# The Chronicles of Early Melbourne/Volume 2/Chapter 48

​C H A P T E R XLVIII. ANCIENT SAINT-WORSHIP, NATIONAL SOCIETIES, A N D CELEBRATIONS.
SYNOPSIS.—Prefatory Remarks.—Saint Andrew. —The First National Festival—Saint Andrew's Society.—Scottish Festivals.—Saint Patrick's Society. —The First Irish Procession.—Presidential Errors of Administration.— Anniversary Celebrations.—Expulsion of Rowdy Ringleaders. —The Election of O'Shanassy, Stephen, Finn, and Lane. —The First Hibernian Festival—Prohibition of Party Processions.—Suspension of Annual Marching Demonstrations.—St. Patrick's Hall—Laying the Foundation Stone.—Inscription.—Opening of the Hall—Locus of the First Legislative Council—Presentations to Messrs. O'Shanassy and Finn.—Saint George.—Society of St. George.—St. George's Club.—Festivals and Rejoicings. —The Burns' Festivals. —The Germans.—The German Union.—The Christmas Festival.
FN many respects the early residents of Melbourne were much less matter-of-fact than the generation following, and though they were shrewd and business-like enough in their way considering the conditions existent, they were occasionally swayed by certain impulses which have, in modern Is^ times, almost died out of society. With the exception of an anniversary ball, or other commemoration by some whose desire is to curry favour with the political star temporarily in the ascendant, appears to be the ruling passion, no one n o w hears of the anniversary of a titular Saint being otherwise than formally kept. Yet the reverse was a special feature in the infancy of Port Phillip, and was maintained until after the period when the Province acquired its colonial independence. In the olden time emigration from the Mother-country was also viewed in a m u c h more serious light than it is now. Adventuring to the Antipodes was then regarded as a trying ordeal, a perpetual severance from a home, which, even in the blackest adversity, is hallowed by associations which will cling round the heart of the exile, and cannot be shaken off. Australia was such an out-of-the-way place, and so little known, that people w h o were plucky enough to seek their fortunes in such an ultima thule, were accounted by those w h o remained behind as undergoing a sort of premature interment. T h e immigrants after their arrival viewed the matter in m u c h the same light, and with no small reason ; for the inter-communication then existing between this colony and Britain was such as to be now almost incredible. Not to speak of telegraphy, such a thing as steam transit was perhaps dreamed of in the distant future, but nothing m o r e ; and the n o w luxurious six weeks' pleasure trip in afloatingpalace was then an arduous, uncomfortable, dangerous passage, cooped up in comparatively "old tubs" for three or fourth months, or longer. A ship that " d i d " f r o m London, Liverpool, or Cork to Melbourne in three months was considered a fast sailer, and four months was the average. Then as to letters—the cherished link that solaced the absent hearts yearning for intelligence at both extremes of the earth—such was the imperfectness and dilatoriness of the ocean mail arrangements, that the course of post was frequently a year between Melbourne and England and vice versa. There would, of course, be at times, especially during the wool season, direct ship mails from Port Phillip, and by merchant vessels from h o m e ; but through the-regulations insisted upon, it frequently happened that correspondence would be sent backward and forward, via Sydney, in a line of packets organized by the Post Office authorities. In the decade from 1840 to 1850 the number of persons w h o returned from Port Phillip to England was comparatively very f e w — a merchant or settler n o w and then ; and indeed it was an expedition which was not readily undertaken. Furthermore, there was not m u c h cosmopolitanism amongst us, for the population was mainly m a d e up of English, Irish, and Scotch, with, may-be, a dozen of French and Germans thrown in ; and such an u e m as a "Young Victoria" was one of those social blessings of which there were incipient symptoms, but nothing more. T h e three principal sections of the people were, therefore, in a certain state of ​isolation from the Mother-country, which induced them to keep alive the traditionary remembrances upon which they mentally feasted, and which, unconsciously, they permitted to engross their attention. T h e old reverence for those mythical personages k n o w n as titular Saints haunted them, and, firmly fixed in the imagination, they were permitted to nestle there. It is a singular fact that though proverbially a Scotchman is said to be never more at h o m e than' when he is away from " Caledonia, stern and wild," the Scotch were thefirstto indulge in public Saint-worship in Melbourne, where they were soon followed by the Irish, the English bringing up the rear. There used to be a good deal of wholesome enthusiasm generated as the various anniversaries approached, and the enjoyment was by no means confined to what might be termed the official celebration, which was not always well attended. Numerous private parties would be given, and the general body of the populace whose particular amor patriot was touched, would patronize the taverns throughout the town, and generally m a k e a night of it. At public dinners there was great fun, for the company were in a condition of considerable exaltation, stimulated by a spiritual influence, and the exuberance of a fervour so gushingly poured forth at the shrine of the particular idol glorified. T h e votaries, like other pilgrims of w h o m w e read, would work themselves into a temporaryfitof semi-fanaticism, as if enveloped and fascinated by a nimbus, revealing the shadowy outlines of some special Saint, an Andrew leaning on a Cross, constructed in the form of an X , and waving a bunch of freshly-plucked thistles, or a Patrick shaking a " Sprig of Shillelagh " at a snake d o o m e d to banishment, or a George with the Dragon (he never killed) dead at his feet, twining a rose in the tresses of the Virgin so chivalrously rescued from being eaten ; whilst the orating would, of itself, dumb-founder the very Saints, were they privileged to be listeners. A certain description of Irish elocution was once designated " Sunburstery," which accurately describes the high-faluting rhapsodies which constituted the stock-in-trade of the public speakers at the old national festivals. Let the occasion be Scotch, Irish, or English, it was m u c h the same. Every person and every thing connected with the particular country was pronounced to be so " demi-godish " as to beat anything else, not only " under the sun," but even above that luminary. O u r modern dinners are nothing as compared with the ancients in sensual enjoyment; but there was one creditable exception to be chalked up in favour of the former—no such barbarism was ever attempted as the smoking growing in vogue at the entertainments of to-day. T h e Irish were the only people w h o ever honoured their Saint with a public procession in Port Phillip, and Patrick's D a y used to be ushered into the world amidst the loud-sounding din of a rather noisy town band. A half-drunken, lively crowd escorted the musicians, "shouting" in a double sense through the streets, and at the hotels, without annoying anyone w h o did not interfere with them, and after " beating the boundaries" in this noisy, though otherwise harmless manner, they separated good-humouredly at sunrise. It would be difficult to specify the various strata of which the society of to-day is composed, but in the period of which I a m treating it might be divided into three layers, namely, First, Second, and Third. T h e would-be Upper-crust was a pinchbeck snobdom, which took upon itself airs of absurd superiority where the whole population were adventurers w h o left the parent country, if not fortune-hunting, certainly to work out an improved means of livelihood, and to m a k e money if they could. T h e would-be aristocracy, therefore, would not cohere with those w h o m they ranked below them, and this dissociation considerably affected the popularity and success of the early national festivities. With the Scotch there was not only a clannishness but a spurious personal caste which caused the St. Andrew dinners to be surrounded by a kind of select selfishness. T h e disciples of St. George were in the beginning even colder and more freezingly genteel than the others, and it was only when the Middle-crust, Scotch and Irish, went into the thing that they acquired the proper stamina to be considered national demonstrations. T h e Irish Upper-crust class was so far more exclusive than their Scottish or English brethren, that they not only held aloof from the St. Patrick celebrations, but they had not even the public spirit to attempt anything on their o w n account. It is singular, though true, and what one would hardly expect, that the Irish celebrations were the most orderly and creditable of all the old festivals. They were mainly in the hands of what might be called the central stratum, and possibly this m a y account for the good conduct that always characterized them. RR 2 ​Decidedly the most successful entertainments, from a national and festive standpoint, were the first two of the festivals held in commemoration of Robert Burns, the un-canonized idol of " T h e land of brown heath and shaggy wood," for there was a thoroughness, in fact a backbone, in the demonstrations which all the others in some way lacked. A s I was present at nearly all the jollifications in question, I can safely declare that I never saw anything to exceed the fervid enthusiasm, the appetizing activity and the bodily and mental enjoyment which pervaded the first and second of those gatherings. T o sum up, then, I would say that the St. Andrew-ites were the most clannish, the St. Patrick-ans the least disorderly, the St. Georgians the most cliquish, and, in one instance, the rowdiest. T h e Robbie Burnsites were the most unmeasured indulgers in the pleasures of the table, the most ardent Bacchanalians, and infinitely the "tallest talkers" and loudest chanters of everything and everybody connected with the old historic country which they had abandoned. With these prefaratory observations I proceed to briefly particularize the more prominent features of the early National celebrations taking them so far as I can, in their chronological order. SAINT ANDREW.
