THE ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT BURNS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 40, 27 January 1888, Page 16

THE ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT BURNS.

fT the celebration of the anniversary of Robert Burns which was held in Dunedin on Wednesday evening the toast of the occasion was proposed by bir Robert Stout, who presided. We do not know that we can agree with every proposition that was put forward by the speaker, but, on the whole, the speech was a very excellent one, and one most deserving of consideration. There was, perhaps, a little special pleading is the arguments

advanced to prove the absence of clannishness from the minds of our Scotch fellow-colonists, and to show that the people, to describe whose exceptional disposition the word Was inverted, were free from the quality expressed by it. If, for example, Scotchmen will, for their own individual sakes, »nd forgetful of their clannishness, deal with the man from whom they can obtain the best bargains, will they not coiubine to appoint as Mayor the man whom they consider most likely to direct the municipal affairs at the least expenditure ? The^ almighty bawbee was in existence long before the almighty dollar, and had already proved as powerful. Let us not forget how Scotchmen sacrificed their national feelings in selling their king for a groat— although, we acknowledge, they prpved true to their characteristics, and got ever so much more for him than he waft worth .

But we heartily agree with Sir Robert when he exhorts his fellow-countrymen to preserve their native characteristics, and even in forming a new nation to lose nothing of the old nationality with which they are so honourably associated. We agree with him that the man whose wish it is that he belonged to some other country than that of his fathers, deserves to be marked and disowned. It is certain that in proportion as each constituent element of the new nation to be founded in this country preserves and takes a pride in the traditions of its particular race, will the new nation be manly and noble and crowned with all that makes a people grand and honourable. We find Sir Robert's advice wholesome, also, that recommends his countrymen to maintain their distinctive language. There is a closer connection, it may bo, between speech and thought than we are ready to believe, and the broader, bolder, and less affected accents may influence the mind to take something of a kindred tone.

" We shall," says Sir Robert, " have here poets, painters, sculptors, authors, historians, and, in the future, we may even have heroes and martyrs." — So be it, for our part say we, but- with some reservation. The martyrs whom the age bids fair to see concern us too nearly to make the subject one for pleasant contemplation. If the progress of the world is to be wade in moderation, if liberty is to prevail, and all that makes a nation great, we shall have no martyrs ; but if, indeed, the Uctagon, for example, is to become a second Smithfield or Tyburn, we should like to see whom the victims will be over which the statue of Robert Burns stares placidly out on vacancy before we are required to rejoice at the prospect. One class of men, and one class of men only, has borne, or is likely to bear the burden of martyrdom at the present day, and that is the adherents of the Catholic Church. But although the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church, we are not permitted to desire a persecution. As to what Sir Robert says of Burns, it is true and admirable, every word of it. It deserves nothing but praise, showing, as it doe&, a thorough appreciation of the poet by the speaker, and a very creditable critical faculty. The question of the illiteracy of Burns, to which Sir Robert alluded, giving passages from his writings to refute the belief, has always struck us as on a level with that discussion as to whether or not Shakespeare had a knowledge of the Latin tongue. Neither of these poets is known to have had the means of learning at his command, but the genius of the men is forgotten, and the ease with which it might have made for them opportunities, impossible to others. The man who wrote the plays of Shakespeare was a Latin scholar, and the man who wrote them may have acquired his knowledge, of Latin in holes and corners and at odd moments of time, for nothing in human nature was beyond the range of his genius . The man, again, who wrote the poens of Burns was himself a fountain of literature, and how could he be illiterate ? In this speech to which we allude, Sir Robert Stout was heard to the greatest advantage. His undoubted abilities were not hidden nor er cumbered by any of the philosophic speculations that often mar his utterances, but we had simply the man of broad sympathies and clear intellect dealing with a congenial subject. — bir Robert has recently been named in connection with the position of Agent-General of the Colony, which is about to become vacant, and, judged by this speech, he must seem to all of us eminently qualified to fill it. In no place is there more required a man who, loving above all his own country and clinging to its traditionsstill', like Btmws, has a deep thought for other peoples and is considerate of humanity at largo.

The Most Rev. Dr. Morao returned to Dunedin from Naseby on Tuesday evening.

The Mother Mary Gabriel, accompanied by twefre other religions of the order of St. Dominick, has arrived in Dunedin just as we go to press. We have, therefore, only time to bid her a hearty welcome, with our congratulations on the success of her mission*

STUDIES' wiII be resumed at the Dunedin Catholic, sbhootf^-ilra Dominican Convent High school, St. Joseph's school, the Christian Brothers' school, and St. Patrick's, South Dunedin, on Monday inext, the 30th instant. Parents are particularly requested to ace thfctithejr children are punctual in their attendance.

On last Sunday evening in St. Joseph's Cathedral , Dunedin, Gounod's «• Aye Maria " was sting by Miss Popplewell with cello obligato played by Mr. H. Loughnan of Ohristchuroh. The performance was much admired by the congregation.

