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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 28, 29 April 1892, Page 7

Catholic progress io Sot Und is much impeded by a scarcity of priests. This has been of late so marked that for some tirai the Bishop of Dunkeld has himself bif.n oblig -d to act as parish priest of Arbroath. The <*epenieoce is larg ly on Ireland — whose missionary calling still remains so manifest.

Land leaguers in the Highlands hive put to the test the generosily of the Americm millionaire Winsns. They have seat in a request to him for permission to shoot over bia deer forests — where the game has been for some time allowed to accamula'e. Opinions yary as to the saccess of tbe request. Tbe mapriiy, however, seem to be in favour of a refusal.

A pleasing feature in a presentation lately made, on the opening of a church at Rotbesay, to the Vicar General of tbe diocese, was the presence of several prominent Protestants, including the parish minister. This gentleman testified to the good feeling prevaiing between Catholics and Protestants, and especially to tbe kind treatment he had always himself experienced from the Catholic community. Such a sign of the times is very pleasant to contempts' e.

Catholic 6chools continue to give a good account of themselves. Her Majesty's Inspector, for examp'e, has jtut recommended payment of the grant at the highest rate to thosa of Our Lady and St Andrew, at Oalasheils.

There is trouble in Perth because of Sabbath-breaking. There it steamboat traffic between Newburgh and Dundee ; there are idle walking and driving. People, In short, will not sit still and piously do nothing, bnt long for the dreary day to pass by. There is what nay be legitimately complained of even by the less pions, that is drinking at hotels— but that perhaps is in part the result of a failure in an attempt to be piously dull. Worse still, there is an awful faling oil in the disposition of those who remain in some degree godly. People, we are told, where religion is concerned, desire rather "to be pleased than edified," to be "tickled rather than taught." The Free Presbytary have been greatly exercised over ail this, and are deeply engaged considering how it may be amended. What their conclusions are time, do doubr, will reveal. Will they possibly be that the ministry must undertake tbe cultivation of tickling powers! It is to be feared the restoration in Perth of Sibbath observance is still a long way eff .

The question of disestablishment keeps we'l to the fore. A very touching allusion to tbe difficulties atttnding oa opposing it was recently made by tbe Rev Mr Patersoo of Crieif, iv sp.akiog on the subject at Perth. Alluding to the party proposing tbe measure, the rev gentleman spoke as follows :— " In front of tbe battle that party was putting Ireland, and they knew that many of the Cburch soldiers would be afraid to strike at them for feir of wounding a defenceless, tear-stricken woman, But surely the venerable institution deserved better of the country." Inciden'ally, the state of the public mind in Scotland with respect to Irish affairs is made more clear to us.

Tbe Duke of Sutherland, whose marriage with an American lady tome few year* ago highly incensed bia family, is petitioning, probably in the interests of this second wife, for the disentail of certain portions of his Beay and Dunrobin estates. Thi Court of Sessions has repelled tbe objections made, and the c.se will proceed. It will of interest in more respects than one.