The first National Festival held in the colony was the celebration of the anniversary of the Patron Saint of Scotland, on the 30th November (St. Andrew's Day), 1840, when to it was associated an Australian welcome to a Mr. M'Donnell tribally known as " T h e Glengarry," a Caledonian Chief, who purposed settling in a portion of the then almost unknown Gippsland country. It took the form of a dinner at the Caledonian Hotel in Lonsdale Street. T h e Chair was occupied by Mr. A. M . M'Crae, and a long list of toasts was disposed of with the customary honours, the speakers being Messrs. M'Crae, Lauchlan M'Kinnon, George Arden, W m . Kerr, Norman Campbell, James Williamson, P. W . Welsh, Donald Cameron, and " The Glengarry." Everything was passing on well until the place was rushed by a half-a-dozen boisterous Scots, w h o had been making over merry at the Adelphi Hotel in Little Flinders Street, and after a brief stand-up fight the intruders were ejected " neck and crop" through the windows. As the tavern was only a small one-story concern, their fall was a short one, no bones were broken, and they sustained no further inconvenience than a good shaking. ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA FELIX,
To date from the 1st December, 1841, was inaugurated at a Scottish Festival held at the Caledonian Hotel, on the previous evening (the 30th November.) It was to be simply an organization for promoting conviviality, and its having no higher aim, probably accounted for the brevity of its existence. Its only qualifications for membership were—viz., Scottish descent and the payment of a guinea. Itsfirstroll of office-bearers consisted o f — President : T h e Honourable James Erskine Murray. Vice-President: Mr. Claud Farie. Committee : T h e Honourable Robert Dundas Murray, Messrs. Archibald Cunninghame, H u g h Jamieson, William Kerr, and James Hunter Ross. Secretary and Convener: Mr. Andrew Muirson M'Crae. Treasurer : Mr. Isaac Buchanan. " T h e Battle of Bannockburn" offered thefirstsuitable opportunity for the Fraternity to give practical effect to the object for which it was formed, and accordingly, on the 25th June, 1842, there was an anniversary battle celebration at the Caledonian. T h e President (Hon. J. A. Murray), and Vice-President (Fane) officiated at the top and bottom of the table, and the company made quite a jolly night of it. T h e toast of the evening, " T h e immortal memory of Robert the Bruce, and the other heroes of Bannockburn," was eloquently proposed by the Chairman; but instead of being rece.ved (as it ought) in solemn silence, it was, according to a chronicle of the time, drank "with most decorous applause, a phrase difficult of definition. Mr. Oliver Gourlay very appropriately responded by singing, with much effect, the famous national lyric, "Scots wha hae," etc. Amongst the toasts, the memories of Wallace, Scott, and Burns, were not forgotten. ​St. Andrew's Day of the same year was commemorated also by a dinner at the Caledonian; but through some unaccounted-for apathy only sixteen convivialists mustered there. M r . Claud Farie officiated in the Chair, and Mr. John Porter as Vice. It was matter for regret there were not more present, for the repast is described as " most sumptuous and composed of every delicacy the season afforded." T w o of the sixteen pitched into the good fare to such an extent that they got up a "shindy" in the room; but on emerging therefrom they conducted themselves so outrageously as to be pounced upon by the police, pulled off to the lock-up, and had to undergo a compulsory interview with the Police Magistrate some hours later in the morning. T h e numerical slight to the Saint was in some measure atoned for in 1843, when his prandial worshippers were more than doubled, eight-and-thirty of them assembling at the Royal Hotel in Collins Street, upon which occasion Messrs. Archibald Cunninghame and J. H . Ross acted as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. T h e Festival of 1844 was kept up on St. Andrew's Eve, as the " d a y " fell on Saturday, and as Sabbatarians, the Scotchmen were not disposed to permit their merriment to trench upon the "small hours" of a Sunday. This was one of the best of the early public dinners, and was conducted regardless of trouble or expense. T h e place was the Mechanics' Institute, and the caterer, a Mr. James Murray, w h o kept the Prince of Wales Hotel, in Little Flinders Street, in such a style as to make it the Menzies' of the age. T h e room was decorated with flowers andflags,an efficient band played under the conductorship of a Mr. Richards, and Mr. William Clarke, an ancient Master of Music, excelled himself at the piano and was assisted by two or three amateur vocalists. Mr. A. Cunninghame (the Society's President) was Chairman, supported on his right by the Mayor (Henry Condell), and having Major William Firebrace as his left-hand man. T h e Vice-Chairman was Mr. J. H . Ross, sandwiched between Parson T h o m s o n and Father Geoghegan, Episcopalian and R o m a n Catholic clergymen. T h e Presbyterian minister (Rev. James Forbes) was also in attendance. T h e speaking was as good as the singing, which is saying m u c h for it; and the great hit of the evening was the thrilling melody of " M y Heather Hills," by Mr. J. S. Johnston, with a Clarke accompaniment. But decidedly the greatest hit in the way of a Scottish dinner ever given in the colony was on the 2nd December, 1845, at tne Prince of Wales. This entertainment' possessed a quasi political significance, as the St. Andrew's Society's President (A. Cunninghame) had been recently appointed a delegate to proceed to England and represent certain pressing grievances at head-quarters. T o the in memoriam of the National Saint was added a valedictory tribute to the President, w h o was to depart on his mission in a few days ; and the exclusiveness generally characterizing Scottish celebrations was so far relaxed as to admit of a large admixture of persons hailing from other portions of the British Empire. T h e President was Chairman, and amongst the comp'any were the Revs. A. T h o m s o n and P. B. Geoghegan, Dr. Palmer (the Mayor), Messrs. W . F. Stawell, Henry Moor, and George Coppin. There was an elaborate list of toasts, the principal being " T h e Land o' Cakes," given by the Chairman, in one of the best convivial orations ever delivered in Port Phillip. Stawell, Palmer, Moor, and AVestgarth were also extremely telling in their remarks. A n d the following declaration by Father Geoghegan, in responding for the Clergy, is worthy of preservation :—" Unanimity amongst the Clergy produced beneficial effects in the community—and here, no matter h o w they m a y differ on doctrinal points, such a harmony did happily exist." Mr. William Clarke and some amateurs contributed m u c h to the enjoyment, and Coppin threw in one of his comic songs, for which he was rapturously applauded. T h e 30th November, 1847, witnessed a gathering of about seventy at the Prince of Wales, presided over by Mr. J. H . Ross, with the Mayor (Andrew Russell) as Croupier. Amongst the speakers were the Rev. Peter Gunn, Messrs. W . F. Stawell, G. S. Brodie, J. S. Johnston, and W . Kerr. T h e musical arrangements were looked after by M r . Megson, the leader of the then theatrical orchestra, and a Mr. Ellard, a Sydney professional, was amongst the singers. Johnston's " Heather Hills " was again aired with immense success. In 1848, the St. Andrewites seem to have been asleep, but the next year (1849) they woke up so far as to have an anniversary dinner at the Prince of Wales. Messrs. J. H . Ross, and A. Russell played first and second fiddles as Chair and Vice. T h e special feature of the occasion was the ​welcoming of Mr. William Westgarth, not long returned from a visit to the old country. The speechifying, though not possessing the fire of previous times, was interesting, particularly the h o m e news detailed by Westgarth ; but the singing was well kept up by J. S. Johnston, Ross, Russell and others.