A laboe shell, presented by Mr. Monkman, and brought from the Fiji islands, has been placed as a receptacle for holy water in tha Southern tower of St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin. A pair of similar shells, rather smaller in size, but still sufficiently capacious, have been presented to the Bishop by Mr. Boylan of Auckland, and one of thorn has been utilised in the Northern tower. As holy water fonts the bhells are particularly ornamental and convenient. Nature almost seems to have intended them for thdpurpose.

The Profession of two young ladies and the reception ef a third took place in the Dominican Convent, Dunedin, on Wednesday morning. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Donnelly, after wbioh the ceremony commenced. Uis Lordship the Most Rev, Dr. Moran officiated, assisted by the Yen. Archdeacon Coiemam ■■ Then were present in the choir the Rev. Fathers Burks, Purton, 0. 458,, Lynch, O'Neil, and Vereker. The ladies professed were Miss Ohitty, Auckland, who took the name of Sister Gertrude, and Miss Moldtyre, of Arrowtown, who took the name of Sister Mary ! Clare. Mid* Snright was received, taking the name of Sister Evangeiine.

There has lately died in an hospital at Vienna an apostate priest on whose efforts, some fifty years ago, great reliance was pldced for the destruction of the Catholic Church. The priest alluded to Wai one John Ronge, who broke with his ecclesiastic superiors, and essayed to supersede the Church in Germany by founding d sect which' he called the German Catholic Church. But poor Eonge, it is needless to add, went to the dogs, exhibited occasionally the spectacle Of a self-elected Pope encountering the police in a state of druskenfless, and was utterly forsaken and repudiated by all decent people; A Protestant paper.the Gazette de Foss, writes as follows in announcing his'death: " John Ronge has been long forgotten. If he had lived for ten yean more he would have seen the end, not only of German Catholicism, but of Old Catholicism as well," It was, nevertheless, probably enough for poor Ronge to have seen' the end of one unfortunate bantling of Beelzebub's. He would, perhaps, have' had little sorrow left to waste on the decease of that other of them which ii now staggering on its last legs.

According to the Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking the other day at Oroydon, the claim of the Church of England to be a true church rests on a property qualification.- The Archbishop asserts that out of 15,000 clergy at tbe time of the Reformation, there were' not 400 who did not retain their places. And this his Grace seems to put forward as a proof positive of the orthodoxy of the new doctrines. We fear, however, that the assumption smacks too much of the world, if not of the flesh and the devil as well, to commend itself to people who take a higher view of spiritual affairs, Property qualifications in fact seem necessary also to its acceptance by any man capable of forming a judgment. But the Archbishop of Canterbury possesses such qualifications in an eminent degree.

Pastor Brincker, a missionary (ssys the Pall ' Mall Oeaette) writes from Otyimbingue to Berlin that five gold diggers had arrived there from Australia in August in search of gold. Two were son's of an Englishman who, thirty-three years ago, found gold at the old copper mines at Otyimbingue. They had been saving money for a time in order to prosecute the search further, and they soon found the scene of the former discovery. The missionary says the diggers are astonished at the richness of the vein. " The lumps of gold," he says, " may be seen with the naked eye. Dr. Goring the Imperial Commissioner, believes that millions of marks' worth are lying at this one glace, The spot is below Ahnawood, eight hours hence, in a sort of island in the bed of the Tsoakoub. There is more water than is desired, for the diggers scent alluvial gold in the bed of the stream, According to the evidence of these experienced men the place ifl richer than any in Australia; And now the- gold hunt if goiofl to

begin." In the yie>w of this gentleman it will only be possible t° work the veins by means of dynamite 'and stamping-machines, so that companies will be required having at command considerable capital. The Elbetfeld Mission reports that gold has alßo been found in four places between thirty and forty English miles below Otjimbingue.

Two reports, which seem rather more probable than usual, reach us this week as to the utterances of the Holy Father. The one is to the effect that he bad recommended patience to the British Government, expressing at the same time a hope for the amendment of affairs in Ireland , and the other is that in an audience with the Bishop of Ballarat be bad attributed the progress made by the Australian colonies to the self-government obtaining there. We think it is not outrageous to conclude from this that the Pope has been giving his attention to the Irish question, and that his decision has been favourable to the cause of Home Rule. The allusion to the value of selfgovernment is at least very suggestive.

The good news reaches us that William O'Brien bas been released from gaol. It is needless to say that the event has been made the occasion of popular rejoicing, or that the hills have biased with bonfires, and the towns been brilliantly illuminated. Mr. O'Brien comes out of the grip of the ruffian broken in health, but untamed in spirit, and declares that be will abide by the cause to bis last br ;ath. He has been recommended a change of olimate, but. refuses to act upon the recommendation, preferring to see the battle out at home, though it should be with eyes glaring in death. Here, however, we hope his friends will be able to prevail upon him to change bis mind. He has done his part well, and if anything still remains for him to do it will first need the restoration of his health. He declares that, as Mr. Blunt has said, he never expected to come out of gaol alive.

