Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-29


by a large and cultured audience. 1t
was AN Irish Night and the marked
applause in order throughout the even
ing truly was evidence that the various
features We're thoroughly enjoyed by
the entire assemblage. An Irish
Night began at O'Clock with the rem
dition Of the following concert pro-
gramme, consisting of Irish wit, humor,
melody and pathos, after which Rev.
R. S. Coffey, pastor of the First Pres
byterian Church, delivered a very in
teresting lecture on the subject, "The
Irish Character" and was generally
we'll received:
PART FIRST.
l. Soprano o-"Killarney' ........ Balfe
49, Mrs. D. W; Cooper.
2 Duet-"The Harp That Once Thro'
Tara,s Halls" ........ .......... Moore
Misses McGregor and Mills.
. Solo nlsr., lis the Last Rose of sun sum.
Miss Nellie Heskett.
l. Soio-"katy's Letter Lady Dufferin
D. Solo" Believe Me. If All Those En-
dearing Young Charms" ......... Moore
Miss Lucy McGregor.
3. LADY Quartet-"Oft in the Silly
Miss Lucy McGregor. lst soprano.
Mss Gussie Schiek, I'd soprano.
Miss Margaret McGregor LIST alto.
Miss Sara NJ. Mills. I'd alto
:. Solo-'Katheen Mavourneen" Crouch
Miss Lucy McGregor.
The lecturer began by saying
that ignorance of Ireland of the
condition of her people, and the diff
culties of her position, is not anything
like what it used to be- To illustrate
this, he gave most amusing extract
from one of Charles Levers books that
showed how ready Englishmen of a
past generation were to believe any
thing, however grotesque and horrible,
about Irish customs. But Mr.. Coffey
explained that much of the misrepre-
sentation that used to obtain respecting
Irish character was due to the Irish
themselves, to their love affairs, and to
the delight they took in mystifying
travellers. Thackeray's Irish. sketch
book was brought into evidence to
prove the truth Of this statement. This
led the lecturer to speak at length on
Irish wit and humor. in the course of
which he explained clearly the marked
distinction that exists between the peo-
pie of the North and of the South of
Ireland. Several original stories were
told TO emphasize this point and they
cOnvulsed the audience with laughter.
The lecturer next dwelt on the fine
texture of the Irish child's mind. and
cited English authorities to prove its
superiority Sir Walter Scott's COM
parison of the Highlanders Of Scotland,
who were certainly descendants from
Irish blood, with the genuine Irish, was
then discussed, and Mr. Coffey pointed
out plainly and honestly the defects of
Irish character Much emphasis was
here laid on the fact that the Irishman
was far more dependent than the
Scotchman or Englishman upon his
religious impressions for the conduct
OF his life 1t was also shown that the
Irish are remarkable for their charity,
and this has been universally acknowl
edged
Mr. Coffey then referred to the fine
collection of national music, samples of
which had been so delightfully."- render
ed in the early part of the evening.
that the Irish people possessed, and
observed no other country in the world
has a musical instrument (the harp
for her national emblem. In cOnclu-
sion the lecturer said: Shall we de-
spair, amid all their misfortunes and
with all their faults. of a people so
keenly alive to the beautiful, the glo-
rious. the soul-inspiring and so capable
of cultivating the noblest sentiments
and the most refined tastes. There is
no nation under heaven more keenly
appreciative of everything that appeals
either to the softest and the most gen.
erous emotions, or to the heroic ele-
ment in man. Shall We not hope there
are brighter days in store for the peo-
pie whose sons have freely shed their
blood on many wellfought field for
the glory of those who had misgov-
erned them? The wild cheer of the
Connaught Rangers, the thunder OF the
charging Enniskillen Dragons, the I'M
daunted front of the Dublin Thisiliers,
the furious onslaught Of the Irish Hus-
sars. the deadly firing of the green-clad
Rifles. have been seen and heard on
scores of ensanguined fields. Orange
and green have stood shoulder to
shoulder when a common foe threat
ened the common veal. So we trust
the time is coming when once and
forever. Erin's various tints will be
united.
And form in Heavens sight
One arch of peace"