General News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 489, 25 August 1882, Page 9

General News.

The Freeman of Friday, June 9, says :— Yesterday Miss Russell, of Mullingar, and Mr. Sexton, M.P., visited, in Mullingar gaol, Miss Mary Power O'Connor, sister of Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P. for Galway. Miss Russell and Mr. Sexton were accompanied to the gaol by Mr. James Tuite, chairman of the town commissioners, who was not, however, admitted to the interview, as, according to the statement of the prison officials, not more than two visitors can visit one person at the same time. Miss O'Connor, who has now been more than two months in prison, looks very pale and delicate, and has suffered a great deal from rheumatic pain and neuralgia, produced by cold in her cell, but she bears her imprisonment with the most admirable spirit, talks cheerfully and even gaily, and makes no complaint whatever of her condition. The term of her sentence is six months, and the sentence was inflicted, in default of giving bail, under the statute of 1869, commonly known as the 34th of Edward the Third. At first r-Miss O'Connor spent twenty- two hours out of every twenty -four in solitary confinement in her cell ; later on the time of daily exercise in the open air was extended from two hours to three ; and yesterday the governor of Mullingar gaol received instructions that Miss O Connor should be allowed to spend six hours daily in the open air. One of the severest incidents of Miss O'Connor's condition arise3 from the fact that she is the only prisoner of her class in Mullingar, and is therefore, condemned to solitude, even during the time when she is allowed to be out of her cell. Speaking of Mr. Michael Davitt's appearance in Liverpool, the Echo of that city says :— lt is difficult to think of Michael Davitt in convict's attire and amid a convict's surrounding*. He said last night it is to England's shame that he ever occupied that unpleasant position ; and not a few will be disposed to agree with him. He has been described as stony and saturnine, and by harsher critics as a bilious and disconted revolutionist. But certainly neither of these descriptions fit the gentlemanly-looking young man who gracefully bowed his way on to the platform of the League Hall, amid the tremendous applause of a nnst congenial audience. Mr. Davitt is above middle stature, of a lithe figure, too busy to become stout ; dark of complexion, with the high cheekbones of his race ; coal-black hair, heavy moustache, and side whiskers. His eyes are small, but bright ; and the expression of his countenance, while determined, is as pleasant as that of most of his enemies. Clad in dark coat and waistcoat, with light trousers, he wore a flower in his button-hole, and certainly bore few outward traces of his prison liie. The empty coat sleeve and the difficulty experienced in turning over the leaves of his manuscript revealed the loss which to him and the cause he represents is a certain gain. Holding, therefore, his manuscript in one hand it is unnecessary to state that his action wa3 limit >d in the eloquent motions of bis body ; but the flashing eye, the erect head, the firm, earnest voice, occasionally thrilled with scorn, lent to the reading a sufficient variety of emphasis. His manner, as his matter, was moderate and unyielding ; and as he pledges himself to devote his life to his plan of " The Laud for the People," his labours and influences must play an important part in the future. The E*rl of Hopetoun, John Adrian Louis Hope, a Scottish Lord and one of the youngest Peers in Parliament, arrived in Philadelphia yesterday, and is at the Hotel Bellevue, where a handsome suite of rooms was prepared for his reception. The Earl arrived in New York iD the steamship Servia last week, and this is the first visit he has made. His o ject is purely pleasure and recreation, and he expects to go as far West as San Francisco and then may go to Canada. He is accompanied by Mr. Hope, his cousin, who is a tall, sturdy, finelooking example of the north of Scotland gentleman. Lord Hopetoun is himself small of stature, quick, and with a ruddy, goodnatured face and sandy complexion. Lord Hopetoun is the elder son of the sixth Earl of Hopetoun by Miss Birch-Reynardson, and is only twenty-two years of age. He is unmairied. He was educated at Eton, and his family-place is Hopetoun House, Queensferry, Scotland. The young Peer has a great distaste to being made the object of a demonstration, and as one precaution against being made the victim of American snobbry does not register. The particular class which, ever since the Centennial, has had a fashionable frenzy for titled aristocracy were determined that such a distinguished stranger , should not pass unnoticed. The English flag was thrown to the breeze from the hotel flagstaff immediately upon his arrival, a delegation of Philadelphia Club-men offered him the hospitalities of the club and tru cl to carry him off, cards were left upon him by persons whom be had never met and probably will never want to, and