SAINT PATRICK'S SOCIETY
Is the only one of the old national Institutions that has survived all the great changes through which the colony has passed, and as it is alive to-day, a cursory memoir of its existence cannot be other than historically interesting. It was inaugurated on the 28th June, 1842, in the Royal Exchange Hotel, which stood on part of the n o w site of the Bank of N e w South Wales. T h e large room was crowded, and m u c h enthusiasm prevailed. Dr. John Patterson, the Immigration Agent, was appointed Chairman, and addresses were delivered by him and Messrs. T h o m a s H . Osborne, John C. King, W m . O'Farrell, W . R. Belcher, Michael Power, T h o m a s Robinson, T h o m a s Clarke, Richard Dowling, Michael Croker, J. M . Connolly, Daniel Kelly, David Boyd and John Stephen. Several resolutions were agreed to, the principal one declaring the Society to be established " For the encouragement of national feeling, the relief of the destitute, the promotion of education, and generally whatever m a y be considered by its members, best calculated to promote the happiness, the honour and the prosperity of their native and adopted lands." It was designated " T h e St. Patrick Society of Australia Felix," and a code of laws for its government was sanctioned, Rule 1 prescribing "That any person, of whatever political creed or religious denomination, being a native of Ireland, or descended from Irish parents, shall be eligible as a member." T h e following Board of Management was appointed :—President : John Patterson, R.N.; Vice-President : William Locke ; H o n . Secretary and Treasurer: T. H . Osborne ; Assistant Secretary : James Foley; Treasurer: Henry Campbell; Auditors: Dr. John Dickson and T h o m a s C. Riddle; Committee: David Boyd, Sylvester J. Brown, William R. Belcher, T h o m a s Clarke, John C. King, Michael M'Namara, William O'Farrell, David W . O'Nial, Michael Power, John Patterson, junr., Charles Williams, and Jephson B. Quarry. It will be important, in order to accentuate certain doings yet to be narrated, to remark here that the nineteen individuals composing the original Directory may be religiously classified as—Episcopalians, 9; Presbyterians, 5 ; and R o m a n Catholics, 5. It would be difficult to obtain a more representative body, except that the R o m a n Catholic element, likely to be largely in the majority of general members, was represented here by a minority of about a fourth. T h e President was an M.D., the Vice-President a merchant in high repute, the Honorary Secretary a retired Presbyterian Minister, and a more devoted son of the Emerald Isle never existed in Victoria. O n the Committee was one of the leading schoolmasters (Boyd), a prominent auctioneer Williams), an Attorney (Quarry), and thefirstT o w n Clerk (King). T h e last-named gentleman was so enamoured of Erin-go-Bragh, and so careful that neither north nor south should have reason to complain, that he determined to be impartial in the distribution of his favours, and so having assisted infigurativelyplanting the Shamrock in 1842, by helping to initiate a St. Patrick Society, in the next year he good-naturedly lent a hand to the culture of Orange lilies, as one of the founders of an Institution for the propagation of certain principles, traditionally, though erroneously, said to have been bequeathed in perpetuo by William the Third to his followers. T h e Society's entrance fee was fixed at 5s. per member, with 12s. annual subscriptions, and its meetings were to be held monthly. There was a capital start, and an undertaking undeniably laudable was prosecuted with m u c h zeal. A n early season of trouble, little expected, was approaching, and one, too, that would put the strongest patriotism to the test. T h efirstCorporation Elections were fixed for the coming November. They excited m u c h interest, and incessant ward canvassing was resorted to. T h e Associated Hibernians, prompted by predilections, personal and otherwise, took different sides, which by no means increased the entente cordiale anticipated for the monthly re-union. T h e Society, as a body, certainly held aloof; but the individual members, rank andfile,threw themselves ​into the conflict, and, unlike Freemasonry in time of war, the tie of brotherhood possessed no influence, so no quarter was given or taken. Patterson, Dickson, and Clarke were candidates for Civic dignity, the first-named being booked in certain quarters as the maiden Mayor of Melbourne, and King was intriguing for the billet of T o w n Clerk. All the early Municipal Elections were so many pitched battles, in which the Scotch and Irish Northerners were pitted against the English and South Irish. T h e former contingent was inferior in numbers and social influence ; but the deficiency was m a d e up by a power of combination, electioneering tact, and an interest in the issue at stake, not possessed by their opponents. A n d thus was engendered that acrimonious spirit of partyism, which, under various shapes and transformations, flourishes in Victoria at the present day. As the year advanced, and the elections terminated, Christmas saw the Society denuded of members who, under ordinary circumstances, might be regarded as its most valuable components. T h e Episcopalian and Presbyterian members became conspicuous by their absence from the monthly meetings, and things were decidedly in a state of retrogression. However, the next anniversary of the Irish Saint placed matters in a more encouraging condition, and a public procession on St. Patrick's Day, and the enthusiasm such an event evoked considerably swelled the muster roll of adherents. Great preparations had been m a d e for the ovation, and no exertion was spared to render it a success. A pair of green gold-gilt banners had been m a d e to order; green scarves and rosettes were procured, and there was such a demand for the colour that by the evening of the 16th March, the few drapers' shops were cleared out of their limited stock of finery.
THE FIRST IRISH PROCESSION
Marched through the streets of Melbourne on the 17th March, 1843. The Town Band made its appearance at an early hour, and commenced operations by striking up "St. Patrick's D a y in the Morning." This was a signal cheerfully responded to from all quarters, and hundreds of people (men, women, and children), flocked to where the musicians were holding forth, and a perambulation of the principal thoroughfares commenced, the moving mass having the politeness to pull up opposite the residences of any special Irish resident in the line of march, where the compliment of a serenade was executed in a very rough-and-ready style. T h e publichouses were open, and as the Irish pockets were not closed, the liquoring-up at frequent short intervals could only yield in intensity to the cheering and boisterous merriment that prevailed. It was the pre-larrikin era, and as nothing but good humour prevailed, the few police on town duty were too considerate to interfere, and not a single Paddy or Paddyess figured on the drunkard's list at the police office next morning. At 10 a.m. the Society's members assembled in theirflaringgreenery at the Royal Exchatige Hotel, when a procession was formed. T h e banners, on one of which was a large gilt emblem of an Irish harp, and the other garlanded with poorly-painted yellow shamrocks, were proudly unfurled, backed by a brace of Union Jacks borrowed pro tern. T h e Band, more remarkable for its noise than the measure of its music, was followed by an old Masonic Celt, well known as H u g h y Cain, half smothered in ribbons, armed with a formidable-looking w e a p o n — a hybrid of the mace cum cudgel genus, green wreathed all over—which he twirled like a fighting shillelagh in the hands of a drunken Irishman at Donnybrook fair. This operation was resorted to, to keep in order a troop of Irish school pupils (his juvenile "numbers" he styled them) whose guardianship was, for the occasion, entrusted to him. T h e youngsters trotted on next, proud of their green adornments, and looking forward with admiring apprehension at the wonderful aerial manoeuvres in which old H u g h y and his picturesque staff were indulging. T h e President and Vice-President, indued from neck to heels in robes of green silk, fashioned like ladies' dressing-gowns, with capes reaching to the elbows, then advanced with measured step; and were succeeded by the members of committee scarved and rosetted, the main body similarly decorated, bringing up the rear. In a line of two deep, and keeping m u c h better walking time than our m a m m o t h modern processions, they paraded the streets, their minds recalled to the Shamrock Land of their nativity by the fondly cherished tunes of " St. Patrick's Day," " Garryowen," and "Faugh-a-Ballagh." Advancing along Collins Street westward, they m a d e a circuit of St. James' Church, passing which all hats were off and the banners lowered as a compliment to the house of ​prayer wherein a proportion of the members worshipped. O n reaching the intersection of Bourke Street they turned eastward, and via Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets, drew up Before St. Francis', where the well-known and well-esteemed R o m a n Catholic Pastor (Father Geoghegan) was to deliver a panegyric on the Apostle of the " Island of Saints." O n this occasion the solemn ceremony of High Mass was celebrated for thefirsttime in Port Phillip. T h e building was crowded, the banners were carried in and placed near the altar, and the event was very imposing. T h e reverend preacher acquitted himself in a manner that added another green wreath to his reputation as the best pulpit orator then, and for m a n y a year thereafter, in the colony. At the conclusion of the service the Society re-formed in procession, and returning to the Exchange dispersed. This attendance at a R o m a n Catholic Church gave m u c h offence to a number of the m e m b e r s belonging to other religious communions, and increased a secession which for a time threatened to imperil the existence of the Fraternity ; but the remaining members, putting their shoulders together, m a d e a strong rally and prevented a break up. T h e attendance at St. Francis' was a well-meant mistake, and never intended as alleged, to introduce any element savouring of sectarianism. A n angry and recriminatory correspondence followed in the newspapers, and no impartial person, cognizant of the circumstances under which the Society was founded, and the broad un-denominational basis of its Constitution, can even palliate the extreme injudiciousness of the implied infringement of neutrality involved in the attendance at a place of worship not religiously recognized by a section of the members, w h o actually comprised the real originators, and were the most socially influential of the body. T h e first President having retired, was succeeded by the Rev. P. B. Geoghegan, another mistake, which heated instead of cooled the religious ferment. His well-known liberality of sentiment and popularity with all classes helped him, in some measure, to steer the Institution through this early and formidable difficulty. But m u c h of its prestige had departed, and I doubt if it was ever afterwards thoroughly recovered. Geoghegan retained office during a year blotched by extreme bigotry and bad feeling, and the blunder in question was worked to m u c h advantage by a n u m b e r of active pettyfogging fanatics, possessed, however, of just sufficient method in their madness, to use the event as a means of furthering the interests of their party in the electioneering conflicts of 1843. Through an infatuated obstinacy, utterly indefensible, and for which the reverend President must be held in no small degree responsible, the mistake of the previous year was repeated in 1844, by an anniversary celebration in every way similar to the first. T h e procession was m o r e numerous, there was a second visit to St. Francis' Church, and another High Mass, at which some Protestant amateur vocalists assisted the then small choir. T h e preacher of the St. Patrick panegyric was the Rev. Daniel M'Evey, and his text, Ecclesiasticus, chap, xliv., verses 1, 14 and 18. At the annual election the Rev. M r . Geoghegan declined re-election as President, and in so doing appreciated the wisdom of the adage "Better late than never." His original election was, under the circumstances, an indiscretion, for placing a priest at the head of an Institution in the throes of sectarian dissension was simply adding fuel to flame. Geoghegan must have been temporarily bereft of his natural tact and caution when he accepted the position; but, having done so, he was unwilling to publicly acknowledge the error by resignation, so he held on until the fitting opportunity, w h e n he might H e was not pressed to gracefully and quietly be extinguished by what is termed effluxion of time. remain, and his successor was M r . John Robert Murphy, an influential brewer, and a m e m b e r of the Independent Church. In some respects there could not be a better selection, for M r . M u r p h y was well k n o w n and universally respected, was in a good position, and a favourite with all classes, but he sadly lacked certain qualifications indispensably necessary for the head of an Irish Society. Though by no means resembling the proverbial lamb in temper, and capable enough of readily flaring up when provoked, he was deficient in the b u m p of repressiveness, sometimes so useful in controlling certain undisciplined forces which are wont to try it on in Irish gatherings. In fact he was like a m a n ready and willing, and able to fight when a quarrel is thrust on him, yet w h o is not desirous of seeking a position which m a y at any m o m e n t precipitate him head-foremost into a melee. His reign of office was one of comparative inarHvirv f^r <-u„ e • *. 