hibit some slight diminution of the population ; but as
the strength of an army does not depend so much on its mere numbers as on its discipline and its organization, so, depend upon it, the good condition of a country results far less from its actually increasing numbers than from its command of the comforts of life, its industry, its intel- ligence, and its moral character."
On the same day the Irish Society held its anniversary in the Rotunda, and its friends mustered in large numbers. The chair was occupied by the Earl of Bandon, who spoke at considerable length. The object of the society is to instruct the Irish-speaking population in the Scriptures, and the report stated that in the district of Doon 1200 Roman Catholics had been converted to Protestantism by that means within the last ten years. "Doon was once a blood-stained land, the very abode of crime, the refuge of murderers—but how changed;" There are three school-houses, with residences, in the parish, built at a cost of 8001., and a very handsome church, erected at a cost of 20001. Contributions were reported to the amount of 50001. from the Irish Americans, and 40001. from England, Canada, and the United States.
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