STUFF AND NONSENSE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 33, 22 May 1891, Page 17

STUFF AND NONSENSE.

ERE we are, then, going right ahead, under the patronage of the Hon. R. J. Ij-eddon. Under existing circumstances it would, of course, be rude to use the more familiar and better known name of plain " Dick." We do not know that Mr. Seddon shares in the humility shown by a late Mayor of Dunedin, who, in the elation arising from his election, begged that he might not be called his Worship the Mayor, but plain John Barnes. If, however, Mr. Seddon presides graceiully and successfully ever all that it is now proposed to establish under the protection of his 6hadow he will well deserve the more exalted title. A project, in fact, is mooted in Dunedin, asjwe learn from our contemporary the Globe, to establish a National Liberal Association at whose inauguration the Hon. R. J. Seddon is to preside. As to what it is proposed that the National Liberal Association should undertake volumes might be written concerning that. In fact, the difficulty is to gather what it is not to undertake. We do not suppose, however,

that it will, for instance, undertake to confer the degree of Doctor of Divinity, free, gratia, and for nothing. Possibly it will draw a line at the degree of D.D. But everything else in connection with secondary education, we are told, it is to place, among the rest, within the reach of all — that is, the State is to do so. But, gui facit per aliumjacit per settle Association is to control the State. All the other degrees then are to be the common property. And, by the way, in naming mines among those things of which the State is to assume the ownership — do the projectors of the Association include also the gold mines — or if not, why not ? How, par exemple, will it suit the book of the Hon. R. J. Skddon to go back among his mining constituents and tell them that he has proposed that every one of their claims should be jumped by the Government ? But we cannot pretend to refer seriatim to all the objects that enter into the programme of this Association. Even if we take one or two of them at random, we shall have more than we well know how to manage. Voting power, for instance, to every adult, combined with residential qualification only, and female franchise, presents to our dismayed perception every young lady of twenty-one, every chit of a girl, if we must speak frankly out, as an elector. And why, indeed, should twenty-one be the limit ? That was good enough for the old times and systems that are now tottering towards their close. Is not colonial youth more precocious by far than that in the old world, for whose restraint the regulation in question was framed ? It would be more consistent with the tone of National Liberal ideas to propose also that the age of independence should be lowered. It would certainly be much more consistent with the inward persuasion and outward expression of the young colonial on the subject. And then, if they have all had within their reach the " best education," if they have all attained at an early maturity to every university degree attainable except that of D.D., the hardship of confining them will be manifest. But let us rejoice that secularism is good for something. The sweet girl graduate cannot put in an appearance as a doctor of divinity — at least unless she chooses to pay for the distinction, and that we may be sure she will not choose to do. The sweet girl graduate in her separate character seems astounding enough, what must she be when we have to deal with her in combination — both as sweet girl graduate, and chit of an elector ? " That the State place the best education within the reach of all." — Such is a plank in the platform of the Association. Could the Association possibly believe that the " best education" is not always an advantage to those who possess it ? Truth, the other day, for example, published a paragraph of rejoicing because lie had no sons, since, he said he thus escaped the plight of a gentlemen who wrote to him complaining that he could find no opening in London for a lad who could speak and write several foreign languages fluently, — while another of his boys had found a knowledge of Latin an impediment to him in his profession. But, then, we see that our Association proposes to place these best educated generations on the land as nationalised tenants — subject, by the way, to a "legal periodic adjustment of rents" — or a rise in the rent, as circumstances may direct. Even a lesser degree of education, nevertheless, has proved to have a contrary effect, and in England the primaiy schools have thinned the population of the country districts. Hodge having attained to a knowledge of the three R's, perceived himself possessed of a soul above the level of the clodhoppei. Ihe National Liberal Association will, perhaps, devise a course of agricultural pursuits suited to the scholastic mind, and in which the graduate may take a becoming and congenial, though a useful, part. This, indeed, will be all the more necessary since nothing hut a strong personal interest in the extended educational s^&uem can persuade the population to bear the enormous expense involved. To place the best education within the reach of all does not mean merely to support one or more secondary schools in every town, even the smallest, and a university in every larger centre. It means not only the making of secondary schools co-extensive with primary schools, but the enabling of all the children in the Colony to take full and free advantage of them — and for this parents without distinction must be assisted pecuniarily by the State. Are we th< n to go right ahead under the patronage of the Hon. H. J. Skddon in this direction, and if we are, can we do so without knocking our heads against a wall ? — And yet we have dealt with only a point or two taken at random from a lengthy list*

But, as we have already asked, what will the diggers of the West Coast say to their familiar " Diok "when he goes back and tells them that, in his more important character of the Hon. R. J. Seddon, he has committed himself to a proposal that the State should become proprietor of all their claims ? btatesmen who undertake to act as the patrons of National -Liberal Associations occasionally inn the risk, as we soe, of going ahead in a very hazardous direction.

