Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 51, Issue 51, 22 April 1898, Page 9

Irish News.

CORK.— Movements of the Most Rev. Dr. Grimes.— Our Canterbury readers will be interested to hear that the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes has just been preaching to crowded churches in the episcopal cities of Carlow, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. He is now giving a series of discourses, in behalf of his diocese, in the churches of Cork, where he is the guest of the Bishop of Cork at Farrenferris.

A Question for the Gaelic League— After the decision of the Lord Chancellor as to the right of Irish-speaking witnesses to be examined in the language they know best (writes a contributor to the Dublin Freeman), we had all hoped that we should hear no more of such witnesses being threatened and terrorised into speaking English. But the case which has occurred at the Cork Bankruptcy Court within the past fortnight would go to show that there are still, in spite of that decision, many officials and solicitors who take delight in using all the small authority vested in them to bully Irish-speaking witnesses into giving their evidence in English. The witness in the case was an old man named John Lucy, of Macroom. Eventually his evidence had to be taken in Irish, being interpreted by a previous witness who was in court all the time and quite willing to give his service as interpreter. It is to be hoped that the Gaelic League will seriously take up the question of defending witnesses from attacks on their language.

DUBLIN.— The Distress in the West : Mansion House Fund. — So grave has the situation in the West of Ireland become that the citizens of Dublin have taken steps to at once inaugurate a fund for the relief of the distress. On Thursday, February 24, a large and influential meeting was held for this purpose in the Oak Room of the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor presided, and among numerous letters of apology the following was read from the Archbishop of Dublin : " I deeply regret that an important engagement, from which I cannot get free, hinders me from being present at today's meeting in the Mansion House. The apathy that seems to prevail throughout Ireland on the subjeot of the present distress in our western province is incomprehensible. Let us hope that today's meeting will have the effeot of dispelling this apathy. It ia

American Contributions to the Irish Parliamentary Fund (1898).— The Parliamentary Treasurers beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following letter, with draft for £85 5s 6d :— " Toronto, Bth February, 1898. The Treasurers of the Irish Parliamentary Party, 24 Rutland Square, Dublin, Ireland. Dear Sirs,— l yesterday received your secretary's letter enclosing receipt for the amount forwarded to you on the 10th of January ; also three copies of the Freeman* Journal, which have been duly mailed. My last remittance on account of the Irish Parliamentary Fund made an aggregate of £1469 0s Id. I beg now to enclose a sterling draft for £85 5s 6d, being the proceeds of the subscription from the Diocese -of Halifax, kindly forwarded by his Grace Archbishop O'Brien. Please acknowledge and publish this subscription, and print the enclosed letter, and oblige yours faithfully ,— E. F. BLAKE."

The City Marshalship : Mr John Parnell's Candidature.—Mr John H. Parnell has issued the following circular :— '•Avondale, 18th February, 1898. Dear Sir,— The poverty and almost absolute want with which my mother, my sisters, and I are face to face render it imperative on me to ask the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Dublin Corporation to entrust to me the duties of the City Marshal. Through the devotion of my late brother to the cause of Ireland, his estate, on which his mother [Mrs Parnell has since died.— Ed. N. Z. Tablet] and sisters, as well as myself, depend for our bread, and Avondale, the home which has been in our family for generations, must come under the hammer. It is to prevent this, and to keep the ancient family roof -free, that I offer myself as a candidate for this position. Ido not wish to hamper the members of the corporation by begging this appointment from them, but I hope that, having laid briefly the lamentable condition of my people before you, the doing of which has given me much pain, I shall receive the great favour of your kind support in my candidature.— Youra obediently, John Howabd Pabnell." Mr T. D. Sullivan, M.P., writes to the Daily Nation of Monday supporting Mr John H. Parnell, M.P., for the position of Dublin City Marshall, and deprecating the view taken by the Daily Nation in a recent article, in which it was argued that the Parnell family had now no special claim on the Irish people. Mr Sullivan states he would regard the refusal to give the position to Mr Parnell as " regrettable incident."

was a native of Kenmare, in South Kerry, was a distinguished Irish scholar, and he threw himself into the work of refuting the errors sought to be propagated by the medium of Gaelio and soup. The protelytiser had finally to beat a retreat from the district before the eloquent aad convincing oratory of the zealous clergyman, Ever sinoe his connection with the parish Canon O'Sullivan took a prominent part in the various political movements in assisting and directing his people. He was a prominent figure in the Land League days, and despite his great age he was active up to the last. His loss is deeply regretted not only in the Dingle parish but throughout Kerry. An additional element of melancholy is introduced into the tidings of his death by the death of his cousin, the Rev. Sullivan, Adm., V.F., Tralee.

