PUBLICATIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1914, Page 29

PUBLICATIONS

Bernadette , a Flay for Children. By T. S. Cornish. Australian Catholic Truth Society pamphlet. 16pp. Price, Id. v The author of this little play is Mr. TVS. Cornish, of Kimbolton, New Zealand; and the committee of the Australian Catholic Truth Society have rightly deemed it worthy of a place in their admirable series of publications. In a brief introduction the committee thus describe the purpose and intention of the play;' This little play has been sent to us for publication, and we feel much pleasure in complying with the wish of our correspondent. Unless we are much .mistaken,* it will become a great favorite in convent schools on festive occasions. ' It is intended to make children acquainted with the touching story of “ Bernadette.” It is also intended to illustrate the reality of the miraculous cures which have been effected, in great numbers, at Lourdes.. It is a paraphrase of that . Scriptural expression that what God conceals from the wise and prudent He often reveals to the little ones, who, by their simplicity and humility, merit, in largest measure, the Divine condescension. It will serve to remind those who see it acted how often God makes use of children for the conversion of parents or friends. Finally, it represents, in a very telling way, the spiritualising and sanctifying effect which devotion to thesßlessed Virgin has on the minds of the young-. This is the thought which as so eloquently impressed by Cardinal Newman in his discourse on the fitness of the glories of Mary.’ The play very happily and successfully accomplishes the objects above set forth. From the purely literary point of view the dialogue reaches a standard of excellence immeasurably above that of the general run of children’s plays; and on this ground alone it is entitled to high commendation, as a welcome and refreshing change from the stilted and unnatural verbiage which our young performers are so often called upon to declaim. The style is smooth, graceful but effective, and at times musically poetic; and the author has succeeded admirably in catching and maintaining the Catholic spirit and atmosphere. Mr. Cornish possesses, also, in an unusual measure the dramatic instinct and faculty ; and though a children’s play affords a necessarily limited scope for their display, the New Zealand author has imparted to his incidents and situations quite as much of the exciting and sensational as is good for juveniles. The characters are drawn with a light andskilful touch. The good ones are good without being ‘ goody-goody ”; and the less attractive characterssuch as the too matter-of-fact Soeur Kronald and the worldly Sir Richard Hartleyare thoroughly ■ natural. The personation of the two male characters may not be an altogether easy, matter in convent surroundings; but the difficulty, after all, is not a very serious one. Altogether, we can unreservedly commend this little play, which has far more thought and substance in it than is usually found in such productions, and which will prove interesting and profitable to both performers and beholders. Mr. Cornish has. an undoubted gift in the, direction of Catholic play-writing; and we trust that he will not allow his talent to ‘ fust in him unused.’ The Catholic public, we are sure, will be glad to hear more of him.