Wr publish in another place a letter in which the la3y secretary of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Dunedin makes an appeal oo behalf of the poor, in whose services the Society is doing Buch good work. It is hardly necessary for us to impress upon our readers the merits of the cause in aid of which Mrs. Baldwin writes. Everyone knows how meritorious it is, and all must be willing, according to their means, to take part with these self-sacrificing ladies in their labour of love and charity. We feel persuaded that it i 9i 9 on!y needful for as to direct the attention of our readers to the appeal in question to secure their ready co-operation and that they will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity thus offered them.

On Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost, High Mass coram eplscopo was celebrated in St. Joseoh'a Cathedral, Dunedin, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Father Murphy acted a B celebrant with the Key. Father Lynch as d«acon and the Rev. Father O'Neil as sub-deacon. Tbe Bishop preached on the feast of the day. The music of the Mass was admirably performed by the choir of the cathedral.

On Sunday, the Feaßt of Pentecost, tha Moat Rev. Dr. Moran administered the sacrament of Confirmation in St. Patrick's Church, South Ounedin, at 3 p.m., to 267 recipients, to whom his Lordship also made a suitable address. In addressing the general congregation, which was a crowded one, the Bishop alluded to the new church, whose foundations he said were being busily proceeded with. The collection, he said, was being admirably carried on, and he hoped that ere long the church would be roofed in. The ceremonies concluded with Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. The Rev. Father Huot, pastor of the district, is to be congratulated on the satisfactory condition of his mission.

"I he foundation stone of a school-chapel in connection with the Dominican Convent at Milton was laid by the Most Rev. Dr. Moran on Tuesday. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by tbe Bishop in St. Mary's church at 11 a.m., with the rev. Father Lynch, Adm., as deacon ; the Key. Father O'Donnell, sub-deac »n ; the Rev. Father O'Leary, assistant priest ; the Rev. Father Newport, master of ceremonies ; the Rev. Fathers J. O'Neill, P. O'Neill, and J. O' Donne: 1 being also present in the sanctuary. The music of the Mass was rendered very sweetly by the Dominican nuns and their pupils. On the conclusion of the Mass a procession was formed and proceeded to the site of the new building in the grounds of the convent where the ceremonies were duly carnei out in compliance with the Roman ritual. The handsome subscription of £170 was laid on the corner stone. His Lordship the Bishop delivered an appropriate address on the education question, referring to the unjust disadvantages from which Catholics suffjr, and the sacrifices so nobly ma 'c by them. In ths evening an entertainment was given with great success by th 3 pupils of the Dominican nuns, in St. George's Hall. The following is the programme :— Opening chorus, " Oft in the Stilly Night," Convent pupils ; Kindergarten Drill ; pianoforte solo, waltz (Beethovea), Miss Maud Baldwin ; song," Stirs o' the Night Adorning " (Wekerlin), Miss O'Neill ; pianoforto duet, " Home, Sweet Home " (Grobe), Misses Baldwio and Taylor ; Fairy drama, ••Cinderella" (Keating) pupils of tbe Convent High School ; duet (harp a :d piano), " Erin " (Glover), Misses Lynch and Robertson ; pianoforte solo, "Tarantella" (Heller),iMiss Bcanlan ; chorus. " Flower Gatherers" (Glover;, Convent Pupils ; pianoforte eolo, " Massa's in the Cold Ground " (Willie Pape), Miss Annie Lynch ; song (harp accompaniment, " The Blind Girl to her Harp " (Glover), Miss Kate Robertson ; comedietta, " D'ye know me now / " Boys of St. Joseph's School ; chorus, "Good Night " (Montgomery) Convent Pupils.