It seems that there is a day coming when there will be nothing in the world but Englishmen — that is humanly spexking, of course. Two hundred million people are to occupy America, and 60,000,000 Australia — and nothing is to be heard or thought bnt English speech and English thoughts, and English institutions are to be everywhereAnd even continental Europe is to be so dwarfed by all that is English that it will not be worth speaking of in any other connection. Tbis, at least, is what we learn from Mr. Walter, who presided the other day at a meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel held in the town of Beading. The cream of the joke, however, is that there is to be also an English religion, which is to swallow up the religions of all the rest of the world. Something, perhaps, after the fashion of those lean kine of Pharaoh's dream that gobbled up all the fat ones, and were not a bit the better of it. This religion, however, has not as jet put in an appearance, bnt is to be a Christianity, says the gentleman who bespeaks it, "containing all that is necessary for Catholic unity, and which, while bearing abundant signs of its origin, will be adapted to the thoughts and yearnings of the people who cling to it." But what a pity it is that we do not as yet see any signs of such a religion, which must be a veritable curiosity, or even such tokens as might lead us to conjecture as to where or when it is to originate. What egregious nonsense, meantime, men will speak and newspapers report. Bnt, were it not nonsense, it must result in creating enemies innumerable for the people of whom it is spoken As it is, it merely exposes them to ridicule.

Mb. Bbadlaugh in the evidence given by him on the charge brought against Mr. Cunningham Graham and Mr. Burns, in connection with the Trafalgar Square affair, at Bow Street, accused Lord Salisbury of paying agitators to hold a meeting which in February '86, resulted in riots. Mr. Bradlaugh said he knew the matter to be a fact, and that he had himself seen the cheque. It is not, therefore, in Ireland only that the Tory Government employ their Whelehans and Cullinans. But perhaps, it is owing to the success of the system as tried in Ireland, that they have introduced it into England. Mr. Goschen's words, " As in Ireland so in London " axe very pregnant.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach makes but an ill use of his restored eyesight. He still takes the old pur-blind view of matters, and declares that coercion must rnn its course in Ireland, before any measures of relief are introduced. We know the time-honoured line of argument: The country is disturbed; coerce it. The country is quiet ; let it rip. If Sir Miohael, as he expresses himself willing to do, re-enters the Cabinet, his resuming the duties of a Minister will hardly bring much hope with it.

A letter from Mr. John Bright, addressed to Mr. J. Pendleton, on freetradc, has been published in the Times. Mr. Bright professes himself strongly in favour oE freetrade, and will admit of no modification of it. He says a tariff drawn up by freetraders, protectionists, and monopolists would be an exhibition of ignorance folly, tod coafuioni Be attribute! the deprentai ta forau&g, to the want

of proportion between the land held by farmers and their capital refuses to enable them to pay a rent their farms will not yield by, taxing the breakf ist table of the working men, and insists that rent must Bettle itself. " The question of rent." he says, " must depend upon what tenants are able and willing to p»%" And, yet ■ Mr. Bright approves of coercing Irelanl, bemuse tanantu there are " pleaiing the arguments he himself thus employs. But, however, Bincere Mr. Bright may be in the matter of freetrade, his honesty towards the Irish question is very doubif ul.

A BAID on the Catholic clergy seems to have set in with a& much energy as that made on the Nationalist Metnb rs. Apr est named Macfrtdden has been arrested at Gwee lore for supporting the Plan of Campaign and two priests have been summoned at Belfast for complicity in riots. It would appear that as their efforts to induce the Pope to come to their aid and muzzle the clergy have failed, the Government are trying their own hand at that praiseworthy office. But as to what awaits them, it is easy to foresee it. It will go by the name of failure, and the name will be a true one.

" The United Ireland " says a cablegram, " is attacking Mr. J^ A. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, with remarkable ferocity' and suggests the slow torture of Ireland's enemies to death."— Just S o. — Would there not be comfort to the patriotic heart in seeing them, for example, quietly roasted be fora a nice brisk fire and b<s:el meantime with aqua-for'is ? We, for our part, would suggest nevertheless that what United Ireland really declares is that B<vlfour is resolved if possible to bring about the death of the Nationalist lea J era by the slow torture of imprisonment as common felons. So much was certainly implied in the disclosures made by Mr. Blunt, and to which United Ireland was probably referring. We al' know a hare must be caught before it is cooked and Ireland's enemies, whatever may befall, are sure to provide for the safety of their persons.

We know, writes the Univert, that by means of their finances, the Jews are authorised, under the liberal inle of the Oalvinist Tisza, to Magy arise their Judsso-Oerman names. Thus the famous Magyar deputation conducted to Paris some time ago by M. Pulsky, th c Magyarised name of a Polish Jew, had only Magyar names although their great majority was composed of German Jews. The Journal ds Trantylvanie has just published a new batch of Magyarised Jews. We turn up there, among others, the name of one Mi. Maurice Kestenbaum authorised to barter his Judaeo-German name for the illustrious and glorious name of Hunyadi, The house of Hunyadi still exists, and can do nothing, in face of liberal legislation, against such a prostitution of its name.