Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-16

planted in the boys blood throve quickly,
and in 1919 he started for the far east I'M
der the care of his more fortunate elder
brother. In India they shot tigers-kaya-
nagh being, as has been heretofore stated,
an excellent wielder of rifle or fowling
piece. In India, also, the lucky elder BROTH
er died. and the cripple fastened home to
Ireland, only to find that his other brother
Charles. the inheritor of the great Kav-
anagh estates, had also departed this life
Thus the 'despised homunctllus," as he bit,
terry described himself. became heir to
many broad acres, and the smoldering fires
of ambition began to blaze up within him.
In 1856 he married his cousin, Frances
l.eathley, daughter of the rector of Ter
monfeckey, and during the years 1856 and
1877 he served high sheriff of the coun-
ties of Kilkenny and Carlow. In 1866 he
was trfumphantly returned as member of
pariia for Wexford county From 1868
10 1881 he represented Carlow at West
minister, becoming lord lieutenant of Car
10" IN loSo and privy councillor in 1856.
Performed Many Feats.
kavanagh never used artificial limbs Of
any sort His arm stumps were fitted with
screw plates. into which hooks or for use
at table, forks and spoons could be fixed
Through patient striving he acquired WON
dertul dexterity, and the writer has seen
aim toss off glass Of wine without help
by pressing the glass stem between his
right stump and his breast and lifting the
prim quickly to his lips. He could also
pour cut wine for himself and his hand
writing Che wrote either with the pen fitted
INTO MS stump or by means OF a long Quill
held in his teeth) was quite legibIa I;rta
ton he abhorred
havanagh was usually carried from place
10 place on the back of his valet-a mus
cuiar fellow. whose figure was as familiar
in the purleus of the house of commons a.
was that of his master. When at home or
IN his London house. Kavanagh wheeled
himself from room to room by means of a
sort of tricycle. chair. From youth inward
however. the mode of progression which he
ioNed best was riding on horseback. He
was always bold rider, and followed the
mounds until age and increasing infirmity
forced him to desist. At first he rode with
out any protection, relying simply on the
grip or his leg stumps; but a nasty fall
which broke his nose, induced him to in
vent Tor his own use box side saddle In
winch he was strapped. A short skirt COW
cred the continuance, and gave Kayanaeh
a very singular appearance.
Shot Big Game.
His shooting was done by means of guns
from which the trigger guards had been
removed. The gun to be fired was laid
along his left shoulder. and with his right
hook he pulled the trigger. His aim was
deadly, as tigers, deer and other big game
of which trophies are preserved in Boris
house are ample proof. While in Persia at
the court of the Viceroy Mira Malicious
Tin 1s49). he defeated ffty-two picked
sharpshooters in a contest of marksman-
ship.
kavanagh's parliamentary record was an
excellent one. The rules Of the house of
commons had. of course, to be altered in
MS behalf, and he was permitted to speak
from his own seat. without rising. His
speeches were infrequent and brief but al
ways pithy and full of brilIiancy When
ever he addressed the house he was eagerly
n md 10 ay.tp I-t-l
tiers carried much weight. His ringing at
tack 1t was which in 1869 decided the fate
of the poor law amendment bill. Twice he
was offered peerase by Disraeli-in 1865
anu in 1850. but on both occasions he de-
chHed. Il am too proud of being the heir
of the kings of Leinster,'' he was accus-
toned to say, Ito think of accepting any
mere barony or viscounty." A knighthood
he also refused. with the satirical remark
that he was so constituted as to render
1t impossible for him to kneel down for the
knightly accolade.''
His Public Record.
Arthur Mac Murrogh Kavanagh was re-
sponsible for other suspensions of imme-
mortal custom in the house of commons. 1t
IS. in that august assembly, the rule that
all members shall vote or leave the house
during a division, and that strangers are
not allowed on the floor Of the house. Now
kavanagh's valet was permitted to carry
him to and fro, between his seat and the
lobby-being the only non-member allowed
access to the chamber. During a division.
however, the faithful attendant could not
we'll be admitted. and so Mr.. Speaker was
accustomed to avert his eyes and pretend
ignorance of the fact that the honorable
member for Carlow county still sat in his
bench. without voting
Kavanagh was an excellent landlord, and
greatly improved the condition of his es-
tates. His children are all well-formed and
exceptionally robust specimens of human
tty, the eldest son and heir Walter Mac
Murrogh Kavanagh. having contested the
County Kilkenny at the last election.
So far no dissentient voice has been
raised to mar the general chorus approving
the project of an adequate monument to
Arthur Mac Murrogh Kavanagh, surely one
or the centurys most notable Celts