1 ,°, , . , , 'i*u««wve inactivity, tor the Society sank into a condition of languor, which merged into absolute hibernation Tn thp h m ; „ „ r o • i_ 1 ° . t> uciurtuun. in m e beginning of 1845, lC was a question whether the ​Institution was to live or die. It was slowly approaching a slate of actual extinction, and if its life were to be prolonged, it could only be by some strong rousing effort, and not only an infusion of fresh blood into the management, but a Committee consisting wholly of new blood,flesh,bone and muscle. This was resolved upon, and the next St. Patrick's anniversary celebration was a success. For the first time the visit to St. Francis' was a b a n d o n e d — a step in the right direction, and the place of meeting was changed from the Royal Exchange to the Lord Nelson, a one-storey tavern, erected on the ground n o w occupied by Clauscen and Foley's furnishing entrepot, on the north side of Bourke Street. T h e annual meeting in April was looked forward to with m u c h interest, as it would form the live or die turning-point, and there was an active beating-up of recruits as n e w members, for a majority was to be secured that would sweep away the old regime. T h e meeting was crowded and disposed to be rowdy, and the first act of the evening was, in a certain sense, revolutionary in itself, for not one of the out-going officers would be accepted as C h a i r m a n — a favour conferred upon Mr. John O'Shanassy, a n e w member, and the acknowledged leader of the Opposition. T h e business was proceeded with in anything but an amicable style, and it must be recorded that the Chair manifested no conciliatory disposition. There was to be no reasoning, no parley, no trifling with either past apathy or present mismanagement. T h e iron-hand was to do everything; and it was accordingly put forth ungloved and bare, the metallic fingers twitching to grasp and strangle any obstruction, and well it did its work. T h e Annual Report of the defunct management was submitted and challenged for its vagueness and misrepresentation. After a short, sharp, and stormy discussion, it was rejected. This being anticipated, a protest, ready cut and dry, was presented, but as there was no rule to authorize its reception, the Chairman requested its promoters to withdraw it, and on their refusal to do so he unceremoniously threw it into the fire. Several members became enraged at what they considered a grossly insulting and summary proceeding, and, after venting their indignation in most unparliamentary language, they dashed out of the r o o m — a " Contempt of Court"—promptly punished by the formal expulsion from the Society of half-a-dozen of the ringleaders. T h e election of a n e w Directory was the next business, and thus resulted :—President: John O'Shanassy; Vice-President: John Stephen; Honorary Secretary: E d m u n d Finn; Treasurer: Timothy L a n e ; with two Auditors, and twelve Committee-men—the whole team, without exception, being " new blood." This change might be pronounced as altering the destiny of the Society. O'Shanassy had just given up squatting on a small station between Brighton and Dandenong, and commenced the drapery business in Elizabeth Street, a few yards below the well-known Clarence Hotel corner.* H e was then beginning to give evidence of the singular ability afterwards so thoroughly developed in him. H e joined the Society with an earnest desire to re-animate it, and m a k e it a fixture in the land. Stephen, w h o was a Police-Court Advocate and a T o w n Councillor, was of small account, for, except a fine physique, and pliant and plausible manners, he had not m u c h to boast of in the way of principle or ability. Imperturbable in temper unless terribly provoked, with an effrontery never so pronounced as to be absolutely offensive, and encased in a haze of superficiality, he attained for a time to a position and popularity, through which he was acceptable to any of the early Societies he felt disposed to join. A n amusing instance of his unscrupulousness sprang out of his nomination to a St. Patrick's membership. Admission was confined to natives of Ireland, or descent from Irish parents, and Stephen was through both father and mother most undiluted Anglo-Saxon. O n the question being raised, he met it by a positive declaration that, maternally, he was lineally of the posterity of Brian Boru, the great Celtic D a n e conqueror at Clontarf, and promised if conditionally received, to procure from Dublin the most conclusive proof of his pedigree. Not half-a-dozen present believed one tittle of a statement put forth with a solemn seriousness which even in the Stephen face was irresistibly comical. Yet, at that particular time, it was considered such a capital move to take him in, that the stringency of the rule was relaxed, and the canard swallowed. A s a m e m b e r he was
s
N o w the City of Melbourne Bank corner, — E D . ​highly ornamental in the processions, and at meetings, celebrations, or on a deputation, his gentlemanly deportment and polished flippancy of tongue were exercised to some account. Finn was an attache of the Herald newspaper, of which M r . George Cavenagh was proprietor and nominal editor. Cavenagh was utterly insincere, figuratively as hollow as "the big drum," a sobriquet by which he was k n o w n ; but it paid him to stand well with the Irish cum R o m a n Catholic population, and he freely permitted his employe to do as m u c h as he liked in "cracking u p " the St. Patrick Society—no small boon, for the Herald was then the leading and widest-read newspaper. Lane was about as ignorant as a sod of turf from the far-famed " Bog of Allan;" but though roughly, still impetuously energetic and well-meaning. H e was a thriving publican, and free alike with his money and his nobblers. T o O'Shanassy and Finn in connection with the Society he was a kind of general lackey, and, short of committing suicide, turning insolvent, or eating meat on a Friday, there is hardly anything else he would not do for the sake of the cause in which they were now working together. T h e clean sweep thus made, revolutionary as it was, 'might- be pronounced the salvation of the Society, and amongst all the Irishmen from time to time associated with it, to no two persons was it more indebted than to O'Shanassy and Finn, for they brought zeal and ability, assiduity, and unpaid patriotism, to their aid, and laboured long and anxiously for its success. It is no exaggeration to declare that but for them the St. Patrick Society instead of being one of the living realities of to-day would have disappeared long ago in the extinct world of myths, amongst which the kindred Fraternities of St. Andrew and St. George found forgotten resting-places. T h e first step taken was the removal of the place of meeting from the Lord Nelson to Lane's Hostelry, situated in Little Collins Street, opposite the Herald office of that d a y — t h e site of Alston and Brown's late furnishing establishment. Tim's groggery was k n o w n as the Builders' Arms, but after the Irishmen m a d e it their headquarters, M r . William Kerr, the editor of the Patriot, Courier, and Argus respectively, derisively nicknamed it " T h e Greek and C o . Stables," for he could be sarcastically low when he liked. From him and his newspapers the Society was systematically libelled with a foul-penned ribaldry, unprecedented in the annals of decent or indecent journalism; but the Society had ample opportunity of self-defence through the Herald, and its Secretary was a rough-and-ready hand at the typographical shillelagh when his " back was up." T h o u g h he never tried to compete with Kerr in Billingsgate, the assailant, as a rule, got as m u c h as he gave. In the course of the year the existent code of laws underwent considerable revision. T h e qualification foi membership was enlarged so as to render admissible not only persons born of Irish parents, but all others of Irish descent. This extension in course of time secured some valuable adherents, not to speak of validating the Stephen title, the subject of occasional sneering animadversion. A n e w rule was introduced intended to effectually exclude political or religious differences, and any person even introducing for discussion a subject of either kind was de facto liable to expulsion. T h e prohibited political element was not (as often erroneously stated) confined to what is phrased "local politics," but was intended by the draughtsmen to be interpreted in the widest meaning of the term " politics "—whether local or provincial, civic or parochial, Australian or Imperial. Though its phraseology was in after years somewhat modified, its essence was preserved, and the original intention remains unweakened in the Rules supposed to be in force at the present day. Whether this vital principle to which the Society has been solemnly pledged from its cradle was violated by the action taken in connection with the R e d m o n d Mission, of 1883, is a question upon which a certain difference of opinion is supposed to prevail, though to any person conversant with the Society's history, and capable of offering an intelligent and unfettered opinion, no difficulty in arriving at a correct conclusion could exist. T h e manner in which the R e d m o n d s were received by the general community is altogether a different issue, and should be put aside in determining whether the St. Patrick Soc.ety was justified or otherwise under the Charter of its existence, in, as a body launch.ng into an Irish political agitation. I have in a preceding chapter dealt, as I hope, impartially with the O.angemen, and I should be falsifying the position assumed through these C H R O N I C L E S , if I flinched from expressing an opinion that, in officially recognizing the R e d m o n d s as delegates from an Irish Political League, and further in appointing Representatives to the Convention springing ​out of the Redmond mission, the St. Patrick Society was guilty of as gross a breach of plighted public faith as has ever been perpetrated in this or any other colony. I write so advisedly, and seized of facts to enable a just determination of the issue, possessed by few, if any, other persons n o w living. T o revert to m y narrative. Slowly, but persistently, the members n o w under prudent guidance worked their way through m a n y a storm of opposition from open foes, and the covert danger of false friends, their next purpose being the raising of funds for the erection of a suitable building, so that the Saint should be feted in a house of his own, and the Society's business divorced from a licensed tavern. T h e President, Vice-President, and Secretary, as a deputation, interviewed the Provincial Superintendent (Latrobe) to recommend the granting of a Government site for a Hall, but though there was a profusion of courtesy and good wishes, a way could not be seen to comply with the request.