LIMERICK.— A New Industry.— We quoted last week from the annual report of the Irish Industries Association the splendid tribute paid by the Association to the work done by the nuns at Foxford. We are glad to learn from the same report that a wholly new and lucrative industry has been introduced into Ireland under the auspices of the Association by Miss Grace Campbell. This is nothing less than • the manufacture of Valenciennes lace. Miss Campbell having received a oourse of instruction in the lace-making art at Antwerp, taught it at Limerick Convent with the most satisfactory results. On the completion of her Limerick engagement, Miss Campbell proceeded to Golden Bridge. So successful has Miss Campbell proVed as a teacher, that Limerick Convent has secured orders for the produotion of the beautiful Valenciennes fabric which will keep the workers busy for some time. This intelligence is extremely gratifying, and there is every indication that this infant industry has an important future before it.

TIPPERARY.-Lord Emly on Orange Bigotry.— still the ball is kept rolling 1 , and the enthusiasm which has been aroused on the Catholic University question shows every sign of increasing 1 rather than abating-. An important and influential meeting 1 was held on Wednesday, February 23, in the Literary Institute, Clonmel, for the purpose of helping to rouse the Government to a sense of its responsibilities in the matter. During the course of the meeting the following outspoken letter from Lord Emly was read :— " I regret, indeed, very much that I am unable to accept your kind and welcome invitation to be present at your meeting next Wednesday. I am glad that you have remembered that I am bound to Clonmel and its neighbourhood by every tie that a man holds dear. I hope that your meeting will be a great snccess, and that cheers loud enough to awaken Slievenamon will punctuate the passing of each successive resolution that announces your firm, unalterable determination to burst asunder and cast from you the degrading shackles of Protestant ascendancy. With Protestants as Protestants we have no quarrel. Indeed, numbers of our fellow-countrymen have loyally stood alongside us on our platforms. 'Perfect religious equality 'is our motto, our watchword, our cry. The four-fifths of the people of Ireland refused to be any longer pinned in the servants' hall to suit the narrow-minded prejudices and base requirements of a very small knot of Orange bigots. How despicable are the tactics of these men ! They declare that they strongly object to the establishment of a university in this country under the management and control of one religious denomination as being contrary to the principle of religious equality established by the State. Why that describes the great Protestant "University. They upbraid u& with beinjjf uneducated. They themselves try to keep us uneducated. They sneer at us, and say that we are not in earnest. County and county has taken up the challenge, and sternly asserted that we are in earnest. They have the audacity (see Daily Express) to dictate to us that we must keep our priests in the background as a preliminary negotiation. Once and for all let them distinctly understand that — College or University — the place of our priests was, is, and always will be, at the helm" (loud applause). In addition to the usual resolutions claiming educational justice for Irish Catholics, a vote of thanks was also passed to the Protestants of Ireland for the help given in forwarding the university movement.

far from creditable to us as a people that the country has not long since been roused to a sense of its duty by the splendid example of active and generous benevolence which has been given to us by the Manchester Committee. I enclose a cheque for £20 in aid of whatever effort may be decided upon by the meeting." Alderman Pile (High Sheriff), in proposing "That this meeting, from reports received from clergymen of all denominations and from relief committees, declares that severe distress exists in the West and South of Ireland," said he was quite sure that from the reports they had seen in the papers there was but one feeling amongst them, and that was that acute distress existed amongst their fellow-countrymen, and that being so, he felt nothing in the way of speeches was required, but that what was really wanted was acts. There would always be distress to a certain extent in the West unless the position of the poor there was radically improved. How that could best be done was not for that meeting to decide. Their duty was to try and relieve the excruciating- distress that now existed, and he thought the Lord Mayor deserved the thanks of every citizen for his action in rousing the sympathy of the public and making an effort to shake off what had almost been criminal apathy. He hoped his Lordship's appeal would not be confined to Dublin but would extend from Belfast in the north to Cork in the south. Mr. William Field, M.P., in seconding the resolution, expressed the opinion that the Government had not done their duty in this matter. A subscription list was opened in the room and a large amount was then and there subscribed.

