The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-05
Interview with Father Burke.

"a ~ ~~sN~.~s Al
A correspondent of the Boston Pilot re-
Gently called on Father Burke, the result
Of the interview being given as follows in |
that paper ,r...s t1. -r.-, ~ n
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Burke, it is hardly |
necessary for me to. say that all of Ireland
that Is in America, and it is no small share, |
are anxiouely looking for your return, and
have called specially to ascertain If there |
is any prospect Of IL.
Father Barke-I wish very much to re-
turn to your great country, and your gen-
erous aud hospitable people, but fear it
will be some time before will be per-
mitted to do SO, perhaps q couple of years.
You know l am but an humble Domini-
can priest, am now and always will be
subject to the will of my superiors. Per-
sonally, should be delighted to return
| Immediately to America, aud visit every
part OF it wherever any OF my dear coun-
| trymen are situated but you spoiled me
in America by the grandeur and enthusiasm
! Your correspondent made brief but
earnest allusion to the controversy with
Mr. Froude, for which Irish America was
heartily grateful to their champion.
Father Barke-My Celtic blood became
stirred up by Mr.. Froude's false assertions,
or should rather say, the public expression
of his mistaken views or reading OF our ma
tional history. The more so as Mr.. Froude
is really learned man, and justly stands
high as an historian. Were his statements
to be allowed to pass uncontradicted, it
would be said that we accepted his version
of our own grand and eventfut history;
but unfortunately, had little time for
preparation, and hence my reply to him
, was not all that could wish it to have
been. IF knew as much when preparing
| my lectures as do now would not, per-
/ haps, have been SO severe on Mr.. Froude,
who ia really an able man, as then was.
( Since then have learned that his wife is
good Catholic, and was the means of con-
vertipg tho Duchess Of.
r Correspondent-Them more reason, think,
you had to be severe on him, and I hope
the castigation you gave him will do him
good, and if not convert him, will at least
r teach him to write history for history g
sake, and not to the order of any man or
: lures on "The Cause of England and Ire
q land Stated to the American people" as
8 jury.
q Father Burke-I think he will be little
j more cautious in his statements in future,
so far, at least, as ireland is concerned
Yet his lectures, the very attempt to fal.
sify or misrepresent our history has proved
abortiye, has set our own race thinking and
studying the history of our dear old land
a and soon, no doubt, all the Irish in Amerl'
II ca will be able to answer for themselves,
- C0rrespondent-Alth you were work
3 ed very hard in America, Father, it seems
y to me they are working you still harder
10 here at home since your return, and II they
- do not allow you more rest, l think yo1
- must do as Saint Kelvin did, dig hole ii
=. some inaccessible rock, where you may
~ find intervals of repose.
20 Father Burke-Well, truly, have bu
10 little rest, and, as you say, 1 am worke'
even harder here than in America on
:, what matters it, if can do any good in tn
n cause of our Heavenly Father; and as TO
Y
\. saint, after securing what he thongh5
of secure resting place, was found out o.
~ Ca,haleen and you see what lumber Q
40 Kathleens have around me here (ahuu!n
~ to immense numbers of ladies momentarii.
IA arriving to attend the retreat), and mus
~ soon be getting into harness, as there
4; much to be done. The retreat here WI
~, last until Sunday next.
w The father looks healthy but somewha
~ thinner than when in the United Staee'
In This ia not to be wondered at, consiaerin
- his great Iabors. On the Wednesday {
r. the retreat week, above referred to, u
~ came into Dublin and preached an elt
~ uuent sermon at the Jesuits' Church, VI
per Gardiner st., at which L was Presen
M and on the following Sunday, WIN som
Nv = friends, took q drive out to Kingston
~ and to my astonishment, there found MI
III preaching charity sermon in the parochi
church, in aid of the funds OF the Socle'
,;u of St. Vincent de Paul, and on WEAKNESSES
~ of the following week We find him ava
'g77 off in the County of Longford, preachlr
.ed the dedication sermon Of the Church
'oe Saint Michael, Ballymahou, in the dioce
50 50 of Ardagh. 1t is something wonderful no
no the great Dominican is able to stand SUI
~ cxertions, or how his voice is able to no
'us out against such u perpetual strain. 1e
lca with all this, it is as clear aud ring''
ere 90
cir
HEAvEN.-What man that is journeyiI
rho abroad, doth not hasten backward TO I
rho native land Who thatls speeding vo
at age toward them he loves, longs not wi