THE FIRST HIBERNIAN FESTIVAL
Held in Port Phillip came off on the evening of the 29th September (Michaelmas Day) 1845. It was held at the Builders' Arms, to which there was annexed at the Eastern side a long room running length-ways about a dozen feet off the line of street. T h e affair was a marked success, and the occasion very enjoyable. M r . O'Shanassy as President, was Chairman, and the principal guest was Mr. Henry M o o r (the then Mayor). A n elaborate list of toasts was disposed of with m u c h cordiality, and capital speeches were delivered by the Chairman, the Mayor, Messrs. John Stephen, E. Finn, A. H . Hart, and Dr. W . H . Campbell. T h e St. Patrick's D a y procession of 1846 was an immense improvement on its predecessors, numerically, pictorially, and in other respects. T h e versatile J. P. Fawkner, w h o would be " in" and " o u t " with the Irish half-a-dozen times a year, was so Milesianly inclined that he asked permission to "walk" on the occasion. This could not be conceded, yet the applicant would not be baulked ; so donning a prodigious green cockade and rosette he trotted along as an outsider abreast with the President O'Shanassy, and such a " J o h n " and "Johnny" as this pair were never seen so footing it together on any other public occasion. "Little J o h n " soon after quarrelled with "Big Jack " and loudly rued the folly that thrust him into a " wearing of the green." A few days after, the Society co-operated with the associated public bodies in laying the foundation stones of Prince's Bridge and the Melbourne Hospital, and formed an interesting feature in the ceremonials. T h e Saint's anniversary dinner was also about one of the most satisfactory ever held in the colony. T h e landlord of the Builders' Arms had erected a spacious tent or marquee on a line with Little Collins Street, capable of accommodating several hundred persons, and this temporary refectory had not a seat unoccupied, as there were 300 persons present, including the Rev. P. B. Geoghegan, Messrs. Edward Curr, E d m u n d Westby, J. P. Fawkner, and Dr. Greeves. Letters were read from the Mayor (Dr. Palmer) and others, excusing their absence. T h e post-prandial speechifying was never surpassed in Melbourne, for the addresses of O'Shanassy, Geoghegan, Curr, and Greeves possessed exceptional merit. T h e Father Matthew Society Band was in good form there; the oratory was pleasantly relieved by occasional songs; and it is on record that on this solitary occasion " Johnny" Fawkner performed as an amateur public vocalist—a feat which, ten years after, he emphatically denied in print. A sovereign or a shilling had a m u c h larger money value then than now, and although for its population Melbourne was generous to a degree, Societies (such as the one I a m writing of) had m u c h difficulty in raising funds; and it required m u c h stiff shouldering to the wheel before the disciples of St. Patrick found themselves in a position to c o m m e n c e their projected edifice. They were fortunate in purchasing a piece of land in West Bourke Street for three guineas per foot, where St. Patrick's Hall n o w stands. Amongst the most liberal of their early benefactors were persons of other nationalities—English, Scotch, and French. Superintendent Latrobe sent a donation, as did also Governor Sir Charles Fitzroy, Judge A'Beckett, and several of the Port-Phillipian members of the N e w South Wales Legislature. M r . Henry Moor, an Englishman, was a willing supporter both ​in cash and kind, for, in addition to a handsome subscription, he presented a receipt in full for his bill of costs in preparing the conveyance of the land (a process m u c h dearer then than now). Mr. 'John T h o m a s Smith, the proprietor of the Queen's Theatre, was Irish by marriage, and took kindly to the Society. Influenced mainly by the persuasiveness of Mr. Finn, he gave a theatrical benefit to the Building Fund, and the performance was enhanced by the gratuitous services of Mr. George Coppin and his gifted wife, a lady w h o has not often had an equal on the colonial stage. T h e event came off on the 3rd June, when the Society marched in procession to the theatre, whither they were played by the Father Matthew Temperance Band. T h e stage was draped with green banners, the members appeared in regalia, and the house was thronged. Master O'Farrell, a show-scholar of Mr. J. R. M'Laughlin, an elocutionary teacher, and a verse writer of considerable ability, recited an address prepared for the occasion. T h e result was not only enjoyment and satisfaction, but a welcome increase to the Hibernian public purse. Smith handed over the whole takings less the cost of light and printing, and for the .£65 15s 6d. so netted, a special vote of thanks was accorded to the donor, and a similar compliment paid to the Coppins. T h e July of this year was scandalized by the Orange rows, described elsewhere. Since its inauguration in 1843, tne Orange Association endeavoured to justify its existence and m a k e capital out of the reiterated assertion that the St. Patrick Society was an exclusively religious and political Brotherhood, which, under a pretence of nationality, was fomenting sectarian strife and animosity; but for this there could be adduced no sort of tangible proof. Its Rules, as already shown, amply provided for the elimination of such elements of discord. There was no religious or political ban of exclusion. All its meetings were open to the public without sign, countersign, or pass-word. There were no secret oaths or averments, in fact everything about it was as unconcealed as noon-day. T o its festivals the principal guests, periodically invited, were English and Scotch, Episcopalian and Presbyterian; and it had the countenance and good-will of the more respectable classes of the community. T h e "Head-centre" of the Oppositionists was Mr. William Kerr, who, for reasons well appreciated by himself, pandered to the insensate bigotry of the Orangemen ; and the newspapers with which he was connected—the Patriot, Courier, and Argus—teemed with nauseous and sensational statements, in which there was not a scintilla of truth. For years the feud raged with intense acrimony, and hard hitting from both sides. It was sought to connect the St. Patrick Society with the disgraceful riot that occurred, though it had about as m u c h to do with it as the M a n in the M o o n ; and when the Mayor (Dr. Palmer), in an Official Report to the Government, recklessly attempted to implicate it in the causes that'led up to the lawless outbreak, the Society issued a manifesto which, to borrow a vulgarism left him "not a leg to stand upon." In the end of the year a Bill was introduced into' the Legislature of N e w South Wales for the prohibition of Party Processions, and as at first drafted by the Attorney-General (Mr. J. H . Plunkett), the Freemasons and Oddfellows were specially exempted from its provisions; but through the representations of the St Patrick Society this clause was withdrawn, and when the Act passed no Society was either mentioned or excludedthe measure was general in its application to associated congregations of persons publicly marching in any display which, in the opinion of a bench of magistrates, could be considered as coming within the meaning of the phraseology employed. Though it could not be positively said thai the Act applied to the St. Patrick processions, the Society, in order to set a good example, decided upon suspending their annual marching demonstrations, and from r8 4 6 until 1850, the epoch of Separation, there was no Irish celebration of the kind.
ST. PATRICK'S HALL.
T h e funds having risen to a condition to incti'r., LOUUlllon u -AAT c 1 T 1 to justify a commencement of the long-wished-for L building, M r . Samuel Jackson, the earliest of Melbourne arrhir^wc • • 7 Commiss,oned plans, and St. Patrick's D a y (,847) was fixed ! t ' to prepare nxed as a most appropriate time to m a k e the practical 7 4/; ​beginning. Accordingly towards noon of that day a movement, or rather procession, sans band, banners, or spectacular display, started from the Builders' Arms to the building site, where everything was in preparation. There were about 500 persons present. The stone was laid according to the customary formalities, and in the cavity prepared for such mementoes was buried a bottle, enclosing a parchment scroll, with this INSCRIPTION. THE FOUNDATION STONE Of this Building, Dedicated to the Memory of Ireland, and intended to form an Educational Institute For all Children of Hibernian descent, Was laid on the 17th March (ST. PATRICK'S D A Y ) , A.D. 1847, In the tenth year of the Reign of V I C T O R I A T H E FIRST, By J O H N
O'SHANASSY,
President of the St. Patrick's Society of Australia Felix. C H A R L E S A. FITZROY, Governor of New South Wales. C H A R L E S J. L A T R O K E , Superintendent of Australia Felix. S A M U E L J A C K S O N , Architect.
J O H N O ' S H A N A S S Y , President of St. Patrick's Society. J O H N S T E P H E N , Vice-President, ditto.
E D M U N D F I N N , Honorary Secretary, ditto. T I M O T H Y L A N E , Treasurer, ditto.
