Dublin Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 52, 14 October 1892, Page 21

Dublin Notes.

(From onr Exchanges.) It is intended that the members of the Nationalist party shall recommence the work of addressing meetings in England in the autumn. Dr Fox is to have charge of the arrangements, and when the conntry has recovered from the txbaustion of the general election meetings the Home Bule propaganda will be resumed. It is recognised that it would be a mistake for the Nationalist party to rest on its oars because the Tories are out of office, as their freedom from political responsibility will enable the latter to address themselves to the work of publio meetings with increased energy. The shareholders of the National Bank, the Provincial Bank, and the Munster and Leinster Bank met within the past few days to hear the reports of the directors of the respective companies read and the dividends declared. Considering the depopulated condition of the country and the dearth of business which prevails, it must have been highly satisfactory to those concerned to receive in each case a ten per cent dividend. Substantial sums were also oarried forward to reserve. The reports showed that these three splendid Irish institutions are in a flourishing condition financially. With the advent of Home Bnle and the consequent increase of trade of all kinds, still more prosperous careers await our Irish banks. A representative of the Central News called lately on the new Lord Chancellor for Ireland and was informed by Mr Walker that he would probably return to Ireland at once. " I shall be glad," said the right hon and learned gentleman, "to get home, for I have been here a long time." Asked by what designation he would be known in kis new office, Mr Walker said, " I shall be known as Lord-Chancellor Walker. It is rare that the Lord Chancellor is made a peer, though in England he holds a seat in the Houee of Lords in virtue of his Appointment as Lord Chancellor. Lord Ashbourne was made a peer, but this is the first created in connection with the office for many

yearp. Frankly speaking, Ido not want a peerage at present." Mr Walker added that he bad not as yet appointed any of his official entowag*. Lord Inchiquin, on whom the Ribbon and Badge of the Order of St Patrick has just been conferred, is a member of the numerous O'Brien family, and claims descent from Brian Boroibme. He is an M.A. of Cambridge, and was elected a representative peer for Ireland in 1873. His father, the late Baron, was for many years M.P. for Glare, and was best known as Sir Lucius O'Brien. His Lorddhip is also of the stock of William Smith O'Brien, the patriot of '48. Unlike his distinguished relative, he seems to hare learned the truth of Moore's line. " Unprised are her sons till they've learned to betray," and the Bibbon of St Patrick is his guerdon. He would prefer the halter England offered his kinsman, and would think the more of his Lordship if his taste were onr own. The Duchess of Abercorn is reported by a London paper to have done a good stroke of electioneering in the contest in North Tyrone, where her brother-in-law, Lord F. Hamilton, the Conservative candidate, got in by a majority of 60. At 6 o'clock on the polling day it was discovered that there were two unionist voters unable to walk to the poll. Every available vehicle was in use, and at last, after a council of war, a message was pent to Baronecourt, the Duke of Abercorn's seat, to beg for help. The only horses to be had were a pair on the farm, all the others having been requisitioned long ago. The next thing was to find a vehicle. The Duchess again fertile in expedient, suggested an old state coach used by the late Duke when he was Viceroy. The state harness was taken down from the mantel* piece of the hall, and the " establishment " as the Americans say, was But who was to drive ? There was no one but the Duke, and Grace was considered outside the pale in an election, even as a jarvey. So the Duchess at once volunteered to mount the dickey, and drove off amid cheers. The voters were polled, but one did not get to the booth till 7. 57. p.m. Lord Cianbrook and Sir William Hart Dyke, in presenting to her Majesty the report of the Department of Science and Art for the year 1891 say, with reference to the lacemakiog in Ireland, that it

appears the art students at the convents continue to make satis* factory progress in their studies, and that the supervisors of the lace workers employed at the convents more thorongblj appreciate the value of such studies in their immediate application to the industry than previously. The number of convents whibh have started art classes for instruction in drawing and ornamental design increases, there being 32 of such classes, as compared with 26 in the previous year. The number of persons engaged in the work has increased, and the quality of the work they turn out is higher than it was, the production from the older established schools being more readily sold than they were. The Commissioners express the opinion that there is little doubt that some further aid to encourage technical instruction in Ireland in respect of such cottage industries as lace-making and embroidery could be usefully supplied, and they hope that loot! authorities may take action to enable the Department of Science and Art to afford them further assistance. The Vincentian Fathers have undertaken the management of the renowned missionary college of All Hallows'. The standard of the entrance examination is to be raised, and a rhetoric olaes and ft fourth year's divinity course are to be added to the former curri* cnlum. Some such step became necessary. The entrance examination was too simple and the course of reading too abort even for a missionary priesthood. The day is gone when a priest can stamp his individuality by saoredotal zeal and singleness of purpose alone. In the world he should be, if possible, the superior, and at least the equal in economic and scientifio culture to ministers of other denominations. The secular priest who does not thoroughly acquire the rudiments of such knowledge during his collegiate career is unlikely to attain much proficiency in them after his ordination. He has no time to spare in their acquisitions, and they can no more come to him by intnition than to laymen. A priest's theological training is indeed of paramount importance ; but something more is needed for ecclesiastical students. They have the world to meet in its. multifarious aspects of good and evil, and they should be trained wrth that object in view. All Hallows' has sent forth to every quarter of the world sealoUß missionary priests, and long may she continue to do so under the guidance of the Vincentian Fathers.