Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-07

Il Burke at Tallseht Convent. he will
always be remembered in this country
4 BY the series Of eloquent lectures be
delivered here Ia 1871. Coming as
\ the "Tisitor General Of bis order. be
electrified large audiences. A eontro-
versy which be had with the historian
! Froude, in which he distinguished
himself as champion of Catholic Ire
Hand and in which Froude came of
second best, added much to the in
terest of his visit. He was one of the
most fervid and brilliant of pulpit
orators and devoted servant of his
church.
EARLY YEARS,
He came of Norman-Irish stock
and was born in the town OF Galway
in 1890. His father was well to do
tradesman, who lived near the Fran
ciscan Convent. Asa boy his natural
gift as a speaker attracted attention;
| he was the "orator" of his school
mates and associates; and at a time
when the agitation OF public affairs
in Ireland had brought out host of
intellectual giants it was confidently
predicted that young Tom Burke"
would at not distant day make a
figure as prominent as any of them in
the political arena But Providence had
destined him for different Geld OF
usefulness, and bis own inclinations
led him to make choice of religious
life at period when the ideas of most
youths have scarcely received the bias
that affects their after course. Attic
age of seventeen lin 1870 he went TO
Rome and thence to Perugia, where
be entered the Order Of st, Dominic,
commencing his novitiate and the
study of philosophy. Thence be was
again sent to Rome, where he studied
theology at the College OF the Minerva
and Sancta Ssbius. His aptitude for
learning, his retentive memory, the
poetry of his diction and his felicity of
illustration astonished not only his
fellows, but his superiors. After
having thus spent FIVE years in Italy
he was sent by the superiors of his
Order 70 England, where he was or
dained. de spent four years on the
English mission in Worcestershire,
and was then sent to Ireland to found
a novitiate and house Of studies for
his Order, at Tallsght, near Dublin.
AT ROME.
This he successfully accomplished,
and for the next seven years he was
busily employed in the care of the new
establishment and in giving missions
in different parts of Ireland, the re-
suits of which foreshadOWed the great
and constantly augmentiDg success be
was to attain as one of the most effect.
i've preachers OF the Dominican com
uunity. He was sent to Rome as
Superior of st. Clement-the Oldest
basilica in the Eternal City-around
which cluster SO many "reminiscences
Of the zeal, virtue and learning of the
Irish Deminieans. He was not long
there when his services were put in
requisition. The late Cardinal Wises
man, while in Rome, had been wont
to deliver the customary Lenten SER
mons in English and at the Church of
Santa Maria del Popols. When he
was raised to the dignity Of Cardinal
Archbishop of Westminster, and had
to proceed to England, bis place was
taken by the pFeaept Archbishop Man.
ming. The news OF Cardinal Wise
mans death reached Rome before the
commencement of Lenten season; DR..
Manning was obliged 70 leave suddenly
for London, and Father Burke was
called upon, at a short notice,
10 supply his place, which
be did, and containued to
preach the Lentep sermons for five
years. His last appearance in that
capacity was Immediately previous to
the assembling of the Vatican Coun>
Gil. There are few Americans who
have been in Rome who have not
heard him; and bis fame as a preacher !
is as veil established throughout the
Continent as 1t Is in his native land. !
HIS VISIT TO AMERICA.
On his return to ireland Father
Burke was attached to St. Saviours.
the Dominican Church in Dublin. In
October, 1871, as visitor TO the Domin-
an Order, he came to this country
He preached in New York and other
cities of the Union. While here be
was forced, as IL were, into his lannon's
controversy with Mr.. Rroude, the |
English historian, at the close Of which
it was very generally conceded that
Mr.. FrOude scarcely held his own and
did himself little credit BIZ bis style
Of argument, his historical quotations.
and deductions therefrom. Father
Burke was attacked With hcmorrhage
Of the lungs when in America, and
his health was seriously impaired. He
returned to his home in Ireland, and
there lay at deaths door for some con.
siderable period. Having slowly re
covered, he was advised by his ply
slclans to ab2te the toll Of his
missionary labor very consid-
ersbly. Father Burke had ali the
qualifications Of great orator-a
dignihed presence, graceful aud yigor.
Gus action in Resticulation and fine
baritone voice rich in musical into
NATIONS. He was a thorough linguist.
and preached in several languages
with facility.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE PREACHER
| The news Of Father Burke's death
was received with the deepest sorrow
By his many admirers in this city.
Though it was widely known that his
health had been failing tor years, none
expected that the end would come so
soon. Prominent among those who
knew and loved him best is the Very
Rev, Father Michael D. Lilly, Pro.
Vineial Of the Dominican. Fathers.
am indeed greatly shocked. !" he
said to Herald reporter, who found
him yesterday evening In st. Vincent
Ferregs Convent, Sixty fifth street