The sun., 1885-06-14

seeing documents OF paramount importance
and Incompatible sanctity subjected to multi
pliod revisions. NJ. W.. II.
Ralph Beruai Oaborne.
During the Viceroyalty Of the Earl OF
Mulgrave In Ireland from 1884 to 1889. Eng
land, for tho first time since the conquest OF
the country by Henry H.. possessed the love
OF Ireland. This was won for her and
given freely and trustinRly to her through
the then absolute sovereign OF her will
and her affections. O'Connell. who sank tom
porarily for o purpose the patriots bluntness
In the bondsmans will. In 1885 Lord Mulgrave
made triumphant progress through the coun-
try. and in his visit to tho western Highlands
stayed for rest over Sunday at the residence
OF a gentleman who for many years represent
ed Galway in the House Of Commons. He was
accompanied by three members OF his staff. tho
Hon. James Mcdonald OF the First Life Guards.
who has recently died. known as Handsome
Johnny" Capt. Bernal his ade-de-camp.
and Francis Sheridan the brother OF the beau
tiful Sheridan sisters his private secretary.
All four were men Of remarkable physical
beauty. and three OF them were mon OF great
intellectual power Memory turns. even at this
distance OF time. with vivid recollection
to the admring thrill which their presence
to welcome them. Francis Sheridan. who pos
sessed in a wonderful degree the hereditary
gifts of his family. WAS the most brilliant
Of tho party. He cut off like his
brother Charles. who was almost equally
gifted. quite young. and when his gifts
were but In blossom. The then Ralph
Bornal ranked next. Nothing could surpass
in charm the Rayety and glitter ofthcir CONVEX
sation. and in tho evening they sang. though
both sad sinners. in duet several sacred songs.
and in gentle courtesy to tho family OF their
host. which was Roman Catholic, the Alma
Mater" and " O Jesu MI" with q depth OF feel
ing and tenderness Of expression which
those listening never alterward forgot.
Ralph Bcrnal had charming tenor voice.
which WAS as much OF an aid to his success
as an orator in the House OF Commons after
ward. as the same gift has been to Mr.. Glad
stone. Tho late Sir julius Benedict was fully
justified when ho said, with glow OF pride.
to a gentleman sitting next him In the
Speakers gallery who exclaimed while
Mr.. Gladstone was speaking, How delightful
to listcn to him." All. he owes that TO u.s."
In tho morning when they rode away. for they
made their tour on horseback, the peasantry
around improvised a salute OF honor by blast
Ing number OF rocks which they got together.
The match WAS applied as tho vceregal
the cry, and tho ycerega party had to
Gallop off In every direction to avoid the lodges
OF atone which wenuhying through the air The
Bernal Osborne OF after life was fond OF telling
with great humor OF this. as he styled 1t, dclic-
ious!y characteristic Irish salute OF welcome
II is OF this Ralph Bernal that somo little
time since q life. or rather a memoir. was
printed for private circulation. under the title
Of The Life Of Ralph Be,adl Osborne. ". T., by
PHILIr Henry BAGESAL. The number OF
copies being BY the wish Of his SON in law. the
Duke of st. Albans. who at one time it was
hoped would have undertaken tho work him
self as q labor Of love- strictly limited, the book
has been eagerly sought and treasured. An
irresistible fascination. as has been truly said.
hangs round the lifa OF man who. like the
subject OF this memoir. not only obtains dis
tinction In public life but holds sway as q
social potentate-a species OF which. save
in our Own Eyarts. We find fow samples In this
country. Such one beyond any other appeals
to the admiration Of the men and women of
his time. Who while they revere tho intellect Of
the politician and the orator. simply worship
tho possessor OF those more ephemeral gifts by
which social success Is achieved.
From this memoir. which we have been
enabled to peruse. We learn that the Bernals
were By descent Spanish Jews. as the D!sraelis.
with whose great representative Bornal Os-
borne was through life on terms OF the closest
intimacy, and whose career in subdued and
less successful form his much resembed. were
Portuguese like them they removed north and
settled in London. and like them found 1t to
their advantage to embrace tho Christian faith.
Ralph Bernal. Jr.. as he was called at the Pc
riod OF carly life In which we have introduced
him. was the son OF Ralph Bernal. for many
yoars Chairman OF Committees in the House OF
Commons. the position lately held by DR.. Lyon
Piaylair. and now by Sir Arthur Otway. in
which he united great popularity with great
respect But he WAS still better known
and celebrated for his Hebraic trait as
a skilled collector OF precious gems and deli
cate china. and his auction. on his death. at his
house In Eaton square. drew purchasers from
all parts. His son was born in 1908 and re-
ceived his early education In the Charter
House. whore 1t is told that his ready wit and
independence OF opinion marked him out from
the mass OF his fellow scholars AS in the case
OF most young fervid natures. We find him cul-
tivating the poetic muse and at the age OF six
teen he published q poem " The Age We Live
In." in AleIandrine verse. which gave clear in
dication Of that skill in singing satire and that
originality OF view which distinguished him In
after life, 1t begins thus:
ssnng W the folies Of the present time,
Ny angry satire seeks relief IN rhyme.
Come. Bpecnus humbHg goddess OF the day,
BE thou prOIiiious and uefrlend my lay
SO may twist my pent up spleen IN rhyme
Nor hurt The person, though lash the crime
In 1929 he went up to Trinity College. Cam
bridge. where his handsome presence and bril-
liant buoyancy Of spirit. no less than his sharp
and restless tongue. made him feared but
prominent figure. Possessing that beautiful
voice OF which We have spoken. and. like Dis
raeli great histrionic ability which also stood
him as another strong aid In his after career.
he became among the non-reading set. which
included the great majority. the most notable