The ceremony concluded with brief addresses from the President, the Vice-President, and the Secretary, after which three cheers were given for the Queen, three for Old Ireland and St. Patrick, and three for Australia Felix. T h e dullness of the open-air ceremony was amply m a d e u p for by a banquet at the Queen's Theatre, where there was quite a jolly gathering. T h e Office of Chairman was filled by Mr. O'Shanassy, Vice, M r . John Stephen, and the speakers were the gentlemen named, with Messrs. Daniel Kelly, William O'Farrell, Bernard Reynolds, A. H . Hart, and Robert Hayes. The building was an oblong, substantial, two-storey brick structure, approached by a flight of steps, and with some slight effort at ornamentation over the doorway. For several years it was the most capacious hall' in Melbourne. A most unusual occurrence was that the merriment was kept up on the following night at the same place, when, for the especial behoof of the ladies, there was a grand ball. In 1848 the most enthusiastic of all the old celebrations took place, in the form of a Patrick's Day dinner, which was well attended, well served, and well sustained. T h e theatre was the scene of the feasting. Megson's theatrical band attended, and the ladies were admitted by ticket to the galleries, to have the pleasure of looking at the Irish lions feeding beneath. T h e Mayor, (Mr. Andrew Russell), was present, and the Chair very efficiently filled by O'Shanassy, the speechifiers being the Chairman and Mayor, with Dean Coffey, Messrs. E . Finn, P. Miller, G. Cavenagh, T. Forsyth, Dr. James Martin, et aliis. A.t the ensuing annual meeting Mr. John Stephen retired from the Vice-Presidency, to be succeeded by Mr. Finn, whose place as Secretary was taken by M r . Peter Miller. There was no paid officer until ten years after. In those times everyone worked gratuitously, for personal emolument was not thought of. T h e Building Fund was liberally supported, and contributions were forwarded from Geelong, Belfast, Kilmore, and other outside parts. Public buildings were not rushed up as now, and it took years to crawl on even with the erection of a church. T h e remainder of 1848 was employed by the Society in raising money and putting it in the work as it dropped in. In 1849 the hall showed evidences of approaching completion, and as the sabbath of the Irishman's year whisked round, it was deemed advisable to postpone the Anniversary Festival until the opening of the building, and thus make it what is familiarly known as a "house-warming." O n the 5th of June everything was ready, and the new Hall was formally dedicated to its public purposes by a ball, at which 350 persons put in an appearance. ​The first meeting for business was held in the Hall on the 7th July. The members had a farewell gathering at the Builders' Arms whence they were played by the Father Matthew Band to the Hall, of which possession was taken amidst loud cheers. T h e building was crowded, and addresses were delivered by the President (O'Shanassy), the Vice-President (Finn), Alderman John Stephen, the late V.P., his brother Mr. Sidney Stephen, a non-member and Barrister, afterwards- a Judge of the Supreme Court of N e w Zealand, Mr. W . C. Conroy, n o w an esteemed Carlton J.P, & c , &c. T h e recent ball yielded a surplus of ^ 5 9 to the funds, a very welcome addition. Special thanks were voted to the office-bearers for their exertions, and particularly to Mr. Tim. Lane, the Treasurer. After the meeting the band played a large contingent of the members back to Lane's, where they "whiskyed" and otherwise refreshed themselves without stint and without charge until long past midnight. A special meeting was held in the Hall, on the n t h September, to adopt a memorial to the Secretary of State on the subject of emigration from Ireland, and praying that a fair proportion of Irish emigrants should be sent to the province. All Irishmen were invited to be present, but the wetness of the evening operated so unfavourably that the rain prevented the Father Matthew Society's Band from playing through the streets. Nevertheless the attendance was as numerous as the Hall Mr. O'Shanassy presided, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Dean Coffey, could hold. Messrs. John Stephen, 1). H . Hickey, E. Finn, R. P. Mervin, W . O'Farrell and others. T h e memorial was adopted, and a deputation nominated to present it to the Superintendent. M r . Latrobe received them very courteously, a couple of days after, intimated his concurrence with the object in view, and promised to transmit the memorial to England by the earliest opportunity. In January, 1850, the St. Patrick school was opened, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. M'Laughlin, two very competent teachers, w h o conducted it for some time, and it underwent more than one change of masters during the ensuing eighteen months, when the Hall was temporarily rented to the Government under circumstances to be hereafter described. T h e annual celebration this year was an Hibernian ball on the 18th March, whereat 500 persons congregated, the music was supplied by Hore's Saxehorn Band, and the supper catered for by Mr. Ewers. T h e arrangements were faultless, and the enjoyment unqualified. A great attraction to the decorations was the loan of a tasteful white and red banner from the St. George's Club, which, varied by the green, presented an agreeable and picturesque contrast. At the anniversary meeting on the 2nd April, thefinancialcondition of the Institution was pronounced to be all that could be reasonably desired. Though the President and Vice-President wished not to be re-elected, they yielded to the generally expressed feeling, and went in for another year. M r . Michael O'Connell withdrew from the Secretaryship, to which he had been nominated during the year, to be succeeded by Mr! Richard Dalton. T h e unwarrantable action of the City Council in petitioning the Queen for a discontinuance of Irish Orphan Immigration caused the Society to take up arms on behalf of a number of girls most wantonly assailed, in the first instance, by the Argus newspaper, and subsequently by the Corporate Representatives. They were represented as so many dishonest and immoral hussies, w h o swelled the ranks of street prostitution, and were a plague instead of a benefit. Not an atom of reliable testimony was adduced to sustain such cowardly and outrageous slanders, and to rebut them a special meeting of the Society was held on the 9th May, when Mr. E. Finn, as V.P., presiding in the absence of the President, officiated as Chairman. T h e Society engaged actively in the Separation rejoicings of 1850, and a splendid new banner procured for the occasion, formed one of the attractions of the national procession. O n the 9lh November, there was a great jubilation at a Separation ball given in the Hall. St. Patrick's Day of 1S51 was kept up by a dinner at which three rattling speeches were delivered, by the Present, Vice-President, and Mr. John Stephen, and it was followed by a ball next evening. At the annual meeting in April, M r . O'Shanassy retired from the Presidency he had tor six years ablyfilled,and peremptorily declined re-election. T w o candidates were nominated for the office, viz., the V.P. (Finn) and Mr. J. W . Dunbar, a Solicitor; but the latter withdrawing, Finn was elected without opposition, held it by renewal for seven years, and also at a later period. ​Mr. John Bourke, a well-to-do hotelkeeper, was appointed Vice-President, and Mr. Timothy Lane was always regarded as a sort of Permanent Treasurer. M r . P. J. Cregin was appointed Secretary. A special vote of thanks was accorded to M r . O'Shanassy, as a recognition of his valuable services; and a Sub-Committee appointed to organize a memorial presentation to him. This was subsequently carried to a successful issue by means of a subscription, and Mr. O'Shanassy was the recipient of a silver tea service, not procurable in Melbourne, but which was purchased in Sydney. There was m u c h difficulty in finding a building capable of accommodating thefirstVictorian Legislative Council to be called together before the year was over. O n the' 9th May, 1851, St. Patrick's Hall was rented for the purpose for three years at the rate of ,£300 per annum. Such a temporary tenancy offered pecuniary advantages to the Society that could not be prudently overlooked, so the Government went in, and the members went out, and had to put up as well as they could with the accommodation provided at hotels. W h e n the three years' tenure expired the baby Parliament had no better place to go to, and it remained there at a yearly rent increased
    o
^ ^ S 0 0 (justified by the enormously enhanced value of town property) until the end of 1856, when two branches of Legislation were created, and the present Parliament House occupied. W h e n the Society returned to their old roof-tree they re-entered an edifice so altered as to be unknown, except by the outer brick shell,forpublic money had been profusely spent in improvements and alterations, m u c h required, but which the state of the Society's purse would have rendered simply impossible. T h e members were n o w well in funds from the Government rental, and their Institution progressed and prospered. In 1862, M r . Finn was again President, and it was considered desirable (if practicable) to bring the Society under the operation of the Friendly Societies Act then in force, and to affiliate sick and funeral benefits. There were formidable legal difficulties in the way of doing so, arising out of the advanced age of the majority of the members, and their individual interest in the c o m m o n fund. T h e President, however, grappled with the obstacles, and with the valuable co-operation, freely afforded, of M r . W . H . Archer, the then Government Actuary, the Society was duly registered. From a reserve capital of ,£3000 one-third was appropriated as the nucleus of a Benefit Fund, and the residue for the Incidental Fund, the whole to be administered under an equitable, and stringently revised, code of laws. O n Mr. Finn's final retirement from the Presidency, he was testimonialized in a very special manner. His fellow-members presented him with a massive silver cup, the Society, in its corporate capacity, endowed him as a Life M e m b e r of the Melbourne Hospital, and elected him an Honorary Life M e m b e r of St. Patrick's. T h e Society is still in existence ; it has a grand opportunity, and an important part to play in the future. It was the only one of the Old National Fraternities which by perseverance, sagacity, and a broad and enlightened patriotism, tided safely over innumerable difficulties, financial, factious, sectarian, and political; and should it ever collapse, it will be only through the absence of the managerial tact and other gifts, to which it owes a prolonged existence denied to contemporaries inaugurated for purposes equally as praiseworthy.
SAINT GEORGE.
