Here and There

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 15 November 1923, Page 37

Here and There

The Song “Killarney.”—Just sixty years ago all Dublin theatre-goers were singing or whistling “Killarney.” This delightful" song was composedly Balfe, for “Edmond Falconer,” in the autumn of 1861, and was introduced into the play of “The Peep o’ Day,” first performed at the Lyceum Theatre, London, on November 9, 1861. In this play the song of “Killarney” (introduced by s Miss Anna Whitty) was a powerful attraction. Harris gave it to the Dublin public on August 29, 1863, special scenery being painted by Craven, as well as a panoramic representation of the Lakes of Killarney by Telbin. Falconer’s play, ran" till the 25th of September, and by that time - “Killarney” was enshrined among the Irish melodies. From Mr. A. H. Behrend (Balfe’s grandson) we learn that Falconer (O’Rourke) gave Balfe £IOO for the musical setting. Miss Whitty, the original singer, was the daughter of Mr. M. J. Whitty, of Wexford, an eminent journalist, and had a, brillliant operatic career. Notable Men Whom Dublin Has Honored. —The conferring of the Freedom of the City on John McCormack makes it of interest to note that among the names already on the roll are those of Isaac Butt, William E. Gladstone, Ulysses S. Grant, ex-President, U.S.A.; Charles S. Parnell, John Dillon, Kevin Izod O’Doherty, William O’Brien, T. D.- Sullivan, Thomas Sexton, the Marquis of Ripon, his Eminence Cardinal Moran, Lady Sandhurst, Provost Salmon, T.C.D.; P. A. McHugh, John E. Redmond, Dr. Douglas Hyde,\ Richard Croker, Sir Hugh P. Lane, Sir Charles Cameron, and the Very Rev. Canon O’Leary. In 1876 a Bill to extend the privileges of municipal corporations in Ireland was introduced in the British House of Commons by Isaac Butt. The measure became law on August 15, 1876, and on September 4 following Butt was the first person to be admitted an -honorary burgess of the borough. More Tolerant Times. —The 38th anniversary of the dedication of St. Joseph’s Church, Guernsey, was kept oj the first Sunday of September. The building was designed by A. Welby Pugin, and erected in 1851. The same year it was opened by Cardinal Wiseman. It is mad© of Guernsey blue granite and stands 340 feet above the sea-level, and, with its steeple 150 feet higher, forms a conspicuous landmark. The Archbishop, on his arrival to perform the opening ceremony, was received with stones and brickbats. Before his carriage reached Euston Terrace, Cordier Hill, where ho was to stay, all the windows were smashed. During the night the windows of the house met with similar treatment. However, the Archbishop’s powerful conciliatory speeches and sermons at the opening made a deep impression and greatly changed the attitude of the islanders. The consecration was carried out by the Right Rev. Dr. Vertue, first Bishop of Portsmouth. The present rector, Rev. T. G. Hickey, D.D., Ph.D., was present as a boy at the -consecration in 1885. Blessed Michel Garicoits.—Close to Lourdes, in the picturesque village of Betharram, that is well known to many of Our Lady’s clients, the recent beatification of Blessed Michel Garicoits was celebrated by his enthusiastic fellow-countrymen. Many of our readers may remember that Pius XI. lately raised to the altars of the Church this holy priest, the founder, of a society of missioners placed under the patronage of the Sacred Heart. This Congregation has also colleges, chiefly in the South of France, and many missions in South America. Like St. Ignatius, Michel Garicoits was a son of Biscay; the “Basques,” a strong and sturdy race, are found on either side of the Pyrenees. Their characteristics are the same everywhere: tenacious and enterprising, they are hardy mountaineers at home and successful colonists in South America, where they every year emigrate in large numbers. Cardinal Touchet, Bishop of Orleans, preached a striking panegyric of the new “Beato,” and drew the attention of his audience to the common origin of two Basque saints, Ignatius Loyola and Michel Garicoits, in whom the characteristics of their race were strongly marked and wholly devoted to the service of God. The procession that followed was very impressive. Like Lourdes, Betharram has the Pyrenees as a background. The beauty of nature was a fitting frame for a demonstration of faith and devotion where the “Basques” of France and'Spain were well to the front.

