The Irish standard., 1893-08-26
ERIN AT THE FAIR
Kate Field Writes Entertainingly
of Mrs. Ernest Hart's Work
for Ireland.

Kate Field Writes Entertainingly
of Mrs. Ernest Hart's Work
for Ireland.
, BRITISH MISGOVERNMENT,
A Converse Between an English
and an American Lady on
the Emerald Isle.
Seated in an exact counterpart of the
famous wishing chair of the Giants
Causeway with my feet resting on Irish
soil, in the charming village that Mrs.
Ernest Hart has transplanted from county
Donegal to the Midway Plaisance, says
Kate Field, am reading about that un'
paralleled scene in the British house of
commons, when Joseph Chamberlain
hurled epithets at Mr.. Gladstone, sar-
castically ikening his voice to that of
God, "Neyer since the time of Herod has
there been SUCH" Never will the end
of that sentence be known. Then and
there Mr.. T. P. O'Connor spraug to his
feet crying "Judas" at the top Of his
lungs, aud then a free fight ensued.
Black eyes, smashed hats, cuts, bruises,
curses long andl oud, proved how slightly
man is removed from the wildcat. On
the restoration of peace, Speaker Peel
assured Mr.. O'Connor that if he would
only express regret for an expression
undoubtedly due to momentary irrita-
tion, all would be we'll. Mr.. O'Connor
apologized for ikening the member from
Birmingham unto traitor and the
house went on it's usual way.
What was the scrimmage about? Ire
land, of course, and Of course it will
evoke the usual comments on the Irish,
how they are bound to make trouble
wherever found and are unfit for Home
Rule
What a sarcasm it all is! Above and
around me is a beautiful replica of the
ruins of Donegal Castle, surrounded by
fac SMILES of Irish cottages, in which ma.
tives of Ireland pursue industries estab-
lished among them within ten years by
a sympathetic Englishwoman' Mrs.
Ernest Hart has brought her people and
her industrial creations to the Columbian
exposition that Americans may see for
themselves what enlightened assistance
may do for proud and outraged race
who only ask for work.
"At it again, are theyw exclai1ns a
friend, referring TO this row in parlia-
menu. "Gladstone's fool. England
should never give ireland Home Rule.
Celts are incapable Of self-goyernment.' -
My maternal grandfather was patriot
in the revolution of 1898. Ruined and
driven from the land he loved, he came
to this country early in the present CEN
tury. A g1anduncle was kidnapped for
singing a national song and was never
heard of more. am glad to be descended
from brave men and listen with disgust
to criticisms born of ignorance. To an
swer fool according to his folly is to
say nothing. Rising from the wishing
chair pass into the banquetiug hall of
Donegal castle, where stands colossal
statue of Gladstone from the chisel of
the Irish sculptor, Bruce Joy, who has
put up in Mrs. Harris village copy of
the bronze statue erected several years
ago in front Of Bow church, London.
Around and about this banquet hall are
portraits of the myriad of men who have
made Ireland famous, beautiful home
spun and other stufs, embroideries,
laces, handkerchiefs, all made by Irish
peasants. Passing into adjoining cot
tages I watch carvers, carpenters, iron
and silversmiths, weavers plying their
trades, and as turn away to ponder un-
der the shade OF grateful tree about
the Irish question, Mr.. Ernest Hart her
self comes and sits beside me.
Doesn't it make you furious to hear a
whole nation condemned in one sentence
and not allowed to have one redeeming
feature?'' cay.
Curious? I've been furious with my
country people ever since I began to
study the Irish people," replied sturdy
and true Mrs. Hart whose name should
be spelled with ane.
"How long ago was that?"
IF am to tell that story it must be
over the lunch table, I'm hungry. Let's
have something to eat" Thereupon we
adjourn to restaurant in the garden
ssWhat shall we order?"
"Irish stew would be most in harmony
with the situation" respond, and a
natty maiden in q p; city Irish costume
brings US bowls of as good stew as I've
eaten for many day. In the shadow of
q round tower from which floats the flag
of the Emerald Isle we eat and talk, and
talk and eat, while visitors pass in and
out, wearing that look of curiosity pecu-