The drawing of the art-union in aid of the buildiug fund of the Church of the Sacred Heart, North East Valley, will come off at the City Hall, Dunedin, on Monday evening next, at 8 p.m. A short musical programme has been arranged for the occasion, so that the tedium of preliminaries may be avoided. His worship the Mayor will preside and everything will be conducted in the most orderly and regular manner possible. Admission will be by art-union tickets which will be shown at the door so as to prevent the crowding of the hall by idlers and persons having no interest in the drawing. Winning numbers will be published in our next issue.

A lectube on Tom Moore was delivered oo Tuesday evening in the Christian Brothers' schoolroom, Dunedio, and under the auspices of the Catholic Literary Society, by the Rev. Brother Hughes. The

lecturer gave an interesting sketch of tbe life of the poet, with Borne able criticism of his poetry, with which he dealt under its various divisions,— repeating several of the melodies and other verses in an extremely expressive and pleasing manner. Both the pathos and humour of the genius of Moore were given due prominence, and the lecturer showed himself a complete master of bis subject in all its bearings. His W rß>>ipr B >>ip tbe Mayor of the city, who with Mrs Carroh was present, on the conclusion of the lecture made an appreciative speech, in which be acknowledged not ooly the debt due to Brother Hughes for the entertainment and instruction given on this oscasion, but for the valuable services rendered by him in all his career among us. The Rev. Father Lynch, Adm., President of the Bociety, also spoke highly of the rev. lecturer and his work, as did Mr J. B. Callan, Mr O. E. Haughtoo, Mr P. Carolin and Mr J. J. Connor. The audience was large, the spacious hall being completely filled, notwithstanding a heavy downpour of rain —and the feelings wirh which tbe lecture was heard were made evident in frequent and hearty rounds of applause.

Or Ireland (said Archbishop Danne, replying the other day on his return to Brisbane, <o the address of his people) I have little new to tell you, and I shall not refer to the unhappy schism now doing so much harm. But my heart bled at the extreme emptiness of the country. Travelling from Tnurles to Cashel, and further on the same road, I found the farms— tha richest in Ireland— in the hands of the Boyal Irish Constabulary. The tenants had been evicted ; and for many miles of that " Golden Vale " the farms were covered with weeds, the fences broken down, and the homesteads fast falling to ruins. Again in the parish of Mogeely, in the county Cork, tbe marriages registered in the Catholic Church in the years 1839, 1840, and 1841 were, respectively, 69, 74, and 72 in number. The present parish priest assured me that during the last six years they never exceeded seven per annum. I was in several primary schools in the south and centre of Ireland. In almost every case the good priestH, to whom I am under infinite obligations, informed me that fully 80 per cent, of the children before me wouM spend their twentieth birthday out of Ireland, generally in America. It seems a terrible thing to tnink that a few idle and comparatively worthless men, such as are the majority of the Irish landlords, should be able to say ; " The Irish people shall not stay in Ireland ; they must go elsewhere ; we wish so." Ay, and what is more, that thesa men should be able to enforce this monstrous dictum.

The Roman Catholic young men of this city (says the Wellington Post of the 13th iist), for some time past have been agitating amoDgsMbemselves wnh regard to the establishment of a society which shall have the effect of briuging them more closely together. Upwards of 50 gentlemen met ia tne Manst Brothers' School, Boulcottstreet, last evening, with a view to discussing the formation of the projected society, which it was decided shall be designated "The Society of St. Aioysius." The following gentlemen were appointed a provisional committee to draw rules, etc., for the new society. Messrs. E. L. Burnes, J. Sheridan, IT. Hodgins, J. P. M'Alister, B. de Lacey, H. Ayes, Dr. Cahill, and the Rev. Father Power, which latter gentleman occupied the chair at last evening's meeting

The marriage of Miss Amy Fowler aliat Sister Rose Gertrude, is announced from Honolulu. Tbeie is, of coarse, no objection to be made to the matter Miss Fowl-r. although taking upon her with a prodigious flourish of trumpet?, thi part of aa independent Sister of Charity aod read) -made saint, was not a member of any religious order, or bound by any vows. Whethar, therefore, her failure to carry out her noisily announced intentions towards the lepers, proceeded from the opposition of secular authorities at Honolulu, or from a fancy taken by her to Dr. Lutz, a German medical specialist, she met at the leper hospital— both reasons having been assigned, she has only acted as she had a perfect right to do, and no one need blame her. On the other hand she has no right to comp aiu if people consider her and her undertaking a legitimate object of ridicule. The young lady made a fool of herself in so fussily undertaking what she had not strength of mind to carry out — that is all.