The Celtic Genius of Shakespeare.— The members of the National Literary Society enjoyed a rare treat at their last meeting in February, when Dr. Augustine Downey read an able and ingenious paper on the " Celtic Genius of Shakespeare.," a subject of which he has made a profound study. The lecturer having laid down the proposition that Shakespeare's own words are the latest sources of information regarding the poet, declared that only one conclusion as to Shakespeare's race could be arrived at from their study if read without prejudice. Shakespeare, he argued, was unquestionably a Celt. We claim him, said the lecturer, not because his works are replete with Celtic lore, not because the subject of his noblest dramas are Celtic, but because only by a Celt could those themes have been imagined and composed. The lecturer gave many remarkable examples of the poet's knowledge

of Celtic manners and customs, of the Celtic mode cf thought and expression.

GAL WAY.— Death of the Rev. Alban Furlong, 0-D.C— Deep and general regret was felt at Loughrea on Sunday, February 20, when it became known that the Rev. Father Alban Furlong, 0.D.C., had passed peacefully away. An exchange gives the following particulars regarding the deceased priest. Father Alban belonged to one of the most respectable Catholic families in the county of Galway, who resided almost within the parish of Loughrea. Deceased was born on the 24th March, 1846, and the house°ia which he spent the earlier part of his life is but across the waters of the lake. He made his novitiate in Brussels, and was professed on the Ist of May, 18G7, at the age of 21 years. He finished his studies in London, and was ordained priest on St. Patrick's Day, 1872, by his Eminence Cardinal Manning. Father Alban was a powerful an* eloquent preacher.

A Generous Gift.— A splendid gift has been bestowed upon St. Patrick's Church, Loughrea, through the generosity of Mr. James McLoughlin, of that town. It is a fine statue, twelve feet high, and represents our Lord in the Temple, blessing little children. The statue was solemnly blessed and unveiled recently, the sermon for the occasion being preached by Father Cloone, C.SS.R., from the text : " For whatsoever is born of God overoometh the world, and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." We have learned that the generous donor is the father of Mother Bertrand, of the Dominican Priory, Dunedin.

KERRY-— Death of the Oldest Priest in Kerry— lrish papers just to hand report the death of the Very Rev. Canon O'Sullivan, P.P., V.F., Dingle, a venerable priest who was about ninety years of age, and the oldest priest in Kerry. We learn from the Freeman that he had been parish priest of Dingle for nearly half his missionary life, and during his pastoral charge the parish has made considerable progress in religious and educational establishments, teaching Communites of nuns and Christian Brothers having been introduced. The deceased clergyman was brought into prominence early in hi 3 priestly career by the distinguished part which helitook in combating the attempts at proselytising by soup distribution in the Dingle Peninsula in the famine years of 1847 to 1849. The proselytisers sought to find favour with the people by the use of the old language of the Gael. Father O'Sullivan, who

GENERAL.

