e of
Courtenay, in honour of Admiral Courtenay, who formerly commanded her
majesty's ship _Constance_ in these waters, empties itself into a good
and spacious harbour, Port Augusta, which lies in about 49 deg. 36' north
latitude, and is scarcely 50 miles from Nanaimo. Major Downie was on his
way down from the Upper Fraser River region by the Lillooet trail
and Port Douglas. There were reports of his having made some valuable
geographical discoveries on his journey from the coast to Port
Alexander, among which were a chain of lakes extending along the route
150 miles, so that steamers drawing 12 inches of water can navigate a
distance of 100 miles further than steamers drawing 4 feet, which latter
run on Senas River, and a practicable portage of 40 miles will then
reach Fort Alexander. These reports are looked upon at Victoria as
important, as, if true, the upper mining districts will be much
more accessible than heretofore, being brought almost within water
communication with Victoria."

IRELAND.

Of this country, at the close of our History as well as so frequently
during its progress, it is a painful duty to relate that its moral and
material progress was retarded by barbarous and cruel assassinations
perpetrated by member's of a secret conclave, called the Ribbon Society.
This society was exclusively composed of Roman Catholics, and fanatics
of that creed. Their brutal murders were partly agrarian, and partly
of a bigoted character; but the effect upon the social condition and
prosperity of the country was disastrous. Still progress was made, and
agricultural and commercial enterprise increased. A government report,
on the agricultural statistics of Ireland for 1858, just published,
gives the following particulars:--"The land under crops was 5,882,052
acres; under grass, 9,354,117 acres; fallow. 42,551; woods, &c, 313,271;
and bog or waste, 4,667,331 acres. In some counties the area under
tillage continues to increase; in 13 of them it has diminished. The
total increase last year, on 1857, was 22,935 acres. The principal crops
grown in Ireland, are oats, potatoes, and hay, which in 1858 occupied 78
acres in every 100 of the entire extent under cultivation. In that year,
the proportionate area under oats was 34, potatoes 24, and hay 24 acres
in every 100. Wheat covered only nine, turnips six, and flax not quite
two acres per cent, of the whole area under crops. The area under crops
in 1858 is thus divided:--Wh