Answers to Correspondents

New Zealand Tablet, 23 March 1922, Page 17

Answers to Correspondents

p O’D. During the war we lost some friends because they thought we were either too anti-British, or not antiBritish enough, or too pro-German, or not pro-German enough. Others folded their tents and left us because we stood for the right of all peoples to choose their own form of government. Now that we are*standing by the majority of the Irish people you come to bid us a sorrowful farewell. Good-bye and a happy Easter to you, anyhow. Old Reader. Your criticism is stimulating. Experience teaches us that it is no use reminding people of what we have said a hundred times. But once more we repeat that the Tablet has to consult the tastes of a great variety of people. The Editor and the sensible people prefer articles on serious topics. Others like their news in scraps. Others like jokes for breakfast, dinner, and tea. Will you sign an agreement to take all the issues of the paper for 20 years to come, if we promise to run it for your sole benefit ? It will only cost you about £IO,OOO a year. Inquirer. —Galileo was not condemned by any doctrinal utterance of the Church. But he was condemned by a body of Cardinals for meddling with Scripture. Protestants find it convenient to forget that he was also condemned by such an English scholar as Bacon, who, according to Macaulay, “rejected with scorn the theory of Galileo.” It was no less a light of modern England than Huxley who said that, considering the whole circumstances of the case, “the Cardinals had the best of it.” Sceptic. St. Bernard is the best authority, being an eyewitness, for some of the miracles and prophecies of St. Malachy. With reference to the prophecies concerning the succession of the Popes, the MS. attributed to' the saint was discovered in 1590 by Arnold of Wyon, a learned Benedictine, The note for each Pope may refer to some historical event, or to some prominent personage of the period. Thus, the aquila rapax (for Pius VII.) refers to Napoleon I. To Correspondents. —Once more we respectfully request our correspondents to save themselves and us trouble - by not sending in reports of unimportant speeches at local meetings. Such things have no general interest and will not be published. It may also be worth while saying once more that we take it for granted that every priest in New Zealand invariably preaches a “learned and eloquent sermon.” Please note that items for publication have little chance of insertion if not in the office by Tuesday. Even then, if long, the odds are against them. Long original poems are at all times a dead cert, for the W.P.B. Stakes. The same, only more so, applies to all sorts of verses which have neither distinction of thought or words to recommend them. We can get too many good poems from exchanges to worry our readers with inferior copy. If any person should presume that these remarks are personal, we guarantee the contrary. And if our guarantee notwithstanding the rash judgment remains, please accept " the vexation it leaves as a Lenten penance. It will do you a power of good.