The Irish standard., 1892-12-10

SAIUR RDA Z, DECEM
my books on what I would consider in
real life as utterly and entirely the wrong
side as should in fighting for my own
party. I spoke of lecturing just now. Il
is curious how very much more popular
it is in America, where have lectured
frequently, than it is here in England;
but now I think it is growing in favor
over here, and am glad of it, for it is a
capital method of teaching our people. -
"And speaking of novel writing gener-
ally, Mr.. Mccarthy, do you think that
on the whole it is improving?'
'Yes, decidedly, it is improving over
the whele area, although it is not show
ing 50 many mountain tops. There are
about twenty novelists nowadays who
write really we'll. I am quite as fond of
reading as I am of writing novels
''What about novels with purpose?"
said I.
"Tney are apt to be heavy" he replied
with a smile, 'if people deliberately set
to work to teach; but if there is some
strong feeling in a man or woman, and
the feeling unconsciously molds into a
purpose, that book will be great"
'.And how far should novelist touch
upon certain great social and moral
questions, Mr.. Mccarthy? Do you agree
with Walter Besant when he says that
all reference to the one great fault be-
tween the sexes should be left out en-
tirely?"
mo, certainly not" replied Mr.. Nc
Carthy with emphas 8. II certainly
don't agree with him there. It ought to
be dealt with, although of course very
delicately. But to leave out altogether
one of the most stirring, interesting, ira
gical episodes of every day life, and as 1T
is, is to pluck the heart out of all novel
writing that processes in any way to deal
with life as 1t really is.
'But you draw the line somewhere,
Mr.. MCCARTHY. Don't you think that
Zola and Walt Whitman have at times
I do not say always-overstepped all
necessary limits?"
"Certainly I do. In everything there
must be compromise. The French overdo
it. To harp constantly, even delicately,
upon one string as they do, is an utter
defect in art. Zola is abominable; but
remember his is not a bad purpose;rather
it is perverted honesty of purpose. His
idea is to make men sober and moral by
frightening or disgusting them, and he
certainly ought to succeed"
After Mr.. Mccarthy had expressed his
opinion that articles in magazines should,
as rule, be signed articles, and that the
system of interviewing, where it was we'll
done, was convenient and interesting
method of giving out ones opinions, we
passed to consideration of his life as an
active politician. "Mine is very busy
life," said he, Il sit up nearly all night
I have to read all the papers, and 1 write
a leader for one of the dalles three or
four times week. Iconfess Lind sit
ting in the house interferes d1eadfully
with my literary work; still it is deeply
interesting to me, and Ifeel it is the
duty of every Irish patriot to do what he
can for his country at this juncture.
eyes, I think we shall gain Home
Rule in time, but You know that only
implies national parliament in ireland
for purely local matters. We may as
sumo, as a matter of course, that the
Irish will be we'll represented in the
home parliament. There is no feel,ng
in my country against the Queen. Her
Majesty is simply forgotten. It there is
q Home Rule parliament established in
Dnblin and she goes over to open it she
will receive such an ovation as she never
dreamed Of in her widest moments.
Theoretically I am republican myself,
but have no special grievance against
and I think it is well for 8
country like this to have fgure-head." !"
'You would not have revolution
then?"
Mr.. MCCARTHY slowly smiled. "Well,
I don't know that I desire any special
revolution, This is an epoch of revolu-
tion," said he, "and am glad OF il"
That puzzles me to q certain extent" !"
replied, ''for I always think that poll
tics, religion and science 20 together
hand in hand; and how can q Catholic,
whose church Is as it were mediaeval
srystalization precipitated into the very
heart 81 this epoch of revolution, rejoice
in that very universal upsetting Of the
old, old ideas. I can not conceivep'
mo, no, you are mistaken, " was the
very earnest and satisfactory reply.
.Whatever changes take place must be
changes which are directed by the spirit
that rules the universe; and the Catholic
Church has no fear"
..Ah! good" I replied, Il am glad to