ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT MILTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 23, 25 March 1892, Page 15

ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT MILTON.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.) WHAT Charles Kickham said of the far-famed drum of Knocknagow, as to how it shook the windows of the old town of Kiltubber could be said of the Milton brass band last Thursday morning. The windows of lovely Milton in vibrating to the melodious strains, seemed to vie with tbe generous baudsmeu in doin-> horxu* to St Patrick's Day. The sweet music discoursed was very touch appreciated ; but on this occasion by none so much as by the Irish portion of the community. Tbe recurrence of this day brings back to Irishmen the world over many thrilling memories— the sorrows and tears and martyrdoms and triumphs, the calvaries an i crucifixions of their fathers, the undying resolutions and unparalleled success of those fathers in retaining and in handing down pure and unsullied to their children the faith brought to themselves by Patrick— the recurrence of St Patrick's Day brings always along with it such and kindred recollections. To us in Milton tbe turn out of the band this year recalled also how in city, town and hamlet of the Emerald Isle, young and old rich and poor, Iterate and illiterate— how all commingle in one vast train ; it brought back to us a vivid recollection uf the long proc.b" sions that parade the streets as approaches the midnight ushering in the anniveisary of Irelaud's apostle, the torch lights borne here and there above the enthusiastic multitude; and how the fUeh of those lights is senc back from the "sonorous metal" giving forth ih>' inspiring and pathetic strain, " St Pairick'e day in the morning." Though it was not a holiday of obligation, the Catholics cime io large numbers to be present at the Holy Sacrifice of the M<ss. As 9 o'clock, the time announced to begin the sacred mysteries drew near, the new church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour was pre'ty well filled. Most of the children attending the convent school of an age to receive were among tbe very many communicants, Tbe order and decoium observed by those children in going up to receive the Blessed Sacrament, their gravity and recollection, notwithstanding the exuberance of bpints they exhibit on the plaj ground were ieally wonderful, and bore the highest testimony, if such were necessary, to the genial iniluence and teaching power of the Kuns As the Holy Sacrifice was ended the choir, who were in good muster for the occasion gave out the well-known hymn, " All praise to St Patrick," 6et to the Irish natiunal air already mentioned, '• St Patrick's day." Among the vocalists in the choir, Mrs Hassett was heird in tbe high notes with a very pleasing effect. Mr Walsh played on the violin with considerable feeling and much taste the obbligßto. Mrs King, who has a powerful contralto voice, took the leading part in the singing, together with playing the organ

the general verdict of the congregation being that on this occasion she surpassed herself. Certainly the diff irent sentiments' contained ia the grand old air were brought ou' most feelingly, and with grace and dignity. As tbe contralto and her assistant gave forth the opening versi s, " All praise to 8t Patrick, wto brought to our mountains, The gift of God's faith, the sweet light of his love." an 1 , as the instrumental cadences gnpported and blended with the vtcal strains "the very soul," to übo the words of Washington Irving, " the very soul " of every one present seemed rapt away and floated upward on this awelliDg tide of harmony. The effect produced on the congregation was marvellous. Those present who came from the old land declared that Mrs King and her choir transported them back to the scenes of childhood, back among the mountains and glens and valleys of their youth, back among the deserted isles and the ruined abbeys, whosa ivy covered tops are the faithful steadfast witnesses of the ancient glory and splendour of the Church of Holy Old Ireland. The images ot Bangor, Glonmacnoue and Clonard, of Lismore and Mungret and Emly rose up before their minds, and while their hearts were overflowing with gratitude to Almighty God for having sent St Patrick with tbe faith to their fathers, tbe tears glistened in their eyes, partly because of their being so far removed from those dear scenes of other days ; but principally because of tbe emotions excited in them by a recollection of the associations connected with the day. The performers seemed to be imbued with Horace's dictuon — Si vti'me Jlere dolendum est primum ipsi tibi. The hymn and the air are iu tensely I ish. It was lendered in a true Irish-like fashion, hence its effect on an Irish audience. Ie is safe tj say that never in the hall or at the festive board of either princu or priest or prelat • of any of the Hy Nials of Ulster was Irish music more thoroughly appreciated than it was on the 17th March in Father O'Neil's church at Milton. The rosary and Benediction of the Blessed S.crament brought tbe people together again in the evening. The termination of those devotions brought to a close in the (< city of the poets " a holy and a. happy day.