world ever witnessed, occurred in the north in
September. During periods of persecution in all countries, man has
proved himself swift to shed blood under the influence of intolerance
and fanaticism; but seldom, if ever, in cold blood, had so horrible
an atrocity been contemplated, as was attempted by the anti-Protestant
party in Ulster, on the 15th of September.

The city of Londonderry, it is well known to the readers of English
history, made an extraordinarily gallant defence against the army of
James II., during the revolutionary war of 1688-9. Ever since it has
been customary for the Protestant citizens of Derry to commemorate
the glorious event. So it was, also, in the September of 1854. A
large number of Protestants, many of whom were Orangemen, residing in
Enniskillen and the neighbourhood, resolved to join their brethren of
Derry in their festivities. For this purpose they hired a train on the
railway. They arrived at Derry, joined in the demonstrations made by
"the maiden city," and resumed their places in a returning train. The
hostile party determined to effect the destruction of the whole party.
Impediments were placed ingeniously on a particular part of the road,
by which one of the two engines that drew the train was thrown down
an embankment, and the other flung back upon the carriages. One of
the engine-drivers was killed; two were terribly wounded. The Earl
of Enniskillen, who headed the party, was on the engine, and narrowly
escaped death. Several passengers were injured. It was wonderful that
any escaped. The country people could hardly be prevailed upon to render
assistance, they sympathised with the murderous purpose which had barely
failed. The Roman Catholic party raised a great outcry against the
Orangemen _for provoking_ such an outrage. The liberal party in
parliament and in the press could not afford to do without the Roman
Catholic vote, and took up the same key-note of denunciation of the
Orangemen. It is astonishing how little indignation the British public
showed at this attempt at wholesale assassination by fanatics. A verdict
of wilful murder was returned by a coroner's jury against six navvies
who worked upon the rail. No adequate means were adopted by the
government to trace out the offenders, or bring them to the condign
punishment so extraordinary an atrocity deserved.

COLONIAL.

The colonies were generally prosperous and peaceable; much alarm was
excited, especially in Au