he was so besieged and pestered with delicate attentions, notwithstanding his very quiet entry, that he is reported to have said : " I can't see for the life of me why they won't let me alone, you know.' 1 Philadelphia Daily 2'iines, June Ist. Old ocean seems to conta ; n within its bosom monsters even more formidable tnan our friend the sea serpent. The crew of a Shetland fishing boat were attacked the other day by a monster. The state- „ ment made by the crew is to the effect that, while engaged hauling their lines twenty-eight miles east south-east of Fetlar, they saw, at a short distance from them, something that had the appearance of three small hillocks, which blew when coming to the surface. Shortly afterwards they saw the monster pas 3 underneath the boat. When it came up again it passed right in the direction of the bo it with its mouth wide open— a mouth they say, that to all appearance? could have taken in their boat. There seemed to be whiskers of a green colour, and about 6even or eight feet long, hanging from its mouth, very large gieeu eyt-e, aud on its head were great lumps about the size of a heniug barrel. T bey threw -tones at it, but it still came en towaids them, aud only again disappeared below water when a few yards from the boat, on a charge of swanshot being discharged out of a fowling piece into its mouth. The lines were then cut and all sail made for home, when the monster again appeared in the wake. This tinve they observed that it had two large fins, almost the size of the

boat's mainsail, which were stretched up from its back, and its length they computed to be no less than 150 feet. It followed them up Tor a distance of nine miles, when it disappeared. — Exchange. The emigration figures for the month of May, show a noodtide of immigration which has never before been' approached in the history of the country. The aggregate comes withia 10,000 of being an even 100,000, the exact figures being 90,019 steerage passengers. This is more for this single month by several thousands than the immigration for several entire years. For instance, in 1876 the year's figures were 75,035 ; in 1877, only 63,855 ; in 1878, only 79,801, and in 1875 the figures for the twelve months exceeded those for last month by 9,000. The nearest approach to the total for last month was in May, 1881, when there were landed at Castle Garden 76,791 persons,!; |but even this is 13,228 less than last month's. Of those arriving during the month of May the Germans take the lead with 30,049 ; followed by Ireland, with 13,453 ; Sweden, 12,481 ; England, 9, 263 ; Italy 5,518 ; Norway, 3,948 ; Austria, 3, 073 ; Denmark, 2,399; Scotland, 2,164; Switzerland, 1,493; Kussia, 1,172; Bohemia, 896 ; Holland, 849 ; Hungary, 480 : France, 455 ; Wales, 310 ; other countries, 861. Thus far this year the excess of immigrants over the first five months of last year — as shown at Castle Gardea — is 46.332 ; the total for January, February, March, April, and May, of 1881 being 182,082, as compared with 228,404 for the same period this year. — Catholic Review. The following letter has beea written by His Eminence Cardinal Manning :—" Archbishop's House, May 10, 82. To the Very Rev. Canon Gilbert, D.D., Vicar-General of the (B. C ) Archdiocese of Westminster. Rev. and dear Vicar-General. — Some years ago the bishops laid before Lord Chelmsford's commission on Marriage Laws certain points on which modification would be desirable. One was for some provision by which the marriage with a deceased wife's sister, after a dispensation from the Holy See had been obtained, might be legalised. These words of ours have been quoted by the promoters of such marriages as favourable to their views. Nothing waß further from the intention of the bishops. 1. The law of the Catholic Courch forbids and annuls marriage with a deceased wife's sister. 2. The law of England on this point is to this moment Catholic, and supports the discipline of the Church. 3. The Holy See can alone dispense in such cases, and it never dispenses except (1) rarely, (2) wj.th reluctance, and (3) for grave reasons and to avoid greater evils. 4. To abolish the law which prohibits such marriages would have the effect of throwing open as lawful to everybody that which in few rare and exceptional cases is reluctantly given to avoid greater evils. 