The Englishmen of Port Phillip, though in number and otherwise the most influential segment of the early colonists, manifested little disposition to honour their great traditionary Apostle, until stimulated by the examples of the Scotch and Irish, when they shook off their apathy. O n the 29th January, 1845, a public meeting was convened at the Royal Hotel in Collins Street for the founding of a Society of St. George. S o m e preliminary consultations had previously been held in the chambers of Mr. E. E. Williams, a leading m e m b e r of the Bar, whereat a Code of Rules was prepared, and an enrolment made of thirty-seven individuals, w h o were consequently taken to constitute the original members. T h e Mayor (Dr. Moor) was appointed Chairman, a progress Report was submitted, and the Rules were agreed to, one of them prescribing that all future candidates for membership should be balloted for at the monthly meeting of the Committee. ​T h e following Board of Management was elected:-President: Mr. James Simpson; Vice-President: Mr. Edward Curr; Treasurer: Mr. E d m u n d Westby; Auditors: Messrs. William Hull and Charles Bradshaw ; H o n . Secretary : Mr. G. A. Gilbert; Committee : Messrs. Edward E. Williams, Thomas Wills, William Firebrace, George Shaw, F. B. St. John, J. D. Pinnock, W . H . Campbell, W . B. Wilmott, Henry Moor, J. F. Palmer, A. H . Hart, T h o m a s Strode, W . F. Splatt, George Barber, and C. J. Sanford. This was about as decent a team as could be well found, yet strangely enough its component parts did not pull together. Whether through too little enthusiasm or too m u c h apathy, or dissension, was not known, but it is certain that nothing was done, and the ensuing April Anniversary of the Knight of the Dragon was suffered to pass in solemn silence. T h e Society m a y be said to have died prematurely, and with it for a time the memory of the great Mythical Saint was "sent to Coventry," one of his apocryphal birth-places. In 1846 steps were taken for a veritable celebration of the National Anniversary, and a St. George's Club was hastily organized. A dinner was determined upon, and to give it proper spectacular effect, M r E. Opie, a painter of the period, was commissioned to supply a banner of white silk with a red cross and blue satin border, and emblazoned with a central group of St. George and the Dragon. Opie turned out a work of art, tastefully designed, and happily executed. T h e entertainment came off on the 23rd April at the Royal Hotel, with Mr. Henry M o o r presiding, and the new standard unfolded over him. T h e Vice-Chair wasfilledby Mr. E. E. Williams, and about eighty persons collected to partake of good fare, and hear a few excellent speeches. It was intended that this spread should be the prelude of a re-organized Society on an enlarged and enduring basis, but the wish was father to the thought, for little or nothing was done to produce the desired effect. St. George's D a y 1847 was treated to an almost fac simile compliment at the same place, under the same banner, with the same Chairman and Vice, and only 60 instead of 80 convives. 1848 witnessed the smallest National Festival ever held in the colony, for the 60 Anglo-Saxons of the preceding year dwindled to 17. A s St. George's D a y fell on Sunday, the fete was kept up on Saturday, 22nd April, at the Royal, with Messrs. Henry M o o r as Chairman, and Edward Curr as Vice-Chairman. With such a damper as paucity of attendance is upon an occasion of the kind, a Melbourne newspaper thus writes consolingly :—" But there was never a better dinner served, and the evening was very pleasant." The year 1849 was an annus non with the St. Georgians—a blank which doubtless shamed the Melbourne Englishmen into an effort in the following year, thus making up in a large measure for former failures. T h e movement was taken out of the hands of a select coterie, and enlisted a wider circle of supporters, and therefore it was a tremendous success. It was held at the Queen's Theatre on the evening of the 23rd April, when the interior of the building was extensively decorated with laurels, emblems, and banners. N o less than three hundred and thirty-five persons were there, the Mayor (Mr. W m . Nicholson) presiding, with Messrs. H . M o o r and D. S. Campbell on his right, and Messrs. J. D. Pinnock and W . Hull the left-hand supports. There were no less than three Vice-Chairmen, viz., Messrs. C. W . Rowling, W . K. Bull, and - - Norman. Hore's Saxehorn band was present, and the toasting and speechifying were good. Messrs. Collier, Heales, Ashley, Bailey, Best, and Carter treated the company to a number of glees and songs. T h e three best speeches were delivered by Dr. Greeves, Messrs VV. Hull, and H . Moor, and more songs were sung that night than at any previous public dinner in Melbourne. Unquestionably the largest National Demonstration on record is a St. George's dinner which came off on the 23rd April, 1851. There was none of the former cliquism in it, and through the manner in which the shop-keeping element of Englishmen went to work, it was a thorough carousal. Ample preparations were made, and so numerous were the applications for tickets of admission, that it was feared no place could be found available in town of sufficient capacity to hold the intendant diners. After considerable searching a large store in Queen Street, belonging to Mr. Isaac Hinds, was obtained. It could seat seven hundred, though from its external appearance one would imagine it an impossibility to stow away more than half the number there. T h e interior was, considering ​the time, very appropriately fitted up, the walls covered with green foliage, and from the evergreens peeped forth m a n y samples of bunting. T h e lighting consisted of some lamps, and " hundreds of wax tapers," and here and there were framed portraits of the most puissant Saint, whilst over the Chair smiled a full-length figure of the Queen. T h e only drawback (and no small one) to the thorough enjoyment of the occasion was that several of the company got prematurely more than " half seas over," a contretemps good-naturedly attributed to the potency of the fluids. T h e Chair was taken by the Mayor (Mr. W . Nicholson) with right hand supporters in Dr. Greeves and M r . B. Heape, and on the left Messrs. J. D. Pinnock and W . Hull, whilst Mr. George Kirk acted as Vice. Over seven hundred individuals were accommodated in some way or other, and there can be no doubt that such full stowage led to m u c h of the confusion that followed. There was an excellent band in attendance, a great acquisition, and they had no idle time of it. At the conclusion of the dinner Non Nobis Domine was sung, the company standing. A n agreeable variation was m a d e in the toasting in consequence of the creation of the n e w colony by the inclusion for the first time of " His Excellency the Governor of Victoria," after which the band played the " Victoria March," and a Mr. Hobson and others followed with the glee of " Chough and Crow." M r . George Kirk proposed " Our A r m y and Navy," which was drunk in a " three times three," the band striking up " Rule Britannia," the amateurs giving alternate verses, with the company^ chorussing, hiccupping, and applauding. M r . W . K . Bull (appropriately named for the purpose) in a lengthy address proposed " Old England, Our Native Land," which was drowned in bumpers "nine times nine," to which Mr. Hobson sang " O l d England for Ever." Dr. Greeves, in his accustomed happy style, introduced the toast of "Victoria," and Mr. Francis Bryant was sponsor for the " Commercial, Pastoral, and Agricultural Interests." (Mining was not then dreamed of.) Mr. J. Mason, in proposing " T h e Mayor and Corporation," " felt assured that the blessings of Separation would never have been attained—at least the boon would have been procrastinated to an indefinite period—but for the Corporation." T h e toast was received with "three times three," " amidst combined cheers and hisses." It was replied to by Cr. Richard Heales. Mr. W . TJ. Tripp proposed " Absent Friends," in which he was occasionally tripped up by drunken interjections from several of the company. M r . J. A. Marsden invoked a compliment for the sons of Saints Patrick and Andrew in his accustomed pleasantry of manner. M r . Isaac Hinds did battle for the "Ladies of Victoria," but the only passage of his oration that could be heard was a loud and emphatic declaration "that they could not be surpassed for their beauty, affability, and 'interesting' appearance in any part of the world." T h e band played " I would like to marry," which was "ayed" by scores of the Saint worshippers in loud tipsy merriment, and then followed by a glee of " Here's a Health to All G o o d Lasses." M r . Lightfood, a theatrical scene painter, mounting a chair, and in a voice as if rushing through a speaking trumpet, proposed the memory of Shakspeare—"the great Magician of the North, the great Bard of Avon," and indulged in the following gushing rhetorical flourish:—"The n a m e of Shakspeare like the lustre of a candle, sheds a brilliant light around it, when held in the hands of an infant, as if borne in the outstretched arms of a giant—Soul of the A g e ! T h e applause, delight, and wonder of the stage—is the divine Shakspeare; he has shed happiness and delight around ten thousand fire-sides.—Ever fresh, ever n e w ; and w e read him for the twentieth time with the same pleasure that w e welcome the return of the summer sun, which affords us the same amount of warmth in our old age, as it did when w e m a d e a puddle around the p u m p in the days of our boyhood." This was too strong a dose of the sublime andridiculousfor the company n o w " liquified" into something akin to an inebriated rabble, and the Shaksperian panegyrist was so beleagured with screeching and yelling from Bacchanalian throats, that he was obliged to give up with only a twentieth part of a studiously prepared oration delivered. It was before the appearances of public gas-lights, and as the confusion became general, candles, glasses, and bottles were getting knocked over. So to spare St. George the anachronism of a monster holocaust on his anniversary, the Chair was vacated, and through the exertions of those w h o retained sufficient wits for the purpose, the revelry was terminated, and the place cleared, luckily without accident, but only after an expenditure of m u c h patient good humour, persuasion, and perseverance.
The Burns' Festivals.
