The New York herald., 1872-10-12


lishman on the Platform In De-
fsnee Of "Old Albion"
There has been much speculation In literary Cir
clos since the arrival In this city OF James Anthony
Froude. as to how that distinguished historian will
treat In his lectures the very difficult subject OF
Ireland's past and present condition. The lecture
platform In this city and indeed, everywhere
throughout the country 1t is considered In England
has been used by lecturers on Irish subjects for the
purpose OF intoxicating political doctrine that
represents Ireland as martyr and England as
tyrant 1t Is seldom that an Englishman ascends
the rostrum In this country, either to attempt to
dlsabuse Americans, as he would think, OF false
opinions as to the relative positions Of England
and Ireland towards each other, or to plead for
faircr Judgment on the British government Apart,
then from the kindly welcome ever given In this
country to men distinguished In Europe for services
In literature or in the arts, an unusual degree OF
attention centres In this English historian ac-
count OF the bold step he has taken In defending
British policy In Irish AFFAIRS, Or at least, In his try
ing TO prove from historic data that Ireland after
all has to blame herself more for her unfortunate
condition than she has her more powerful neighbor
across the channel. ha
It will no doubt be very interesting to hear Mr..
past and to watch his sklful portrayal Of critical
scenes with all the light and shadow a master can
impart to them. 1t is, however, OF more interest
still to come down to our own times and see how
the Irish OF to-day are living and to learn some
thing from so high British authority as Mr..
Froude OF the probability OF the realization Of every
Irishman's dream-the chances OF an Ireland for
the Irish with "the green above the red."
In order to foreshadow to an extent the tenor OF
what Mr.. Froude may have to say on the much
vexed question OF Ireland's present and future
HERALD reporter cslled yesterday on the eminent
historian and had long conversation with him.
Being ushered into Mr.. Fr0ude's modest parlor, at
the Brevoort House, the reporter was soon put at
his ease by the frank and honest manner OF
the Englishman. Mr.. Froude is a gentle
man OF apparently fOrty-fve years OF age or
thereabouts, OF commanding presence, tall and
without the least whit OF the bookw0rm about him.
He is the last man in crowd that you would think
was willing to devote the best years of his life to
poring over old manuscripts, correcting anachron-
isms or bothering himself about the British world
from the time W0lsey died to the advent Of the
virgin Elizabeth. Mr.. Froude was inclined, more
than once during the interview to turn the tables
on the reporter for he essayed to interview the
terviewer, and learn something more than he knew
about the Empire City and the throbbing OF Its great
big pulse 1t Is needless to say that such artless
artlfce on the part OF the great historian proved
an utter failure and that Mr.. Froude was led back,
though with gentle force, to the rugged
track in which he had found himself and
out Of which he had been trying to escape.
Before touching at all on the subject OF Ireland,
Mr. Froude expressed himself as having quite
fancy for yachting, and he was very anxious to
have opportunity during his stay here Of seeing
some Of hrst-class yachts and to learn oil about
our modes OF building and about our clubs and
race courses. He said he keeps little yacht him
self In Ireland, with which he amuses himself when
he can get chance to run away from his literary
labors, and he is passionately fond OF the noble
sport that Is q and In its simplicity and enn0bing
In the very reflective character OF Its pleasures.
This subject naturally suggested to the reporters
mind the name OF poor old Ashbury, and Mr..
him in England as representative yachts
man, or II he was alone; tor, added the
that he was born to be q historian OF yacht rules
and regulations and OF the bubbles of match
making: Mr. Froude's reply. was confidential, but
50 nod Is as good as q wink"
on the subject OF Ireand's present condition Mr..
Froude spoke cautiously, but candidly. The re-
us there any probability that the home-rule
movement win meet with success ~
II think not. l am decidedly Of opinion that
ireland could not govern herself to her best advan
sProbably Cardinal Cullen is pushing this move
% ment, as .o he met with SO great victory on the
II should not wonder II that were so; but do
rule have any idea that they win get it. The ques.
ton OF education, according to the national school
system, seems to be what the Catholics fight most
'was not the national school system adopted
with the consent OF the Catholicsf"
more aggressive than they were at the time me- these
schools were introduced"
1T would SEEM then, that the religious squabbling
Ia G In IA
ayes, and don't believe 1t will ever be other
wise.. The Irish Catholics cling most tenaciously
system OF constant oppression OF them by England
and nothing will remove It, The Protestant Church
has been ts tsa hss and yet IT only the
broke out as fercely-morc iercely, perhaps, than
1t had ever done before. don't believe this dis
Hesitation In saying that II Ireland were entirely
Catholic entirely Protestant 1t would be easy to
govern her. and that the people would be far more
happy and contented. But, you see, this is not So
The Catholics and the Protestants Will not agree.n
'rhe priests. It is said, WELD immense power
ayes; and think, under all the circumstances,
this is reasonable or, at least, what might be ex-
what the result OF 1t is In all Catholic countries
For my part should like to see all ministers OF re-
lglon subject to the lalty. | am persuaded this
would be for the better interests OF The State"
~ have been led to believe that Fenianism was
SO widespread "a over the country and SO directly in
Ireland, that the clerical influence has been con-
sideraby broken.n
.'Well, don't know. What Is there new In
same, only under another name, has been cropping
up throughout Ireland's history for hundreds Of
years. This thing called Fenianism has been In
Ireland for seven centuries 1t Is part OF the
people, for Fenlanism means dissatisfaction, sor
rowful longing for what cannot be; d lethargy IN
Ireland with hate anu distrust OF England. It is
not now different from what IL has always becn
Look at Scotland. Scotland had its Fenianisn, and
the men OF the country fought for It, and won what
they fought Tor. How about Irelands fighting for