening considerably the worse for drink. The body awaits an inquest.

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IMPROVEMENTS IN BELFAST.
[FROM THE "ULSTER ECHO."]

IT requires only a glance at our town to see that within the past twelve months it has undergone considerable improvements. In some districts a number of new streets have been run up with great rapidity ; but these are not the improvements we refer to more particularly. We allude to public buildings, such as business houses, hospitals, and churches. There is no better evidence of our prosperity than the number of charitable institutions which are rising up in our midst. It was only recently that the foundation-stone of the Samaritan Hospital, in course of erection on the Lisburn Road, was laid. The institution is specially designed for the treatment of diseases peculiar to women and children. Already the building has made considerable progress, and, when completed., will much improve the appearance of the locality. In immediate contiguity is the Lisburn Road Church, of which the Rev. Hans Woods is pastor. It is but very rerecently since the place was thrown open for public worsliip. The building makes no pretensions to architectural beauty, but when the porch and vestibule are added it will present a more attractive appearance. Another charitable institution which was built recently is the Ulster Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, situated in Clifton Street. It is a substantial and handsome-looking edifice, and employing, as it dues, the services of a specialist, who devotes his entire attention to ophthalmic diseases, is calculated to prove a source of the greatest benefit. Since its establishment vast numbers of patients have been treated in it. Clifton Street holds forth promise of being a fine thoroughfare in the future. A new street running off it at right angles, named Glenravel Street, has lately been formed, at the end of which, stands the splendid new seminary of Mr. Pyper, the Belfast Mercantile Academy. At the top of Clifton Street a splendid Methodist Church is in course of erection. The estimated cost of the building is between £14,000 and £15,000, and will be defrayed by James Carlisle, Esq., J.P., the church being erected in memory of his late son. A description of this church, which when finished will be one of the most magnificent in town, appeared in a recent number of the Ulster Echo. One of the most superior establishments in Belfast is that of Messrs. Marcus Ward & Co., on the Dublin Road, named the Royal Ulster Works. In a recent notice we alluded to some of the principal industrial features of this house. The premises are now nearly complete, and form a splendid addition to that colossal style of business establishments which constitute one of the characteristics of Belfast. The new works of Messrs. Cantrell & Cochrane, situated in Police Square, are now completed. They form a rectangular block, measuring about 104 feet to Police Square by 101 feet to George's Lane. The principal front is towards Police Place; and there are also entrances from Police Square, George's Lane, and Thomas Court. The premises are very commodious, aud in every way suitable to the rapidly-increasing business of the firm. In Donegall Square, Messrs. Preston, Smyth, & Co., of Calender Street, are building a linen warehouse, which promises to be one of the finest in town, and to be surpassed alone by the elegant palatial building of Messrs. Richardson, Sons, and Owden. A considerable portion of the premises in the rear will be used as a flax store. On the site of the building there formerly stood houses, which latterly were used as offices, but in the days of their glory were inhabited by the aristocracy of Belfast. The frontage extends a length of 78 feet along Donegall Square, but the greatest length, which runs along Adelaide Place, is 136 feet. The principal entrance, which is from the Square, consists of a porch which is ornamented by columns and balustrading. The building is 60 feet in height to the top of the parapet, while from the rere of it a tourette will ascend 32 feet above the parapet. The structure is being built of Dundonald red stone, with white Scotch stone dressings, and will present a very massive and substantial appearance. It is expected to cost between £14,000 and £15,000. The premises of Messrs. Richard Patterson & Company, house furnishing and builders' ironmongers, are already far advanced towards completion. The material of which the house is being built is red Dumfries stone, which latterly is being largely imported into our public buildings, possessing as it does the important qualities of durability and attractiveness. Next to Forster Green & Co.'s, the house will be the finest in the street. It would be an excellent improvement if some of the houses on the other side were to give place to structures of greater bulk and more tasteful design which would more worthily represent so principal a street, and one almost the very first the stranger who arrives by steamboat is sure to pass along. The corner connecting Castle Place with Corn Market has undergone a very artistic transformation by the erection of the splendid house of Messrs. Marshall & Co., which now occupies it. Among the recent public buildings which have been erected in our midst, the splendid seminary for young ladies, conducted by Mrs. Byers, situated on the Botanic Road, deserves to be mentioned. The name of Mrs. Byers has long been associated in our midst with the more refined accomplishments and higher intellectual training of young ladies, and now that she has removed to such commodious and attractive premises, her popularity is not likely to suffer, but if possible to increase still more. The Mission Offices of the General Assembly, in May Street, Fitzroy Avenue Church (Rev. Geoige Shaw's), Donegall Pass Church (Rev. Mr. Dewar's), and the extensive linen warehouse of Messrs. Moore & Weinberg, in Franklin Street, are also to be included among the public buildings which more recently have been erected in Belfast, as also the handsome new school in connection with the Union Workhouse. In Adelaide Road Messrs. Dunville & Co., the eminent distillers, are erecting a new store, and at the head of Bedford Street, on the Dublin Road, some linen warehouses on a small scale are in course of erection. All these afford evidence that the improvement of Belfast, of which we feel so proud, is not of a fictitious but of a most genuine and satisfactory character.

