A WORD OF ADVICE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 8, 23 June 1893, Page 7

A WORD OF ADVICE.

(A paper read before the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society by Mr T. MoCobmack.)

Reverend Chairman and Gentlemen, — 1 am credibly informed that a certain pentlcman on a recent occasion read a paper on "Iron " before a mutual improvement society connected with the denomination of which he is a member, and introduced hia eubjpct by gravely informing those present " that iron wor a Bubß^anee as nobody could do nothing with until they would first (h)eat it" Now, having in mind the ferocious reputation as critics which some of our members bear, I at first thought of providing some such tough pabulum aa that of the gentleman I allude to, in the hope of the critics breaking their teeth io their efforts to get outside of it. I entertained a vague hope that if, in some nnderhand way, 1 could injure their tusks I might hope to escape the usual rending to which our essayists are subjected. After some consideration, however, I recognised the futility of any such hope, and so substituted a more easily digested morsel. This consideration on my part for the critics will, I trust, meot with all the appreciation it deserves, and induce them also to be merciful when having their innings, or, if they cannot be altogether merciful, then let them be as merciful as thoy can. I have taken the liberty, rev chairman and gentlemen, of heading my paper "A word of advice." The title 9ounds portentous, paternal in fact, but you need feel no uneasiness on that score. I will not inflict upon you a long rigmarole of things in general, apropos of nothing ; such is not my intention. My ' word of advice "is simply in reference to the selection and, in a lesser degree, the treatment of subjects intended for delivery before this, our Society, with a few reflections suggested to ma by some slight incidents I have noted since making my debut as a member. I am quite aware the giver of advice, not unseldom, has hia labour for his pains. That, however, dependß in some degree on the nature of the dose he administers. I will try to sweeten my prescription without omitting any necessary ingredient, and to limit the quantity where the case allows. Of course you are all aware that

sionally we may require tact in oar oee of a good one. Tact has somewhere been described as a sixth sense, and is without doubt a valuable possession. Unfortunately, it is by no means evenly distributed in individuals, some having but a very small modicum, whilst others are blest with considerably more than a fair share. The want of tact may at times become very apparent, and result occasionally in our having what is euphemistically termed " a high o'd time." Many and divers are the ways by which this result may be achieved, no previous training being at all necessary, the gentle art of Poesy even, may be utilised for tbe purpose with astonishing results. Many noble, spirit-stirring pieces, whose pathetic beauty, manly vigour, or the intense nationality prevading them have endeared to us, lend themselves most effectively to this end. Yes, gentlemen, there are some works, written with a noble purpose, and which have nobly fulfilled the purpose wherewith they ware written, and yet at times in this our day, we would act discreetly in not using them. " Boyne water " musically considered, is a good old tune. It is the sentiment the song expresses, and the associations connected with it, which in my estimation spoil the music. And thus it is with many things in life, sentiment counts for a great deal, and associations we cannot ignore. The very truth and beauty of • poem or reading may be to some as the thorn of the rose, whose prick is none the less painful because of the perfume which accompanies it. Burns' "Scot* wha hae" i& universally admired, but is not calculated to arouse the enthusiasm of an Hngliahman. And the reason is obvious, for if when firing a skyrocket we give our neighbours a singeing we cannot with any show of reason expect them to admire the accuracy of our aim or the beauty of the projectile. We should always consider our surroundings and the fitness of things, and remember that a small " rift within the late " may evoke harsh discord. I would have it distinctly understood that in making these remarks, I have not the most remote intention of in any way disparaging those feelings of robust nationality, which we should all poetess. By no means. Such feelings ennoble us, and do bononr to our manhood, be our nationality what it may, and furthermore, I consider the expression of such feelings in proper time and season, by tongue,

matter, gentlemen, I speak feelingly ; I do so after consideration and for this reason : because I believe tbe average humorous reading to be as effective in forwarding our literary self-education as grinning through a horse-collar. It also has a tendency to blunt the finer feelings of those compelled by courtesy to listen to it and to excite all the savage instincts of the natural man, What, for example, is more exasperating to an intelligent audience than seeing some individual with a countenance solemn as that of Don Quixote or as expressionless as the lineaments of a wooden doll smuggling with and ruthlessly murdering the humour of Dickens, Lever, Bret Harte, or some other unfortunate author ? Huoh inflictions have a great tendency to " sour the milk of human kindness " in an audience and tg justify a verdiot of " thumbs down." This humorous business, lam pleased to note, is confined, or nearly so, to the younger members in this Society. In their case we can regard it as being merely an ebulition of their superabundant youthful vitality. " Tne obild By Nature's kindly law, Pleased with a rattle, Tickled with a straw."

A pissing incident like whooping cough or measles, from which, no doubt, with proper treatment they will quickly recover. In this connection I hare let our young friends down lightly, but in the caae of more mature offenders I should certainly advocate much harsher measures. Tbe ofi nee, from a strictly legal point of view, is not one punishable with imprisonment. Unfortunately it is not, and one can but wonder at bo palpable an oversight. Here is an opportunity for some of our legislators to distinguish themselves, a chance to initiate a really useful measure. Witt what pardonable pride might net some Earnßhaw regard his work in tbis direction, and lovingly refer to it as "My Bill." But I fear our law-makers are altogether too advanced for such merely useful work. More showy though lest sensible measures have greater attractions for them, so I suppose we must wait patiently for this and other good things until the " Women's Franchise Bill " becomes law. But, in the meantime, wa should adopt some remedial measure of our own, devise something for our own protection, In doing so, however, we should not act