public, that such infatuation did in no material degree affect the excellent object sought to be attained. It is very amusing to compare the subscription lists of 1846 with those of 1880, the last occasion of the colony holding out a helping hand in aid of Irish destitution, and when it performed a noble duty in a manner so munificient as to redound eternally to its credit. It presents an amazing contrast to the advantage of modern times, and speaks a trumpet-tongued volume as to the immense material advancement of Victoria in the interval. In 1846, the largest donation was £ 2 0 from the Murphys, of brewing celebrity; whilst in 1880, Mr. J. R. Murphy, one of the ex-copartnery, personally contributed one hundred guineas. T h e half-sovereign, pound, and two pound donors on the first list, figured for £o, £ 2 0 , and £ 5 0 on the second; and the £2 of Mr. W . J. T. Clarke is represented in 1880 by £ 5 0 0 from one, and ,£50 from a second of his sons. Such was an unquestionable proof of the astounding financial changes which had come to many of the old settlers. Amongst the remarkable incidents with which the annals of Old Melbourne are interspersed, not one of them shines with brighter lustre than thefirstIrish Relief Movement of 1846.
IRISH AND SCOTCH RELIEF.
Towards the middle of the following year, 1847, it was known that intense destitution prevailed not only in Ireland, but in the Scottish Highlands, public sympathy was again awoke, and a relief movement initiated by a public meeting at the Royal Hotel, on the 19th July. T h e Mayor (Mr. Henry Moor) presided, and several speeches were delivered, strongly in favour of rendering assistance; but there was a diversity of opinion as to the m o d e in which any funds raised should be distributed, some advocating direct aid, i.e., transmitting the bounty to the authorities at h o m e charged with the relief of the distressed, for local application as required; whilst others as strongly urged that it should be expended in the promotion of Immigration, and thus, whilst removing some of the victims of want, benefiting Port Phillip by the acquisition of as many new colonists as the money would pay for. Resolution N o . 1 was moved by Mr. James Simpson, and seconded by Major St. John, viz:— That this meeting being deeply concerned by the distress prevailing in Ireland and Scotland, consequent upon the unprecedented scarcity of food, resolves to m a k e every effort in its power towards alleviating the same.
Agreed to. Mr. Sidney Stephen proposed, and Mr. T h o m a s M'Combie seconded N o . 2 :— That as the best means of relieving that distress, a General Committee be now appointed, with instructions to open subscription lists, and take all other necessary steps for bringing out Immigrants to Port Phillip, selected from the sufferers of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland, according to the sums subscribed.
Upon this an amendment was moved by Mr. Alexander M'Killop, viz. :— That the subscription list comprise two columns, in order to meet the views of those persons who feel inclined to contribute towards the purposes of Immigration, and also to suit the wishes of such as m a y prefer to have their donations applied to the relief of the destitute by transmitting such sums for expenditure in the different localities at home, the amount so received to be forwarded for distribution to the General Relief Committee, London, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Archbishop of Dublin.
This was seconded by Mr. Benj. Heape, and carried. A Committee was nominated to collect and receive subscriptions, and the work was thus well commenced. But it was harmed by the adoption of two modes to give it effect, and the end was a miserable failure. A good purpose like this is attainable only by persevering, straightforward exertion. It is not dissimilar to reaching a goal beset with obstacles, and only to be approached with certainty by some single direct route. If there be any deviation from the main track, any straying into another highway, it is a waste of power, and the probable result a collapse. In the present instance the collection was undertaken to promote a most praiseworthy purpose, the proceeds to be disposed of according to two several plans, the evil TT