The poet of Ayr, in a letter written by himself, declares, "The poetic Genius of my country found m e as the prophetic Bard Elijah did Elisha—at the plough ; and threw her inspiring mantle over me. She bade m e sing of the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures of m y native soil in m y native tongue ; I tuned m y wild, artless notes as she inspired," and certainly there is an inspiration of homeliness, merriment, and patriotism in his melody that will secure for it an immortality, at least so long as the Scottish land and Scottish tongue have an existence. T h e inauguration of Burns' anniversary celebrations at h o m e communicated its influence to Port Phillip so early as 1845, and on the 24th January of that year the Melbourne Scots— " With love that scorns the lapse of time, A n d ties that stretch beyond the deep,"
Held their first Burns' Festival at the Caledonian Hotel, in Lonsdale Street, where the smallness of the room (50 feet by 15 feet) interfered considerably with the comfort of the arrangements. There were the usual decorations of green boughs andflags,and the tables groaned under the weight of an orthodox Scotch feed, including haggis —" great chieftain of the pudding race "—hotch-potch, cock-a-leekie, and sheep's-head broth. There were a hundred and fifty persons present, and they went into the good things to their hearts' content. In the verandah were posted a Highland piper in full costume, and the ordinary town band, both playing together; but the piper struck out a time of his own, and the inflexibly loud manner in which he stuck to it interfered m u c h with the efficiency of the lesser instruments. There never was such a melange of inharmonious music—or rather sounds—for it was simply a scramble where pibrochs, strathspeys, marches, quadrilles, and waltzes, enjoyed a general run-a-muck, knocking each other about in, if not the most admired, certainly the most amusing disorder. Mr. William Kerr was the chairman, M r . J. S. Johnston, the Vice, both of w h o m delivered very excellent speeches. T h e principal toasts w e r e — " T h e M e m o r y of Burns," "Bonnie Jean," and " T h e Rev. Dr. Lang," for the star of the last-named celebrity was then in the zenith, through the political services he was rendering the province. There was some capital singing by Messrs. Johnston, W . Clarke, Philip Anderson, Lumsden, and M a n n ; whilst a Mr. Elder favoured the company with a recitation. T h e event was in every way as pleasant and successful as could be reasonably desired. O n the 26th January, 1846, the second celebration came off at the Queen's Theatre, and in consequence of the presence in Melbourne of Dr. Lang, it assumed the shape of an important Separation Demonstration, and was very numerously attended, for no less than three hundred and fifty persons (Scotch, English, and Irish) responded to the call. Over the Chair was shown a large bust of Burns, and at the opposite end were " Tarn O'Shanter and Souter Johnny." W h e n dinner was over, ladies were admitted by ticket to the dress circle, to witness the remainder of the performance, which mainly consisted of a long, eloquent, political, and pre-Separation Address from Dr. Lang. T h e Festival for 1847 was held in the same theatre, where the principal performers were Mr. W . M . Bell and Mr. J. S. Johnston. T h e songsters were Messrs. Johnston, P. Anderson, " T o m " Forsyth, and G. Kirk. W h e n the night was well on a Scotch guard, headed by a gentleman known as T h e Honourable Mr. Kennedy," a well-known participant in some of the old outdoor frays, who, with some "bnthers" fresh from over-indulgence in some other place, arrived and on being reiused admittance, attempted to force a way into the building. They were resisted, and in the scrimmage ensuing Mr. J. T. Smith rihe thpntr^ ^r-™,-,w„ • J , 1 , • , . ,, J ,6 - ^tne tnea t r e proprietor) received a head-punching, for which he , , ,% handed Kennedy over to the police, and the " H n n n n n W o » „ ™ e. A .. u-n< , 1 i ' u Lue honourable was fined ten shillings by the magistrate b ' ° next day. F PaVi i0n W3S pitChed 0n an unused area of A • M ^ )"5 'f w*? " ' land adjoining the Auction Mart of Mr. J. W . Bell, a knight of the h a m m e r in Collins Street, somewhere about the recent establishment of Messrs. Detmold, the bookbinders. T h e place was arranged with some ​attempt at the picturesque in the adjustment of a small forest of evergreens, and according to a scribe of the day, " it was lit up by a stream of chandeliers." T h e entertainment (on the 25th January), was presided over by the Mayor (Mr. A. Russell), with Mr. W m . Kerr as Croupier; and the number present including a large sprinkling of English and Irish, was 250. S o m e of the speeching was m u c h above the average, and the " Heather Hills" song of M r . J. S. Johnston vociferously applauded. Mr. Timothy Lane, "from the beautiful city called Cork," lilted out in a brogue as unadulterated as genuine potheen, and as loud as he could screech—the time-honoured poly-glotted Irish lay of " T h e Shan V a n Voght." A n y deficiency in "Tim's" vocal ability was m a d e up for by a pantomime of grinning, grimacing, head-scratching and shoulder-shrugging. T h e Protestant Hall was selected as the arena of the festive • gathering of 1849, when it was a sad failure, compared with its predecessors. M r . T h o m a s M'Combie was master of the revels, assisted by Messrs. William Kerr and James Watson. T h e evening passed off with the usual exhilirating, stimulating, self-satisfying overdoses of eating, drinking, orating, singing, and all-round cheering, until a Mr. James Swords, a reporter of the Argus, w h o had been sharpening up the whole night, fell foul of Mr. J. C. Passmore, the caterer, w h o refused to pass any more of the good things to an individual w h o m he believed required no further edging on to something he would afterwards regret. T h e " Sword," consequently turned rusty, and took to abusing the purveyor, w h o turned on the edged tool and pummelled and blunted it considerably. This shindy spreading, brought the frolics to a somewhat premature wind-up, and though a Police Court prosecution was vehemently threatened the next day, the unpleasant rencontre was prevented by friendly intercession from going further. THE GERMANS.
As Port Phillip acquired some degree of stability, the German portion of the community began to show itself, especially in what is known as " the Separation Year." Though they hailed from a land traditionally Sainted, the German's love of h o m e was not of so romantically gushing a character as the British or Irish. This m a y be accounted for possibly by the fact that Saint N o . 1 was Boniface " T h e Apostle of Germany," whose feast-day was the 5th June, but as he was an English Devonshireman, the halo of his Saint-ship was not as enduring as if native-born. N o . 2 was St. Martin, known in history as the Patron of Inebriates, caused by a coincidence, unfortunately for his reputation that his day was the n t h November, the period of the Vinalia, or feast of Bacchus, and the Early Christians, so mixed the double event that St. Martin had to bear the consequence with posterity. However this m a y be, the Melbourne Germans seemed to have kept both 1 and 2 Saints at arm's length, and in associating for mutual advantage they disregarded all other than terrestrial patronage and in July, 1850, formed a Society under the plain though comprehensive appellation of
THE GERMAN UNION.
Certain preliminary details were quietly arranged, and the first public appearance of the Germans assumed the shape of a very enjoyable re-union at the Bull and Mouth Hotel, in Bourke Street, on the evening of the 21st October, 1850. It was under the Presidency of Dr. Gumbinner, a well-known Melbourne Vaterlander of the period. During the proceedings strong objection was taken to the proposed appointment of a Germanic Consul in Melbourne without consulting the Society, and it was determined to ascertain if the German Immigration Committee had anything to do in the matter. O n the suggestion of Mr. Sholbach, the formation of a library of German literature was agreed to, and several presents of books were promised. A Singing Committee was likewise resolved on. T h e 1st and 2nd verses of the German Air " W a s ist des Deutschen Vaterland" were rendered in a very creditable manner by some of the members, after which a magnificent German banner, black, red, and yellow, was presented by Mr. Schmidt. This, it was agreed, should be unfurled by the Germans in the approaching Separation procession. Though the Society had been only four months in existence, ​it had already forty-three members on its books, and every prospect of a considerable increase. T h e proceedings terminated with the concluding verse of the National Air already mentioned, to which Dr. Gumbinner added two stanzas, declared to be extempore, and of which the following is an English translation:— " But n o w we've quitted our dear Fatherland, O , let us form a strong fraternal band ; A n d our n e w brethren will the hand extend, For the brave Briton is the German's friend ; This land call yours,— For fair Australia is the German's h o m e ! Ves, fair Australia our new home shall be ; Sing, brothers, sing, loudly and joyfully. In this fair land no m a n for freedom sighs— In this fair land the flag of Freedom flies. This land call yours,— O , bless, Great God, O bless the German's h o m e ! "
THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Was the first celebration of the kind in the colony. It was held at St. Patrick's Hall, on Christmas Eve, and was a great success. T w o large trees, illuminated by candles, and adorned with fancy articles, presented by a German gentleman, contributed very m u c h to give to the whole a lively and agreeable aspect. Between the trees upon two large tables the Christmas Boxes for orphan distribution were exhibited; they consisted of bibles, clothing, schoolbooks, and other useful articles. At a quarter past eight, the ceremonial commenced with the singing of the hymn "Allein Gott in der H o h sei Ehr," and followed by a prayer, in which the Rev. A. Morison, Independent minister, invoked the Divine blessing upon our German fellow colonists. T h e h y m n " Hosannah!" was well executed by the children. Mr. Markert (Chairman of the G e r m a n Union) then addressed the meeting. Master Rupp, a German orphan, twelve years of age (who with his sister lost their parents when embarking at Hamburg), in alluding to the fact of their having found another h o m e here, thanked in a German poem the friends present that evening, and expressed a wish that the colony might flourish and prosper. After a German h y m n "Ihr Kindlein Komt," sung by the children, Miss Mary Vorwerg, the daughter of a cabinet-maker, residing at Richmond, recited the English h y m n " C o m e and worship Christ the new-born King." M r . Schmidt (the Secretary of the Union) in a German speech pointed out the blessings w e had received, and said that all should be happy and joyous on the day on which Christ the Saviour was born, not for single individuals, but for all, for present and coming generations. H e hailed the day on which young and old rejoice, on which the beams of happiness are shed on the rich as well as the poor T h e Germans were as happy in commemorating this joyful event in their n e w h o m e as in their native country, and thankfully acknowledged the services of their fellow-colonists in enabling them to make presents to the orphans and to the poor. H e wished the children to bear in mind that they should consider the presents as merely in remembrance of the great gift received on the day of which the present was the anniversary, as being an agreeable reminiscence to grown-up persons of the happy days spent in a similar way in their childhood. Mr. Schmidt wished for an intimate association of the Germans with their fellow-colonists, and concluded with a poem. T h e song, " O h du Frocliche," preceded the distribution of Christmas Boxes, which occupied half-an-hour. M r . W a n k e afterwards repeated the Lord's Prayer in German, which was followed by the h y m n " N u n danket alle Gotte," and " G o d save the Q u e e n " concluded the whole. This German Union continued in existence for some time, and conferred m u c h advantage upon the German section of the community.