5. And this throwing open of the civil law would encourage and multiply such marriages in direct opposition to the discipline of the Catholic Church, aad to the grave and dangerous disturbance of domestic life. Better far is it that a few cases should still suffer a legal hardship than that the home life of our whole commonwealth should be seriously endangered. I trust that all Catholics in either House of Parliament will vote firmly and always against such a change in the statute law. You may use this letter to satisfy any doubts as to the subject of it. — Believe me, always yours faithfully, H^nry Edward, Cardinal Archbishop." Cardinal M'Cabe lately contradicted as follows certain reports published concerning him :— " Perhaps I might be allowed to say a word in reference to a very extraordinary report that I believe has obtained a very widespread circulation. It has found its way into (> Galignani," and may be supposed to have been very widely spread, and was to the effect that some persons bung crepe on the knocker of the hall door of my house, and that I received a letter with the representation of a coffin. Now, I wish to give the report the most complete contradiction. No such thing ever occurred (A Wee : 'And never will') (applause). As I said in a more formal answer since I returned home, I have received nothing but the most marked kindness from every class of the people of the diocese, an 1, if need be, [ would not have thfi least fear in walking through the streets of Dublin at any hour of the night (applause). 1 think a mistake— well intended, no doubt— was made by the police authorities (hear, hear). lam deeply grateful for their kindness. I found on my arrival that I had the honour of being escorted by four detectives (hear, hear, and laughter). I never had a very high opinion of my own character, but I never knew it was so bad before (laughter). One detective ou^ht to be able to watch me (la-ighter). For two or three days after I was followed by detectives ; but I must confess while I feel deeply grateful— most thankful — to the police authorities for their kindness, I felt deeply humiliated. First of all, Ido not think I require protection— l think I could more efficiently give protection (hear, hear). If I were in danger, and any one wisned to take my wretched life, as I have no control over it, I would not have the smallest difficulty in giving it back tj God, if my life could be of the smallest advantage to my country. I seat Canon Flicker to the authorities to thank them for their kindness, but with an earnest request to withdraw the protection they bad given me. I was anxious to know if they knew of anything not to my advantage (a laugh), so that if there was any intention to assassinate me I would make frequent acts of coatrition. as we all require before g>mg into the presence of God. The answer of the authorities was that they knew of no danger. They withdrew the protection. Ttiat was three or four days ago, and you will all gladly, I hope, bear testimony that I am still living. I feel deeply grateful to you all. I cannot express my feelings as I would wish in words." The Ro.nan Catholics (says Mr. Grattan Geary) have a very well-managed Mission near the centre of the Mosul, under the charge of the Dominicans. After thirty years' labour, they have succeeded in building a very fine church, with large day-schools attached, in which children of all classes are taught by the missionaries and by French nuns. Six nuns came out five years ago, and another detachment of six a few days before I arrived. Cne of the youngest died on ht r arrival, from typhoid ferer, caught on the journey. There are 150 boys and- 200 girls in the schools. The Sisters have opened "salles d'asile " in different quarters of the towu, for little ChriEtian children under five years of age, who used to run about the streets, where they learned nothing good. They are taught and amused by

the nnns, with Arab girls as monitors, on the kindergarten Bystera. It is a very pretty sight to see a hundred of these little things go through all sorts of marches and counter-maicbes under little sergeants and corporals, the eldest of whom are five years of a^e. It is i n. v!' 1"°1 "° T ? hnstian children now I{e about the streets o | Mosul . ali the little things seen in the dust and dirt of the bazaar are either Moslems or Jew s. Addressing a demonstration of members of the Land League at F,.-rmondsey. at which Mr. Bijrgar, M. 1., ami some of tho niiacipal J-niid L> aizuen of London were present, Mr. F. H. O'Donnell said he baa to tt> 11 them of an outcome of the Coercion Bill more ravelling than Russun tyranny of the worst kiud. He fully took upon himse l the responsibility, and it was a grave responsibility. He could tell them of his own personal knowledge that within the last few days a number of men and women bad arrived from Ireland at Jfiuston-Bquars Terminus in charge of three Dublin detectives. The men were disguised as evicted tenants, labourers, or small farmers • the women (who were principally taken from the female prison warders) as their wives or other relatives. They were the first draft of a vast secret detective organisation now being formed in Dublin under Colonel Brackenbury, which would extend its ramifications all over the three kingdoms. They would ingratiate themselves into Irish families as servants or in other capacities, and send periodical reports to Dublin Castle. They would never be brought to the front or ever placed in a witness-box. He warned his countrymen to beware of every plausible stranger, and never on any accouut express their mind before them—much less join any secret organisation they might try to induce them to join. The system was an infernal one, worse than lalbotß, and would be the creator of crime, and bring untold misery on the Irish people. — Times,