 

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Births

ANDREWS--Sept. 20, at 55, North Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. John Andrews, of a daughter.

BAXTER--Sept. 19, at 67, Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast, Mrs. John Baxter, of a son.

BECK--Sept. 19, at Ramekon, Co. Donegal, the wife of the Rev. John F. Beck, M.D., M.A., &c., formerly of Belfast, of a son.

CAMPBELL--Sept. 21, at 5, Queen's Square, Belfast, the wife of A. M. Campbell, of a son.

DAVISON--Sept. 21, at 19, Virginia Street, Belfast, the wife of T. J. Davison, of a daughter.

Marriages

COOPER--GOODLAND--Sept. 18, at Great James's Street Church, Londonderry, by the Rev. J. Maxwell Rodgers, A. J. Cooper, to Emma Elizabeth, second daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Goodland, of Weston-Super-Mare.

INNES--NELSON--Sept. 21, at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. John M'Kee, Mr. Thomas Innes, Lisburn, to Miss Agnes Nelson, Dromore.

MARRYAT-- SHORT--Sept. 17, at St. Andrew's, Kenn, Devon, by the Rev. Reginald Porter, Captain I. H. Marryat, late Royal Navy, to Frances, fourth daughter of Francis Baring Short, Esq., Bickham.

SLAVIN--M'CONVEY--Sept. 21,. at St. Malachy's Catholic Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Father Brennan, P.P., Bernard Slavin, Belfast, to Eliza M'Convey, youngest daughter of the late Charles M'Convey, Priestown. Portaferry.

Deaths

BAXTER--At the residence of his father, James Baxter, Newtownards Road, Robert Baxter, aged 17 years.

BEATTY--Sept. 21, at Hillmount, near Larne, Jane Stewart, wife of D. M'Neale Beatty, R.N., in the 74th year of her age.

CAMPUELL--Sept. 19, at the Belfast General Hospital, Sarah Campbell, aged 33 years.

CHEVERS -- August 22, at Cawnpore, India, Frederick Peart Chevers, Lieutenant 73rd Regiment, eldest surviving son of Forbes MacBean Chevers, M.D., Cedar Grove, Mandeville, Jamaica.

GIBSON--At Agnes Street, Belfast, Minnie, daughter of Isaac Gibson.

GILPIN--Sept. 19, at 20, Shore Street, Holywood, Bena, third daughter of Mr. George Gilpin, aged 3 years and 6 months.

HiGGINSON--Sept. 20, at Donaghadee, the infant son of H. Talbot Higginson, M.D., L.R.C.S.I.

HILL--Sept. 22, at his residence, Whiteabbey, Wm. Hill, in his 47th year.

M'KNiGHT--Sept 19, at Ballydonnel, Ballykilbeg, Co. Down, John, third son of Mr. Joseph M'Knight, aged 26 years.

M'KINLAY--Sept. 19, at 12, Israel Street, Belfast, James Stevenson, second son of Mr. James M'Kinlay, late of Londonderry, aged 4 years and 6 months.

M'KIBBIN--Sept. 18, at Oughley, Saintfield, Miss Frances M'Kibbin, formerly of the Haw, Comber, aged 80 years.

O'NEILL--Sept. 20, at Antrim, James O'Neill, Belfast, aged 22 years.

Clippings

THE CENSUS--COUNTY FERMANAGH.