Even were the Jews guilty of all they are accused of, and, as we Baid last week, such is not the case- -in several very important instances, — the manner in which they are being dealt with must excite the indignation of every man possessed of a spark of decent feeling. Not only is the Czar showing the Tartar that underlies his fckin in his treatment of them, but the parsecution hia been taken up by his Majesty's admirers among the Greeks, and a shameful series of outrages, amounting almost to a massacre, has occurred at Corfu. Verily, the civilisation of Europe is far from perfect if even the force of public opinion is not sufficient of itself alone to prevent such a state of affairs.

Wk are glid to find that the influenza has proved mild in Mr Gladstone's case. The deaths from the diseasj are, nevertheless, announced of Lord Edward Cavendish ; Mr W, B. Barbour, Member

for Paisley ; Messrs Edwin Long and Thomas Collier, R A.'s, anl Mr H. Sampson, editor of the Referee.

A meeting of the National League of Great Britain has taken place, at which a resolution was passed to the effect that Mr Parnell is both morally and politically unfit to be further trusted. A resolution was also passed expressing a hope that her Majesty tl c Queen would live to open the first Irish Parliament. The resolution was proposed by Mr T. D. Sullivan, M.P. for College Green Division of Dublin City.— To both of these resalutiocß we can heartily say •Amen. As to Mr P.irnell, we do not see how anyone can njw express the slightest doubt of bis unwortbiness without offering, for example, a direct insult to the whole united hierarch} of Ireland. — Even for this reason alone we doubt the cablegram which informs us that the priestsof Quebec have joined in aa enthusiastic reception given in that city in the Parnellite delegates. As to her Majesty the Queen, may sha live as desired to gain a victory over the Tory enemies of her good name.

In response o notice given by Mr. Smiihto move for the expulsion of Mr. Dj Cjbain M.P., from the House of Commons, the Belfast Tories have passed a vete of confidence in the Member alluded to. But this is quite what weexpectei. What in fact is the use of being an Orange dignitary if a man does not obtain the full benefit of his privileges ?

It is announce 1 that the net proceeds of the bazaar held at Wellington in aid of the JSt. Joseph's Orphanage amount to £537 19a 6s. This is a sum which does infinite credit to the energy of the promoters of the charity and the generosi'y of those by whom it was supported.

"The Pope has conferred a countship of tha Holy Roman Empire on the Premier of Quebec."— The title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire is a very ancient and a very honourable one. At one time the rank was esteemed the highest in Christendom, and gave precedence even over the English earls. Queen Elizabeth, however, in the case of Sir Thomas Arundel, afterwards created by King James I. Lord Arundel of Wardour, protested against this and would not permit of it. For those, nevertheless, who do not hold the name of the Virgin Queen in veneration, the title alluded to will saem still a mark of high distinction.

As a means < f celebrating the jubilee, which occurs this yeir, of the Tonic- Solfa System of fcinging, it is proposed to huld in Duredin, on or about November 13, solo and sight-singing competitions, for which gold and silver medals will be awarded as prizes. The proposal is a spirited one, BDd no doubt it will result, as is intended, in giving er-courdgeount 10 the cultivation of musical talent among us. PersoLS desirous of obtaining full details aie nqutsted to apply t) Mr D. Wishart, secretary {pro. tern.), care of Messrs C. Begg and Co., Dunedio.

"Mr. Michael Davitt has started for New Zealand, via America ' In some of the opinions of Mr. Davitt. we do not share. But aa a most c nsistent and honest man and a disinterested and an almost heroic patrioi we shall have a warm welcome for him.

This Czarewitch has betn attacked nd wounded in Japan. There is sjme contradiction as to the details. His assailant was either a fanatical native (ktesting foreigners, or a Nihilist, or a policeman in the execution of his duy. The report that the Prince was misbehaving hinvelf in a place of public .iinnstftnent and thus received bis hurt is at variai cc with rumuun as to his conduct in India, where, it ia Baid, hesh >wed himself extremely nervous and in const int terror of his life. I'eople, in anj case who would just now desire to be members of the Russian Imperial family must be much euamoared of lne;h raok.

A Catholic mission station at a place cilled Wuhu in China has been burned by anti-Ohriuian fan .tics. Thingsof the kiud, however, are among tin; uidinary experiences ol missionaries to the c untrj.