The San Francisco call., 1896-02-12

Catholics should study English literature
from the Protestant masters. Protestants
are not ashamed to study the paintings OF
Catholic masters in Europe The lecturer,
speaking OF how the work might be done
the work of building up Catholic English
literature e-saidlhe would have a school OF
Catholic writers, and in it once In q while
a Catholic genius would surely be found
Thomas Moore, an IriShman and a Cath
olic never had nor never will have an
equal in lyric poetry. He will remain the
sweetest singer in English literature. Next
in order of merit IN the Irish school comes
James Clarence Mangan. Had Mangan
first seen the light Of day in England his
lame would be familiar everywhere now.
All his songs are sad as the sigh of the
the winters winds-like his life, that saw
but few CLEANS of the sun of summer
Morgans beautiful though sorrowful
poem Twenty Golden Years Ago." was
recited as an example of his genius. The
following verse conveys an idea of its feel
ing:
OH how plaintive you would ween was;
Yet won't-albeit have a deal
More to wall about than Werner has.
Did paint fifth of what feel.
Werner's tears were wept for withered flowers;
Mine for whered hqpes my se50 Of
Twenty golden years ago.
And the poem "Soggarth Aroon" was
given by the speaker, who then turned to
English writers.
There are two poets who, were they not
Catholic, would have been laureates-New-
man and Faher. Newman's prose, for
beauty, elegance and power, is surpassed
by few writer's.
Alfred Austin, the present poet laureate,
is Catholic who was educated in Catholic
schools exclusively.
In America there are no penal laws to
enslave Catholics, no critics to damn
Catholic literary efforts with faint praise.
There are many Catholic writer's OF emil
nence in America, and among them
Futher Ryan and John Boyle O,Reilly
will be remembered through the ages by
men of culture. Father Ryan's poem,
1.-The Warrior Banner" was recited as
specimen OF the poet priests poetry.
John Boyle O'Reilly, an Irishman. a
political felon driven from his native land
came among strangers and through his
genius commanded respect.
Among writers of America the speaker
said he could without eavil give a very
high place to Charles Warren Stoddard
If any man in America has written imper-
ishable English that man is Stoddard.
Few books in American literature excel
his "South Sea Idyls." Another writer
worth knowing is James Jefferies Roache.
editor of the Boston Pilot, the author of
two books, which Father Mcdonald re-
commended to the Catholic reading cir
cles. One of Mr.. Reaches poems read by
the speaker gave good idea of the edi-
tors humor and ability.
The outlook of Catholic literature is
bright and there is very good reason to
look for great Improvement. Catholics
may hope for literary victories in years to
come--years which the generation of to-
day may not hope TO see. That glory
Catholics of now cannot participate in,
but the seeds of 1t they may SOW.
Rev. Joseph Byrne announced that
tickets for the Archbishop's lecture would
be ready at Metropolitan Hall to-day from
8 A. NJ. to P. NJ and at Sherman 81 Claws,
Kearny and Sutter streets, Thursday and
Friday, from A. NJ. to P. NJ; also at the
hall every evening.