ACCORDING to the return of the Census Commissioners which has just been issued, for Fermanagh--the total area of which is 457,369 acres, 46,431 acres being covered by water--has a population of 92,794, of whom 45,430 are males and 47,304 females. The population in 1801 was 105,768, of whom 51,835 were males and 53,933 females. The inhabited houses in 1871 numbered 17,710, against 19,276 in 1861. The population of the county in 1841, when it was at its highest point, was 156,481. Eleven males and ten females returned their ages as 100 or upwards, while 20 males and 25 females gave their age as between 95 and 100. The table relating to the religious professions of the people gives the numbers, in 1861 and 1871 respectively, as follows :--Roman Catholics, 59,751 and 51,876; Protestant Episcopalians, 40,608 and 35,072; Presbyterians, 1909 and 1,813 ; Methodists, 3,455 and 3,794; all other denominations, 45 and 239. The percentages in 1861 and 1871 were as follows :--Roman Catholics, 56.5 and 55.9 ; Protestant Episcopalians, 38.4 and 37.8; Presbyterians, 1.8 and 1.9; Methodists, 3.3 and 4.1; all other denominations,-- and 0.3.--Express.

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SAD TALE FROM THE SEA.

THE first mate and an apprentice., named Alex. Clark, belonging to the barque Evangeline, which, arrived in Leith on Thursday from New York, report the results of a terrific outbreak of yellow fever on board that vessel while on a voyage between Cuba and New York. Of the crew of eighteen hands all were attacked, with the exception of the apprentice named and the master, Captain Kinney, and the only one who recovered was the first mate. Among those who succumbed were an apprentice named John Walker, and a seaman named Donald M'Vane, both belonging to Leith. Notice has previously been directed to M'Vane, by the fact of a will having been found in his chest, which bequeathed to him from his father a property of considerable annual value in Edinburgh. During the latter part of the voyage only the master, the apprentice Clark, and a passenger were in a position to take charge of the vessel, and as she encountered pretty severe weather, and had her sails blown away, it seems almost a miracle that she was able to reach port. The Evangeline belongs to Nova Scotia, and left Leith four months ago.

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THE "SEA-SERPENT" AT LAST.

AN Thursday a large black-looking object was seen floundering off Kirkcaldy harbour, apparently ashore on the sandbank at the entrance to the channel. Losing no time, a boat was manned by several men and boys, who at once proceeded to grapple with the briny monster. After struggling for some time with the fish, they managed to get it on board their small craft. The monster was landed close to the shore, when it was found to measure from the snout to the tail about seven feet; to have a ferocious-looking mouth, filled with sharp and close-set teeth, and to have two horns jutting out from its head, which was about half the size of its body. One of the numerous onlookers pierced the large fish with a graip, when several flounders leapt from it on to the beach, where they became the sport of juvenile bystanders. There were no marks of teeth on the flounders, which must have passed through the gullet of the fish whole. Unfortunately the wonderful fish was allowed to escape before public curiosity had been fully satisfied regarding it.

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MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.

THE village of Clara, in the King's County, has just been the scene of an exceedingly distressing event. A respectable young woman, named Anne Farrell, who for the past three months was labouring under insanity, succeeded in eluding the vigilance of her family, and drowned herself in the Clara river. The body was discovered in a few hours, and brought home to the residence of the unfortu- nate mother and sisters. A terrible scene ensued. An elder sister fell on the floor in a swoon and died in six hours afterwards, and was buried the day after her sister. The mother and a younger sister were also stricken down, and both now lie in a precarious condition. The affair lias caused great excitement in the village, where the poor sufferers were greatly respected.--Correspondent of Express.

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LOSS OF £650.

AT the Police Court, Waterford, on Friday last a man named Walshe complained that the previous night he had been robbed of six hundred and fifty pounds. It appeared from Walshe's statement that on the previous day he drew £650 upon the Provincial Bank chiefly in £10 notes. During the course of the day he became slightly intoxicated, and towards evening he became unconscious when he was picked up by the police. During the night he was taken from the lock-up by his friends, and on awaking this morning he alleges that he discovered that he had lost £650. No trace of the money up to the time of telegraphing has been discovered.

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IRISH VOTERS.

THE London correspondent of Friday's Freeman writes :--The report has been issued to-day of the Select Committee appointed, to inquire into the expediency of amending the law relating to the Registration of Parlimentary Voters in Ireland, with a view to facilitate the registration of persons entitled to the franchise, and to prevent frivolous objections. The report states that the committee took evidence with regard to the working of the present system in the following Irish constituencies:--Counties of Dublin, Cork, Antrim, Londonderry, and Carlow ; the boroughs of Carlow, Colenune, Bundon, and Kinsale; and the Cities of Dublin, Cork, and Londonderry, and that they do not recommend any alteration in the laws as to the registration of Parliamentary voters in Ireland.

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FATAL ACCIDENT.

At an inquest on Saturday afternoon, held in the General Hospital on the body of Robert Adair, four years of age, who died in that institution from the effects of injuries on the head, caused by a plank falling upon him, a verdict was returned in accordance with the facts.

 

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