Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1845-12-25

hHS OoA"WN Va thS AASS'
FREDERICK DOUGLASS IN IRELAND-FA.
Their MATHEW AT HOME.
Frederick Douglass, the eloquent young "runa-
way," whom many Of our readers will remember,
appears TO be receiving great attention in Ireland.
From his last letter in the Liberator, we make the
following extracts, embracing an interesting ac-
count of visit to Father Mathew at his own home.
Writing from Cork, October %, Douglass says:
"My reception here has been truly f1attering -
Immediately after my arrival. public breakfast
was given to myself and friend Butfum--of the de-
tails Of which, you are already informed. Since
then, have had every kindness shown me that the
most ambitious could desire. am hailed here as
"A Temperance man as we'll as an abolitionist. My
first speech here, as we'll as in Dublin, was on the
temperance question. | have spoken on temper
ance several times since. On the 2lst instant,
Father Mathew, the living saviour Of ireland from
the curse of in,emperance. gave splendid soiree.
as token of his sympathy and regard for friend
BueIur and myself There were two hundred and
fifty persons present 1t was decidedly the bright
est and happiest company, think, ever saw. any
where. Every one seemed TO be enjoying himself
in the fullest manner. 1t was enough to delight
any heart not totally bereft Of feeling, to look up
IN such company of happy faces Among them
all, 1 saw one that seemed to be disturbed a! my
dark presence On the morning after
The Soiree, Father Mathew invited US to breakfast
with him at his own house-an honor quite unex-
pected, aud one for which felt myself urprepar-
ed. | however, accepted his kind invitation, and
went. found him living in very humble dwell
ling, and in an obscure street. AS approached
he came out OF his house, and with upliited hands,
IN manner altogether peculiar to himself, and
with face heaminy with benevolent expression,
he exclaimed Welcome! welcome! my dear Sir.
TO my humble abode;' and at the same time taking
me cotdially by the hand, conducted me through
rough, uncarpeted passage to green door leading
TO an uncarpeted stairway, on ascending one flight
Of which found myself abruptly ushered into what
appeared to be both drawing and dining ROOM
There was no carpet on the floor. and very little
furniture of any kind IN the room; an oldtashion-
ed side hoard few chairs, three or four pictures
hung carelessly around the walls, comprising near
" the whole furniture Of the room. The break
fast table was set when went in. A large urn
stood in the middle, surrounded by cups. saucers,
plates, knives and forks, spoons. &c. &C., all Of
very plain o,der-rather too plain, thought, for
80 great man. His greatness. however, was not
dependent on outward show nor was 1t obscured
from the by his plainness 1t showed that he
could be great without the ordinary attractions
with which men Of his rank and means are gen.
emily anxious to surround themselves.
UDon entering the room, Father M. introduced
me TO Mr. Win. OConnor, an invited guest, gen.
t,enan of property and standing, and though NOT
a tc.,otaller We; an ardent admirer of Father Ma
,hew As an evidence Of his devoted attachment,
honor and esteem, MIR. O'Conner has erected a
SPLENDID tower on his own land, about four miles
rom Cora, in very conspicuous pace, having
very commanding view Of the harbor ofCork. and a
view of the beautiful hills for miles around. The
presence Of this gentleman at the breakfast afor-
ded me an excellent opportunity OF witnessing "a
ther Mathews faithfuness 10 his friends. found
him entirely uncompromisng. This gentleman
complained little Of his severity towards Inc dis-
tillers Of Cork, who bad large amounts invested In
ds,ileries. and who could not be expected to give
their business up to their ruin. To which ra'her
Mathew replied in the natural way that such men
had no right to prosper by the ruin OF others
He said he was once met by very rich distiiler,
who asked him, rather implorIngly how ne could
50 deliberately plot the ruin OF 30 many good ana
unoffen1ng people, who had theis all invested 10
dstilleries! In reply, Father Mather then told
with a good spirit the following anecdote: ~
very fat old duck went out early one morning ~
pursuit Of worms, and after being out all day she
succeeded in filling her crop, and on her relnrn
home at night, with her crop full OF worms, she
had the misfortune to be met by toX, VINO al once
proposed to take her life to satisfy his hunger
Tie old duck appealed, argued impioreo' anu re-
mons,, atcd She said to the fox,-You cannot be
40 hard.hearted as to take the life Of harmless
duck. merely to satisfy your hunger She exhor-
ted him against the commission Of so great SIN.
and be eyed him not to stain his soul with innocent
blood. When the fox could stand her cant no
longer, he said Out upon you, madam, with al!
your fine feathers; you are pretty thing, Indeed
10 lecture me about taking life to satisfy my hum
gers not your own crop now foil OF worms =
You destroy more lives in one day, TO satisfy your
hunger, than do in whole month =" Father
Mathew has fund of anecdotes. which he tells IN
he happiest manner, always to the point. and
with the most excellent eff CT. His whole soul
appeared to be wrapped up in the Temperance
cause The aim of his life appears to be to spread
the blessings Of Temperance over the whole
world. To accomplish this he spares no PAINS
His time. strength and money are all freely gwen
TO the cause, and his success Is truly wonderful.
When he is at home, his house Is literally suiroun-
ded by persons, many of whom have come miles 10
take the pledge. He seldom takes meal without
being interrupted BY some one to take the pledge
This he did with great delight.
Cork contains one hundred thousand I0haoitan's
One half Of this number have taken the pledge OF
Father Mathew. The change already wrought IN
the condition Of fbe whole people OF Ireland 10 al
most, Though his labOrs, miraculous; and the