Are the Liberals Deserting Home Rule ?— According to the London correspondent of the Cork Herald, it looks like it. Writing under date February 12, he says : — '-Is there to be a cave in the Liberal Party on the question of Home Rule ? The query is suggested by the attitude assumed of late by the Daily Chronicle, which may be said to express the views of a large section of the patty. On Friday last I alluded to its comments on the state of affairs at Edgbaston, and its suggestion of a compromise on the Irish question between Liberals and Liberal Unionists. On Saturday again it devoted its space to this subject, and practically concedes the fealty of the Liberal Party to Home Rule in exchange for a fusion with the seceders of 188(5. The Chronicle, forsooth, i& willing to try the experiment of Local Government as a panacea for Ireland's wrongs, and as affording complete satisfaction of her demand. Then comes the following piece of disingenuous advice to Irishmen : — ' We do not see that such a course would run counter to any Irish interest. It will, in any case, take all good Irishmen most of their time to set the new machinery to work, to develop local spirit, and familiarise the people with the habit of common action for common ends. Ireland, worn out by agitation, knows well that a respite in which she might put her own household affairs in order would be a priceless boon. She has won her way far into the heart of ling-land, and she may count upon substantial justice being done to her claims.' This kind of stuff shows how poorly, alter all, Englishmen can appreciate the National spirit of Ireland. As if Irish Nationalists would forget the demand for their native Parliament while ' setting the new machinery to work.'" Thank goodness there are Irish voters in Great Britain, without whose help the Liberal Party cannot, at all events in the present generation, be returned to power. Should that party eliminate

Home Rule from its programme they will be shown that they cannot do bo with impunity."

Death of a Crimean Veteran.— The death of Trooper MaoNally, which occurred at Llanelly, in Wales, removes one of the now small band of survivors of the 'noble six hundred " immortalised in. Tennyson s well-known lines. The deceased was one of the Crimean veterans who went through the four engagements and took part in the famous charge of Balaclava. He was an Irishman, and joined the army in Dublin. After a number of years of hard service he left the army in 1870,iand went to Llanelly to be coachmen to Dr Sidney Roderick. He held this position until advancing years compelled him to give up active work. The old soldier was comfortably off, however, and was able to supplement his pension by odd shillings honestly earned here and there. The three medals and the clasp which he wore bore testimony to the courage and bravery which he had shown in all the engagements at which he was present. MacNally, who was 71 years of age, was buried with military honours. He was one of the six survivors of the famous "Charge of the Light Brigade," only five now remaining. The funeral took place on Saturday, 19th, Father Byrne officiating.

The Spectator " and Wolfe Tone— The London Spectator is one of the ablest, and, under its late editor, Mr. R. H. Hutton, it was certainly one of the fairest of English Liberal-Unionist papers. Lately, however, it perpetrated at the same time a stupid blunder and gross calumny by describing Wolfe Tone as a " poltroon." We are glad to see that the great weekly has been promptly brought to book and the writer of the obnoxious article compelled to eat hie own words. When the Spectator, in its prejudiced ignorance, described Wolfe Tone as a poltroon (says the Dublin Fret-man), it reckoned without Mr. Stephen Gwynne. In a letter to the fatuous sixpenny organ of " Liberal- Unionism Mr. Gwynne, an Irish opponent of Home Rule, demolished the scandalous calumny bo completely that the editor was compelled to apologise. As every student of Irish history knows, if one man in the story of the nations deserves to be remembered as a type of fearless, self-sacrificing and unselfish patriotism — as a hero with more of the relentless perseverance in working for a good cause than usually characteristics the heroic temperament — it is Theobald Wolfe Tone. Gentlemen so supremely ignorant of the elementary facts of Irish history as was the writer of the article condemned by Mr. Gwynne are the bitterest and most powerful enemies of Home Rule in England. It is not often that a Unionist lie is nailed so promptly and effectually as the slander on the Great Dead was by the Unionist Mr. Gwynne and the fact ought to supply the plucky correspondent of the Spectator and other fair-minded Irish opponents of self-government with food for thought.

Irish Vital Statistics. — The Tipperary Nationalist of February 12 gives an interesting summary of the quarterly returns of Irish vital statistics, just to hand, from which it appears that there has been an actual increase of 1727 in the population during the past quarter. The births amounted to 24,789, and the deaths to 18,476. The emigration drain still continues, 4586 men and women having left Ireland during the past three months, being an increase of 51. The population of Ireland in the middle of '97 was 4,351,031. The births were 0.5 over the average for ten years, and the deaths 0 9 under the average for the same period. County Waterford has the highest marriage and death rate in Munster, and Tipperary is only a few points under it. The population of Clonmel is set down as 10,777.