15 FEBRUARY 1868, Page 2

An Irish deputation, with Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.C., at its

head, waited on Tuesday on Mr. Hardy to present a loyal address to the Queen, signed, it is said, by 22,603 persons in London. The address affirmed the loyalty of those who signed it, and con- tained the names of two Catholic priests, 34 barristers, 50 physicians, 30 Irish Protestant clergymen, and a great number of officers. Mr. Hardy in response was civilly vague, seeing probably, like everybody else, that the address, though genuine, was intended chiefly to give éclat to its promoters. Who doubts the loyalty of Irish Protestant clergy, or Irish barristers, or Irish officers, or Irish anybody, except Irish peasants, i.e., four-fifths of Irishmen at home ? Since when has the adhesion of the well-to-do to that which exists stopped revolution ? One " mark " to such an address would be worth 10 signatures, even if they were all those of Irish Bishops.