The Northwestern standard., 1886-04-10
THE LIFE OF FATHER BURKE.
(By w. j. Fitzpatrick, r. IS. Al

HenZ1gers BROS. IL is In every fespeCJ
d remarkable book, and the author, who
has made a name for himself In his
Life Of DIR. Doyle, Z Life and Times
of DR.. Lanigan, = ssThe Sham Squire, !
and other kindred works requiring deep
research, has, In this biography, far
surpassed anything he has previously
written. To those who are acquainted
with Mr., Fitzpatrick's captivating style
this is saying q very great deal. he
had indeed subject worthy all his giant
efforts. for never was there life SO full
Of incidents deserving record as
that Of the great Dominican. Posses
sing from boyhood, i had almost writ
ten inheriting from his gpious parents,
that deep religious feeling which was
through life as lamp to his feet; hav-
ing natural talents which would have
made him master amongst men what
ever career he might have chosen, and
withal filled with a spirit Of humor more
bright than crystal, Father Burke, in
the mission to which he devoted him
self, had perhaps no rival IN our CEN
tury. As an orator he was unsurpassed.
The writings of the Angel of the
Schools, the great st. Thomas Aquinas,
were as familiar to him az the alphabet,
and the strength of his memory was o
wonder to all. The reading of Father
Burke's speeches or sermons can convey
but very faint idea Of what the man
was in the pulpit. To be appreciated he
should be heard and seen. Every ges-
ture, every move Of his countenance
told. and while the sweet modulations
of his powerful voice charmed every
ear, his earnestness in his Masters SER
vice appealed directly to the heart.
Many and various are the stories mar
rated by ssthe ould residenthers of sweet
Galway town. concerning young Nicho-
las Burke's boyish tricks, and as Mr..
Fitzpatrick narrates the jokes played by
the boy on all, even on his solemn
mother, the reader is conyulsed with
laughter. And through his whole life it
was the same. The bright spirit OF
youth never left him. As he writes to
one of his converts, the daughter of an
English Protestant rector, "People can
be Sankey- -monious without being
Moody No people on earth can SO
well appreciate a joke as the Irish, and
how we'll Father Burke knew this is
evident from the way in which he sent
the most solemn lessons home to the
hearts OF his countrymen on the arrows
of wit. He was great admirer OF the
Irish street ballad and could initiate it
to perfection. These are a couple o4
verses from his poem on ssThe Conyer-
sion Of Connaught'
Arrah, Mrs. Mcguire, did you hear ths news,
But my jewel I'm sure you knewit;
The Quality's goine to save our sowls,
And to pay US for letting EN- do ii
There was Mrs McGrane When her man was
slain,
On the banks of the could Climea,
Gev her clargy up for the oft and sup,
And took ON to Luthers idea.
It was no uncommon thing when
Father Burke was in highest favor, be-
fore his trip to America, to see strolling
through the streets of Galway two men,
the elder of whom would frequently
stop, hold his sides, slap his thighs, and
cast his hands about in the most extra
ordinary manner, all the time giving
vent to torrent of laughter, while the
younger man, 8 quiet smile playing on
his face, would calmly await the conclu-
sion of the fit to whisper few more
words, which had the effect of setting
the old man into another paroxysm.
And every passer-by would smile, say
ing, There goes Wat Burke, the baker,
and his son, the priest . His presence
was to the afflicted as bright sunlight
cheering and invigorating all who came
within its influence Cardinal Cullen
was for years before his death subject
TO the most excruciating pains. How
Father Burke would by wondrous tales,
Jokes and mimicrles make the dim, |
sunken eyes of the great ecclesiastic
Hash again how he dlspelled the clouds
rom the wr1nkled. worn face, and even
caused the thin lips to open In laughter.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick is at home III narrating, |
Ministering to others he bore his own |
pains III silence. Once. when brother
priest congratulating him on the success
Of more than ordinarily humorous /
speech, said, sFather Tom you must |
nave been quite at ease tonight, he
replied, "My dear fellow, [ felt all the |
time as if hand of red hot iron were |
crushing nv side. The disease which /
caused his death at the age OF ffty-two
internal ulceration-af f1icted him for I
years. Yet personal discomfort never
prevented him from giving aid to his
brethren. He was ready at every call,
,ften depriying himself of the sleep he
aeeded SO much. or rising from sickness I