Anniversary of Cardinal Death.—-The 33rd anniversary of the death of Cardinal Newman was recently ", observed by the Oratorians in London. One who was as-; sociated with him-gives the following .accounts of his last moments: “On Saturday night, August 9, 1890, the Cardinal had an attack of shivering,'followed by a sharp rise of temperature, and the symptoms indicative of pneumonia supervened. On Sunday afternoon he rallied somewhat,, and recited his breviary with ."Father William Neville. On Monday morning, "August 11, -he lost consciousness. Father Mills, in the presence of the community, gave him Extreme Unction. In the evening, at a few minutes to ! nine, the Cardinal peacefully expired. The body was then vested in full ■Pontifical robes, and conveyed to the church. Here it lay in state for some days, and great numbers came from all parts of the country to take a last look at the face of him they had loved. The funeral was fixed for Tuesday, August 19. At 11 o’clock there was Solemn Requiem Mass, the Bishop - of " Birmingham being the' celebrant. There were present in all 17 bishops, and between three and four hundred clergy, and a distinguished company of laity, both Catholic and non-Catholic. The funeral sermon was preached by Dr, Clifford, Bishop of Clifton. After the ceremony at the Oratory, the body was escorted along a road, lined with spectators, to the retreat • at Rednal, and laid beside the tomb of Ambrose St. John, the Cardinal’s dear friend in life.” French Nuns Honored By Government. reconciliation of the Church and State in France is now almost complete, and day after day the reports indicate that anticlericalism is now a diminishing quantity (says an exchange). In presenting the Medal of Honor to two nuns at the Hopsital of Saint Lo, France, the Prefect of the Department of La Manche delivered a brief address, in which he expressed his satisfaction at being able to accomplish such a mission in the name of the Government. He then spoke in terms of the highest praise of all the nuns who are devoting themselves to the care of the children, the aged and the sick of every kind. “What sacrifices,” he said, “what fatigue, what care their work requires! Assuredly all are deserving of praise, but sometimes there are some who have rendered exceptional services, either because of the difficulties they had to meet, or because of the length of their services. The Government is happy to be able to give them a special mark of its gratitude.” Four other nuns were decorated in other hospitals. An Early Australian Prelate.We learn (says the Catholic Press ) that the Right Rev. Abbot Butler, of Downside Abbey, England, is engaged on a life of Archbishop Ullathorne, and it is expected that it will soon be published. The archives of Downside Abbey have been utilised for the work; also the fine collection of Ullathorne letters owned by Mr. Shane Leslie, the editor of the Dublin Beview. Dr. Ullathorne’s name is not much remembered in Australia nowadays. He succeeded Father Therry for a while in charge of the early Catholic congregation at Sydney, and with him there came to Australia the first instalment of hierarchical development. To place an Englishman as spiritual guide over a small and dispirited congregation of Irishmen transported hither through the operation* of English harsh laws was not perhaps very wise. Nor did Dr. Ullathorne cast in his lot completely and finally with his flock. But he did good work in exposing the horrors of the convict system; in this matter, at least, he is remembered in Australia. The Benedictine regime begun here by Dr. Ullathorne had to be abandoned.

St. Joseph’s School, Jemuka The other afternoon a . very pleasing ceremony took place when the medals won by the - boys in the recent seven-a-side Timaru tournament, were: presented by the Rev. Father Fay. The following are the names of the winners:—George Gaffaney (capt.), George McGarva, Matthew Crannitch, Francis Mangan, John Spillane, William Small, and Patrick Leonard. Rev. Father “Fay complimented the ! boys on their well-deserved success, and wished them greater success in the future. Cheers for the team were then given by the pupils. ' r