The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1883-06-04
A DISASTROUS CELEBRATION.

A DISASTROUS CELEBRATION.
The "New York Times" writing
of the rage for centennial and BIZ
centennial celebrations in America,
cites for purposes of comparison the
particulars Of the celebration of the
anniversary of the landing of St. Paul
on the Island Of Malta, which is des-
cribed as follows:-"The affair was
originated and managed by the
fathers of franciscan convent on
the north shore of Malta. They had
made up their minds that St. Paul
had landed just in front of their
convent on the 9th of February in
the year 81, and they resolved to
celebrate the eighteen hundredth an
niversary of the event with great
splendonr. The public was notified,
rather mysteriously, that an slmpos-
ing function would take place ON
the sea-shore at 8 o'clock am. on
the day IN question, and accordingly
large crowd of curious people as
sembled at the place and hour indi-
Gated. They saw anchored at short
distance from the shore an ancient
fishiug-boat manned by six fishermen.
In the stern St. Paul, in full priestly
robes, was addressing the fishermen,
and evidently telling them that it
was time for the boat to 90 to
pieces. Accordingly the fisher
men began to rock her to and fro
with great violence; and then, in
company with the apostle, suddenly
cast themselves into the sea and
swan toward the shore. Here the
first disaster occurred. st. Paul's
cassock would entangle his feet,
and his surplice would get over his
lead. The result was that the saint
began to drown, and was compelled
to call Justify for help. A boat was
launched, and St. Paul was saved,
but the manner of his landing was
painfully unapostolic, as was also
his language, when he was suf-
ficiently recovered to speak. Mean
while, the shipwrecked fishermen,
with the help Of the good Francis
cans, had kindled fire, using for
the purpose can of kerosene, which
exploded in the hands of a jealous
father, and seriously scorched St.
Paul, though fortunately, the apostle
was too damp to burn, or the cele-
bration would have come to sud-
den and tragic end. When the
disorder caused by this accident had
abated, St. Paul and his companions
warmed themselves at the fire, and
IL harmless local snake, carefully
tanned and trained by franciscan,
was introduced for the purpose Of
biting, or rather seeming to bite,
che saint. According to the pre-
arranged plan the saint should have
shaken the snake into the fire, but
he Inadvertently shook it the wrong
way Nfell upon the neck of one
of the ptUttiest girls of the island,
bit her brown shoulder, and then
disappeared IN the grass. Intense in
digpatipn was at once manifested.
The girls lover announced that he
could thrash the man who threw
venomous snakes at harmless girls,
and the girl'S father, who was q
quiet and peaceful old man, drew his
knife and remarked that nothing but
the liver of The Iunspeakable scoun-
drel who had killed his daughter
would give him any real comfort.
To make mattefs worse, that chief
Franciscan hastehed to explain that
the Innocent chlprit was st. Paul,
and that tile snake was perfectly
harmless. Now, st. Joseph had been
for ages the patron of Malta, and the
people were profoundly attached to
him. They were driven to fury at
the idea Of any other saint landing
on their island and impudently
claiming their respect. Yelling
'Fuori San PaoloI, they threw them
selves upon the unfortunate saint,
and W. spite Of the gallant defence
made by him with an improyised
! club, and of the heroic and Christian
conduct of the good fathers, who
fled to neighbouring roadside
chapel, where they prayed at their
utmost speed, the wretched apostle
was kicked, and beaten, and stab
bed to death within q wonderfully
short time"